CHAPTER 96: NOT LADY ENOUGH

Kali stopped walking after she had gone a distance away from Rhane and Jenna. She watched both of them from a corner, talking and smiling at intervals. It was almost like every other person around didn’t exist to either of them. The way Rhane looked at only Jenna, with so much softness, mixed with a raw gaze of unshielded hunger. It wasn’t hidden that Rhane was heels over head for the woman in front of him.

And Jenna, she wasn’t any different. Kali had noticed this before but the young woman had confirmed it with her reaction earlier. It hadn’t even been a full day. Yet she couldn’t stomach staying apart from Rhane. Kali understood that Jenna was scared of tapping into that part of her emotions anymore but her body was betraying her, laying bare what she felt for Rhane.

Her glare, her sharp words- none of it hid the truth. Her body still leaned into Rhane’s protection. And moments when she wasn’t glaring, her eyes longed for him. She looked at him like he had something she wanted. Like Rhane was exactly the prize she’d been waiting to win.

"Those two," Kali sighed, shaking her head gently. She was glad she hadn’t taken Jenna away as Rhane had instructed. She wanted to give her brother the love he wanted and deserved. Something Rhane had never gotten in his entire life. Wiping her eyes with her elbow, Kali cleared her throat.

She had walked away quickly, because she didn’t want Rhane to tease her for crying. Kali hadn’t wanted to cry either. After Rhane asked her to leave, the heaviness in her chest kept increasing with each breath she took. She thought about the years she lived without Rhane and how it had been hell. Living in a world where she had to fend for just herself, it was a relief to rely on someone.

Kali didn’t know the depth of her sadness until she heard Rhane’s voice again, she’d thought she would never hear him again. It was only after she hugged Rhane did she feel embarrassed.

Walking away from where she was hiding, Kali went to the coachman that had brought them to the village. Handing the man a pouch of coins.

"You stay around and return them to the estate."

Kali glanced at the duo that now strolled deeper into the village and she smiled. It was a wistful smile, one filled with so much worry. She didn’t know how long it would be like this. Rhane pretending everything was alright while his entire empire was burning or rather would soon become ruins. Kali turned away, making her way back home.

"I hope she’s worth it," Kali pondered out loud. Everything Rhane was giving up was what he spent all his youth building. Most young men had the luxury of a good comfortable life, with their lives already planned out for them. Gerald was among the luckiest. And some young men had it the worst, born out of wedlock or sold by their poor family. Rhane fell in that category, but he didn’t wish to remain there forever. He wanted his own name, his own family. A place he could proudly call home.

For that reason, Rhane clawed his way out of the mud, piece by bloody piece. Now he was ready to burn it all for love. Kali remembered how excited she had been when Rhane returned for her and had paid their mother everything she demanded. It had be—

"Kali!"

Kali exhaled tiredly, recognizing the voice. She scanned around, she hadn’t realized she had walked so far and was already in front of the estate and Percy was waving at her with a bright, excited smile on his face.

"I told Rhane where to find you," Percy chimed, closing the distance between them. "Is everything alright? Rhane looked like he had stomach worr— I mean he was a little restless. Yes." Percy nodded, rubbing his hand at the back of his neck nervously.

Kali dipped her hand into her pocket, her eyes on Percy’s face, "And some young men don’t care what life brings, they just live like fools," she concluded with a small nod.

"Eh?" Percy asked with his brows knitted in confusion.

Kali shoved him aside. Pushed the gate open. Head still hung to the side. Her mind was occupied and filled with worry. Soon the estate would be empty, Jenna on her way, Rhane captured and she on the run.

"Bloody devil’s sons," Kali cursed out loud, strutting into the nearest hallway.

Percy cleared his throat, "You might not know this, but it’s not proper for a lady to curse," he remarked, trying to sound polite.

Kali stopped but didn’t turn, she stared tiredly at the ground, gritting her teeth. "Proper? Humor me, what else shouldn’t a lady do since you have a lot up your sleeves, Eh?"

Percy raised his shoulder, feeling really proud of himself that he was asked to speak. Without seeing Kali’s face, he began, "I’m really glad you asked, Kali... You see, I’ve been working with a noble lady for a really long time and I’ve watched you these few days. You’re a little... let’s say too rough and say things a lady shouldn’t..."

Kali closed her eyes, her palm clenching into a fist beside her. "Really?"

Percy took it as a cue to continue and he nodded, "Yes! I feel so happy we are speaking about this... the other day I saw you training with the men and you had just a little piece tied around your chest. A lady shouldn’t let men see her body like—"

Percy gasped when Kali’s hand shot forward and gripped his neck, pushing his back forcefully against the wall.

"Uh..." Percy gagged, struggling to push Kali’s hand away but he couldn’t. His eyes glistened, turning red at the same time.

Kali tilted her head, "Well, mate, run out of fine words already?"

Percy raised his face so he could speak, then he said. "Why good sir, do you not have anything else to say?"

Kali raised one brow and Percy nodded. "That’s how you speak."

Kali scoffed deliriously, before she squeezed his neck even tighter. "I see fools fear no death."

Percy’s eyes began to bulge out, he raised one hand trying to push Kali’s hand away.

"You wish to teach me of what I do with my body? I’m the flesh noble bastards tear through before crawling back to their wives. What I have is not to be hidden... it’s been seen by all," taking her hand away from Percy’s neck, she watched him wheeze and struggle for air with his two hands around his neck.

"No lady here, lad. Just the muck men crawl over," Kali said with a note of finality. She turned to walk away but got dragged back again.

"This fool pray for hell," Kali smirked, fisting her palm she turned with speed to hit Percy but to her biggest shock Percy landed a kiss on her forehead. Kali’s entire body went rigid, her eyes wide like she’d seen a ghost.

Percy moved back from the kiss, "You’re not less. Not to me. Never to me, Lady Kali," he said softly. Noticing that his hands were holding both sides of Kali’s face, Percy drew his hand back.

"I swear, I didn’t plan it. Just...couldn’t stop myself," he stuttered. When Kali raised her hand, Percy closed his eyes and winced, expecting to be hit.

Kali opened her lips and closed it. Her eyes shifted from Percy’s face to his lips, "Open your eyes and look at me," she said with her hand reaching forward to touch Percy’s face.

Percy opened his eyes slowly; he looked even more surprised than scared. "Your words are poli—"

"What is going on here?" An amused voice chimed, "Who would have known that Rhane’s infamous estate is a place where affairs bloom."

Kali turned around, she reached for her dagger when her eyes met with who it was, and he wasn’t alone. "Father."

"My beloved daughter," Nikolai muttered with a small grin that didn’t reach his eyes.