05 | yellow

F I V E

Shivani ended up slipping away into a dreamless slumber on her way to the pack house. Fabio woke her up when they got there. Still disoriented, she followed Fabio as he led her into the pack house. For a moment, she wondered if the pack members would think it was weird that she was with Fabio and not Lukov.

“Ma’am,” Fabio started, his voice gentle. “He is already here. You might want to see him in his study before settling down.” Shivani didn’t need Fabio to tell her who the mysterious He was.

“I just want to sleep. Show me to my room.” Shivani didn’t get to finish before Lukov showed up. He smiled at Fabio and took Shivani’s luggage from him.

“That’s fine, I will take her to our room myself.” Fabio nodded leaving Shivani alone with Lukov.

“Our room?”

“Yes, Shivani. We are married, don’'t be a dummy.” He started walking down the dimly-lit arched corridor while Shivani followed gingerly, her heart skipping beats so frequently that she was scared she will get an heart attack and drop dead in the next minute.

“I can hear your heart.”

“Can’t help it, Lukov.”

“We will all be having dinner together tonight, isn’t that wonderful?” Lukov tried to smile but he only ends up baring his teeth.

“You could have choked on that wonderful.”

“I bet that will make you happy.”

“Oh, it will. Very much.” Shivani bares her teeth right back but not before saying a quick prayer in her mind that he doesn’t lose his wits like he did just before they got to the pack house.

Lukov didn’t say anything, just threw her a look and kept walking down the corridor quietly, Shivani followed until he stopped in front of door. He pushed the door open, still ignoring Shivani’s presence. He dumped her bag by the foot of the bed and left Shivani to wonder at the room while he sat on the bed watching her.

Shivani’s mother, Achlys is very wealthy. Mostly because she trades humans and there’s even a rumor that she trades with gods all the time but Shivani still thought Lukov’s family was on another level. The room was gigantic and beautiful but she thought It could use a little bit more color but instead of mouthing off to Lukov like she usually would, she just laid on the bed making sure to avoid Lukov, sick with exhaustion even though she slept through the ride that happened only thirty minutes ago.

Shivani caressed the sheets lightly, they were a boring shade of beige and the room smelled like Lukov. At least, the bed was big enough that they didn’t have to touch each other even if they wanted to.

“Lukov,” Shivani started gently but Lukov didn’t act like he could hear her but she pressed on anyways. “Who’s going to be at the dinner?”

“Use your powers to find out. Now, don’t say anything anymore because your voice makes my skin crawl.” Shivani flinched like she’s been slapped. She’s always been insecure about her voice because it’s always had this crack in it and sometimes raspy like she was a smoker.

Lukov suddenly stood and promptly left the room and Shivani thought for a moment that maybe he realized that he’s hurt her feelings but she doubts that. It’d have brought him so much joy and he would probably think about her hurt feelings and get off from it later.

When it was dinner time, Shivani changed into a yellow tunic and loose pants. Her hair was all over the place so she hurriedly tied a scarf over it. Lukov was going to be in the room any minute. She looked in the mirror, her face the same as always. She thought her brown eyes were a little too big for her face and her nose bridge was a little too flat. Before she could dwell on her insecurities a little bit longer, Lukov came into the room.

“Let’s go.”

“How romantic.” Shivani mumbled sarcastically. Lukov gave her a glare before turning and leading her to a huge dinning room. Everyone was seated already.

“Hi.” Shivani said awkwardly but the room remained silent. She bit back her embarrassment. The table was lain out lavishly with delicious food and treats. She sat down, prepared to feast. She could at least get something out of the dinner.

If Lukov had any problem with how Shivani was eating, he didn’t comment.

“You are a warrior?” The girl who was sitting at the table with them who Shivani had no idea who she was said.

“No,” Shivani said simply. The question was odd.

“Well, you sure eat a lot for someone who isn’t.” Shivani’s eyes narrowed, her eyes flashing for a second. The girl smiled.

“Lila, stop it.” Shivani looked at Lukov as if to ask for an explanation but she knew Lukov wasn’t going to give. He ate his food quietly.

“Lukov, I didn’t mean anything by that.”

“Father, I told you this was a bad idea.”

“But we have to meet your new wife, don’t we?” Shivani has stopped eating completely now suddenly feeling self conscious.

“Lila, apologize. She is family now.”

“Sure. Sorry, Shivani. Didn’t mean to make my brother’s wife angry.” Shivani held back a gasp. Lukov’s sister? She did look like him. The same angry slits for eyes, turned up nose, full pillowy lips and a wickedly sharp tongue but she kept her hair short, a far cry from the hairstyle that her brother is spotting.

“Well, are you going to say something? You know, accept my apology?” She tapped the table lightly. Shivani shrugged.

“Sure, we are all family. Aren’t we?” Of course, she didn’t accept the apology but it looked like the right thing to say. Lukov’s parents nodded in approval. Lila rolled her eyes and everybody went back to eating, only Shivani didn’t. She was burning up with rage and she couldn’t wait to unleash hell on this family.