"Should we really do that?" Ami asks as we run away from Theo and the others. We'd like to play and explore on our own. "You do realize that he is a King?" she adds.
"I don't forget that," I say, especially when our difference in the status becomes a main sore point in our relationship.
"So you know that he can force you to do something, especially when you are a citizen of his country?"
I pause and Ami peers at my face. I smile sadly at her and say, "I don't think he can hurt me more than I've been hurt already."
"Oh," she says and keeps quiet.
Then, we buy more snacks and even play some games and activities along the street. When we are drenched with sweat, we buy some Duran clothes and go inside a public bath to wash ourselves before making our way to the Ladies' club that she is referring to. I am just glad that she didn't ask more about me and Theo.
Once inside the club, I note a couple of tables and chairs. Most of them give a bit of privacy. On our right, I see a hallway. Ami whispers that it's the way to a private room. Then, a good-looking man comes to greet us and Ami blushes at the attention, especially when he places his hands on the curve of her back.
I smile at her, and she reddens all the more. We are ushered into a private room that can fit four people comfortably. After sitting in a posh couch, we look into the menu and order meals and drinks. From time to time, the good-looking man enters to ask us if there's anything we need.
So, we order and order, making sure that we are still within budget. All Ami and I did is just talk about our life. It feels like we are best friends already. I've told her everything about me, the hunting park, the memory loss of fifteen years ago, my family. Everything, except for the fact that I am also a she-wolf.
We are still talking, with her head on my lap, when the door to our private room opens. Nadif and Elroy come in while pulling Klevon into the room. Without a choice, Ami sits up and allows the three to sit with us.
"What are you doing here?!" she asks, annoyed at the uninvited trio.
I glance at the clock. It's past midnight already and the three men look intoxicated. Well, Ami and I are also dizzy with the alcohol.
"This is an exclusive ladies-only gathering!" Ami complains.
"Well, we have no more cash, and we want to play more," Elroy says, placing his arms around Ami's shoulders.
"Kaiya here won the mountain challenge, so we thought you might have extra food and drinks you can give us."
"You are warriors, not scavengers!"
I grin, but when Klevon sits beside me and places his head on my shoulders, I clear my throat instead. I peer into his face. His eyes are closed and he looks to be sleeping already. I push at his heavy body. I am about to succeed when he whispers, "I'm proud of you."
I take my hands away from him. "Proud of what?"
"You have applied Brandon's training and the wind magic you learned from these three."
"Okay," I say. "So, can you move away from me now? You are heavy."
He obeys, but he moves his face closer to mine. I pull back, I can smell his breath–a hint of intoxication. "You are amazing."
That's it. I pull away from him and am about to go to Ami's side when he reaches for my waist and pulls me closer to him. "Stay," he orders.
I slap his face, stand up and run towards Ami, when suddenly, I feel myself being lifted. I squeal before being placed on his lap.
"Damn it! Let me go, you perverted captain!"
He grins, before burying his face into my chest. Then he wraps his arms around my body and pulls me closer to him. With nowhere to place my hand, I touch his shoulders. He shivers and takes a sniff of me.
"Hey!" I complain.
He didn't loosen his arms. I glance at the three magicians. They are giggling with a knowing look on their faces. I sigh. Fine. I will let him be. Besides, I feel nothing for him. Theo have already taken all my desire. I don't think there is still something left to give to him. Moreover, I don't feel disgusted with his nearness.
After a few minutes, Klevon stirs. He looks up at me with a smile on his face. "I thought of a surprise for you."
"What is it?" I ask.
He touches the top of my nose and responds, "It will not be a surprise if I tell you now."
"Surprise?! I like surprises!" Ami interjects. She is very much drunk as she crawls toward us.
Nadif and Elroy lift her while telling her that she is a hindrance. Then they ‌sing and dance again.
I start to giggle when suddenly, Klevon gets up. He places me on the seat beside him and he announces, "Party's over! Let's go somewhere!"
"You want us to come with you?" Elroy asks, incredulous.
"It's dark now, and besides, if the three of you don't come with us, my decapitated head will grace the gates of Pitchford."
I frown at him, not knowing what he meant by that. Nevertheless, I ignore it. There is no use thinking about what Klevon has in mind.
"In that case, come, Ami, let's go to that handsome server and pay for the food."
"Handsome?" Klevon asks. "Who-"
I close the door on him before he can even ask for more. Hand in hand, Ami and I go to the good-looking server. We find him talking with another group of guests. Then, his attention goes to us and a smile appears on his face. Not to me, but to Ami, who I'm sure is flushing scarlet now.
He approaches and says, "You are leaving now? It's still early."
Ami mutters something short and I leave them so they can talk more. I make my way to the payment area and ask for the price of food and drinks. Then I turn my attention back to the two. They seem to enjoy talking to each other.
After waiting for another minute, I approach them and ask the handsome man, "Don't you do take-outs?"
"Yes, is there something you'd like to take out?"
"You," I answer. The two look at me, as if I am crazy. So, I explain further. "I won the mountain challenge earlier," I start.
"Oh, congratulations! It's a difficult challenge."
I smile. "We decided to go somewhere else. We still don't know where. The guy who had the idea to leave, says ‌it's a surprise. So, may I ask if you can accompany us? I have money right now and I can pay for your daily wage."
I wink at Ami who is getting redder by the second.
"Oh!" the man exclaims. He looks at Ami and then at me, then responds, "You don't need to pay me. I actually want to come with you, if you will allow me."
Then his eyes stay at Ami.
I grin. "Let's go?"
"I will just take care of some stuff. Can you wait for me outside? It will only take a couple of minutes," he says.
Ami nods, and my smile widens. Well, at least, we will have more than one pleasant memory.