"I want you to be my last
If I had to keep being separated from you like this
I'd rather die, I'd rather die
I choose you over three meals a day
If I had to keep being separated from you like this"
藤井風 (Fujii Kaze) - 死ぬのがいいわ

Spice - o - meter: 🌶️🌶️

🌌

"He did what?!" Lily screamed, sending Leila into panic.

The girl shifted on her knees, letting go of the warm pastry she was scarfing down to slam her hand over the brunette's mouth.

The paranoid woman kept her voice low, "I told you he can hear if you sound...alarmed."

"Sorm-reeh." Lily resigned, words muffled by the princess' palm.

The princess liked the apology, sitting back on her haunches and resuming her attack on the pastry she had ordered from the kitchens. Lily was quieter now, but couldn't hide the shock from her pale face, that was now mottled with pink and a peculiar smile.

The two girls had pushed all the furniture out of the middle of Leila's room, setting up a large blanket, a bunch of pillows, and a bubbly wine between them. They had about two glasses each, but had still managed to become so unruly.

As Leila recalled the memory, a smirk lifted under the powder that now coated her mouth. Playing with the strings of her sheer white nightgown that hugged her body, and was trimmed with the prettiest of lace. It felt good to have another woman to talk to about whatever was happening with the prince. It made her feel as bubbly as the drink they consumed.

"He did what?" Lily repeated, eyes shining with the details she begged for.

Leila rolled onto her stomach, placing herself closer to the fire, "Well, you know he threw your brother across the room. But after, he was all like 'that wasn't even a kiss'-"

Lily fake gagged, choking on her champagne, "You actually kissed my brother? I can't even say I have one friend who hasn't now. I kind of knew he fancied you a bit."

The princess laughed awkwardly, feeling apologetic. They were so different, she forgot they were related sometimes. That must have been weird.

"Sorry, it definitely won't happen again. It was collateral damage and I made sure he knew that. Trust me, it isn't like that with him. From either side."

The hazelnut haired girl looked skeptical, mostly about her brother's perspective, but wanted more of the real story, "How could it when you have the prince's attention. Now tell me, what did you do? He has been a fucking mess since the other night. Everyone is the court is watching what he will do next. And they never expected the move you pulled at the fete."

Leila frowned, "I don't know what everyone talks about. He's been very fine ignoring me every since. He pretty much said that I deserved someone who could inspire more desire, and then he made me beg him to kiss him, and when he did I felt as if the world collapsed in on me. He wouldn't stop whispering about my taste and practically went crazy over Jimin biting me-"

The girl in the pink nightgown next to her had her mouth dropped down in shock. So amazed, that the control over her fangs lapsed.

"Shit! Sorry Leila, I didn't mean to-"

"Don't worry about it. But tell me, what happens when you bite each other?"

Lily laughs, blushing as she hides away her fangs once again. Taking a very large gulp from the glass in her elegant hand, "Oh, darling, Taehyung had every reason to be livid. First, I am mostly shocked about what he was saying to you, and I doubt we scratched the surface. Not to offend you, but I have seen him with women before. He is mostly...to the point, if you know what I mean. And it doesn't take long, for the woman. It sounds like he is obsessed with you."

If only Lily knew. Not enough.

She waved her friend off, "Not likely, tell me about the bite."

"Well, how to explain this. As you can see, biting in our culture is not taboo. But it's done in a very careful manner. For one, if you bite someone and completely drain them of blood, and then you fill them with your own, that is how you sire one of us. But again, only those descended of divine blood can accomplish that. But we have another ritual that can occur with biting. Mating."

Leila felt her heart drop, though she didn't understand why, "Mating?"

Lily nodded, "It is a way for us to tether our souls to one another. We are promiscuous creatures, mostly when we are young. But that many people for a long lifespan is boring. So we have a way to create a 'mate' that we spend our slight immortal life with. It is also the only way to ensure our kind can have a blood born child, for before our mating we are barren. And to complete the ritual, your mate has to bite you and drink. And then you in turn bite them back, and drink."

"It's that simple for something so significant?" Leila asked in awe. To her, it sounded like the most beautiful thing two beings could do. Choosing to bind themselves together.

Her friend turned a deeper shade of pink, "That is not the only thing. You have to be wholly, um, connected as you do it. No matter your orientation, another part of you has to be touching."

Oh.

Leila looked down at her glass, watching bubbles pop. Then, back at her friend. As she did so, the laughter they had been holding in burst out of them.

"No wonder why I only see one person feeding from each other at a time. But tell me, Lily, is there anyone you wouldn't mind connecting with?" Leila asked, swigging back her drink. Feeling her feet dangle in the air behind her.

Lily paused, coughing awkwardly. Grabbing a pillow to hide her face.

Sitting up on her knees, the princess smiled brightly, "Deities sake! There is! Who is it? You have to tell me!"

Lily rolled her eyes, the infamous Park signature, before talking into the pillow,"Na-uum"

"Who?"

"Namjoon."

It made sense, considering how close the girl has been to Juliette, the girl who died from his sector. No wonder why she had been so saddened. But the princess left that question for another day, not wanting to upset her friend.

Leila gasped, "You've been holding out on me. But I could totally see it, he's so handsome."

"I know." Lily sighed dreamily, fake swooning as she fell back on the blanket.

"He'll definitely mate you for sure." Leila said casually.

"Ew Leila! Don't say that so-"

"And people call me the prude." Leila interrupted, joking back.

Her taller friend rolled her eyes again, this time with a smile. A new glint of mischief in her eyes that reminded Leila exactly who her brother is.

"Let's do something we aren't supposed to do."

"Okay."

"Well, you're easy to convince."

"I like not listening to what I am told." Leila shrugged easily.

Lily smiled knowingly.

That they both understood that feeling very well. The princess had learned that her friend had to try hard growing up, especially because of Jimin and Taehyung always being around her. It was hard to shine when two men had been by her side, excelling in their duties. Her dream had been to have a seat on the council, considering her Caelestian ancestry. She had managed to make her way up to kingdom fete planner, a coveted position, but only because Taehyung had pulled many strings for her. It fed her disdain for authority.

As both girls righted themselves, walking out of Leila's warm room into the drafty hallway, she questioned their destination.

"Just trust me." Lily whispered, gesturing with her hand to have the princess follow her to the left, and down a passage Leila hadn't even known existed.

Their giggles ricocheted in the seemingly empty castle, as everyone rested after the long week of partying and meetings. Lily grabbed onto Leila's hand, pulling her along. After several minutes of turning through dark and cold, stone drenched hallways, they made it to a large iron door. If Leila was right, this area was somewhere near the kitchens.

The princess couldn't see a thing past shadow, and a faint outline of stone, so she let her chest light up. Lily's now silver-shone face spread in a smile as she cut her finger on the sharp tongue of an engraved snake. The same kind of lock system as for the library.

"You need to show me more. I always forget your almost like a goddess walking among us."

The door creaked open, leading to a never ending set of steps. As far as Leila could see, their ancient cobwebbed existence had no bottom. She swallowed, feeling bashful by her friend's praise and grateful for the distraction.

"Let's go."

Not having to be told twice, Lily grabbed her hand, leading her down the steps.

Immediately, Leila could tell this part of the kingdom had been untouched for a good amount of time. The air was moist, and smelled of soil and dust. Their footsteps echoed loudly as they descended further and further down.

When it dawned on her.

Taehyung's story, of him accidentally finding dungeons when he had been playing near the kitchen.

"Lily, are you taking me where I think you're taking me?" The princess stopped dead in her tracks, forcing the girl to halt.

Her friend look back, worry in her brown eyes highlighted by Leila's chest, "I-I'm sorry. I thought it would be intriguing for you to see. I realize how moronic that is, considering the last daughter of the moon. I really am-"

"A genius. You are a genius." Leila said, a faraway smile lifting her face. She trailed ahead, using both of her hands to lift her skirt to continue down the steps.

"Okay." Lily drawled out the word, partially stunned as she followed behind the fearless princess.

With the daughter of the moon leading the way down, there were no more mishaps. Just endless, endless steps until it got impossibly colder. An icy chill forming a cage around her heart, as each step reminded her someone had been forced down here. It could have been her, lost to the wintery depths of the castle.

Just when Leila had thought it too much, just when she was about to turn around to Lily and say they should head up instead, they made it to the bottom.

"Holy fucking Nox." Murmured Lily, cursing the deity of night they celebrated the most in this kingdom. Which let Leila know her friend here had never visited the dungeons herself, more than likely out of fear.

Leila just nodded her head, expanding the glow of light from her chest to reach further parts of the dungeon.

Every other part of the castle was diminutive in comparison to the sprawling underworld. Just as extravagant, in a terrifying way. It was easy to imagine this to be the setting of Tartarus, the dungeons held no light. The expanse was covered in the same sharp obsidian that was used to make the outside of the castle itself. Rows of it created columns that looked like stalactites and  stalagmites meeting at a center point.

This was it. Her almost home.

She walked forward, hearing drips of water come from somewhere. Luckily no current prisoners were held, as her and Lily walked through the opening area and into the narrow halls.

Bars of iron encrusted with sharp gems and crushed glass met them. A pit formed in her stomach, as she thought of the desperate hands that would grip them, in order to plead to their jailer. Stopping at the first cell to shine moonlight into it so they could see better. Lily's breath came out in anxious pants, her eyes darting around the room.

"How are you so calm?" The girl asked breathlessly, taking in Leila's calculated gaze and sure chest.

Leila didn't answer at first, only seeing a shiny, glass abyss of a room. Nothing standing out in particular. It was not the cell she had been looking for, though she didn't entirely know what would stand out when she found it.

"You forget me, I was bred out of my emotions. Sometimes, I just access that numb part of me."

"Wicked." The brunette breathed out, moving with her as they passed more cages.

It was horrible, imagining someone, anyone down here. It was distracting her, the pain of the vessels in her hands starting to numb from the cold. Leila's teeth starting to chatter, her hand shaking as she held it to refract light.

After a half hour, Lily grabbed at her arm, "Okay, we saw it. Let's leave, you're freezing."

She took note that Lily didn't seem to be cold at all. It must have been an immortal creature thing Taehyung had failed to mention as well.

Feeling disappointed, she urged, "Just one more cell. Please."

Lily nodded her head, agreeing as they walked towards a cell midway down from where they came. Strangely, it was the most tucked away. Guarded by two extra obsidian columns, as if to keep whoever was caged there from interacting with any people.

With any possible light source.

Leila stepped forward, anticipation fueling her. Finally a hint of fear, afraid that she would find evidence of a lie.

Even more terrified she would find the truth.

She shined her light in the cell, surprised to find it fitted with a bed. One with a mattress, and a silk comforter. Nothing luxurious, but better than the mats in the other cells that had been placed on the floor.

It had to be here. It had to be hers.

"How do we get in?" Questioned Leila, eyebrows furrowing in frustration. She was not about to grab at the ragged bars.

Lily kneeled wordlessly on the ground, finding a small spot on the ground. After a few seconds of her running her hands across the shiny floor, a small steel pin lifted. She placed her finger on the object, letting its sharpness absorb from her skin.

"How did you know to do that?" She asked suspiciously, under the guise her companion hadn't been here before.

Lily swallowed harshly, "I swear I haven't been down here. My brother told me about the lock system, which is similar to what we have when the viper locks aren't available. It allows for more secrecy. I promise."

With one more glance, Leila walked through the iron bars and into the last daughter of the moon's room.

Woah.

As soon as she stepped in, residual magic coursed through her veins. The last woman here had been powerful. And if she had passed only two years ago, her mark would not entirely be gone for a thousand more. Leila's chest brightened, a white light instead of a pale silver. Tingling starting at her finger tips, to her head, and ending in her chest.

"Are you okay!?" Lily called out, worry etching her face.

Leila turned back, smiling despite her nerves, "Yeah, I am fine."

She started to move slowly, carefully. Making sure no traps were placed. But the energy was not dark it was comforting. Like being wrapped in a blanket, or hearing a soft laughter. It was like meeting a family member, a sister.

I am so sorry.

Leila said it in her head, hoping wherever Sorina was, she could hear her. Tears pricked at her eyes, as she continued to look around. Looking for something, anything.

She ran her hands along the wall, trying to trace the daughter of the moon's footsteps. Her life here, within these barren walls. How could she have survived for over a hundred years? It took all the warmth from her heart. Filling it with artic anger, understanding why Taehyung hated his own father.

Because, who could do such a thing? Even to an enemy.

Leila turned, ready to leave when she felt her curious hand trip over a part of the wall. Her heart leaped, scurrying and rearing the light in her chest to the wall.

There was a piece of obsidian, flaking out from the rest in a sharp shard. Leila quickly ripped the piece off, a piece of paper falling out from the hole in the wall. She lifted the paper from the ground, chest heaving. Opening the paper from its folded embrace, from the last time it had been hidden from the world. Undoing its spell of secrecy.

I hope I was meant to find this.

The scrawl was signed at the top with an ominous monikered author, sunburntashes , but Leila was sure. Looping letters, maybe that could've once been elegant if they had not been rushed with blots of ink falling across certain words.

Absolutely sure that these words carried the forgotten voice of the second daughter of the moon. Of Sorina. She lifted the frayed page closer to her face with shaky fingers, gray dust pouring from the edges like sand. Taking one small breath, before everything as she knew it could change once again.

UNORIGIN

'I see you through an eclipse

The sun behind my moon to bewitch

Disastrous all the same

Twin fires, aiming to maim each other

Rapturous desires, cherchez la femme

Brimming and overflowing in villainy

Seas and oceans, all set aflame

Brethren aghast of betrayal's shame

Love, to be a trickling thought,

Death, a hunter's game

They play along, predator and prey

Changing their roles, as destinies are laid

Falling for eyes a misty shade

With lips of a sultry masquerade

Fates tied together like a silken braid

Blade against blood bargains heavy a trade

Mark the promise of the Sun upon her grave

Moon un-wanton to rise berates the un-made

Curse of a thousand years upon her

But the feat of love cast a rampage

Made her twist, made her crave

But he couldn't see her

And she didn't want him,

To see her

Was forbidden, sorely thrilling

The woman of the Moon, majestic her

Tumultuous, it was desperate

Scratching nails and arching spine of hers

Ruthlessly he was bewitched, eclipsed,

As was she, against every unuttered wish

And I recite you this tale

Because it is a backstab, an impale

Because the eclipse I see you unveils

And casts black onto me to tip the scales

Because you truly can't see me now

But unlike before

I can't stop needing you to see me now

My unoriginality reaps, I sow and sow

The seeds of my demise, in the fertile soil seeps

The scent of her beloved and her respite

Fleeting but the relief is

For she is me; soul and mind

Only a flicker of the candles

A puppet of my play, I un-twine

Unwind my moon into steal chain rings

My unorigin dances on the waving sea

It is you, it is her, it is him, bound by strings

Bounded by hysteria and the sea's unending shore

Coal instead of black diamond I am, only pure at origin

For now the Sun and I alike are damned to darkness'

Leila folded the paper back up, face trembling. Some of the lines corresponded with the curse.

Most of the lines sounded like a twisted romance.

A warning.

She needed to find Taehyung right now, no matter what he was doing. Even if he was in the throws of sleep. No matter what.

She needed him.

And she knew exactly how to get him.

Lily and her made their way back up the steps, and all the way back to her room. Lily looked frazzled by Leila's reaction, but overall was not prying for information. Knowing that it was a touchy subject. They had talked about a different plan on the way to her chambers,

"You know what to do?" Asked the princess, fixing the poem from Sorina into the strap where she kept her knife.

"Yes, princess."

"Leila." She reminded gently, hugging her friend in thanks. The girl looked stunned, but in a happy light. Knowing that the princess was telling her that friends should never use a title.

And that she felt comfortable enough to hug her when she had never received them all her life.

They both laughed quietly, wondering how their sleepover took such a turn. And Leila left her friend alone, knowing she could trust her. Heading out into the dark halls of the castle, praying that this would work.

Knowing she would be lied to once again if it would.

*****

Taehyung

He was there.

In her fucking room. Jimin was there.

Taehyung sprung up into a sitting position, not that he was sleeping anyways. Sleep wasn't necessary for their kind every night, but it wasn't even his own abilities that made him restless.

It was because every time he went to sleep, her face appeared. The ghost of her kiss would trespass onto his mouth, reminding him of every decadent moment, of every indecent and ethereal and devilish sound and touch she made.

The kiss. The kiss to end him, and to create him. To mend him, to shatter him. To steal his sense of direction, morals, of anything that didn't involve her and burn it into oblivion.

Taehyung needed to remind himself to stay the fuck away. And even the other day, he had bent before her on his knees. Spilling his guts and wishing he could tell her more.

I need to stay away.

It had brought him peace, to know she had made friends. Lily was like a little sister to him. Had even told him that tonight would be a special 'girls fete' involving only her and his ruin. The amplifier had only picked up on girlish screams as he was attempting to force himself through a novel to rid himself the image of her.

So. why. was. Jimin. in. her. room?

It is none of my concern.

But he'd seen it. He had seen his best friend's fangs tear painfully into her neck. Her attempt to hide her hurt with fake moans of pleasure, as he felt her pain as if it were his own.

It hadn't been possession that spurned him.

It was rage.

Knowing that Jimin chose to make the bite horrific, for whatever horrible reason. And he couldn't let her know that. Not yet. She had been betrayed her entire life. She didn't need another villain.

So he remained it, solely. Taking the burden of her hatred.

Even when he felt his heart rip out of his chest, as Jimin caged her in his arms. Tasting her lips, when Taehyung had been too cowardly to. Even when he felt the emptiness in her heart, her continuing to kiss his best friend despite it. Because of his own idiocy, his spineless lies of rejection he had spewed at her.

For good reason.

But all reason left him then.

Not because she was choosing to kiss someone else. Whatever and whoever she chose to love, he would have to accept. Simply because he could not bare to take anything more away from her.

He swore to himself to stop. For the sake of her, of him, of everything. 

But that worry, had turned to possession. Obsession.

He had her. And now, he could not have her taken away.

I am a selfish, horrible fucking prince.

And it was not enough to stop him throwing a black shirt on himself, too in a rush to button the flimsy thing. He didn't give a damn. It was not enough to stop his long walk to her room, even as as walked with a human speed. No.

It was not enough, to keep her from crazily, stupidly, and without abandon breaking through her door.

When the prince made it through, he was not greeted by the young woman who assaulted his every waking moment. Who even followed him into sleep.

No.

Before him, both his advisor and his sister sat smugly on her lavender, silver-tinged sheets. The latter slack jawed at his disarray, a sight nary a person had ever seen. Jimin looked just as smug as he was envious. Strangely so. They would need to talk later.

That much the prince could tell.

"Oh, she was right."

The prince felt himself stiffen, in several places. Knowing that he was caught, and who had so seamlessly led him into this trap.

The silence was deafening, his cheeks heating as he was inspected. He glared back at the pair that always seemed to be the reason for his woes with Leila.

"Leila." He said her name aloud, knowing every time he thought of the syllables more branches took root within him.

Her name signified being a daughter of the night. Perfectly fit for the prince of it, even without the curses pull. It was why he tried to keep her name from his tongue, his mind as much as possible.

Jimin's eyes fell lazily, feigning disinterest, "She is waiting for you, somewhere. She said you'd have to find her yourself."

The prince did not need another excuse. He turned without another word, trying to fix on the trail of lavender, cinnamon, and amber she left behind. The words of his friends drafting from her now closed chamber door, the words only slightly muffled.

"He's mad for her." Lily commented, sounding decided on that lovely observation she picked up on.

Jimin scoffed back, "You think?"

Taehyung couldn't be angry.

I am. madly. irrefutably. colossally.

He couldn't think anymore, heart pounding as he willed his senses and magic to work.

Finally, a sharp right. Settled between panels of stone, he leaned closer. The essence of her, that hint of spice. He inhaled sharply, eyes opening to follow the clear path to her. He quickly went, it had been midnight two hours before. She was walking around after curfew, and from the unsure track of her scent, she had not known where she was going.

Lost.

He needed to find her.

He followed her, only thoughts of her safety clouding his mind. For extra assurance, he used the power of the black sun from the center of his chest, a golden and somehow shadowed light leaving him. Most of the time with his eyesight he didn't need extra provisions, but there was no time for mistakes.

Taehyung hadn't even realized where he was when her scent suddenly swarmed his senses, rendering him useless to any other purpose.

Sala de oglinzi, as it was named in Romanian apparently from even before his family's arrival. It was known as the room of mirrors.

She was here. And yet how do I face her?

Taehyung lifted his hands, pushing on the door after offering his blood. Knowing she was probably nursing the small cut on her finger.

And though he hadn't the need to breathe in years, she rendered him without it. The girl of his nightmares, sat in the middle of the wide hall. Dark marble beneath her feet. White night gown that left nothing to the imagination, a swan of silver around her curved, tawny body. The moonlight poured over her, proving once again that she was divine born as it trickled into her dark waved hair like starlight. The image of her repeated over and over again, like the torment of his visions, never-ending in the floor to ceiling mirrors.

And her face, her face he could be without now. She was glorious as ever, her silver eyes pricking him with their strange warmth despite their metallic hue. But they were not lined with kohl, her lips unrouged. She was bare to him, and that made the look of disparity and dismay all the more painful.

What have I done?

When she had first arrived, she was simply a poison to him. To be kept on a shelf, safe and well cared for. But never passing between unsuspecting lips.

Her disapproval of him would have hurt, but he would have prided in it. A sign that he was doing his job to his kingdom, their kind.

Then, he saw how she yearned for more. From life, from people. Everyone had failed her. Her fate had failed her, as it had he.

And now, he wished all but he could erase time. To never see this look on her face ever again.

He walked towards her, unsure. And her eyes lifted from her spot on the floor, freezing him. Reminding him of when she shuddered underneath him in her room, moon reflecting in the pools of her eyes. He swallowed down his desire, his unnecessary groan of frustration.

Be a good prince, nothing can happen tonight. Not now.

Not ever.

I am here to make sure she is safe. That she is okay. That is all.

Her low, rasping tone meets him first, "You performed blood magic on my door. You know whoever crosses into the threshold. But for some reason didn't go further to see when they leave. A small, pinch of privacy for me? How thoughtful."

She's upset.

Good, he tried lying to himself. That this is what he wanted. Her to despise him, to see him as a monster. To make it all easier.

"A necessary precaution. Did you already forget Juilette?" He spoke carefully, so that he did not show his unease.

It came out much more biting that necessary, and he regretted the words as soon as guilt wracked across her angry face. She shook her head, letting it go so that she could continue her campaign against him.

"The amplifier. The door. The stalking. Why all that when I offer myself freely to you?"

Because Ignis, even if I can't have you. You're mine.

Taehyung smiled stiffly, banishing his deranged thoughts, "I told you why."

She lifted onto her feet, body straightening. Taehyung trained his face, willed his eyes to not fall lower than her clavicle. Even that was too much, for his bites were unhealed on her neck. Purple marks that he wanted to place everywhere on her. The nightgown hugged her body, two strings falling open to the side as she showed her chest. He swore he imagined it, her eyes making their own trail across his open shirt. Down his abdomen.

"No, you gave me some melodramatic speech."

Taehyung scowled, his expression tightening. Her hands rested by her sides, fists holding then letting go. He wanted to take them in his palms, kiss away the tension. And just hold her.

Couldn't she see? But he couldn't want her to see.

He warned her once more, stepping into the center of the room. Into the silver light with her, "I don't know if I can stop myself. Leila, you know how I feel. But I have a kingdom to protect. My-I don't even know if this is another attempt at breaking the curse. I knew you were plotting it as soon as you got here. Attempting to seduce me, and trying to figure out a way to get me to kill you in the process. So don't blame me for protecting myself."

It was true. He knew of her plans, her training before she arrived. Kept her away, believing she would still attempt his life. That did things to him he didn't want to dwell on. Like how when she put the knife into his chest, he would forfeit his life to see that fire in her eyes once again. Brighter than an open flame, never the dark side of the moon. But its reflected surface, still a lover to the sun.

Even now, he might hand her the blade to do it.

I can't.

She shook her head, harsh exterior finally slipping at his attempt to tell the truth without complicating things, "I know it's a risk for you. You don't have to believe me, but after visiting my family, after what you said to me the other day, I don't want to break the curse. Or at least, in a way that could harm anyone. I'm interested in giving my life a chance, instead of being a pawn to the curse. That's a leap of faith for me, considering I'm willing to throw my whole life's purpose away, because I'm beginning to love this place. I have friends. Parties. Days to relax. Lore, gardens, dancing. I have-"

You.

He stupidly wished for her to say. But he wasn't even sure himself, if he was one of the reasons she wanted to live. He would've never expected it. From the cold and distanced way he treated her. So different, to how he wished to cherish her.

Could he?

He married her. He took her away from her family. Kept her from the clutches of the court who didn't know how to control their thirst for power. He refused to kill her, to not complete the curse.

Could he find a way?

He stood still, contemplating. Hoping his face was his usual mask and not showing the dilemma he felt in the depths of his soul. He had needed to use it as a child, when his father forced him to watch the torture of the second daughter of the moon. He needed it when he was asked about Leila from the people that wished to harm her.

He needed his veil.

She looked upon him, finding his false face.

"If you're not even willing to try, you're more of a coward than I thought." Leila's voice cracked, her shoulders falling. Her delicate yet angled face scrunching with despondency.

He would take the knife, over this.

"Don't say that." He managed to whisper out, though it felt like needles pricking at his throat.

"Maybe I shall continue my nightly endeavors with your best friend. It's not optimal, but I think it'll get the job done. And it seems like the only time you're willing to fight for me is when I am close to another man's-"

Taehyung cracked, "Don't say another word."

He kept his gaze on the floor. Already feeling her nearing, from the warmth her skin gave off. From the graceful way she glided to him, swallowing him in her dizzy, sensual scent.

"Or what?" She asked carefully.

Not suggestively, but it did nothing to stop the flush of blood over and within his body. As he imagined her mouth enveloping the words. He was not lying, when he said it hurt to look at her.

"Leila it's not you." He attempted to persuade her, stepping away. Using every last bit of self control to not pull him into his arm.

She. Stepped. Closer.

Following him, not allowing him to escape once more. This time, her chest threatened to brush against his. The bite he placed on her neck, right in his line of sight.

Gods, forgive me.

"Then what is it." Her nutmeg voice insisted, injecting herself into his veins.

Because, I lose myself with you. Because before you arrived, I never strayed from my divine right. To protect my curse, my people. I insisted I could do it, that I could treat you well. That I had enough power to not feed from you. That no feelings would complicate this.

That I would not drink your blood. Not take advantage of the curses pull.

I made so many promises, and I am ready to break them all.

For what captive, could want their captor?

"I don't want to be like my fucking father." The terrible, horrible, truth ripped out of him. The one that rang the clearest above all the worries in his head if he were to pursue her.

He was afraid.

And still he lifted his eyes to her own. It always amazed him, the depth of her emotions from a person who was abused until she was ridden of them.

That was why her genuine, unfabricated sympathy broke him apart.

Her resolve, sealing his new fate.

Leila walked forward, placing her light touch on his shoulders. The small touch making him quiver, "You are not. I don't even know how for a second you could even think that. You married a complete and utter stranger, against the wishes of your council and your court. Just to keep her safe. You are strong, compassionate, and noble. You brought life back into her, and she'll never be able to ever thank you enough."

The words, they were too sweet passing from her ripened lips. Taehyung shook his head, biting back tears he never allowed himself to shed.

He had always heard how much he was like his father. Detesting the idea. Feeling sick every time it was spoken. So much he had started to believe it.

So much he promised to never be him. To never do what he had done, even the most innocent of it all.

It was like the princess erased all of it, in one simple reassurance.

"Our destinies don't have to be written out for us. You already subverted them. I, as well. Let's continue to forge our own path."

"What if I hurt you?" He questioned her shakily, holding back. Hoping it would be enough for her to change her mind.

Don't do this.

Keep fighting.

Leila smiled softly, eyes slitting further into their almond shape, "We can be careful."

His stomach dropped, air leaving him in more of a rush. He stepped closer to her, letting her chest brush against his own. Letting his voice dip low, so he could watch her pupils dilate from mercury to onyx.

"Out of all the things I want to do to you, being careful isn't one of them."

"All the things? It seemed like you regretted everything the other night." She said quietly, unsure.

How he hated himself, that he made a girl so riveting feel not good enough for him. Not desired by him every moment of every day. How could she not see? That if it was not her or the curse that killed them, it would be his restraint.

Remain casual.

She couldn't even fathom the things I wanted to do to her, "Leila, watching you fall apart was the most ravishing thing I've ever seen. And that's partly the problem. It is all I can think about, you're all I think about. And if I see it happen one more time, I won't be able to stop. And I'll need to make you unravel. Again," The man paused, his eyes dropping to her plush lips, "And again. And again. I'll have to be put in chains to be kept off of you. You see how that would be a slight problem when we don't know how this curse works?"

So fucking casual, your best work yet.

His voice was barely more than a gruff rumble as he said it, arousal coiling. Fuck. This was not supposed to happen. She looked through her inky lashes him, the lack of makeup doing something to his heart, his lungs. The wild waves of his hair begging to be grasped.

"Well the physical aspect we know isn't a problem. The curse never broke from sexual encounters. We could relieve each other, and keep our emotions separate-"

"No." He interrupted darkly, for once his wrath actually aimed at her.

Is that was she wanted? Only his body? Would it be easy for her, to never attach to him. Did she plan on seeing other people? His turmoil raged through them, as he panicked through all the possible things she was thinking.

He should've said yes. It would have been logical, safe.

"No?" She questioned, befuddled.

"I won't agree." He doubled down, cursing himself.

She settled onto one hip again, eyes flashing. And she was lucky there was no real surface he could bend her over, or it would have been done, "And why not? I know you've had other women casually. Jimin told me. Your court openly parades their sexual prowess and feedings. Fucking different people at every party and openly. And you've said it yourself that you never planned on connecting with me past a surface level. This arrangement could be exactly what we need. Where you don't feel like you're disrespecting me, and you don't feel responsible for my emotions. I won't feel any obligation from you to return any feelings. It'll make things less complicated. Therefore we can both get what we want without breaking the curse by accident."

Taehyung laughed, swiping at his chin and jaw. Feeling bad as a stripe of red ran across her face, probably thinking he was mocking her inexperience. But he wasn't he was just shocked. She thought she was compromising, that all he wanted was her body.

Leila, Leila, Leila.

You'll be the end of me.

Taehyung lamented, "What if that's not possible?"

"I assure you, any feelings I have-"

"I fear it is I who poses a problem for this arrangement."

There. It was said. Taehyung nervously bit at his lip, his heart pounding harder than it ever had in years. He did not close his eyes to hide her reaction, not even when her face fell further into confusion.

For fucks sake.

"And that is because?" Leila paused, lifting her chin to be able to stare directly at him. Matching his energy.

Did she need it in letter form? The prince was convinced at this point she needed his confession in letter form, with a sealed stamp and a dash of cologne added to the wax seal.

"Because I've already broken every single rule. Every fucking one. That I've set for myself, and the ones you just proposed."

It was the most exhilarating thing he had ever done. The most stupid. He might as well beg for forgiveness after this. Going to hell, for being the most coveting prince in history. Not able to let his beautiful, devastating enemy be happy. Live her life. With no chance he could lose control and rip out her throat, or something worse. There were so many unknowns.

Leila chastised, voice wavering, "Taehyung-"

The words kept tumbling out, unable to stop now as he lifted the gates, "Because when I have you in my arms, I do not give a damn whether the sun rises and burns me to ash. I already feel your heart beat as if it's my own. Your thoughts, your emotions, your silly yet insightful questions get me hard without you laying a finger on me. I am already done for, and I was a fool to think I wouldn't be, if I kept away from you only physically. It is your mind, your will, your perseverance that's kept me ridiculously enthralled."

Even before she came here. When Jimin would report back with her routine, her favorite things.

Leila looked more stunned from before, the words unable to leave her. She chose chagrin, disbelief. She wanted a reaction from him, and when she finally got it, she never knew how to answer.

He couldn't deny that it left him proud knowing he was the only person that could render her clever mouth speechless.

"But you barely even acknowledge my existence." She managed to throw out, crossing her arms.

Taehyung let out a rough exclamation, running his hands through his black hair. Settling back in front of her, staring into her so intensely she couldn't challenge his words any longer, "How can you be so intelligent and yet so blind? When it's not my eyes you've captured, which is most of the time, it's my ears. When you've made a witty remark and settled yourself with companions despite your isolated upbringing. The demanding tone you use when you address my subjects, and how they listen. Or it's the addictive, raspy moans you make as you send yourself over the edge dreaming of me. When it's not my ears, it's my thoughts. The images you send taking over me, or just imagining what you're up to when I'm not around. If you're still trying to decipher that ancient book, and wondering if you throw it when you're angry. What you and Lily giggle about in the garden, and why I would rather hear you laugh like that with me. I know so much of you, yet so little, and all that I know makes me want to know more."

She was breathing heavily then, in time with his own gasps. Her eyes widened, lips parted. He let the tension break, take over. Walking forward, and grasping her face within his hands. Feeling at her bones, like he liked to do. Tracing them for his memory, so he could pretend to do it as he fell asleep. Wanting to know every part of her like he knew himself.

Leila, the night. Ignis lunae, a fiery moon.

Her lips trembled, and he wanted to kiss her fears away.

Softly this time, he insisted, "I want all of you Leila, or I will have none. You are not a person that deserves half of what someone can offer. And you are not a person that can only be partly enjoyed, without being wholly devoured."

She was silent for a second, and he had prepared himself to let go. If this was not what she wanted, he would go back to being the recluse. Suffering by himself.

But she spoke, and spared him from further torture. Her eyes took him in wildly, her soft hands wrapping around his forearms, sliding to his wrists, "Then have me. Consume me. Devour me. Do all of it and more."

My ruination.

He brushed against her cheekbone, and she blushed. Searing the pad of his finger. His black heart felt less shadowed, less burdened. Like at any moment it could take flight.

"And everything else that comes with it?" He questioned, drawing closer to lips. Magnetized.

It was a fearful question. They both lacked in experience for this. Neither knew what they were truly getting themselves into. Two people, with too much power. Never knowing what it was like to fall.

Taehyung already had a terrible feeling, that he was right on the brink. Leila very closely behind his own plunge.

If it would destroy everything.

"My fate is already in your hands. What difference does it make if you claim my heart too?" Leila said with a solemn breath, her eyes showing more bravery than her words.

She was so sure it would be her that took things too far. How little she still knew. Maybe it was better if she didn't know the extent of his corruption by her hand.

The prince couldn't help but smile painfully, "If you claim mine."

Her eyes flickered to his lips, her warmth breath cresting across his face, "We can try to not let it go too far."

It is already too far. And he was too far gone to stop it.

"Yes, we can only try." Taehyung managed to whisper once more, before using his gently caress on her face to bring her to him.

There was no resistance, she practically ran into him.

Making his descent to hell much quicker.

He embarrassingly groaned like a man who had only known thirst, her lips the cure as their skin met. His mind swimming with the sensation of having Leila in his arms once again.

Leila.

She tasted like summer, like late hot nights on the beach. Like a cup of mulled wine, and just as inducing. He wanted her to feel everything this time, not just his desire. But his admiration of her, as he cupped her curved top lip between his own. Her hands gripped tighter to his forearms, her breast arching into his chest. As if she needed to be as close to him, as he needed her to be to feel satisfied.

It was a different kind of torture, to still hold back now. To refrain from moving.

To be gentle.

Leila had other ideas. She sunk her nails into his wrists, scratching up his arms and licking her heated tongue slowly over his bottom lips. Throwing away any thoughts he would need to teach her anything, as she quickly smoothed over the area with a teasing bite.

What is she doing to me?

He flinched back, painfully hard now, as she stared up at him with an evil smirk.

Wretched woman.

"I'm not going to lie Ignis, I am a bit lost. Where do you get these ideas?" He questioned sharply, not knowing if he actually would want the answer.

He waited, bated breath. Still holding her, but letting his hands trail to her neck. Tracing over the bites he left in slow tantalizing circles. Knowing it would send tingles down her entire body. Her eyes fluttered, threatening to fall back into her head as he bit his lip in restraint. Addicted to her pleasure.

She looked so fucking good with his marks.

Mine.

"It's a bit embarrassing." She smiled, hiding her face a bit behind her long hair.

No. She wouldn't hide from him, not now. He wanted everything, and he meant it. The man used his thumbs to turn her chin back to him. Her lips were already swollen a dusty rose, her eyes glassy with wonder and desire. He felt another flash of heat in his body, and he gritted his teeth,

Abstaining from taking her with his mouth again.

"Tell me."The prince urged, keeping her eyes locked on him.

She scrunched her nose, glaring at him. But her frustration never reached her starry eyes. Her tone was reluctant, but also urging, "Romance novels. That's how I'm not completely inept. How I know how to recognize emotions. How I know certain things, or things I want to try. How I think I've been able to dream about them and imagine them vividly. I know, it's stupid."

The blush deepened, and he leaned forward, his lips brushing against the heated skin. She gasped as he didn't stop there, dragging his touch to her chin. Biting softly with blunted teeth, wanting to feel every bit of her.

Taehyung probably looked crazed as he pulled back, speaking quickly, "It's wildly attractive. Tell me more. Tell me exactly what I'm doing in your dreams."

From the horrified, yet lustful look on her face, he knew it was exactly the right question to ask. He moved forward, so that every part of them was touching. Using his his eyes, his smirk to get her to speak. He knew she liked it, for some reason.

"I can't."

"You can, Ignis."

She took one more look at him, before her divinity takes over. Her words reaching out, and locking the key to whatever fucking mess they had just decided to create.

Leila soothed over him, her hands scorching him as they moved to rest on his stomach under his open shirt, "You sneak into my room in the middle of the night, after fighting the entire day. Telling me how much you abhor me, how little you care for me. When you come to my room though, you're begging at my feet for forgiveness."

Gods, hearing it was different. The carriage image was shocking, to be completely honest. In a fucking infuriating the world will collapse type of way. But this, this was at the heart of her fantasies of me. Ones that I had had many a time, in my attempts to sleep with her on my mind.

It was so fucking seductive, to hear it from her mouth. Getting more and more confident as she spoke, ready to claim what she wanted from him.

"Mhm? And what do I do then?" Taehyung inquired amorously, almost growling it out. Tightening his grip on the side of her neck and face, watching the way she liked it. Wanted more.

He was going to lose it.

"You come to my bed. You apologize and grovel for hours. And then finally when I sit up to acknowledge your presence, you stay at my feet. Lifting up my skirt."

His intake of breath was harsh, sudden. Losing control of his fangs for a moment, as he knew smoky darkness must have overtaken is eyes.

I am done for. I am nothing but hers.

"And tell me, what would you like me to do right now?"

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(A/N: what a cliffhanger ☺️also this is a long author's note so sorry in advance.

Okay 1) We stan Lily. She is an aries sun, libra rising, gemini moon. Look it up if you feel like it, it is sooooo accurate.

2) And OMG TAEHYUNG AND LEILA WHATTTTTTT???? IS THE SHIP SAILING....lets see hahahahahah.

3) Did you guys like the poem?!  sunburntashes my editor wrote it (I only slightly adjusted some parts to fit my plot) and it fit perfectly within the story! Please give them a virtual round of applause for being so talented at writing!!!

4) Disclaimer some guesses for 10 were adding Jimin. NO! I am a monogamous person through and through like if someone is like "made for eachother" I feel like another person added in just cheapens it and doesn't make things better. That's why Eden Rising is like going to be a challenge. I hate cheating : wrote silk sheets. I lowkey don't favor threesomes/reverse harem in most circumstances: writing Eden Rising. I like to challenge myself as you can see 💀💀💀💀

A 10 is...other things hahahahah.

5) Also this is such a side note I'm soooo mad that Yoongi didn't drop his Eren Yeager look as I was writing red rubies. Like R U KIDDING ME??!??

6) personal fun fact: Part of the reason I wanted to write a royal story is because my boyfriend calls me princess a lot as a nickname :((( that made me emo in a good way. There's a piece of my real life in each story I write.