"It sort of feels like
I'm running out of time
I haven't found all
I was hoping to find"

Why'd you only ever call me when you're high? - Joel Sunny / strings version

🕯

It was early in the morning. The bells had only struck four times and the candle lights remained dim.

Leila awoke, groggily pulled from the throws of sleep. This morning was misty from the remnants of last night's storm. The air smelled like the cold, salt, and pine trees. A crisp scent she was surely growing accustomed to. The moisture in the atmosphere clung to her waves, dampening her skin. Nightgown stuck between her chest and legs.

She looked outside her window, into the foggy night. The rain had stopped, leaving the crystalline world around her shining. The sea still moved, and the moon shone on the newly splashed rocks. The castle glittered, cutting through the smoky mist.

There, through it all. A black winding stroke across the land; the road leading to nowhere. The dark path she'd taken by horse and carriage to get to the castle.

Taehyung and Jimin will be back today.

And alas, Leila would not know peace.

Or sleep.

She rolled from the bed, the stones frigid and cooling underneath her feet. She struggled for a silk robe hanging by her bed, wrapping the material around her. Rubbing at her eyes, and adjusting her eyes to the living world.

The girl walked over to her door swiftly, taking a glance at the black book from last night with her. If she went to the library now, she might've had time before Taehyung arrived to see if there were any other books that could help with it's translation.

The young woman felt much more at ease walking down the hallway.

The storm did not rage, casting strange shadows. And the magicked lights were just bright enough to make sense of the pathways. Simple enough to make it to the large room before being noticed.

That is, until she tripped over something.

Her ankle caught on something rounded and covered in material. Leila cursed, catching herself on the ground with both wrists before hitting her face. She dusted off her skirts lifting herself off the ground, turning around and lighting her chest so she could see what caused her fall.

Her sharp intake of breath left her without a voice.

A girl, lay dead.

Leila walked closer, a dead silence creeping into the air around her. Tightening the walls and slickening the floor.

The princess did not recognize her. The girl's hair was dark and waved, her body splayed and adorning a black gown. Her mouth open in an unheard cry, and the delicate bones of her face struck pale. Horror still stuck in her glassy, lifeless eyes.

Because that is what it was. A terrible, horrible nightmare.

Considering the girl didn't have an intact throat anymore.

Blood pooled around her, a sadist's paint. Leaking memories and life into the edges of the stone floor. Leila screamed. Screamed and screamed till her throat ran raw. She moved to the body, feeling at the girl's pulse. Shaking her shoulders to see if this was just a terrible nightmare.

"Help! Please, someone help!" The princess cried out. Holding her now bloodied hands at the girl's unmoving chest. Marveling at the unfamiliar and sticky red at her fingertips.

It took several minutes, but thankfully she started hearing doors open further up the hall. Several court members filled the space, just before the library. Following after each other in quick succession.

Aera, the woman from before. Jade gaze pragmatic, halting abruptly before the pair. A tall man with dark circles and black hair came next. Then Lily. Who stared at the girl with wide open eyes, and unshed tears. Two more men in guard uniforms came running to the group, looking at Leila resting beside her on the floor.

It did not take a philosopher to notice the likeness between her, and the girl that was now dead. Similar features, only lacking silver eyes and blood. But in the darkness, who could tell?

The tall man with tanned skin and black clothes touched stepped forward. His face was structured severely, beautiful and yet taunting. Eyebrows raised, as he touched the dead woman's cheek with the toe of his boot, making her head fall to the side. He clicked his tongue, his hands still in his pockets as he spoke plainly.

"Unfortunate."

Though through his drab tone, it was clear he didn't care. Nor did anyone else in the room it seemed.

Even Lily remained apart despite being the only one to have a reaction. It seemed as if her shock might have come from possibly knowing the girl.

No one else was moving to inspect the unknown girl much further. Or even to run to get a blanket to cover her. Leila glared at the lethargic group, waiting to see some form of shock, or disgust, or pity.

Anything.

"What is wrong with all of you? She's-" Leila was cut off by the taller man.

He moved closer to her, his bones severe on his face. Sharp, with blue eyes and dark short hair. His smile seemed more of a sneer. It seemed when Taehyung was gone, so were the benefits of her title through marriage.

"The prince will be back soon. Let Lady Park take you to your rooms."

It took Leila a moment to realize the unnamed man was referring to Lily. The brunette, now dressed in her usual court attired, lifted her head and smiled at the princess. Though her gaze was miles away.

"That girl is dead. None of you are surprised?" Leila lifted herself, wiping her bloodied hands onto her black nightgown.

Looking down at the material, she ripped along the bottom of the skirt. It was a thin material, and easily done. It was only then Aera made a reaction, a groan of disgust as Leila placed the material over the girl's torn throat and face. Leila did not care.

It was at least what the girl deserved. An ache filled her chest, deep and mournful. It scratched at her sides like sadness, but pulled harder at her ribs. As if they wanted herself to cave in and shut the world out.

Guilt.

The screams she had heard last night. The figure at the end of the hallway. And Leila had just went to bed, hoping that it was the weather and her paranoia.

Someone brutally killed her. And not a trace of fear was found on anyone's face.

The dark haired man lost his brutal smile, "We don't spook easily, princess. It's truly none of your concern. It will be dealt with promptly once your husband gets back."

Aera giggled at the man's words, placing an elegant hand over her mouth, "Watch yourself Garnett. She seems to think her position here in our court is real. That she's not just some whore on a leash for Taehyung to do whatever he wishes."

Leila raised her chin, fixing her gaze onto this Garnett character. Lifting her brow at the witless slight he attempted to throw at her, and completely ignoring whatever that witch had just spewed about her. The guards shifted behind her, taking in her straight stance as she leveled with the man. Not flinching, when the shadows cast his bones so sharp it seemed they might scrape along the surface of his skin.

They had no idea. No idea of what she was capable of. That with a snap of her fingers, those smug smiles of theirs would cease to exist. There might be a time where that was necessary. But Leila decided that the girl, whoever she was, was not deserving of their foul essence to mix with her own.

"You don't have the authority to tell me that. You'll be pardoned, this time." Leila replied, collected and without anger.

The tall man smiled wider, "Thank you, for your mercy."

Leila returned to gesture, though the light did not reach her eyes. A trick, she remembered, that scared her own siblings, "You're welcome, you won't have it again."

Garnett scowled, his lip curling. Aera pulled on his arm, getting him to move back. The guards started to crowd around the body, placing their hands under her to lift her.

I'm sorry.

"Let's go, Princess." Lily said, now placing her arm around her.

The princess let herself be moved along, not glancing back as she spoke loudly.

"We should leave Lily. That one court member's voice grates at my ears. What an annoying little thing she is. And I can't remember name for the life of me. August? Addie? Not that it matters. I cannot wait till the prince gets home. I need his touch to feel warm." Leila finished her lie, making sure it would make it to all that were listening.

Lily started laughing and moving them faster when they heard low, venomous words words being whispered from down the hallway.

The girls were almost out of breath when they made it back to Leila's room.

"Gods, she is awful." Lily groaned out, laying her back flat against the chamber doors.

Leila sat on her bed, grabbing a pillow as she settled into her sheets. She had not been able to stop shaking since she'd seen the body. This dalliance was only temporary reprieve, and she let herself be distracted, "Can you enlighten me as to why? I don't like when those who wish to ascend tear down others for petty reasons."

"It is complicated. I am not sure if I can tell you everything. Taehyung might-"

"Screw the prince."

Lily nodded, biting her lip to muffle a laugh, "Aera is of noble, Caelestian descent. The same age as the Prince. And quite beautiful. It was only natural when they were of fourteen years of age, they were promised to each other to unite the two families. It was tradition for the marriage to be arranged as such. They remained engaged, for four years. That is, until Taehyung ascended to the throne. Then, he called off their engagement for unspecified reasons. For two years she tried to change his mind, tried to get him to follow his father's bidding. But then you were brought here. And he told the court of his marriage to you."

شوخی میکنی؟

Leila had thought of the woman's previous words. The crown had almost been hers. Aera recently believed she might have still had a chance with the prince, right up until Leila showed up in that throne room. Shredding any last chances of being with the man she loved, and rising to power.

Like she'd been promised.

None of this made sense. Rarely anything did here.

Leila's distrust of the prince only grew. Why had he thrown Aera so carelessly to the side? For a captive he did not even want to be around? Maybe it was for duty's sake, and that is why he refused to touch Leila past what was necessary. His true feelings could've still remained with the serpent eyed woman.

The thought sent another pang in her stomach. A lump in her throat thickening, a nauseous gnawing.

"He was engaged to her for four years...how? I have known of my betrothal to him since I was a child. It was part of the agreement for the families of the curse." Leila inquired, not bothering to acknowledge the strange brew of feelings in her chest.

Because no matter what she thought of Taehyung, the idea of him with Aera was disturbing. So disturbing, she wished to never think of it again.

"While your people were seemingly aware of your engagement, ours were not. We knew your arrival was inevitable but-" "I am saying too much."

"I have heard enough. I can see why she hates me. But if I were her, I would hate Taehyung more."

"As a woman, I feel for her. Though he didn't show interest, not even when we were younger. Jimin hated her as well, so he always relayed their every interaction to me. I am glad it was you.."

It was silent for a moment, as Leila smiled warmly at the girl. Relief letting her shoulders rest from their heightened position.

Aera was not the reason for his inaction.

She told herself it did not matter, and that his attentions should not matter to her unless they furthered her into breaking the curse. It did not matter that he harbored no true feelings for the girl.

It was simply just one less obstacle in her way.

Instead, she focused on Lily, who seemed to be the only person in her small world who was happy to have her in this castle. She knew no one else felt this way about her presence. Specifically, because both Jimin and Taehyung had spoken of the opposite.

And the girl. Who could've passed for her in the middle of the night. Now gone.

"Who was she?" Leila rasped into the silence, wrapping her arms around her knees. It was not a bid for more information, or a scheme.

She wanted to know of the girl who lost her life in place of her.

Lily knew to whom she was referring to. Her smile turned in on itself, drooping like a bloom without sustenance, "My friend. Her name was Juliette. She was from Namjoon's jurisdiction, traveling as his hand maiden. Though she came to visit the kingdom frequently at my request. The noble won't be pleased to hear about this, nor the Prince."

Her voice choked, as the girl raised her hand in apology. Tears fell easily now, like the downpour from last night. Silent cries filled the room, and Leila wasn't sure how to comfort her. She'd never done it before.

So she waited, until Lily had no tears left. Wiping her eyes, and sniffling. Laughing without humor as she wiped her hands across her deep blue dress.

The princess offered a way out, "I am sure you can't tell me more."

It meant more to Lily than an empty sorry. it gave her a choice. To leave, to say nothing, to say everything if she wanted to.

That was the princess's way of showing she cared.

"I am sorry, Leila." The melancholy girl offered regretfully, opening the door.

It would hurt too much for her to speak more. Whether it be the pain of reliving her friend's death, or the punishment she might receive for revealing more secrets.

"I understand."

*********************

It was only two hours and thirty minutes later that a knock arrived on her door.

Leila got off her bed with a huff, adding extra weight to her step. She had been left for hours to think about what she'd seen, and try to piece together what it could've possibly meant. Unstaring eyes would not leave her eyes, that pit of guilt building. Would it have happened still if she had not left her rooms?

If she had not walked around with a wound at night, like Taehyung had forewarned?

She ripped open the door, expecting to see a castle guard on the other side.

Instead, it was a very, very unexpected guest.

Taehyung, who had arrived home, looked at her once before brushing past her with his chest to get into the room.

Leila closed the door slowly, turning to see him already inspecting the area in silence. Like her room would reveal something of importance. His dark eyes glanced around the space, taking in her books she left scattered across the window sill, her undone sheets, and the brassiere that was left hanging on her mirror.

He was here in my room for the first time. Alone. With me. And only a few feet apart.

Her cheeks heated with mortification at his perusal, which only fueled her anger more.

A girl dead, a broken betrothal, and strange disappearing figures in hallways? Her family was right in making her home not bearable to go back to. If it had been, Leila might have run in the other direction.

Yet cowardice was not interwoven in her divine blood. And he had not lost his appeal in his time spent gone.

Instead, he looked anew. The golden tone to his skin made him burnished against the navy of his thick shirt, and lose pants. Purple and blue were banished from the underneath of his eyes, well rested from his excursion. It was obvious he had just got back from riding, the bridge of his nose reddened along with his wide cheekbones. His blue-black hair was tousled, his mouth lifted with slight amusement at the corner. A brow lifted as he gestured to her partially mussed room. She thought she imagined his gaze landing on the dreaded brassiere once again.

"You seem to have taken to this room quite well." Taehyung's voice deepened, stretching across the room and jolting the princess.

Leila decided to ignore his quip, and bite her tongue on the matter. He was trying to distract her once again from the real issues at hand. She moved from the door, not shying from his stare as she stepped only a couple paces away from the taller prince. Trying to not revel in the smoothness of his voice, that she had been left without for days.

"The girl who was murdered. That was supposed to be me, wasn't it?"

"You saw her?" His none-answer was brittle, weighted.

It seems no one had told him she was the one that her. And the prince would not be kind to whoever left out that information.

She returned his frost, "Why're you here? Shouldn't you be dealing with that misfortunate incidence instead of gracing me with your presence? As if you care that I made it out alive."

Taehyung laughed bitterly, his tongue swiping across his teeth as he leaned both her hands on the back of her upholstered chair sitting across from her fireplace. He let his head hang for a moment, before staring back up again, "Couldn't have my captive dead now, could I? That would ruin your purpose."

Leila gritted her teeth, venom seeping into the wound he created. He had not greeted her as he walked in. Nothing, after days. Just haughtiness and an unbridled naivety to her disposition. But, she would not let her defiance outplay her hand. Instead, she pleaded with him, in the most vulnerable voice she could muster.

It did not take much. As she had seen her first dead body only hours ago. The princess had a feeling it would not be her last.

"My purpose? Taehyung," The princess watched him flinch at the mention of his name, "Tell me. Tell me something, anything! If my life is in danger for the wrong reasons, I would like to know why. Please."

Leila did not know what would come of this world if she were killed. It would not stop turning. But would the sun ever chance to rise again?

The prince pushed back from the chair, rising to his full height. And though he looked bright from his travels, the tension set his wide shoulders in a tight line. Though they were only a year apart, his eyes shone an ancient sadness.

One she'd never be sure to find out. His misery just as much of a mystery as curse, and his kingdom.

"I told you, I will only say to you what is necessary. Live. You have all the time and luxury in the world now to do as you please. Let go of all the things you wish to know about the curse. No matter what you find out, it won't bring you comfort." Taehyung plead to her, taking his turn at changing the tide.

For the first time, the prince seemed entirely genuine without any falsities. The sadness remained, because he permitted it. He was allowing her to see through the looking glass, through the cracks of his burden as ruler.

He wanted her to give up. And he thought her better for it if she did. That much was true to him.

"I thought-" Leila started, unable to finish.

"You thought what?"

That you were starting to thaw. That some credence was peeking through the hole in the fabric of your frost. That you might one day see me as an equal, an not an enemy to protect yourself from.

"Nothing." The princess said instead, biting at her tongue.

Tasting the silver blood, and focusing on getting answers. Even if he was unwilling to give them. She would never give up. Him even suggesting it was foolish.

The man sauntered closer, wistful expression disappearing. Instead one much darker took control, his voice quieting as he neared. Leila stepped back only once, his eyes taking in her hesitance to be near him. He stopped walking forward, resting his hands behind his back.

Safe from finding their way to her.

"Nothing. Well do you know what I thought, wife? I naively believed that you were smart enough to stay put in your room while I was gone. Or, was it your goal to end up dead like that women?" The prince bit at her, his tone entirely too captious for her liking.

He's even pretty when he's mad.

He was practically seething at her. Leila took his his harsh body language, the tick in his jaw. It was the most angry she'd seen him, ever since she attempted to swim in the ocean on their wedding night.

It seemed anything that threatened her life angered him. It made her wonder about the true purpose she served here.

"I thought the rules were put in place to keep me in my cage Taehyung. I never thought there was any real danger towards my life here. And who's fault is that?"

The question hung quickly in the air, startling her husband out of his heated frustration. She was not wrong in her fault of him, and they both knew it.

His eyes softened, then went cold, before questioning her in a condescending manner, "How was the book?"

Leila's eyes remained on him, resisting the urge to see if it was covered by her bed sheets. She lifted her brows, keeping her chest high and her lips without falter.

"I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about." She quickly placated.

Taehyung's answering grin was dazzling, "What other reason would you be in my room? To scent me on my sheets?"

The young woman cursed internally, wrapping her arms around her almost sheer, lavender dress. Washing the blood off had not wiped away the memories. The screams, and the lightening flashing across the sky as she held the book close to her. She knew he was goading her into a confession, but it was clear he already knew. Leila knew blood magic carried trace amounts, and he was not careless.

"Why did you take it from me if you knew I couldn't read it? That was pointless." Leila answered coolly, not letting her embarrassment at her lack of forethought show.

"It was a test, Leila. To see if you would try once again to pry into secrets that aren't for you to know. Putting yourself into harms way once again, and when I'm not here to pro-"The man closed his ember filled eyes, continuing in a strained voice, "Prevent an inconvenient situation from occurring."

She shivered at her name dancing across his curved lips. It was enough to make her change course, to try any way possible to get him to listen.

"I won't stay put unless you tell me why your court wants to kill me."

The man stepped closer, making Leila's heart leap in her chest. The temperature seemed to rise, ignoring the gray and blue winter mist. He looked away from her, pacing like he liked to do. His hand touching at his chin in contemplation. His feet brushed along her phase of the moon carpet, the sides that had folded up down.

"Fine. Deal." His deep voice stated strictly, breaking the silence.

Leila could barely believe the words.

"Deal?"

Why offer information up so easily that he had vehemently refused to give? It was difficult to decipher his intentions and motives, as he switched along several paths on his way to any destination. Leila was always pulling at the rope between them till it tightened. He would then always let it go slack, just as she was just finishing her trapeze across it.

"Yes. I'm getting something from you, and you're getting something from me. It's mutually beneficial. And I like that." The man articulated easily, his dark gaze met her own, filtered through his raven hair.

Her intake of breath was sharp, her eyes fluttering. His every word felt suggestive, in the way a hot bath would always be inviting.

"I'll keep that in mind." She answered back with prickly countenance. Not allowing him to know just how much his every word, and every action threatened to pull apart her will.

She walked past him, brushing against his arm. Ignoring the stare she felt burning at the back of her head, as she sat on the plush chair he seemed to favor. She gestured with a wave of her hand for him to join her. His boot were light as he feathered across the room, taking a seat on the long couch in front and to the right of her. His legs were spread wide, his elbows resting on his knees.

It was strange, how he'd never been in her room before. And yet, he did not seem out of place.

He cleared his throat, looking at her deep, purple granite fireplace. Within seconds, it was lit, warming the room to a buttery glow that seemed to stroke across the prince's face.

"Leila. The only people here you can trust are Jimin and I." The man started seriously, his eyes boring into her.

Did the prince just make a joke? He had told her he'd wished she wasn't here. That her safety to him only mattered because she was his captive. Jimin had said he'd kill her if he had the chance.

The incredulous girl scoffed, "My husband who wishes to prevent salvation and his dramatic assistant? How noble."

The prince leaned forward further, his eyebrows scrunching together, "Trust me Leila, I still don't want to be in this position either. It would be much easier to ship you off back home, but alas. You are safer within my sight."

"How?"

The man swallowed, his gaze flickered to the burning fire next to them. His elegant fingers weaving through each other. Lips pursed, as if he regretted ever offering her the truth in temporary surrender, "The curse. If I kill you, the sun rises. If you kill yourself, or let's say perhaps, fall off a cliff, the curse remains unbroken. If a noble or court member kills you, the curse cycle restarts. If you were to die by their hand, there would be another 100 years where my kingdom gets to live in darkness without the curse breaking. So, now do you want to be a good princess and stay put in your rooms like I told you?"

She had been right about the girl. About Juliette. Someone had attempted to murder her while the prince was gone. Anyone in the court could try once again, at any time. The girl should've screamed, cried, or at least been chilled. But the numbness in her heart only deepened in expectation.

I now know a drop more about the curse.

Leila was silent, hating that he was so satisfied by himself at his proposed warning. This is why he told her without much fight. It was information that benefitted him, if she heeded its warning. Leila wanted the curse to break, which would be impossible in this lifetime if she was killed by a court member. Taehyung needed her alive for other, unspecified reasons. As much as their end goals did not align, their means to get there remained the same.

She needed to stay put, so she did not die by the wrong hands. And yet, she did not understand why the prince would not take the easy way out and let someone kill her.

"But if that's the case, why not let me die by someone else's hand? It'll put you out of your misery of being forced to keep me around. You won't have to worry about the sun. So why? Why am I being protected by you?" The air charged between them, as she inquired without fear of consequence.

She wasn't sure what she expected to hear. Maybe that the prince was too noble to kill an innocent woman, even if she might be his supposed downfall. Or murder was a terrible crime in his court. Something, that could possibly make him less self-interested.

But his eyes told no more tales. They had hardened, crystallized as they remained on her face. Taking in her resolve, and her disbelief. His hands were threaded together even tighter, his tanned knuckles whitened. His lips made thin into a line as he grimaced.

"I can't. Your death, would be an irresponsible mishap. Me and the other nobles have an agreement to keep you alive. They know the consequences if they don't follow my orders. My court members are not so easily swayed with reason. Simply, you're worth more to me alive."

He was telling the truth. But why was keeping her alive better? It seemed as if all odds proved against that.

Every single answer she sowed into the soil between them sprouted a thousand more inquiries.

Her voice was filled with quiet conviction, her heart and mind fatigued, "Another lie, masked with the truth. So tell me, why do you want to keep the sun from coming out? I know you are too logical of a person to perpetuate a curse if there was no purpose. If all hope is lost and there is no chance of me turning the tide, what is the harm in just telling me? Maybe you could convince me of your reasoning."

Leila was now forward in her chair, her hands gripping the sides. She felt at the edge of a cliff, where either she could keep hanging or fall into the depths of the sea. Her voice lifted to a volume she was not accustomed to, the prince of the eclipse settling his gaze on her in determination. His cheeks heated from the warm fire, his eyes shaded by lashes. A narrow line of of onyx.

"I don't need to convince you of my reasoning. I've already won."

Awful, terrible, devilish prince. Leila did not like the idea of losing anything.

"Then just for the sake of it."

The prince bit his bottom lip, taking it between snow white teeth, his voice pressing, "I don't do anything for the sake of it."

The princess recoiled, disgusted, "You'd rather people suffer? Crops are dying, magic is failing to make ends meet, people in some territories are starving, Tenebris officials are increasingly more violent, animals are disappearing, and more night borne viruses are mutating. You are alright with allowing people to suffer?"

They could end it right now. End most of the suffering. If the sun came back, Tenebris would be overturned. Freedom would spread across the planet. Those that were disadvantaged would have a chance that people with deity blessed blood already did.

Taehyung's right fist tightened, his expression filled with storm clouds, "You know nothing of me. But do you really believe I would want people to suffer? There is always those that agonize on this earth. I am just choosing my own people. What makes others lives more worthy that ours or vice versa?"

His voice swallowed her whole, and threw her to the side. Inspected her heart, and laid it in a bed of glass.

No ones lives were worth anything over another's.

The princess did not know what to say. Of course, she would understand if he did not want anything to harm his kingdom. Even now, she wished to help her territory, even though they had betrayed her. She was willing to sacrifice her own life for a home that did not want her.

"Why is detrimental to you all?" The question slipped out, as she implored to understand.

I want some piece of this mess to make sense. I want him to be redeemable.

For his transgressions and lack of action to make sense. It was compulsory. A tug on her stomach, a flutter in her throat. His answering laugh sounded around the empty room.

"Why would I tell someone I do not trust the secrets of my kingdom, and what could hurt them? What? So you can use that information to spur me into to kill you? You're better than to be so absurdly obvious."

"Or maybe, I'm just curious. It's odd, that you give no true excuse to keep most of the world in darkness, just because it benefits your kingdom. It makes you look like an evil, self-serving person."

The pair had gotten closer in their exchange. Taehyung, now at the edge of the silver lined couch. His hands knotted together, and hanging close to her material covered knees. Yet, they felt as if they were open to the air, as his hands threatened to brush the skin if she uncrossed them.

"I am not worried about whether you find me to be a villain in your story." Taehyung whispered, his lips moving carefully with the words.

Goosebumps erupted along her body. The material of her dress seeming too tight, as his eyes trailed across the light of the fire across her collarbones and face. Too serious. Too sybaritic, for her not to feel anything.

"I will never give up. Not if it takes a decade. Two. I will keep searching for answers. It's now, or later that I will bring your downfall Taehyung. With or without your help. You just get to decide if it hurts less."

The prince barked out a laugh, breaking their charged stares. It was a genuine sound, one that stroked at her chest once again. Tempting her to forget anything and everything, and just live like he had asked of her.

His eyes glittered against the firelight, teeth glinting, "Is that a threat? Marvelous. You want something from me and that is how you try to get it?"

Leila sat back in her chair, letting her crossed knees fall open, and coyly speaking, "Would you rather me beg at your feet?"

Her voice was much higher and breathy than she wished. Taehyung straightened himself on the sofa, copying her relaxed pose. The amusement did not leave his expression, instead in tinged with something evocative.

"I would much rather that."

Of course he would. It was lost on the callow girl, that he did not wish so to humiliate her. But for very different purposes.

Leila rolled her eyes, borrowing the expression from his best friend, "How about another bargain. You give me a hint, as. And I'll give you something in return."

"And what could you give me, ignis lunae?" The man finished, his voice cloyish as he gave her a new title. His lips lifted slightly at the corners, waiting expectantly for her answer.

"What did you call me?" Asked with confusion.

This kingdom seemed to favor old Latin, or at least a descendant of it. She recognized enough to know whatever he said had something to do with the moon. Maybe he was so tired of her, he decided to nick name her the bitch of the moon.

A nickname. Leila ignored the way it sent a thrill up her spine at the prospect. Sacrifice, and daughter of the moon were simply not enough for her.

"Don't pretend you haven't called me an asshole in your mother tongue. Let me have my secret names for you too. It'll alleviate the resentment that always builds between the happily married. And I feel as if we are regretfully already leaving behind our honey moon phase." The man added sardonically.

He was right. She had called him an asshole countless times. Among other things.

"Fine." Leila relented, gritting her teeth.

"Good." Taehyung smirked back, a lithe shadow against the couch. His arms resting open, around the back of the frame.

"I don't know what you want." The girl admitted, her cheeks darkening.

That much was true. He had been both winter and summer with her. Books got it wrong, when they talked of good and evil. Of love and hate.

In the real world, people were warm, cold, and everything in between. No real distinction between anything.

The man stared up at her through his lashes, "Is it truly a sacrifice, if you're not willing to give without expectation?"

Leila felt her stomach drop at the way he stared at her. As if no distractions could pull away his stare. Wishing once again, that he went back to abhorring and avoiding her face. At least then, she stood some fighting chance against the stirrings within her.

"That would just make me naïve. What do you want Taehyung? That's within my limits."

The man let out a sigh, looking down to play with his nails. Giving her time to collect her thoughts, with his eyes not trained on her.

"I want to teach you how to swim."

"What?" Leila questioned, entirely befuddled.

The prince sat forward once again, a bemused on his face, "Besides our usual academic lessons, I believe it would be best if I teach you practical things. I thought of our wedding night and how attracted to the sea you were. I know it won't be the last time you go. And naturally, I need to keep you alive. It only makes sense."

The girl wanted to let out a relieved smile of her own.

It was a perfect opportunity.

One that Leila barely had to grasp at. One that Taehyung did not know the gravity of. She would not question how the remedy to him being forced to deal with her was to spend more time with her. Allowing for more alone time, and more practice, she would not reject this proposal.

"You could've just asked me. I would've wanted to learn how to swim either way."

He mocked her lightly, "And here, I thought I had to bribe you to be in my awful, self centered, stoic, and 'stick up my ass' presence? Have your feelings towards my monstrous-self warmed?"

She winced, her shoulders tensing. Someone had decided to snitch on her ramblings to the prince. There were several options on who the traitor was. Aera may have heard her cursing at him near the dining hall the other day to herself.

"I wouldn't dream of it." The girl responded tightly, with a facetious grin.

Taehyung's gaze grew sharp, "Of course ignis, your dreams are occupied by more nefarious things than swimming."

There is was. That name again. Leila was not sure what she would do if he decided to keep bringing up her nightly ventures. That smirk made its way back onto his face, knowing that she found him attractive enough to do so.

Wrapping her hands around his throat seemed like the only way to satiate her bloodlust.

"You're dreadfully egotistical." Leila spoke dryly, feigning a lack of care at his jest.

The man stood up to his full height, blocking out the glow from the fireplace. An orange line now wrapping around his darkly clothes body, accentuating his trim waist and strong legs. The man walked closer to Leila, so that her head had to strain back to remain in contact with him. His waist at about the same height as her face.

She struggled to control her breath, and the pounding of her heart as his proximity. He looked down, waved black hair falling over his eyes. Inquisitive, and half closed as they gazed down upon her from above.

He did not touch her. But he didn't half to.

The dark prince's voice nipped at her ears, "And you have a funny way of stroking it. My ego, that is. Goodnight Leila. Please, just stay in your room."

The man moved away from her, the trace of cedar still burned into the air. Leila felt as if she could breathe again, her insolence climbing its way to her throat. Not wanting the prince to have the last word. She wait until he was at her door, wide back facing her.

"Don't worry, I'll be a good little captive for you once again." She spoke, just quietly, and just simpering enough he may have not heard it.

Taehyung looked back, eyes lit golden from the light. His chest rose, but did not fall back down, as he seemed to grip even tighter at the door latch. His voice binding her to him.

"I'll hold you to your word, princess." With that, the prince, her husband, left her rooms without another infuriating word.

Leaving Leila without her fucking wits.

Yes, definitely something had changed between them. A shift in the game that they played. A man who had posed no threat, suddenly in the offensive and forefront of the battle.

Leila felt dread soak into her body. She should've prayed the man stayed cold towards her. His warmth was not comforting, but a swirling inferno. A blaze with no end, and no beginning. His smiles and attentions were more contemptuous than his glares and efforts to ignore her.

She would be left a charred mess to be swept off the floors, and scattered across the sands.

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(A/N: SOLACE TRAILER !!!

https://youtu.be/ADOtkoL_sug

Ahhhhh the trailer for Solace I made! If you think it sucks um sorry I tried my best here guys. This will be good enough for the meantime.

LEMME KNOW WHAT YOU GUYS THINK OF THIS CHAPTER!!!!! I know that was ALOT of dialogue, but to be honest, it was necessary between her and Tae.

Also I mentioned this on my conversation board area but I want to run my ideas here. For the next book after Solace.

Sci fi. Fantasy. Black MC. Her name is Eden Louise (already came up with that). Taken from earth doesn't remember family. Ends up on another planet. Cowboys aliens type vibe shît. Taehyung - cowboy. Jimin - alien. Major love triangle between the three main characters. Can anyone tell I had a dream and this is how I came up with this? HAHAHAH

Tell me how we are feeling about it. Again, as you can tell from this book, I don't wanna write a white person who happens to have poc features. I want the characters to actually represent the people who they are supposed to be. Give me critiques because I don't want to disappoint anyone who looks for this representation!