Sorry for the long wait. My sister didn't make it, she died of diabetes. So I took time to grieve. Honestly I am still grieving, just that I don't want you guys to think I've abandoned this story. Because a lot you had sent me personal messages asking if I am okay. So here's the long awaited update. The schedule for the updates will most likely change to every two weeks. That way i won't keep you waiting, wondering when the next chapter is gonna come. Happy reading.       ***

 

When are you going to stop drowning in guilt and see him? A voice in his head startled Kai out of his thoughts. He looked up to see Blink flying into his room. The Raven landed on the chair by his desk, keenly watching him with her piercing purple bird eyes. Like she was trying to understand what mechanism he was made of. A moment later, she let out a huff from her beak and a swirling fog shrouded her as she took a human shape. It would probably never ceased to shock him whenever she did that. Kai had seen her did so, more than he could count these days. And he had met a lot of shape shifters, however it still amazed him how she easily shifted from one form to another. Just like Sehun, Kai's brain supplied. Today she wasn't in her usual black clothes, but wearing a knee length dress. It was screaming, shocking pink. Not powder-puff, not even blush. It was a pink that grabbed you by the eyeballs and demanded you pay attention. Kai gape in surprise, but didn't dare comment on her choice of clothing. Getting slapped by those big wings would hurt more than it did when she was a tiny raven. A hand went to his face, recalling the first slap of his life and he had to repress a shudder. Blink's massive black wings flapped, sending papers flying as she rounded the table. She crossed her arms and leaned one hip against the corner of his desk. She raised an eyebrow, making a gesture with a hand. "Speak."He could see her patience dwindling. She'd been coming to see him often, as if to make sure he wasn't doing anything stupid as well as demanding he go see Sehun. It had been three days since Kai last saw him, since the memories of the past returned. Rubbing his temples, Kai let out a sigh."Wanting to get my together."  She rolled her purple eyes before pinning them on him. " With that talk we had the other day, I thought you're going to see him and make things right instantly." She said. "You have to stop avoiding him or uhm.. how does Baekhyun put it? Ah or is going to go down. Wary tension prickled up and down his spine, his hands closing into fists as they dropped to his sides. "I know." His lips twitched at the corners from the strain. He wanted nothing more than to have his mate close, but Kai couldn't, not yet.  "Look if you prefer the easy way, you can ask the priests for help. Just get this over with already. You have no idea how anxious he is to know where his stands."  That wasn't it, Kai had plans laid out, he didn't need Heechul or Jumnyeon. She let out a sigh, smiling a little."I think you've stalled enough. Kai." Blink's honesty was edged with suspicion. Her smile, small and roguish, couldn’t mask her doubts. "Sitting her wouldn't fix things." She told him. "The more you wait the more you're messing things up. Know that Sehun wouldn't sit and wait for you to come around. He has other responsibilities. We both know he can get himself out if wants to– all he got to do is command his guardians and you're quite aware they would do a great job at setting him free. Even without them, Sehun is powerful enough to leave.  But he chose to stay for you. So stop being a ing coward and do right by him. What you're doing wouldn't change the past. You have to face the fact that, you killed him once which is why you're in this mess in the first place. If you want a future with him, you have to make the effort, which I don't see you doing other than sitting around and– goddess above wallowing in guilt." She said seriously, shaking a finger in front of his nose. "Let's get our priority straight yeah? Sehun– the fool in love he is, could wait, but I won't. I cannot sit by and let him suffer." Blink wasn’t one to mince words. Kai admired that about her. Because she wasn't of this world or raised here like Sehun. She had a certain way about her that differed from anyone else in the realm.  She said what she felt, refusing to hold her tongue, propriety be damned. Especially when it concerned something she felt passionately about. Like the fact she believed Kai and Sehun should be together. Which Kai truly appreciated. "You promised me to be open minded, perhaps you still have doubts about the pregnancy?" An accusing finger was jabbed at him. Kai shook his head. Frenzied energy shivered through him, and he stood to pace across the room. "I don't have doubts."Which was true. After recalling about the past, he understood why she had asked him to be open minded and believe in Sehun. "Then what's the problem?" She pulled out a garment out of thin air, it was red and it reminded Kai of a childhood story, Red riding hood. "I've been going back and forth between you two, I have to make sure you're both alright. But it's time you make up your mind if want Sehun to stay or not."  "What's that?" Kai paused to ask. He inched close and knocked his shoulder into Blink, bouncing off like he'd hit a brick wall. How was she so damn strong? "A spelled cloak for Sehun." She flapped the garment and it disappeared from his sight. "Sehun! Why does he need a cloak?" He sat back on his seat, rubbing his shoulder. "It's for protection. I weaved it myself, I have the sudden urge to do so. He has something like this made for him as a child. He cherished it, but unfortunately it got destroyed." She pursed her lips, a look in her eyes that had Kai frowning. "To answer your question, I am going to break him out of cold palace with this, tonight. And you might never get to see him again." "What?" Kai jerked to his feet and nearly lost his balance. "Are you talking about?" Never see Sehun again was what kept ringing in his head. She gave him a look as thought he were either dumb or weird. Kai couldn't tell its exact meaning. "What you heard." She added with a straight face. Pulling out a com-device that Kai had no idea how it came to her possession, she began typing away and Kai was vaguely surprised she knew how to operate it. "You can't do that." He said, shaking his head. No one would take away his beloved. His mate, the carrier of his unborn child. Kai wouldn't allow it. She ignored him, like he were invisible as she continued to tap on the device. "Yes I can." She spat ,lifting her gaze to him. "I've just told his guardians and my men to prepare, we're taking him away tonight. I see no reason why he'll remain in that hellhole as well as with you. You're undeserving of my son as either his mate or husband. No mother would sit and watch her son suffer. Sehun's only crime was his affection for you. I've let him down once, I won't do that again." She spoke with something in the depths of her eyes, Kai had never seen on her. Her lips turn up in a smile? She was all snarl and bare teeth, even when she was smiling. “Smile” was too strong a word to describe what she had at the moment. It was mostly a sneer in the guise of a smile."Prove yourself worthy of him Kim Kai, and I might change my mind." She glanced at the wall clock, her cheerfulness fake."Oh no, time is running out, you have less than three hours before the sun set." Adding that, she vanished before Kai could form a response. . He cursed under his breath watching the clock. How could Kai make things right in such short amount of time? There was so much to do with limited time. However something told him this was his last chance, he might never get to see Sehun again, which he couldn't accept. Blink's words were no empty threats. She would take him away like she vowed. That look that had him shivering, was of a mother that would do anything for her child. Holy . Did that mean he was truly Sehun's Mom?  That wasn't important right now. Kai had to move fast. in a deep breath, he shook the tension out of his shoulders. Snapping his fingers, Kai waited for a few second for his personal guard to appear."I'm about to do something impulsive, and I need you to talk me out of it." Kai said. "How impulsive are we talking?" Jungkook asked, leaning against the wall. "Minho-impulsive or Yuri-impulsive?" "What does that even mean?"  "Are you going to make a fool of yourself or try to get yourself killed?" "Do they know you use them as a standard of measure?" Jungkook shook his head. "Just answer." "I don't know how to put it, I am going to make my mother really unhappy." He said. "For who?" The look in Jungkook told Kai his personal guard had a good guess. Even so Kai still spoke the name out loud."Sehun." When he imagined his life, he could not do so without Sehun in it. But he didn’t want Sehun there; he wanted Sehun to be a part of him, wanted him at his side as his equal, his claimed mate. He had never been drawn to another like he was drawn to Sehun. And he would do the unthinkable to have him close, and keep him happy. Jungkook hummed. "Would you listen if tell you not to?" Judging from the look, Jungkook already knew the answer to that.  "No, I probably won't." Kai answered "Then do what you must. I've got your back."  Kai expected nothing less from him. It was one of the reasons he confide in him most of the time. "Thanks Kook." He smiled. "Gather all the shadow guards and the hellacats and wait for me at the door. While you're at it, send emergency summon to all the ministers to be in court in an hour time, anyone that wasn't should as well kiss their position goodbye." And Kai meant it, because Sehun was worth it. He didn't need anyone to point it out, but Blink giving him the push he needed was appreciated. He rattled on more orders and the guard took note as he listened to Kai. "Don't forget to let our people know about the guests." "It shall be done." Jungkook said. "I am going to get dressed." He didn't need to add more, Jungkook understood what he meant. When Jungkook vanished, Kai changed his own form to mist as he disappeared from his study to appear in his personal chambers. He walked to his closet, pulling out his Royal garb. He needed everyone to know he meant business. Just as he lay the clothes on the dressing couch, royal servants rushed in to help him, no doubt sent by Jungkook. As the servants did their job, Kai played several scenarios in his head. In the end none felt right, thus he discarded them all and chose to be himself, that version from the past that did whatever the he wanted. He was the ing emperor, his word was law. Even so he needed to thread carefully because this time he was doing Sehun right. There were a lot of people that would want to see him fail.  Looking like the emperor he was born to be, Kai picked up his Royal seal–that had been brought to him by Blink couple of days ago. He wasn't even surprised how she managed something he'd been desperate to do but failed. She was Blink, alright. The servants pushed the doors open and he stepped out, his head held high, feeling confident. All his guards bowed deeply and Kai acknowledged them with a curt nod. Jungkook had done what he'd been tasked to do, efficiently. All shadow guards were in full gear, standing in formation, while the ordinary royal guards stood behind them. The cats, all four padded towards him. Just the sight of them had Kai missing Sehun some more. Jungkook said you wanted us to accompany you. Lyla and Lui couldn't miss the fun. Zia sent him falling in steps with him. Just tell us the ones to intimate the most. All expect the Lans. Zia and Lyla walked on either side of him, while the boys walked ahead in a show of power. Servants dropped to their knees, head lowered as Kai passed by. By the time they got to the throne room, all ministers were present, including the Lans. Kai paused before the two to nod in greetings. Lan Zhan nodded back but Wei Ying was gazing blankly ahead. The fae no doubt deeply in thought. Taking his seat, Kai placed the seal on the table a little louder than necessary and was satisfied when all eyes landed on the seal. Most couldn't hide their surprise, no doubt news about Hyoyeon taking over the seal had circulated. Yeah they should know Kai was back in power and wouldn't let his mother take it away from him again. Hyunjin stepped into the room, his guards right behind him. He too was dressed in his official attire as the crown prince of Varal. He paused to greet the Lans before making his way to the smaller throne next to Kai's. "Greetings Royal father." He bowed deeply. "Come son, pleased to have you join me." Kai responded with a smile. Taking his seat, Hyunjin run his finger through Zi's fur that had decided to use Hyunjin's lap as his pillow. After the momentarily shock and formalities of showing their respect, a minister stepped forward to address Kai. However Kai didn't let him. He wasn't here to listen to them, but the other way around. "I am here to make an announcement." He began pausing deliberately, letting the words hang until the suspense was thick enough to smell in the air. Satisfied, Kai leaned forward like he was about to tell a secret with both hands braced on his lap. "First of, anyone that has a problem with my fourth concubine Sehun of the house of Lan, being released should step out." Murmurs broke, the ministers shared glances between themselves. Kai watched each and everyone of them, taking in their reactions. The two prime ministers and a few others gazed at Lan Zhan like hoping to get an insight on what Kai meant.  Not bothering with the looks sent his way, Lan Zhan kept his eyes on Kai as understanding shone in them.The people on his side, the Parks and fourteen ministers remained calm. Their faith in Kai was unshakeable and Kai knew no matter what he decided, they got his back. Just that they were the minority, however the most powerful. Lan Zhan raised a pale eyebrow at him and Kai sent him a small smile. His Chief advisor shook his head almost affectionately, mouthing. "They're not going to like it." Kai shrugged. "I am counting on that". He mouthed back. "Majesty!" A minster–one of Hyoyeon's men began in protest– only to slam his mouth shut when Zia let out an exaggerating yawn, her massive teeth in display. It was on purpose Kai knew, a trick of intimidation, that worked quite well around anyone that wasn't familiar with hellacats. Taking the silence to his advantage, Kai went on. "He's to be released and reinstate –" he shook his head. " I mean instate as my first distinguished consort. He will be in charge of the inner court." More murmurs louder than the first and looks shared. Hyunjin reached out to hold Kai's hand and squeezed, encouragingly. "You cannot." The assistant minster of health nearly screamed. The man's daughter was one of the newly selected concubines that Kai didn't even bother to know how they fare since the selection ceremony, one of them died during the attack, and all he did was send his condolences. None were his choice anyways. Regarding the ma