Captive: Hopeless

Chapter 69 - Awake

Kay awoke. Lazy, toasty warm in bed, despite the chill of the morning. A smirk touched her lips as memories of the night before flooded her mind, but then she realized she was alone in bed. She blinked blearily to clear her sight and noticed the note with her name on it. 

Reaching out, she flipped it to read his familiar, scrawling handwriting. 

"Don't eat breakfast. I'm taking you out to a little place I know," the note said, "Love, Marcus." 

Her eyes clung to the "L" word. Although she said it a couple of times the night before, he still hadn't said it back. Did he write it out of habit, or was this his way of telling her he loved her because he couldn't say it?

Did it matter? She could see it in his eyes when they were together. Was she so shallow that she had to hear the words to believe what she already knew? Some people just couldn't say it, but did actions not speak louder than words? 

***

She didn't want to leave her cocoon, but she'd soon have company if she didn't get herself dressed. With her and Marcus having spent nearly twenty hours together since the incident in the dungeon and the others leaving them respectfully alone, she had a feeling they would want to talk to her about what happened to her in that cell. 

Although Marcus and she spent most of that time in bed, the others organized a romantic dinner for them in the ballroom the night before with a feast no restaurant could serve. They had danced beneath those amazing chandeliers Akira had installed, and never having been on a real date, it was an experience Kay treasured. 

They had eaten, talked, and really got to know each other for the first time. Despite lingering until the early hours of the morning, Minerva remained on call with two of her servers until they finally made their way to the guest room Akira had assigned them. 

This time, when they kissed, it wasn't with the hunger they experienced before in the dungeon. Having sex in that place where she had suffered so much was not something she ever expected to happen. Nor had they ever been so frenzied, but it was somehow cathartic. When they finally got dressed, a little shamefaced and yet unable to keep from smirking, Minerva awaited them in the cellar to show them to their room. 

Akira's efficiency at work again. 

Had she heard them? Probably, but her expression betrayed nothing as she led them to this ivory and gold room that reminded Kay of a fancy hotel but with a homey touch. 

This was definitely not Azera's style. When she ruled the castle, all of these rooms looked like they belonged in a brothel in a BDSM movie. 

Grabbing a robe, Kay made her way to the bathroom and stared at herself in the mirror. The little smile on her face, the touch of blue light in her eyes, and her relaxed manner weren't something she was used to seeing. 

Happiness suited her. With a wink at herself, she jumped in the shower and got herself ready for the day. As she dried her hair, she caught herself humming. Something Daniella used to do all the time, and for a moment, it felt off, wrong, but then she smirked and allowed herself to be happy. 

***

When nobody came around to the room, Kay went in search of them.

"Minerva? Where are the others? Have they gone home?" she asked, a little hurt that they hadn't stuck around to talk to her when she was finally ready to talk. 

"The others went out for the morning, Marcy wanted to show the ancients the city, and Claudia awaits you on the balcony for tea."

"Thank you," she said and made her way up to the balcony, which was beside the pool, and looked out over the garden.