Tana Present

I discovered that I had been unconscious for twelve years, and Vetro stayed by my side as much as his work would allow. His dedication didn't move me. I have little doubt that he violated me while I was unconscious—he only wanted to be sure I lived so he wouldn't lose his favorite toy. He probably would've been content just preserving my unconscious body. All these years, he has ignored my deteriorating mental state and focused solely on my physical appearance. Now that my looks have finally returned, I'm perfect for him again. So the day after I awoke, he began disbanding his harem, down to five of his favorites, Aluma being one of them. The rest were sent home, except for the pathetic ones who clung to him and begged to stay. They were executed.

Usually, I would be fuming right now—after how he treated me last night, and knowing how many others he hurt—but… Insinz comforted me, and somehow, my heart feels calm. I'm even happy that the girls who had some shred of sanity got to go home.

I brushed my hair, even though V would disapprove. Before seeing Insinz today, I even put on lip gloss and perfume. I wish I still owned decent clothes, but I settled on a plain, tan, shapeless dress—the only thing I had without stains. I tied a red ribbon around my neck. I just wanted to look nice for the first time in centuries. No… It's been over 7,000 years now.

I tried to tell myself it wasn't because I was lovestruck, but when I caught him waiting outside his doorway for me, Cupid shot his arrow straight through my heart again.

"Hey… did you get enough sleep? You don't have a fever, right? You were a little warm last night," he said, sitting beside me on the bed and touching my forehead.

"I slept great, actually… and I'm okay." After I reassured him, he took both my hands in his.

"Did you get this cute just to see me?"

I began flailing my arms and shaking my head dismissively. Even with all my moving, he didn't let go of my hands.

"I just wanted to look nice today! It's not just you I'm seeing!"

I was so nervous I lied on impulse, but he just kissed me sweetly and then pulled away, licking his lips.

"Mmm… smells like cherries. I wish I could taste it. Red looks really good on you."

I squeaked and pressed my lips into a hard line, hoping my expression didn't give too much away.

"You should check on Rytem and Nelly first. I'll see you when you're done."

That's when he let go of my hands and returned to his room. Where does he get all this confidence?! No—this is on me. I haven't been able to turn him away since the first kiss.

Rytem and Netalai were clinging to each other as usual, but they showed me how they had mastered and shared information about their powers. They could now tag-team effortlessly, swapping between Mist and Sound at will. It was amazing. I gave them tips on how to better complement each other and concentrate their attacks for a more piercing effect. We studied for two hours, but my mind kept drifting back to Insinz. I found myself blushing and feeling a throbbing deep in my stomach.

I like him… but do I deserve to? My feelings might put him in danger.

I left Rytem's room and went straight to Insinz's. He was waiting at his door with a flower—the same kind he presented years ago. My mental defenses shattered, and I smiled.

"Thank you…" I whispered, and he pinned the flower into my hair.

"I'm ready for my lesson, teacher." I think I prefer it when he calls me Tana.

I began reviewing his element, trying to assess how much he remembered, since so much time had passed. As I was asking about skills he should know by now, he said, "Wow, you know a lot."

"Well… I know a lot about your abilities because I've worked with many generations by now," I replied bashfully.

He grinned. "We never got to perform the ritual together."

I gulped. "Stop changing the subject!" I tried to regain my composure. "What do you need help with?"

He placed his hand on my knee. "I mastered my element a long time ago, but shush… don't tell anyone. You can keep a secret, right?"

I gasped. Insinz had always seemed like an underperformer, only ever doing the bare minimum. The only reason he got a room in the main palace was because he stayed behind while most of the other Chosen left—he had no family to return to. I've already kept secrets for him: I know he was sneaking out of the palace before he was allowed, and I know… his feelings for me are romantic. And now this?

"You what?!"

He shushed me again, laughing softly. Does he take me for a joke? All those hours I spent tutoring him—were they for nothing?

"I think the only way to improve now is the ritual. Don't you agree, Tana?"

My heart stuttered. Never mind, I hate it when he says my name.

"…Fine."

He smiled brightly. He does realize he didn't have to seduce me to do this, right? If he didn't know, it would explain a lot.

"Tonight?"

He's so eager!

"Tomorrow! I have to prepare the ink…" There's a plant that smells like decay. When mixed with ink, it can form permanent marks on a Chosen's body—but only if painted perfectly. It's going to take time.

He pouted briefly before smiling again. "I'm excited."

"You don't need to tell me that!" I said bashfully, hiding my face.

He squeezed my knee and repeated himself—quietly, right in my ear.

"I'm excited."

I jumped up and walked away as briskly as I could. He drives me insane! And yet… this is the longest I've felt like myself in a long time. Did my treatment fix my blackouts? Or… have I simply been happier, so I don't need to disassociate anymore? I needed to escape often in the past that I was losing myself.

"Tana, are you done with the boys? I need you." V said he was in the hallway, trailed by his head officers who were babbling on about needing his approval on a few more issues, so he glared at them until they shut up. My brief happiness is gone.

"I just finished…" I said reluctantly. He hugged me by the waist with one arm, pressing kisses to my throat and jawline.

"V, stop… they're staring."What if Insinz sees me like this—disgraced?

"Why are you telling me no? I know you wanted my attention. You dressed up. If not for me, then who?" he said aggressively, gripping me tighter and biting my neck so hard it drew blood.

"Ow! What are you doing?!" He began sucking on the wound, so I pushed him back by the shoulders.

"I said stop!" He barely moved. His eyes flickered with annoyance. My anxiety swelled, and tears stung my eyes.

"Mmm, it's been a long time since you told me to stop with tears in your eyes… It's erotic."

That heart-pounding fear returned. I tried to use my telekinesis to shove him away, but it felt like hitting him with pillows instead of fifty tons of force.

"What's the problem, Tana? Do you hate me? Am I not allowed to touch you now, just because you're pretty again?!"

I slapped him. The hit connected, but I broke my hand in the process. Pain lanced through me as I looked up at him, trembling.

"Fine… not tonight," he muttered, defeated, but still slid his hand under my clothes, stroking just outside my underwear.

"You said not tonight!" I yelled tearfully.Why is he so intent on doing this here?!

"But you're so wet. Are you sure you don't want to?"

If I am, it's not because of him. I looked to his officers for help, but they averted their eyes. No one here cares what happens to me.

"Yes! I don't want to! Get off me!"

He paused and turned back to his advisors.

"I guess I'll spend more time on… diplomacy and finances, or whatever. I love you, but… I'll find you later, Tana. We can discuss why you felt the need to embarrass me today."

Such relief… I don't know what I'll do the next time I see him, but this time was enough.

Once my hand healed, I gathered the flowers I needed and made the ink for my appointment with Insinz. At sunrise, he arrived outside my room.

"Are you ready, or am I too early?" he called from the doorway.

"I'm ready… please close and lock the door after you enter!"

He did as told and joined me on the mat in the middle of the room. By candlelight, I mixed the ink and painted his left arm, mirroring the tattoo that covered his right. His arms were black up to the elbows, then faded into swirling, light brown flowers that blended into his skin just below the shoulders.

I had to get all the tiny details right, so I tried to focus. But it was hard—he was shirtless, close, warm. My fingers brushed his skin again and again, and every time, he smiled like he knew what he was doing to me. I could feel the heat building under my skin.

He snickered. "I'm sorry, that tickles."

"Stay still," I snapped, flustered.

Once I finished painting, I looked away shyly."It's time for the next step now…"

"…Intercourse?"I nodded.

He leaned in slowly, his lips grazing mine with maddening softness, testing me—teasing me. Then, with a gentle certainty, he cupped my face and kissed me fully, again and again. Each kiss was deeper, slower, more consuming. His lips were warm, coaxing mine apart, and when our tongues touched, I nearly melted into him.

"You don't have to kiss me," I whispered, breathless.

"I want to. Unless… you hate it?" His voice was low and rough with restrained hunger.

"I… don't hate it."

That was all he needed. He moved down to my neck, sucking softly before dragging his teeth across sensitive skin, biting just hard enough to make me gasp. His hands roamed boldly, parting my robe, grazing over my breasts, palms hot and insistent. Goosebumps chased each touch, and my breath hitched.

"Y-you could just… s-skip to the finish line," I stammered, my face burning.

He chuckled against my skin. "No. I want to enjoy every inch of you."

His lips trailed down my torso, leaving wet, burning kisses. When he dipped between my thighs, I nearly cried out. None of the others had ever done this—none of them had wanted to. But Insinz kissed me like I was sacred. His tongue moved slowly, deliberately, savoring every sound he drew from me.

"You're so beautiful," he murmured. "So responsive. Do you know what you do to me?"

I clung to him, nails digging into his shoulders. I wanted him desperately. And when he finally entered me, it felt like fire laced with something sweeter. He moved slowly at first, watching my face with every thrust, then faster, deeper, grinding into the places that made me tremble. My back arched. I cried out. I couldn't stop myself.

My body moved on instinct—needing, craving, answering his. He kissed me through it all, whispered praises, gripped my hips like he never wanted to let go.

We climaxed together, our voices overlapping in a tangled mess of moans and cries. My whole body shuddered, and I collapsed against him, boneless, dazed, and shaking.

But he wasn't done.

Still hard, he kissed his way up my collarbone again, nuzzling my throat like a man possessed. I stopped him gently with my hands, breath ragged.

"Wait… I need to draw a new mark before we do it… again. I can do it tomorrow."

He pouted but kissed my palms, murmuring, "Another day?"

"It would be pointless if we did that again right now. There'll be no benefit… it'll just be sex."

He grinned, cocky. "I'm fine with that. And we can still do the ritual tomorrow."

I rolled over, hiding my face. "No. Just come back tomorrow…"

I couldn't let him see my face. He'd know I was hesitating. There's no way I could explain intimacy with Insinz outside this ceremony—and if I don't have an excuse, there's no telling what V might do.

"Okay… but… do I have to leave? Even if we can't have sex, I'd like to talk to you. Hear more about your life." Talk… to me? When was the last time that someone had a genuine interest in me?

"You've been alive almost ten thousand years. I'm sure you have plenty of stories to tell."

I turned back to him. He laid my robe over my shoulders and averted his eyes. I began sharing stories, leaving out details about V, retelling my time on Earth—describing animals, recipes, even how I learned to sew. He smiled, held my hand, and listened closely.

Later that day, V visited. I had no excuse to refuse him. Compared to being with Insinz, it was hell. I wanted him off me. I hated him. But he was already angry… I didn't dare make it worse. So I tried to disassociate as much as possible, imagining I was just floating underwater, letting the current take me.

That horrible night passed, and I got up as early as possible to be ready for Insinz.

He arrived at first light again, locked the door, and joined me on the mat. After I placed a mark under his eye, we began again. He didn't touch me like it was just a ceremony. He touched me like I was his—slowly, reverently, passionately.

His lips explored every inch of me, his hands trailing down my body like they were memorizing it. He kissed me until I forgot my own name, until my thighs trembled and I moaned against his mouth without shame.

I should've told him not to get emotionally involved. I should've pushed him away, reminded him this was still supposed to be a sacred rite. But gods… I didn't want to. Not when he held me like this. Not when I finally felt safe.

Afterward, he pulled me into his arms and asked me about life on Earth. I found myself talking about sea creatures and sunsets and the first time I tasted something sweet. His fingers traced lazy circles on my hip while he listened, still tangled up with me. It felt like more than comfort. It felt like the start of something I shouldn't dare hope for. I asked about his past, but he gave short, vague answers—then he redirected the conversation. Hmm... He must not like talking about himself. I thought I knew everything there was to know about the chosen, but Insinz has always been a mystery.

The next day, the pattern repeated—but this time, he pulled me into his lap, held me close, and bounced me gently against him, eyes locked on mine the whole time. His gaze was hungry, unrelenting. I felt completely claimed—completely cherished.

When we finished, he didn't let me go or avert his eyes, then he whispered,

"I love you," My breath caught. My heart thundered painfully in my chest.

"I love you, too." I whimpered out. I was tempted to cry because I felt I had revealed something I had tried to bury deep inside my heart. We kissed like we were starving. And then we made love again. Not just once. Again. And again. There was nothing sacred about it now. It was indulgent.

He worshipped my body like he'd never get another chance, and I gave him everything.

I must have lost my mind. Why didn't I stop him? I can't say I blacked out—because I was there for every second. I enjoyed every second. My body still ached in the best way when he finally left.

And my heart? It ached even more because now I had something I needed to protect. I can't bear to lose him now.

V has killed Chosen over me before. Sure, he's been letting a lot slide lately, but I know his patience has run out, and THIS... this is probably the worst thing I've ever done…

No! I can't let him win this time. This isn't like before. I care for Insinz more than I ever imagined. For once, I need to save someone!

While I was lost in thought, Insinz showed up again, and I was stunned as soon as I saw him. He had six marks! I thought the limit was three?! Under each eye, three small, horizontal moles lined up perfectly. There's no way to hide what we did. It's literally written on his face.

"Hey… I missed you," he said warmly from the doorway—completely unaware that V was standing behind him.