"Where were you?"
Zai rolled his eyes at the question Kalyn asked as he stepped back into the room. The others were already preparing to make their entrance into the large Stav household, where they were to meet their future mate.
Earlier, when he met up with Lancelot and Kalyn, he had actually felt curious and almost eager to find out which of the two prophesied girls would turn out to be their mate.
But now, just a little time before meeting them, he’d started to feel restless as if the walls were closing in on him.
That was why, while the others had been busy discussing negotiations and formal matters to be proposed at the Stav family, he had quietly taken the time to step away in search of a breather.
He grinned faintly at the thought. He had indeed found one. A very fresh one.
His mind drifted back to the ’treasure’ he had just left behind. He wondered if she was a servant of the Stav household. He could easily imagine spending time with her instead, letting Kalyn and Lancelot concern themselves with choosing a mate. Such soft smooth skin and expressive eyes. She would probably melt under his touch...
So, he grinned at Kalyn and said," I went treasure hunting."
Kalyn glanced at him as if he’d lost his mind and Zai thought he probably had.
Especially after hearing the investigation reports about the two women, he had no interest in either of them at all. Zai’s grin faded as his thoughts slipped back to the investigation reports he had read earlier. He’d hoped that his people had been mistaken. But people from Kalyn and Lancelot’s pack also had similar things to report.
According to them, Shiqi Stav was said to be delicate, obedient, and virtuous. Obedient.
The word sat poorly with him. He knew most girls were taught to be that. To not think beyond the ’back courtyard’. His mouth twisted slightly as he leaned back against the wall. Obedient sounded neat on paper, harmless and pleasing, but all he heard was pliant. Someone trained to lower her gaze and wait for orders.
He had no interest in a well-trained pet.
He wanted fire. Will. A woman who could look at the three of them and not crumble under the weight of it. And he knew both Kalyn and Lancelot wanted the same.
Then there was Mira Stav. Lazy and promiscuous, according to the reports. Already had a sweetheart.
His jaw tightened as the memory of those words surfaced.
"Damn it," he muttered under his breath.
What in the world had the Stav household been thinking?
They knew about the prophecy. They knew what was expected of their daughters. Instead of preparing both girls and training them to be sharp, resilient and powerful enough to withstand the bond with three alphas, they had allowed one to be wrapped in silk and rules, and the other to be discarded as if she were already a failure.
Did they truly believe virtue would be able to keep Shiqi standing once the bond took hold?
And Mira, if even half of the reports were exaggerated, then she was grossly unsuitable for this...
Just then, Lancelot came up to him and said," You look as if you are going to the gallows."
Zai gave a soft smile then, before laughing, "Well, for now, I think that would be more preferable..."
Lancelot laughed and slapped his back," I didn’t think someone like you could be so pessimistic. Come on. Let’s go see our future mates. At least both the girls are beautiful."
That caught both Zai and Kalyn’s attention." How do you know their appearance?"
Lancelot smiled at that," Of course, I sent a painter to paint them."
Both of them then stared at Lancelot, thinking that this man was truly a step ahead in thinking.
"Can’t you show them to us?"
That had the man grinning," Well, I could. All I need is a few horses and camels. You could add in a few trade markets for my people in your territories also. Then I would be willing to share."
"Your greed knows no bounds, Lancelot! You’d even extort us for this!"
Lancelot shrugged and then sat down," Well, what if I add in some more information?"
"What?"
"Lord Stav, has already arranged a fiancé for his other daughter. So, whoever we choose, his other daughter will also be engaged immediately."
"Really? Then you also know who.." Kalyn muttered slowly and Lancelot grinned," Aron Mast."
That piece of information had grins slip off both their faces. Aron Mast was no simple person and everyone knew that.
Zai sighed," Lord Stav is really something huh? He wants to send his daughters into high places."
After that, all three men were lost in thought. Because Aron Mast was not someone simple. He came from humble beginnings, but right now he was said to be a genius in dark arts.
He’d gained fame for himself by using the Dark arts to its maximum potential for helping those in need. But he was also said to be a formidable opponent when it came to it. His reputation in certain cases was far more ruthless than theirs.
Zai folded his arms, his expression thoughtful. Power like that was never harmless. For a an like Aron Mast, would he really be willing to wait for them to choose and then take the ’leftovers’.
It seemed both Shiqi Stav and Mira Stav, regardless of their personalities, were going to get into high places.
But just then, another thought struck him. " Who is he interested in?"
Lancelot grinned. "You caught on."
"He is interested in the dark witch, Mira Stav."
Zai raised an eyebrow at that. Well, things just took an interesting turn.
With that, he stood up," Let’s go and meet our prospective brides and prospective competition."
As Zai marched ahead, Kalyn sent Lancelot a knowing look. This man knew exactly what to say to push Zai’s buttons.