Two Of The Same Piece || Book 1 (The Beginning)

CHAPTER 36

Taiskin paced around his room, his feet slapping against the floor loudly. As the news settled in, he felt a deep sense of dread. Josephine had gone insane, she now held Rave and Leo hostage. He felt guilty too. He hadn't listened to her when she begged him. While he knew he made cruel jokes about her, he was still her brother. And he had a duty to protect her.

Rina was still asleep, Taiskin had just gotten the news from Contyer, who looked equally disturbed. His father had sent a command for him to return, with Rina.

He looked back at her. She was soundly sleeping, her brown hair spread over the pillows. He didn't wake her just yet. Later, when he had finally found a way to tell her properly. As if she could hear his thoughts, she stirred. "Tai?"

Taiskin walked to the bed, "I have grim news."

"Can't it wait? I'm so sleepy, come back." She whined.

"It can't wait. It's about Thinlin."

"Does it really matter? Let's sleep." She insisted.

"Josephine had imprisoned all the foreigners in Thinlin." Taiskin snapped.

"And?"

"She has imprisoned Rave!" Was she that stupid?

"Will you staying up and yelling at me save her?" Rina grumbled, "Sleep and think tomorrow with a clearer mind, Tai."

--

Rina directed her ladies about as they packed her things for the trip back to Bellamin. Rina honestly didn't want to go. She wanted to stay in Evergrown and pretend like Thinlin never existed.

What was Josephine thinking? She either had a very good reason to imprison Rave or she just going mad. Didn't she realize she was risking Rina's marriage and life too? She probably just wanted an excuse to sleep with Leo.

Rina knew this would affect her appearance as the future queen. She huffed, but Taiskin had already married her. If he tried to divorce her, she would just pretend to be pregnant. They had slept together enough for her to be pregnant anyway.

She rubbed her belly. She desperately wished she was pregnant. Then her position would be completely secured. She made a mental note to ask the queens about advice on it once she arrived in the capital.

--

Hanara pulled her hood down to cover her face. The people of Bellayong would look to her as a support figure now, how will they trust the gods to safely deliver them the princess if they saw the high priestess breaking down? Hanara prayed with all her heart, for her brother and her princess. She knelt right behind Taiskin and Irene, all before the statue of Ravi. He would protect Rave, after all, she was his namesake.

She wanted Taiskin. Even in this dark moment, it was still one of her favorite things to do. She had always thought he looked rather majestic. The prince was near perfect by Bellan standards. Pious, a great fighter, handsome features. The one thing he didn't have was a Bellan consort.

She knew why he was here, aside from the praying. Hanara lowered her head. Ravi was offering her a positive in such a negative situation. She didn't want to think about marriage or anything festive. Her brother and the princess were still being held captive.

The mass continued on for a few more hours before the watchmen announced it was midnight. As people slowly started to retreat, Hanara made her way to her private prayer room. Her prayers would not end until they were back safely.

But Taiskin followed her. None of the other priestesses stopped him. They knew that Taiskin would be the one to comfort Hanara at a time like this. He was the only one, save for Ravi, who could save her brother and return him to her.

"High priestess." He entered after her as she sat before another, smaller statue of Ravi.

"Your most gracious highness," She replied in a hoarse voice. Her heart wasn't in the banter. She had been crying too much to even care. For all she knew, Josephine was violating her brother.

"Are you alright?" He touched her shoulder. "Seriously."

"No, Taiskin." Hanara looked away, her eyes watering again. "How can I be alright?"

Hanara broke down in sobs as Taiskin wrapped his strong arms around her. "Hana, my love. Please."

"How could you let this ever happen, Taiskin?" She rested her head against his shoulder, "How could you?"

"They will be fine." Taiskin kissed her. "And I will save them."

"They will not be fine." Hanara looked up at him. "How can they be fine? Do you not understand? They will carry this with them for the rest of their lives. If they survive long enough to even live it, that is."

"Trust me, they will survive. They have to." Taiskin told her.

"So, you are here to propose that I become your Bellan wife?" Hanara sniffed, hitting his chest lightly. "Always scheming."

"The people would have never accepted Rina as Queen anyway. Now, they will kill both of us if I don't take another wife." Taiskin shrugged, "You are already so respected. You won't even be the first priestess to marry into the family. My grandmother was a high priestess."

"That is true. But are you sure?" Hanara asked, "Because I will not be cast aside like Rina."

"I wouldn't dare to."