CHAPTER 356: FLY ME TO THE CRUEL MOON

[KAWAI]

Kosta paled as he slid down the wall at the old woman’s name-drop. A part of him had hoped that she wouldn’t do it, that she wouldn’t put Tamiko through this again. It wasn’t fair, but it was also a test of certainty.

Tamiko didn’t know what he was getting into, and Kosta’s heart broke for his Erasthai. This was the worst test of fate for him, and he wanted to take it all back. He wanted to turn back time, but then again, all his life, he had been fighting.

This was the first time someone was willingly stepping into the worst of places to save him. This was not even up for debate, and that scared Kosta to the core. The young prince was dangerous on his own, even without anyone provoking him.

But now with a name at the back of his mind, and Kosta’s happiness at stake, Igor knew that Tamiko wouldn’t stop until he got what he wanted, and that was more important than what was at stake.

"I can’t talk you out of this, can I?" Kosta asked sadly as Tamiko walked over to him. It was already midday, and the ultimatum stood at sundown. It wasn’t enough time, and Nana had known that too. This was the most dangerous of quests, and yet life didn’t seem to be so easy here.

"You must not seek the help of the mad king or the Lycan lord, Sadako. This is something you must do alone," Nana said, her tone soft, like she wasn’t subjecting the young prince to a fate so cruel.

Kosta felt his world shrink instantly.

His happiness was staring at him and the chaos that was looking at him as of the world was the worst of places. It was inevitable. This wasn’t what they had signed up for but love was the one thing that Tamiko lived for.

"I suppose I can take my best friend along, no?" Tamiko asked, and Nana just nodded.

She knew what this meant.

She knew how hard this would be, but she couldn’t compromise. She couldn’t let this not happen. This was the way that the gates had chosen for the two kids she cared for. Perhaps at the end of the day, life had to come into play eventually, right?

"Daniel Belova is not a risk to the mission so sure, you can take him along," Nana said looking at Kosta who wasn’t opposed to the truths that lay bare before them. This was not what he had imagined, but hey, for the Lycan chief Tamiko would fight everyone.

"Alright then. Looks like I have my work cut out for me, princess. I shall be back for you soon. Don’t miss me too much," Tamiko said as he kissed his Erasthai’s forehead gently. He could see the denial in Kosta’s eyes, and he knew that this terrified the man.

He wished he could say that he wasn’t going to do this, but Tamiko knew that would be a lie. He had to do this. It wasn’t up for debate. He had to match up and make sure that Kosta was happy.

He had a feeling that there were several obstacles to the name he had been given, but then maybe, just maybe, he would be able to figure shit out and get back to his Erasthai, right?

Besides, at the end of the day, only Kosta would forever matter to him. It wasn’t that complicated either way. Then again, life wasn’t always going to be kinder to them, and Tamiko had long anticipated that.

"Come back to me, please," Kosta whispered defeatedly. He should have known that this was bound when he brought Tamiko to his home. He knew that was the one rule, but he had forgotten all about it in the excitement of having the prince within his walls.

He had been too happy, too elated at the idea of what the future potentially looked like for it all to be just chaotic. Maybe by sundown, he would be able to figure this out. But why did it feel like this was the worst of goodbyes that they were being forced into?

What if Tamiko didn’t win against Yilena?

What if this was the one person Tamiko wasn’t supposed to even think of fighting? Who would fix that for them? What the hell was it bound to be for them then?

Was it going to be okay or was the sun just another shade for them and life was as fucked up as always then?

"Take care of my Erasthai, Nana. I will be back for him," Tamiko said, and the old woman just smiled toothily at him, before Tamio stepped out, back into the world that had been his to conquer.

Therewa something about the name that seemed so forbidden, something that screamed danger and yet Tamiko couldn’t quite put his hand to it.

He could either walk the walk with Danny, who was new to the system, or go with the only person who probably knew more than he was letting on, right?

’I won’t be home for dinner today, too, Papa. I’ll see you all tomorrow,’ Tamiko said in the mind link that he had forced his father, his uncle, and Danny into — a few weeks ago.

It was the only way other than having to explain to them why the fuck he had made that decision. He knew they would have questions, but he didn’t have the tome.

There were only seven hours until sundown, and if Tamiko didn’t work with that, then he would be doomed. There was no denying any of that. Perhaps he had to wait and figure shit out without having to curse out everyone, right?

’What happened?’ Lord Sadako asked, and Tamiko chucked softly. He knew that he was in for the greatest test of his life, and yet he couldn’t quite bring them to understand what he was about to do, and that too for Igor Konstantin.

The way that Nana had been certain to warn Tamiko against telling Sadako or his father was a tad too obvious. It was like this was the one thing that the woman knew that the royals would never approve of.

Even the way Kosta had seemed defeated back there was horrifying to the core, and Tamiko quite understood that. Maybe he would be able to win this all, but what else was he supposed to say to them?

’I’m taking Kosta out on a date. Don’t follow me. Don’t hound him. And don’t ask too many questions. We will both be back soon,’ Tamiko said with a tone of finality that he knew his father would pick up.

Maybe it was the only way of trying to explain to his father that the impossible was probably about to come to light, a part of Tamiko was horrified at what this woman meant, but another part was excited to see the one woman that had been sent his way just because he wanted to love the Lycan Chief without any conditions.

Maye he was insane for accepting the task, but what the fuck was he supposed to do about that. What was he supposed to say when the sun didn’t exactly look the brightest as of now, then?

’Alright, kid. You know where to find us if you need us,’ King Zaffuto said.

Tamio shut the mind links, locking everyone out, including Kosta. He could already imagine Kosta trying to talk his aunt down about the most insane mission Tamiko had been sent on. But what else was there?

They had to figure this out.

Tamiko had to see for himself if there wasn’t a line he wouldn’t cross for Kosta. It was dangerous, but it was what the truth looked like for both of them. Maybe the sun wouldn’t go down as fast today, no?

"Sire... you’re here?" Floki asked curiously as he looked at the Lycan prince, who looked grim and bored. He looked like he didn’t even want to be here, which was a tad interesting and yet understandable.

After all, everyone knew that Tamiko preferred to spend every second of the day with Kosta and not the warriors. It was not uncommon for newly mated Erasthais who had just spent the ruts together.

"Good day, Floki. Where is Sanjiro?" Tamiko asked, not bothering with the pleasantries.

He was on a ticking clock and he needed to figure out what the fuck was needed. He knew that asking Floki about Yilena would result in his father learning about this mission or whatever it was about, so he had to be very careful.

He needed to speak with Sanjiro, because the traitor would be the only one to help him out in the open. After all, Sanji was the enemy and the one who could easily be discarded.

And he seemed like the one person who knew the dirty secrets that the entire kingdom was known for.

"Here I am," Sanji spoke before Floki could say anything to the prince. It was so uncharacteristic of him to look so obedient, and yet for the first time, Tamiko didn’t care whether the man was naked or dead.

He needed answers, and Sanji had them for him. It wouldn’t matter if he wasn’t about to understand what the complexities were, because no matter how hard it all got, there was never going to be a way for them to turn back from this shit.

"Gear up, and follow me," Tamio commanded and began walking away.

Floki stared at the prince in confusion. He wanted to ask what this was about, but one look at the cold prince, and he knew that the man would hang him by the balls like an exhibit, and he wouldn’t have any regrets.

"Yes, sire," Sanji said, and Floki handed him the weaponry.