"Apparently my magic isn't as novice as people joke," he said, a smirk tugging at his lips. "I can heal people."
He straightened, hands sliding into his pants pockets. "And you know… I don't even mind helping those in need…" His gaze dropped to me, "…until they misbehave afterward. For example… you."
I swallowed hard. He was terrifying, yes, but… I hated to admit it, but he was also hot.
The way he spoke, the way the words rolled off his tongue were smooth, deliberate, lethal... and made it easy to see why Meredia had fallen for him. And why she hadn't survived it.
"Anyway," he said, tilting his head slightly, letting the red glow of the moon fall across his face, "I was hoping you'd dance with me."
He looked up at the crimson moon, its glow eerily beautiful tonight. "Moon's shining just for us… let's dance, here and now."
He lowered his gaze, eyes locking onto mine without a hint of hesitation, chin high. "What do you say, hmm?"
Shut up, Meredia. Just nod. Don't overthink. Don't argue. Or… you'll regret it.
I forced a shaky smile, chest tightening. "Y–yes… let's dance."
He smiled again, that damn arrogant, commanding smile. "Very well?" He offered his hand once more.
I steadied myself, trying not to shake, and placed my hand in his. In an instant, he pulled me up. My legs buckled, but he didn't let me fall. One hand tightened around my waist, holding me close.
My other hand he guided to his shoulder, while our joined hands extended to the side, perfect posture, perfect control.
I couldn't look at him. Not out of shyness… more like fear that if I did, I'd melt right there. But looking away wasn't any easier.
Then he spun me effortlessly. My hand still in his, the distance between us stretching and contracting as we moved. And then, suddenly, I was pulled back, pressed against his chest.
His cologne hit me like a wave sharp, intoxicating. My hand pressed against him, sliding over the smooth vest beneath his coat. Beneath it, I could feel the subtle curve from his broad chest down to the firm plane of his stomach...muscle under muscle.
How does a man even exist like this?
Even standing in his arms, the world felt smaller, narrower, focused entirely on the heat and weight of him, the rhythm of his movements, and the impossible way he made my heart stutter without a single word.
We were still moving. His palm was firm at my waist, guiding me through steps I barely remembered. My fingers clung to his shoulder, my head spinning from his cologne, the heat of his chest, the way his body practically radiated control.
Then he stopped.
His grip on my waist eased, but his eyes dropped lower to my wrist. The wrist Meredia had once cut.
Without asking, he caught it in his hand. His thumb brushed over the faint, pale line like he had all the time in the world.
"This," he said quietly, almost like a murmur, but it landed like a knife, "was this how you decided to end it?"
His finger traced the scar again. "Such a… petty little thing," he added, voice dipping lower. "All for the love of a man."
He laughed, a low, dark chuckle. Not joyful but mocking. "How far you would go just to marry him…"
Heat crawled up my neck. My anger rose. You think this is funny? That she did this for you?
I yanked a little against his grip, glaring up at him. "I did it for love," I snapped before I could stop myself. My voice shook, but I forced it out anyway.
His head tilted back slightly, and for the first time, he laughed loud. Really laughed. It wasn't nice or cruel either but it scared me the most.
"I know," he said simply, still smiling as though he had just confirmed some secret of his own.
And somehow, that single line made my heart slam harder in my chest than any insult he had thrown before.
Tears welled in my eyes as his grip on my wrist tightened, iron-strong. My skin stung where his fingers dug in, and I couldn't pull away.
He raised his other hand to his side, palm open, and that familiar eerie blue light shimmered, slicing through the dark. A sword materialized above his hand, glinting sharply in the faint moonlight.
He is going to kill me.
"No… no… please, don't!" I struggled, wriggling against him, my voice cracking as panic took over.
His gaze bore into me, sharp enough to pierce my bones. "Do you know what you've done tonight, lady Meredia? Everything you did… it wasn't meant to happen this way."
I shook my head frantically, trying to back away, but he didn't let go. His emerald eyes burned into mine. "You should have come to me yourself," he hissed. "But instead… you ran. In front of everyone."
He brought the sword closer, its tip hovering over the same scar on my wrist, inching with terrifying precision. "Do you think… you'll do it again?"
I shook my head violently. "N-no! I… I won't!" My voice trembled.
Without warning, the sword scraped along the scar, drawing a thin line of blood. A sharp, hot pain shot through me. I screamed, clutching my wrist, my knees hitting the floor as I fell forward.
He let go immediately, but the pain lingered, burning like fire. I dropped my head into my hands, sobbing uncontrollably.
"You should not… test me," he said, voice dropping to a deadly whisper. "You think this is a game, running from me? Foolish girl."
Even from where I crouched, shaking and terrified, the power in his presence was suffocating and consuming.
I couldn't hear anything anymore. It was like the world went on mute, just a ringing in my ears. All I could see was the blood spilling from my wrist, darker than I thought it'd be, running down my arm in thick streams. My fingers had already gone cold and stiff, my pulse fluttering like it couldn't decide if it wanted to keep going.
How could anyone be this cruel? He didn't even hesitate.
"Ah—" I choked out, but the sound cracked halfway. He yanked me upright again by my arm, my whole body jerking with the force. My knees almost buckled. I couldn't stand properly...not with the pain biting through my wrist and the terror crawling up my throat.
He dug into his pocket and pulled something out. I couldn't even tell what it was at first, my vision was foggy, black dots creeping at the corners, until I felt it press against my skin. Rough fabric. He was wrapping it around my wrist, tight enough to burn. A handkerchief.
I blinked, tears dripping onto the cloth as he tied it. My own breath stuttered back into me, shaky and shallow.
His voice was low, almost bored. "Do not dare run away again," he tugged the knot once more. "I'll be seeing you."
I took a step back, eyes flicking to the rope of clothes hanging from my balcony. My heart hammered so loud I could hear it in my ears. If I could just get up there—
"How do we send you back, hmm?" he rolled his tongue inside his cheek, eyes narrowing like he already knew the answer. "Should we tell your father that after your little attempt tonight, you also tried to run away?"
I shook my head so fast my hair stuck to my wet cheeks. "No… no… don't do that…"
I didn't even care about this reputation thing but the love duke had given me until now… the way his eyes softened for me. I couldn't bear the thought of him looking at me with shame.
"Please," my voice cracked. "I won't run away again. Just… don't tell Father."
His gaze stayed on me, before his mouth curved faintly. It wasn't a smile though. "Very well then. Go back to your room. Like the good girl you should be."
I nodded quickly, my whole body trembling, and grabbed the rope. I pulled, planting my foot against the wall, then the other. My wrist burned like fire under the cloth, every movement making the cut scream louder.
Behind me, I swore I heard him chuckle.
Then a sudden tug. My body snapped backward as his hand fisted the back of my bodice. The laces yanked loose, brushing against my ribs.
"Ahh—" I gasped, twisting in his grip. "Kai—your—his… Highness… Crown Prince! Please let me go!"
He tilted his head, eyes gleaming, and his voice dropped into something velvety and dangerous. "Sure," he said. "I'll let you go."
And he scooped me into his arms as if I weighed nothing. "But a bleeding lady shouldn't be clawing her way up a wall." His mouth brushed close to my ear. "I do know chivalry."
He started walking, and I felt so small in his arms like a kid. His chest was a wall against me, warm but hard.
I could hear it.
Lub-dub. Lub-dub.
His heartbeat.
How could a man this dangerous even have a heart? If I was stronger, I could've aimed at it, that fragile thing, and killed him. The thought alone sent goosebumps crawling over my skin. I shook my head, eyes fixed forward.
We were outside the garden now. If he took me through the main entrance, everyone would see my bleeding wrist, my messed-up clothes, everything.
His creature, Shadow, padded along behind us, its claws soft on the grass. Every time I glanced back at it, it wagged its tail, like we were friends. I quickly looked away and back at him.
I swallowed hard, picking my words like they might cut me. "Crown Prince… can we not go from the main gate? Everyone will see us."
"No."
"But—"
He lowered his eyes to me without a word. Just that one look and my mouth snapped shut.
We reached the gate. Guards stood there, spears in hand. My heart sank. Oh no.
He kept walking straight for the entrance. I braced for shouting, but nothing, not even a sound.
As we passed, no heads turned, no eyes followed. It was like we didn't even exist.
"How—" I whispered, voice trembling.
His lips curved faintly, not quite a smile. "See? I'm not a novice at magic. I know very good spells."
And just like that, unseen by everyone, we were at my door of my room...my safe little corner though it didn't feel safe at all.
He set me down, eyes glinting. "You're safely brought back. Or…" his head tilted slightly, "do you want me to tuck you into bed too?"
I shook my head so fast my hair whipped my face. "No… no… I'll be okay."
"Okay?"
"Yes. Okay."
"Okay."
And then, just like that , he and the creature vanished, the air where he'd stood empty again.