SWEET HUSBAND AND BITTER WIFE

Shocked, Akira could do nothing but try to free herself from him, this which proved to be futile. Thaggar was much stronger than her, a fact that she knew undeniably but she still tried to fight him off.

"Don't fight me, Akira." Thaggar whispered, finally releasing her lips to allow her time to breath.

Akira was panting heavily as though she had been running or climbing the mountains. Thaggar leaned in once more and planted a light featherly kiss on her lips that somehow managed to send an electric shock down her spine. An involuntary moan escaped her lips and Thaggar grunted in turn. Akira arched her back as she hooked her arms around his neck and she let him kiss her. Thaggar welcomed the invitation and continued to kiss her, becoming more hungry for her, his need for her growing.

"Akira." Thaggar called out, his voice raspy and deep,"Are you allowing me to touch you?"

Unable to form words, Akira nodded bashfully. Thaggar hummed softly and carried her to the straw bed. Akira carried her face as he undressed her.

"I want to see your face, Akira." He pleaded.

Unable to resist him, Akira lowered her hands, finding his firm shoulder to hold onto. His gaze was intense as he watched her. She couldn't maintain the eye contact and looked at the wall.

Thaggar's chuckle rang out as he enveloped her and she found herself smiling as well.

"Good morning." Thaggar whispered behind her ear.

Akira attempted to get up but Thaggar held her down firmly with his arm around her waist.

"I said good morning."

"Good morning."

"Good. We start off as soon as the sun is up."

"Alright. Let me wash up."

"I already cleaned you when you passed out."

Akira was shocked and instinctively touched between her legs finding herself clean. She had no recollection of being cleaned but it was obvious he wasn't lying. "Thank you." She whispered shyly.

Thaggar nodded and got up to get himself ready for the journey ahead. Akira got up as well, covering herself with her hands even though Thaggar had seen her naked and probably relished in doing so.

The sun rose quickly and before she knew it, Akira was settled in a cart with her mother and the female companions Thaggar had brought along. They were quiet, not saying a single word to one another while the village people bid them farewell. Tak was on his war horse riding alongside Thaggar whose horse seemed to match his bulk physique. Akira watched her home getting further and further away from her and she looked at her beloved hideout with longing.

"Akira."

Akira was drawn out of her thoughts by the voice that called out to her and she was certain it wasn't her mother. Her eyes settled on the women sitting across from her, unsure of who it was that had called her. For some strange reason they had their faces half covered with white cloths.

"Did Thaggar breed you?"

Akira finally realized the person speaking was the one sitting at the far left next to some jugs of water and she nodded. From the crinkle at the side of her eyes, Akira could tell she was around her own mother's age. The woman seemed to smile while she nodded in acknowledgement.

"Forgive me for only introducing myself now. I am Sarika, Thaggar's mother, widow of the late Jaguar of the Northern land."

"It is my pleasure to be in your presence, chiefteness Sarika....."

"Queen mother Sarika." Another voice echoed with a hint of annoyance in her tone.

"I apologize..." Akira responded looking at the woman whose sharp gaze was piercing through her.

The person rolled her eyes and turned away from her.

"Don't mind her, Akira." Sarika said sounding on edge,"That is Savvy, Thaggar's first wife."

Akira, stunned, looked Savvy up and down with her lips parted. Thaggar was married?! She knew it was a popular practice to have more than one wife in the North but she had convinced herself that Thaggar wasn't married because she had not heard anyone mention otherwise and now.....

Feeling betrayed, Akira looked at the other girl who seemed much younger than all of them.

"I'm Thaggar's sister, Taki." she introduced herself.

"Nice to meet you....princess?"

Taki laughed at Akira's response but she still nodded. Akira smiled back shyly and felt her mother squeeze her hand comfortingly. Taki was very chatty and Sarika made effort to converse, often speaking with Rai. Savvy just sat glaring at Akira who was trying her best to seem unbothered. After nearly seven hours of uninterrupted travel, they finally stopped. Akira got down after everyone and was immediately whisked away by Taki.

"Sister Akira," Taki begun hesitantly, looking around cautiously,"Is your brother married?"

Akira smiled and finally took the opportunity to laugh at Taki as well as she had been made fun of for hours by this girl.

"I'm glad you seem happy, Akira."

Both girls turned to find Thaggar and Tak.

"Oh yes....we were just about to...."

"Eat!" Taki finished pulling Akira with her but she was stopped when Thaggar caught Akira's free hand.

"I'd like to talk to my wife, Taki." He said almost as if it was a threat, turning the atmosphere tense immediately.

Tak, sensing the shift, tried to dissolve it by taking the young Taki along with him.

"Your mother must be looking for you. Let me escort you."

Excited and frightened, Taki followed Tak leaving Akira and Thaggar alone. Thaggar pulled Akira along with him, leading her to a well hidden clearing.

"Did they say anything to you?" Thaggar asked and Akira's mind immediately drifted to Savvy.

Slowly, she nodded and saw him nodding absentmindedly.

"Don't mind her." He said finally,"I've never consummated my marriage to her."

"Why, my king?" Akira asked awkwardly and she saw Thaggar raise his brow in question,"You're a king aren't you?"

"I wanted to tell you earlier. I've never felt this good being addressed by that title."

Akira nodded while looking around making Thaggar frown because she wasn't paying attention to him.

"Look at me, Akira." He said firmly and she faced him immediately,"Where is your mind?"

"I need to.....relieve myself."

Thaggar looked around and pointed to some bushes where she would be well hidden.

"Why don't you go there."

Blushing, Akira nodded and went to squat by the bush. She hoped he would leave or at least turn away but he was staring straight at her, not even blinking.

"My ki..."

"Thaggar not king." He corrected her firmly,"Say it."

Something about the authority in his voice seemed to stir something within her, stirring her insides in an interesting way.

"Th-Thaggar, could you turn....please."

Thaggar smiled and turned around unaware that the woman on the ground had met her undoing because of that very smile.