Chapter 179
“Why aren’t you saying anything?” He wheezed out, clearly annoyed by her ignorance. She was doing this on purpose because it was driving him crazy. Why was she acting like all he said earlier was just nothing. He knew of countless woman who’d break down when he turned them down, but Hakura… She didn’t even say a word about what just happened!
“Saying anything?” She echoed his words back at him, grimacing like she didn’t have a clue of what he was saying. “Like what p>
“Don’t act ignorant Damnit He growled, but she only scoffed, pulling her wrist from his grip abruptly such that his hand still lingered in the air for a moment.
“I doubt you’d be of any use helping me to find the last herb since you barely know any despite someone of your mighty status, so just leave me alone right now p>
He watched, mouth open in disbelief as she turned away from him, scrutinizing and smelling the herbs and flowers again- this time- keeping her distance.
She was probably acting according to what he said, right? She had decided to keep her distance from him since he wasn’t interested in her like he mentioned. So why was he so bothered about it? Why was the fact that she was acting like he was just air driving him insane?
He just stood there, feeling restless inside, but finally perked up after a few minutes when she raised a strange looking herb over her head.
“Found it p>
“So how do we start? Do we need a cauldron or something?” He asked sacarstically, but she ignored him.
“I have enough energy to crush everything.” With that she let the bag drop to the floor, and using her hand, she raised all the herbs she had picked in the air, making them swirl around in a quick circle while Cardin watched in amazement.
She suddenly brought down her hands, digging into her spatial space while the herbs continued spinning around each other automatically.
“Here p>
He abruptly caught it and glared at her since she threw it at him without warning.
“What am I supposed to do with this p>
It was a small glass container, wide enough to contain a few raisins.
“Open it up and tilt the tip down, just incline It to the spinning herbs. I’m going to crush them down and it’s going to flow into the bottle, so I need you to get every single possible drops that you can p>
“Sure.” He did as she said and watched as she did strange hand motions in the air, the sight of the herbs lidiquifying amazing him more and more. He remembered times his father would take him to festivals and fares and how the sight of witches performing tricks like this always enlightened him.
It seems like it never grew old.
“Get ready.” It was Hakura’s voice that pulled him out of his reverie, and he silently berrated himself for getting distracted as he positioned the jar properly. In the next second, a thin orange stream of the potion snaked into the jar, and Cardin had to resteady his grip on the jar as it flowed in. It felt cold in his grip.
Once he was done and was shutting the jar, Hakura walked up to him and he tensed up, reflexively putting up the jar Infront of him like a barrier between them.
“Uh… What are you doing?” He glanced down to see her face, grimacing in inquiry.
“N- Nothing.” He was stuttering again? Why p>
She yanked the jar from his grip, and he acted nonchalant about it, turning aside to dust something invisible off his shirt, when suddenly, he was yanked down and his eyes widened on feeling something long and wet rub on the side of his face. She licked him!
Hakura leaned back, one hand holding the jar, and the other holding onto the arm of his shirt as she smiled, saying p>
“Whenever I want something Cardin, nothing, and when I say nothing, I mean nothing at all will get in my way of having it.” With that, she abruptly pulled away, stepping back with a ludicrous wink before turning to walk away, sauntering her hips, rendering his eyes spellbound to her body before he finally blinked, realizing what just happened.
Was he angry? Shocked? Frustrated? If having so many emotions all at once was possible, then that was how he felt right now.
Grinding his teeth and squeezing his fists, he finally went after her, keeping his anger in check Incase he tried to pounce on her.
Soon, he and Hakura got closer to the palace. As they approached the building, anyone around would take note of the sound of leaves crunching underneath their feet, the noise of the crickets and the looming stars above, sending light down to the ground, the dark gloomy clouds shielding the full moon up ahead.
“Do you hear that?” Hakura whispered.
“What? I don’t hear anything.” He grumpily replied.
“Exactly. Nothing. It’s like a graveyard here. It’s so quiet. I don’t feel too good about this.” She sidestepped a dead Kitsune, and he followed suit. For a second, his gaze lingered on her body again before he quickly looked away, silently cursing.
“You seem to feel good about almost everything until now. I’m shocked.” He snobbishly said, and she glanced at him.
“If you say anything that doesn’t revolve around the mission, I’ll kiss you,” she smirked at the expression on his face. F**k, he was so cute. “I dare you p>
As she walked ahead of him, he parted his lips to talk, but he shut it up immediately. She… She wasn’t serious right? She was just joking around. But why was she having this effect on him? Was he scared of her? Then why is it that he couldn’t even utter a word again? Arggh! Why is he thinking of how good her lips would be; moulded with his. How could he even betray Talia by thinking like that? What was wrong with him p>
“Look at this.” She whispered in that hushed voice, and he berrated himself again for slipping into thoughts. They were on a mission! He was never this distracted. He hoped this will all come to an end so that he could stay as far away as he wanted from her.
He made his way close to where she stood, bent low, peeking through an opening.
She leaned back and gestured for him to do the same and when he did, his jaw dropped. Standing before hundreds of Kitsunes gathered together, right Infront of the king and that mad woman who had locked them up from earlier was Koan and Nancy, Daniel and… Naomi.
He leaned away.
“What’s going on p>
“Come on. Let’s check it out p>
“Wait. What are… “
Murmurs and gasps broke out amongst the crowd as Hakura and Cardin materialized before them startling Koan and the rest since they appeared very close to where they stood, right before the elevated throne stands.
Cardin face palmed himself while she grinned at him.
“Guys you made it.” Nancy excitedly announced and more murmurs echoed around the place. Talia, Barton and Brittany felt a bit intimidated standing amongst them, so they tore through the crowd and joined the rest standing before the king. Cardin automatically stood beside Talia who smiled at him as he did the same.
Hakura noticed, but she said nothing.
Fiona stared at her father, and like the others, she noticed he was fading. Naturally, she moved close to touch him and Koan held Daniel’s shoulder, giving him a sombre look.
Reluctantly, he let go of Fiona, and the girl climbed up the step, majestic and powerful, commanding silence in the entire place with only her graceful movements and she stooped low before he father, holding his hands.
“Father… ” She frowned in confusion. “Father what’s happening p>
“I’ll tell you.” Hakura stepped forward, casually opening up the jar, the orange color attracting the attention of everyone. “He’s fading away into extinction. It’s part of the curse. He had all the time to get himself out of that throne, but now his time is up p>
“No!! No!!” He yelled so abruptly that Fiona stepped back in shock, looking at the man who screamed like a drowning victim in need of help. “This can’t happen!! I was so close!!! So close p>
“Can’t we help him” Daniel’s heart clenched seeing the pain, helplessness and distress in her eyes as she looked to them all for help.
“Naomi… ” Koan stretched his hand, but Fiona didn’t take it. Tears dropped from her eyes.
“Father’s dying p>
Daniel’s eyes welled up as he stretched his hand as well.
“We’re here for you Naomi. You don’t need him… He’s evil. He never wanted good for you. He only wanted to use you. “
“Lies The King roared, and Fiona turned to him. “End them Fiona! They want nothing but to kill you once they’ve finished with me. Do not trust them p>
Fiona glanced at them again, tensing up when she sees the outstretched hands before her.
Every Kitsune was on the watch, ready to adapt to whatever decision she’d make. If she’d take their hands, then they’ll be ready to accept a truce with the werewolves.
She is the queen after all.
But If she did not accept them p>
Killing every single one of them off will be easy.