"Love me, that's all I want, habibi
Hold me, it's that too much?
Keep me safe when I come home
Love me
Oh, Love me"
Desert Rose - Lolo Zouai
(live strings version like the trailer)

Spice -O- Meter: 🌶️🌶️ Angst -O- Meter:
Brokn :(

🌅

"This is a terrible idea!"

"I think she should do it."

"You think and see a lot of things. She still shouldn't."

Lily and Setareh had been going back and forth for a half hour now, and Leila rested against her bed gently as to not wrinkle her gown. She watched the pair, trying to rub away the headache that was forming at their bickering. There was no point in arguing, considering Leila's word was final and there was little time before the Solstițiul de Primăvară ball.

The girls had gotten ready together. Aera had declined the invitation, deciding to excuse herself from the ball entirely and stay in the bathing rooms. Now Leila wished she had another distraction.

The girls looked beautiful.

Lily, was adorned in a dress the color of the softest of cream. Her dress was high necked, delicate, and embroidered with pink and blue flowers like the blossom of spring. Her long, straight brown hair was braided into a bun, little twinkling stars stuck into it with pins. Her silver and white mask covered in diamonds and feather hung by her side, discarded as she glared with frustration towards my sister. Even with the scowl on her face, she was beautiful. Her fair cheeks dusted with pink, her eyes painted with silver.

Her eyes remained there, on the mask. A tradition that this court had created on their arrival, along with some ancient traditions. The idea being to prevent misfortune for the upcoming season.

Leila clutched her own mask tighter, her eyes trailing to her sister.

Though red had never been her color of choice, she was now a vibrant flame. Coincidently in the same shade of ruby as Jeongguk's banners. Her black hair trailed down her spine, a ruby headband holding back the silky strands. The dress was a deep velvet, the neckline a sweetheart and hugging her slim body, and the skirts waved to resemble rose petals. The color extenuated her tanned skin, making her amber eyes honey and liquid. Leila had done her makeup, lining her eyes with kohl and her lips and cheeks the same color of her dress. Her mask was black, lined with a simple satin.

But surely, the red that brewed on her face was from frustration, as she argued further with Lily.

"And why should she not? It will do what she intends. When did you stop being the fun one?"

Leila started paying attention then, her eyes widening at her usually quiet sister's comment. Lily didn't move, nor laugh. Not a good sign. Instead, smiling until the points of her fangs brushed at her pink petal bottom lip. Her brown eyes swirling with amusement and discontent in equal amounts.

"Quiet human, or I will take my coins back." Lily crossed her arms, stepping back.

Setareh yelped with annoyance, turning to Leila with a stomp of her foot, "I'm just trying to help."

Well, the fighting was interesting while it lasted. Though it did little to untie the knots in her stomach, or calm the wild pounding of her heart. To clear her mind of any worries she had for the night that would surely change everything. It had to.

Leila sighed, waving her hand in the air lazily, "Thank you, Setareh. It's sweet of you. And Lily, would you please go get Jimin."

It was final. Lily was to do as she asked, but still the woman turned to her. Her face contorted, her eyebrows lowered so much it shielded her irises from the light. "Princess." She tried.

"Lily." Leila answered back with the same urgency. Raising her brows in question of her friend's hesitation.

The woman faltered, biting her lip. An expression of anxiousness and denial taking over. But then she took a breath, lowering her head with resignation, "Alright. I will return with the devil. Do not say I did not warn you."

And with a soft thud of her door, one twin went off to find the other.

Setareh turned, smiling as she had gotten her way.

"Is it okay if I-"

"Yes, you can go to Jeongguk. He's probably crying because you're not in your room, where he left you ten minutes ago."

Her sister gasped with embarrassment, grabbing at her heated face. Leila just laughed, getting up to hug her and wish her luck. The elder ushered Setareh to the door, feeling deep relief when she was alone. She stayed by the door for a couple moments, letting the nausea settle in her stomach.

Before trailing over to the full length mirror, her dress sweeping and scraping against the floor.

Leila lifted her head to see the shadowy impression of a ghost.

Her silver eyes were not her own, but of blood she had never met. Various shades of moonlight, familiar and also foreign. They held memories that were not their own, saw with a mind that was new and fragile. They were shrouded with a smoked darkness, war paint for a princess.

Dark, waving hair fell around her like a cloak. And for a moment, she saw the girl who just wanted to escape the cold.

The dress draped over her, hugging and curving like the dark side of a crescent. The dark and tumultuous ocean on bone, ebbing.

The bodice covered her breasts in curved lines of coral, the center cut showing skin all the way to her navel. The lines branching, reaching, meant to represent the cold sea surrounding the castle. The skirts were close to her body, a drop waist. They flowed like waves, falling around and behind her. Shimmering in the light like pearls of moonlight reflecting from the ocean. Black, purple, and gold baroque pearls decorated each point of the dress, glinting under the light. As if it were lifted from a royal ship wreck after years of becoming one with the sea. Of wishing to be brought back to the surface, to touch moonlight once again.

An antithesis to the dress she had seen Sorina wear at her first spring solstice ball. Perhaps it's darker, wiser twin. From the night she had been whipped by the Queen in front of the court, and the King could not stop it. This secret connection to the second daughter of the moon gave her strength. That she would be with her, and carry on her legacy to choose love over fate. Over fear.

This was for Leila, and Leila alone.

Leila felt herself tear up, that ache stuck in her throat. Willed it away. And wondered if it was possible to cherish and miss a woman who she never met, who was resting in the land of souls.

With rest of the outfit, Leila wished to make a statement. A promise, a show of loyalty to the Prince and his entire court.

Leila had made sure that the black, deep material was littered with gold leaf. Gold, the color of the sun, the color of the deity Solis. The gold halo that surrounded the dark prince of the eclipse. The sliver of light around the black sun. The back of the dress was made with draping black diamonds, and had the dressmaker craft a golden viper that now slithered up her spine, hanging from the diamonds. The animal that represented the Vipera Immortui, the only animal they found to be sacred.

Leila's head was crowned with a circlet of golden stars, crescent moons, and the sun. Her the moon, and Taehyung the sun. Her mask that she had yet to place on was decorated with golden wild flowers, small vipers that crawled over the mask. Tiny diamonds dotted around the nose and eyes, representing stars in an open sky.

She took in her image once more, a wave of apprehension rolling through her.

No. She wouldn't have to speak a word, her dress would write her story for her. A daughter of the moon, and a princess of the eclipse. One and never without the other. An unspoken honesty. Frailty. It bared her entire being.

I am one of you.

I am apart of this court.

I am not a captive held against my will. I will not go mad because I cannot leave. I am not afraid of being consumed, or drained. I am not here as a spy, or to turn you all to ash. I will not betray the prince as soon as he turns his back.

This is my home.

Leila had found her place in the enemy's den. And she was making it known, curse, past, or fate was of no consequence.

Ignis Lunae.

Her vision last night had proved to her many things. Had made her realize what she needed to do next. What exactly she would say to the prince, if she finally got him to stop running away.

Would I be able to catch him? To hold him long enough to hear me?

The iron door to her room, promptly quieting the rest of her thoughts. Though the image of her moon eyes wide and burdened in another life remained, a token that she would take with her on the passage to become the Dimidium she was meant to be.

Leila turned, watching as the twins shuffled into the room. A striking pair they were both dazzled in that same whitish tone, their hair that warm Hazelnut.

Jimin was handsome in his dressings. He styled his hair away from his face, letting the fairness of him shine through. His jacket was cut admirably, the satin of his shirt underneath swirled with lines of silver. A ribbon of true white, circling around his thin neck. His cuffs dripped with lace and dried flowers, a combination she had never seen before. His pants were of the same finery, buttons lining up the sides. His mask was a fox's face, and painted with black clouds.

He lifted his head, his eyes widening from a moment as they passed over their form. Leila hid back her laugh, knowing the man found her attractive. But as the friend he was, and gentleman he sometimes could be, he shifted his face. Stood up straighter.

"You look beautiful as always Leila."

And for a moment, she was grateful he wasn't one to be too afraid to say it out loud.

"Thank you. And you would look especially dashing tonight as my date." Leila said slowly, letting her charming smile grace across her lips.

Leila was sure it wouldn't be an issue to him. She had explained, that her feelings reached no further in their relationship. And though the man showed glimpses of interest, it had never been serious. Never enough to make her question his motives, at least in a romantic sense. Except the one night in the storage room, but that could've simply been the evidence of bloodlust he showed now and then. He was always prepared to scheme, to ignite his best friend into action. He even offered, the night he had slept over.

She could handle it.

Jimin just stared at her, moving only to fold his hands behind his back. He said nothing.

"I don't think you both should do this again." Lily said after a couple moments with a grimace, looking to Jimin for consensus.

His expression grew impassive. Bordering on bored, but just too tense to pass as unfeeling.

"It's a horrible idea." The man said plainly, turning from her expectant gaze.

Her shoulders dropped as she moved towards him. Her tone increasing in urgency, "Don't you both see? We have to. The only time Taehyung let's go of his fear is when he is forced to. When he sees you with me-"

Jimin looked up, his brows furrowed. Impassivity now bordering on anger, "And why should we help him? Maybe if the prince is so quick to get rid of you, we should be pushing you towards him at all."

Leila could not pretend that his words did not gouge into her. That they burned with some truth.

But he misunderstood her intentions.

She needed to make the Prince face his fears. With everything she knew now, it could make him discard her for good. It would not be pleasant, nor peaceful. It could be an ending worst than their last. But she needed him to be caught on her web. And Jimin always managed to lure some part of Taehyung he suppressed.

"Jimin!" Lily yelled, facing her brother. Scolding him for his brutal words.

He sent her a cold look, to which she stepped back. The girl lowered her head, beginning to play with her fingers.

"I'm sorry." Jimin said softly, and Lily snapped up her head to look at him. His eyes remained only on Leila, his mouth lifting at the side, "What I meant to say is that you seem to not need my help at all. You did quite the job at the council meeting."

"He won't be so easily caught this time."

"Don't undermine your abilities, dear sacrifice."

Leila stepped even closer, her eyes pleading with him. Jimin took in a deep breath through his nose, peering down at her as she encroached. The princess grabbed one elegant hand in her palms, cupped it. He did not release his breath.

"Please," She requested softly, needing him to understand, "It will be the last time. I swear it. And I will put myself before you if the prince wishes to threaten you."

Jimin sighed once again, a waft of vanilla hitting her. He rolled his eyes, and she held back a thankful squeal, "Fine, sacrifice. But only because I have always been curious about what a dagger to the eye would feel like." He stopped, appraising her one more time, "And with you looking like that I'll definitely get more attention."

Leila could not hide her laugh this time, dropping his hand just to leap into his arms. The man stiffened, even as she held herself tighter around his waist. The princess hadn't even realized it was the first time she had ever hugged the advisor, despite their sharing a bed, a bite, and a kiss. Lily coughed to the side, trying to hide her own laugh at Jimin's awkwardness. Slowly, surely, he wrapped his arms around her in an embrace. His chin dropping to the dip of her shoulder blades, his chest expanding to meet her own.

Leila pulled back, eyes bright, "Thank you. I owe you for this."

Jimin's eyes glittered, even as his expression grew morbidly stern, "The last time Leila. Promise me."

He said her true name, which he so rarely does. That meant he was very serious.

Leila nodded as she dropped her hands from around his neck, pulling away. He smoothed his outfit, but still waited for her response.

"I promise."

Because tonight would determine if I found the prince to be truly unworthy.

•

Leila was embarrassed that she thought all other Vipera celebrations were beautiful. Magnificence dulled at what she saw now.

The princess clung to Jimin's arm, not noticing the that wherever she stepped people bowed. She just braced herself, in a manner of awe at the Spring Solstice celebration.

A thousand candles were lit, lining the walls of a ballroom she had never been before. This was was arched, dome and dripping with gold. The windows that allowed moonlight in let her know it was another relic from before the sun. Leila now knew why they kept this room very much hidden.

White marble was lined with shining slivers, pacing up the long columns. Windows were gilded in ornate leaves, flowing. The back of the room was parted by a large, light stone stairwell that split into two sides to lead to an upper balcony that was kissed with night air from the open walls. A chandelier hung from the ceiling, dripping from it with diamonds, pearls, and white sea shells. The whole hall was fragrant, milled with a sweet, flowery scent she couldn't place.

Her eyes widened in wonder, her mask still by her side. A custom of the royals to show their face before they joined the festivities.

A masquerade.

The first she had ever seen. And while she should be unnerved that she could hardly recognize the people around her, there was comfort in the mystery. Like having their faces hidden revealed souls beneath the bodies. And none were afraid to show their true selves.

People moved around her, anonymous and masked. They didn't stare at her as they usually did either, like prey to be stalked. No, they were equals of the solstice, when day reigned with night. Various kinds of animals, with flinting eyes. Some made to look like bark, nymphs and woodland fairies. Some were cast as demons, and others were lit with halos. Glitter, gems, and other bits of nature decorated the gourmand coverings. More people than she had ever seen gathered in the castle before, with the previous court all being in attendance along with those from further away.

But she didn't pay attention. No, all she could do was stare up at the ceiling.

Across the large, domed ceiling lay the sun.

It was circular, wrapping around a large center of the sky. And then, long swirling tendrils drifted from the white gold center like arms. Rays, if Leila recalled correctly. It was colossal, as it fanned over the entire room. Around it sat painted clouds that were dusted with silver. Then lines of pink, blue to resemble what Leila thought to be a morning sky.

مهیج (breathtaking)

She had seen pictures, paintings of what it looked like. Had imagined so when golden light had managed to trickle from the prince's chest.

But with the glow of candles, and the light of the chandelier reflecting onto that flaring metallic paint, Leila swore she could feel the painted rays on her skin. Could feel the heat from it's shining center. Missed a feeling she had not quite felt before.

She looked away, clearing her throat. Hoping her eyes were not visibly watery, as she began to look over the crowd, as Jimin stood dutifully by her side. His face was already covered, dark eyes hidden away under shadow from her as he also quietly peered around.

Decadence shrouded the room like a phantom mist. Not one being could escape its sprawling, spaceless confines.

The mood was joyous, blooming. Doused in a golden light, and driven by warmth and jubilee. The orchestra situated near the back of the room were expelling rich, quickly paced sounds. The fiddle hopping like a spring hare over deep, slithering drums. The singer adorned in a deer mask soared with her crystal voice above the crowd. Leila had never heard a voice so high that it could break glass. Many sported unbroken glasses of wine, which she knew to contain some essence of either Sorina or herself, as it was a special occasion. People fell over each other, already drunk or in blood lust. Some were kissing in darkened corners. Beings slid in and out to attend to their feeding rooms, just as she had suggested.

Entertainment flitted around the space like butterflies. Amid the spheres of dancing, there were fire breathing. A sight Leila hadn't seen in a while, and it was hard to tell whether it was just a talent or true magic. Some Immortui maids walked around the room throwing petals, crowing the heads of lovers.

People hung from the balconies. Some were other actors, hanging and doing tricks from spun lines of diamonds. Others were just leaning over, gods in the sky, watching beings dance below them.

She found Lily and Setareh first. A prick of blood on pallid skin. Her heart swelled, then sank. As she spotted the nobles. Jeongguk of course was besotted, unable to tear his gaze away from her sister. His mask glinted with rubies and shiny black metal. His cheeks as red as the color they both adorned themselves with. Namjoon did his best to smile at Lily, but she kept turning and giggling with Setareh. Lily seemed nervous as she downed the rest of her drink, to which Namjoon looked on with shock. Though Leila couldn't tell from his mask that was painted like a river over pebbles. Yoongi, Hoseok, and Jin talked amongst themselves, as dapper as ever.

"Should we go to them?" Questioned Jimin, who leaned down to her ear to speak. She shook away the chill that came at his icy breath. Was he always so cold?

They were close. And yet Leila remained firm in her spot amongst the shining marble floor and their friends.

The prince of the eclipse wasn't there. Wasn't anywhere to be found.

It threw her off course, a storm raging beneath widespread sails. She had been prepared. Prepared to walk in later than him. To catch his eyes as she sauntered to him with Jimin on her arms.

She should've known that he would somehow he would ruin it.

But where was he?

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jimin grow confused as she began to pull away slightly. Her chest heaving. The princess could not stop it, the pounding in her head. The chilled plunge in her gut.

Aera stayed in the baths. She is not here. He is not here.

Jimin may have been speaking to her. She did not know. Her hands were numb, feet forgotten. The breath expelling from her so loudly, quickly, it drowned out the music. Masked beings turned to creatures as her vision began to blur.

No. No. No.

No he isn't. He wouldn't do that to me.

But would he? If he was trying to erase me like I never happened. Erase me like the burnt pages of a book, before he reads the ending.

"Leila." Jimin spoke firmly. Above the noise, loud enough so she could focus on him. He stood before her now, concerned as he gripped onto her shoulders. His plump lips uncovered and pursed in a line.

Her vision swam back into focus, finding the shore in the night. Brown hair, kind eyes. Her friend, Jimin. Who probably thought she was losing her mind. Maybe she was. His eyes searched for hers, bordered by misty clouds. And for a moment, she could hardly speak. Just comforted by the hold he had on her, grounding her to reality. Breathe. She needed to be rational. Breathe.

Jimin opened his mouth to speak, when his gaze drifted past her head. Hardened.

Breathe. Her heart dove somewhere between her ribs. Hiding.

Lifting her brow in question, she went to ask Jimin what he was looking at. Despite knowing whom he looked at.

But the sound of a haunting melody soothed her into silence.

(A/N: this is gonna be an "interactive" chapter, roll the tape aka play the video.)

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

Persian. Her favorite song. How? The woman who had the voice of crystal now sung with the softness of her home, with the undulation of tahrir. Echoing, water within a barren cave. A guitar and a fiddle began to weave with the woman, creating a stunningly beautiful medley. A lullaby of jasmine that quieted revelers to a slow enchantment.

Not a sound rustled around her. Not a single person dared to speak.

Entranced by the rolling, waving song she had heard from her solitary window sill on the loneliest of nights. When bon fires burned bright in the desert, and she had wondered what was so great about people when there was nature to contend with.

She stood, slack-jawed. Feeling warmth as the notes of the musicians flicked across the sinking sand. Kissed the rosy silver of the moon on a hot summer's night. Cradled by the effervescent glittering of stars smudged across the deepest of violets.

Leila turned, her eyes glittering with pith. In this moment, she wished nothing more than the wear the mask by her side. The only person with her heart bared for the world to see in this very moment.

She wanted to weep openly. She wanted to smile until her final breath. But she could do neither.

The Prince of the Eclipse had arrived. And he had stolen every breath, every sound. A deity in his own right.

Taehyung's dark eyes found her first, caught like briar to a rose. A shiver passed through her, as she realized their darkness was only amplified as they were lined with kohl. Kohl? Why? Smudged, as they traced around his half moon shape, making his gaze even more fierce. A vortex, taking her in with an intensity that only skies and oceans knew to conjure.

He was exquisite. Both the blight of the sun, and the light of what refused to succumb to it's doom.

Her heart faltered, pumping in time with his slow, steady steps into the room. Intricate details emerging from the tide as he dared to near closer.

An onyx crown sat straight upon her head, pointed and glinting like ice dipped in night. A contrast to the floral blooms that burst around him. His hair glimmered in waves of midnight, flicking by his ears, neck, and eyes. Longer than it had ever been. From his ears dangled a silver moon with an amethyst charm, a studded sun on the other side in gold. She dwelled little on it's significance, if there was any.

Her gaze lowered, finding his bronze chest visible. She swallowed harshly, biting the inner part of her lip. Soft looking, beneath a vest that tapered where his hips narrowed. What she thought were simple lines of stitched gold were actually vipers, their tongue's flicking out like the sun's rays. Lined from the vest's open top to the flare bottom.

A collar of black diamond and onyx was severe around his neck, crowning him a place in hell. Leila thought of the cuffs of water she placed around his wrists. And thought it would have been more fitting if she had secure his veined neck, with his proud chin held high and defiant. It pointed a sharp V towards his collar bones, and connected to his dark velvet sleeves. They twinkled under the light, dazzled in what looked like flakes of silver. Tears of moonlight. His toned legs were outlined graciously in his dark trousers, sure as his dark boots as they stepped even closer. Closer.

Close enough that her heart stuttered painfully. Far enough away that twenty people could still fill the space between them. Enough time to run, if she wished. If he didn't pursue her. It remained silent in the crowd, only the lilting of her song between them.

Dangerous. Sinful. Exciting. Like everything and nothing happened between them. There was something in his gaze, his stare, his glance. A look she had seen before, a glimmer of the past. A softness and a prowl.

Familiar and startingly novel in a way she did not understand.

Then she realized.

He looked like the King more than he ever had. A new hardness, wildness that had been present in his late father.

The prince stopped his procession. His dark eyes still an inferno on her. Sweltering, vexing. Leila was sure she would one day learn to breathe, but for now it was lost. The song met it's crescendo, and she swore she saw the glint of his rings as his hand flexed. To offer her to come to him?

To reach for her? He is still too far away.

He lifted his brows, eyes softening like the angle of his handsome lips. But why? He still did not see her. Even when he cannot look away.

Was he waiting for Leila's move? It seemed so, as he continued to wait. And wait. Even as the woman's voice drifted towards a lilting end. He did not stray from her. Not to peer at Jimin, his waiting subjects, or his friends.

Leila lost her mind, she was sure of it now. Because running into his arms, no matter how stupid, seemed like the best of mistakes to make.

She would've. She almost did.

When her chest finally moved, taking in that last swallowed breath, she had taken a step forward. Filled with a promise of tomorrow, a promise to be better to herself another day. To use the solstice as a night of forgetting. Just until she remembered what it was like to be hurt by him, to be angry.

Leila faltered in her next step, a steel arm wrapping around her center. She was pulled back into the advisor's chest, stolen from her eventual leap. Her shoulders dropped, Taehyung's face now unreadable as she stayed within his best friend's grip. The prince did not know he had left her without the strength to leave, that it was not the strength within herself she could be grateful to for staying frozen.

Her eyes remained on the veiled prince before her, even as her chin tilted towards Jimin. Who leaned down to her ear from behind, his coldness seeping into her with his honeysuckle voice.

"Listen to me if you want him to be incorrigible."

His words brought her from the dream of a prince that had wanted her freely. Leila would thank the advisor later, for the firmness of his grasp. The way he sharpened the words to keep her awake, to remind her of her purpose.

To not give in.

"Shall we?" Jimin insisted further, his breath now skating across her neck. Tendrils of her hair tickled her cheek, his body like a wall of ice behind her.

The prince should come to me. I should not keep chasing after him.

She nodded, her gaze still trained on the prince.
Who had turned into coal, his arms now crossed behind his back. The man had clapped his hands, subjects beginning their celebration once again. And yet, with the rise of the woodland music and dancing, they left the space between the royals open.

Not moving, even as Jimin's hand trailed down her arm. To her wrist, gently slipping her mask from her hand. Even as Taehyung's ashen gaze fell with the movement, back up. His jaw twitched, and yet he gave no other reaction. No protest.

See, this is your prince. Who will let you both suffer in silence.

Leila dared not move, as Jimin let go of her waist. Offered the same expression of forbearance towards the prince, as if she didn't care whether he was effected or not. He disappeared, only for a moment as Jimin shifted over her crown and placed the mask in front of her eyes. He stepped closer his chest brushing her shoulder blades as the world now appeared between two slits of metal. The prince was stoic as ever, as Jimin tied her mask to her head. The cold press of it against her cheeks, her nose. Taking much longer than necessary, carefully threading the ribbon into a dainty bow without snagging her hair. She could feel his heart, his every intake of breath. The prince just watched.

And Leila burned with that anger, that deep rage that arose with his every inaction. Get me, keep me. Come get me if you want me. He kept his space far away from her. For once in your life, take what you want. Her glare burned into him, challenging him. Taehyung just settled his shoulders, his chin lifting higher with arrogance.

Leila hadn't even realized that Jimin was done tying her mask. That he had swept all of her dark hair off of one shoulder.

She did feel the soft, slow press of his lips against the curved line of her open shoulder.

The princess was so thoroughly startled, she didn't wait to see the prince's reaction. She turned to the advisor, eyes wide. Jimin looked a little winded, his chest taking hollowed breaths as he stared down at her mouth. Probably trying to hide his fear over what happened last time.

"What was that?" Leila wasn't angry, just shocked at the action. She ran a hand over where his lips had brushed. If there was one thing to make the prince give up all pretenses, it was Jimin's touch. The advisor was too cunning and bravely stupid for his own good. But his impulsivity would only further her goals of the night.

The brunette smiled, shaking his head as if she were the insane one. Lowering his voice as he dipped closer, so that even the prince could not hear, "Dear sacrifice, I have kissed your lips. What is the shoulder if not a sign of friendship." The man paused, scrunching his nose, "Are you going to dance with me, or waste this magnificent night waiting for the prince?"

Leila rolled her eyes, trying to ignore the dark tingle she felt on the back of her neck. Fixing her head straight forward, and not surrendering to her deep wants. To the apprehension at the prince's next actions, if she were to be ripped from Jimin within moments.

"Let us dance to forget." She answered with a begrudging grin.

The next move was for the prince to make. And she could do little to change what path he chose.

But the advisor did not seem ill at ease. Instead he was relaxed, his face falling into a cat-like grin as he placed both his hands on her waist. Spun her around, until her hair swirled around her. She laughed, letting her eyes stray where they shouldn't. To see if the prince was still made of stone, or if he burned like a flame. But he wasn't there.

Gone. The prince had ran away.

Just as he always did.

Bitterness filled her mouth, her jaw beginning to ache. Jimin pulled her close again, his hands finding the highest points of her hips, swaying them though she was stiff. She hadn't expected him to leave her here. The last time, the last time Taehyung had ripped him away—

Would he even speak to her tonight? Did it not pain him to see another man's lips on her skin? Leila knew it did. She knew it. So why did he run?

Not enough.

Never enough.

Not to make him forget about the curse. Not enough to make him fight for me.

Not like the King had for Sorina.

Jimin lifted her chin, bringing her eyes to his own, "Hey. I can see you hiding within your own head. That will do little to convince the prince of your wandering eye."

Jimin is right, a common occurrence. Leila knew he would've never let it go if she admitted it out loud.

I will enjoy my first Solstițiul de Primăvară. With, or without the prince. It will hurt him more than anything.

Leila shook her head, biting her lower lip. Stop thinking about him. How could she? When she was torn between ruining him and ruining herself with him. Stop thinking about him. Willing Taehyung's away from her mind, just enough to tease her friend.

"I thought you were too scared for your life to try to make Taehyung jealous again."

She spotted a flash of blue and cream. Lily, Namjoon. Wrapped in each others arms moving as gracefully as Lily could lead the man. They disappeared into the crowd again.

Leila pointed it out to Jimin, who just tsked. Ignoring his sister's romantic life completely.

Jimin stepped back, just enough to have Leila trail towards him. Then the man pulled her close, as he guided them from side to side, and again Leila was impressed by his elegant movements. Their last dance had been interrupted by his impropriety.

Jimin broke the comfortable silence, smiling widely, and letting his fangs snip at his bottom lip. Leila gasped as he leaned towards her. "Who says I'm doing this for that reason?" His expression turned flirtatious, his hand moving further down her back, "That I'm not doing it for my own pleasure. Or for yours."

Leila rolled her eyes as Jimin dipped her, letting her back arch and her collar bones glitter in the light.

"Whatever you're doing, it might get us both punished." Her view of the world was now upside down, skirts flowing around her as the sun fell the the earth.

Jimin attempted to tear his eyes away from Leila with every ounce of will he had left. Did she enjoy my kiss? From her graceful neck, to the curves under her corset. Her smile could light the entire room. It seemed to singe the edges of a heart he thought barren and petrified. It thudded painfully as her head fell back further, her arms lifted gracefully by her sides. What if she forgets the prince, what if chooses me? Jimin bit back a growl of frustration at the worthless thoughts that pushed through his head, thoughts that Taehyung could imagine if he wasn't careful. What is fucking wrong with him? She has to die, get this impossible fantasy out of your head. But he strained for the sake of his own survival.

Using his sharper eyesight to spot the prince, hidden where Leila could not see him. Shadowed, behind a throng of merchants.

Jade eyes glared down at him from behind the prince, a floor above, distracting him. There was an annoyed twist in his gut. Jimin knew that Aera had stayed in her rooms from Leila, so her absolutely exhausting presence wouldn't be flooding the fete. The eyes were gone when he looked again, nowhere to be found.

He placed his focus back on the prince.

Taehyung did not speak to a soul. Not giving a shit about his subjects, or the performers he had Lily gather. No. Just stood, leaning up against the wall. Arms crossed. It would seem like a casual position to unknowing onlookers. To those who knew...was keeping his hands restrained. From magic? From fists flying? Jimin wasn't entirely sure.

The prince. Who had never missed a fete. Who had never drank more than a single glass of wine at large celebrations in order to keep his wits. Who walked around his subjects and acted like a fucking messiah, was taking gluttonous swigs of red wine straight from the bottle. When he was done? He threw the bottle he had finished onto the floor, shattering it. No one heard it or paid it any attention over the festivities.

The prince lured a servant. Grabbed another glass from a tray. Two. Lifted it to his lips, and paused. Looked up.

Taehyung's dark eyes pinned the advisor the tip of a blade, to the edge of a cliff. The prince had been watching the entire time.

The message was translucent. Crystalline in it's meaning.

You're like my family. You're my friend.

But I will not forgive you easily.

Jimin tightened his grip on Leila, trying to hold back his defiant grimace. Even when he stabbed that filthy Lord, it showed his power. He kept his authority, his prim and unruffled appearance. A true prince. This? Jimin tried not to laugh dryly.

The righteous prince finally became interesting.

Leila laughed joyously as Jimin brought her upright, swooping her closely into his chest. Ignorant to his changing intentions. The man was panting, cheeks red and slightly out of breath. She wasn't sure if she'd ever seen him smile so freely, without a hint of cynicism tainting it's shine. 

The music was changing, morphing into a different song. In the time they had been dancing, the room seemed to erupt with its celebration. Voices echoing louder, more and more drinks being passed around. Immortui she had seen at the council meeting went to and from the room, coming back masked with a faint ring of stained blood around their mouths. Leila was also out of breath from being led around the floor by the advisor. She looked around, trying to spot the nobles and her sister. Gesturing to the side of the room, where she caught her sister's deep red gown once again.

"Should we go find our sister's? I am sure your friends would enjoy a dance or two. Well, maybe not Yoongi." Leila laughed, still a little breathless.

Then, the heavens opened.

Gasps flickered like the light of fireflies, as blood red petals rained from the ceiling. Leila tilted her head back, watching in awe at the merlot drops falling slowly from above. Immortui servants stood at the highest level of the room, flinging down the picked flowers. Drunk beings hung over railings, lifted their hands to the sky in their best attempt to catch the dew of spring. As red as the blood they drank, as red as the black sun.

She couldn't look away, not even for one moment as she held out her hand. Caught a single rose petal, and felt it's soft suede in the center of her palm.

It reminded her of her wedding day. She hadn't saved a petal then, she thought to herself. Her heart crumpled like the veined petal, when she closed her fist. And then let it drop to the floor.

So much had changed, since she promised her enemy forever.

"No." Jimin said, pulling her back into his chest. His grip iron as it situated itself around her waist again. He lifted her limp hand with is, holding them level to shoulders.

Leila had to crane her neck to peer at him, still distraught, "What?"

"I think we should stay here. Just us. For a little while longer."

The music was slower, more sensual. Leila did her best to smile, but looked for her sister once again. She could not find the red, not in the sea of petals.

And the prince might as well have been a phantom. Gone, far from where her eyes could see. Probably talking to a diplomat or anyone else to avoid her. 

Jimin moved them backwards, slowly. His eyes trained on her face, to which she tried to avoid. It felt almost shameful, that even now she searched for a man who didn't want her enough. Like if Jimin knew every thought she had, he would scold her for being so weak. Maybe she was.

Because in this moment, she did not feel like herself. She did not feel like celebrating. For years, she hadn't known what it was like to take joy in others. And in a room full of people, she wanted her closest friends, her sister, by her. She wanted him. Even after everything, even after his lies.

Leila hated herself for it. She willed that hatred to towards the prince. Hoped that one day it wouldn't feel like she poured herself into him, and he let her seep out onto the floor.

Jimin used her arm to twirl her, forcing her to look at him so she didn't trip. When he caught her, he moved his face closer. Leila turned her head to the side, as he neared her lips. His eyes were dark as smirked, hugging her closer so that her chest barely had room to move as she breathed. Leaned so that he spoke into her ear, but to anyone who looked them, it would appear that he was kissing her.

Leila's eyes fluttered, taking in the people around them from behind her mask. Subjects were staring. Whispering laced fans, women who fueled the court gossip. Some of the lords sent their disapproving gaze from behind glasses. Even without enhanced hearing, it was undeniable what they were talking about.

The princess with her rumored courtier, the King's second.

Frowning, she gripped onto the advisor tighter. Even as his lips brushed against her ear, "You can't help yourself, can you?"

Leila held her breath, wondering if she had lost all capacity to hide her feelings, "I am enjoying my time with you Jimin. I am not thinking of him."

Jimin's head fell back in deep laughter, his mask covering the crinkle of his eyes. His sigh shamed her further. She felt grateful for her mask covering her cheeks. Both companions were simultaneously open and hidden from each other.

The brunette bit his lip, bringing her hand to rest on his shoulder. Sliding his hand further down to her lower back, and pressing. Leila lurched towards him, glaring at him for the sudden movement. She decided it was best not to look at the crowd's reaction, considering the loudness of their tittering. Jimin paid them no mind as he gazed down at her, eyes narrowed underneath the black.

"Let us be honest with each other, sacrifice. You expected him to come to you tonight. You believed that once again you could poke the bear, and earn it's roar. But where is your dashing, passionate prince?" Jimin asked mockingly, though his frustration was not directed at her. He looked out into the crowd, as if scolding his unseen best friend. Jimin paused, his eyes softening when they landed on her, dealing his final blow, "You didn't expect that he would keep himself away from you, not considering his previous reactions. But you forgot to calculate how easy it is for him to choose his kingdom over anyone else. Why if he cared for the daughter of the moon so much, did he not let her free himself? Why did he care to listen to his father at all? Because he has a duty to his people to follow the rules. To do what is right for them, and not always for himself. Yes, he may bed you Leila, but you will never truly have his heart. You cannot."  

No. No. No.

Leila felt nausea rise in her throat. Her steps faltered. Thoughts racing in her head like waves to a shore. And for a moment, she felt as if she were drowning. As if she were lost in the darkness, and water swallowed her in it's embrace. Over and over, even as she lifted her head above it. It just kept crashing down.

Because what Jimin said felt more believable that what she had once thought. Leila had never experienced life before this. She had not known what is was like to be led into love, just to be discarded.

Reading together in the garden. His lessons. The softness in which he brushed aside her hair. The pride in his eyes whenever she asserted herself. It all felt like a dream.

Taehyung had told her, what he would've done if the curse didn't pass to them. He practically revealed it then, that no matter what, they could not be together as they wished. As she wished.

Oh, gods. Have I deluded myself the entire time?

But the truth was caught somewhere in her bones. Hiding underneath her ribcage, where he had told her he could not have her just for carnal desires. Lost where he told her she wasn't worth it, even after he had held her body to his face, to his tongue. She fell. Until she thudded on the ground, and found that numb she had desperately yearned for, for weeks now. Feeling its cold welcome and nothingness that took away only a sliver of the pain, the hurt.

Ignis.

"Is that so?" Leila's voice was ice, the storm that crashed into spring without worry it's time on Earth was over.

Her grip on Jimin was tight, her nails seeping into his muscle as her expression drew to an eerie blankness. The man looked, the corner of his mouth lifting.

"Yes, and I will prove it to you. I have kissed you. I have slept by your side. But he will only come running when he sees that our touches turn sensual. He desires you, and that is all. And he is only reminded of that when it looks like you might choose someone else to take into the night with you. He knows it is easy to play pretend with me. When I bit you, it was something that we could not easily take back."

Leila nodded stiffly, knowing the advisor might be correct in his assumption. After all, Taehyung was his best friend, who knew him the best of anyone in the world. Who had realized what Leila had, in that only when Taehyung felt his possession slipping, did he run. Leila had wished that this evening, it wouldn't be true.

"Let us see then, shall we?"

"You lead the way sacrifice." Jimin said, his voice dropping with what sounded like intrigue. The man stepped slightly back from her, letting go of her limbs. Her body.

Curious as to what she could conjure up.

Leila wasn't even entirely sure herself, as she reached to a servant carrying wine. Downing the dark liquid and wiping it from her mouth as a remainder of liquid trailed down it. Jimin's smile grew wicked. Thrilled, as his eyes seemed to light underneath the golden glow of the room.

For a moment, she relished in his wickedness. How free she felt. As if she could do no wrong in the man's eyes.

It kept her confident enough to walk forward. To care less about the eyes of the court that feasted on her as she did so, trying to find more reasons to gossip. And she would give them that and more, so that the prince could not walk through the halls without hearing of her brazen treachery. So no matter how far he ran, he would not escape her.

Leila waited, finding the melody. Letting the alcohol swarm her body, beat to the sound of drums and strings. Painted on her best smile, the one she had perfected in her homeland to disorient and to capture. Jimin's awaiting expression did not falter.

Stepping even closer, she placed both her hands on the advisor's chest. His eyes fell to her hands, and then lifted to her eyes.

He wasn't breathing.

Leila only tilted her head, standing on her toes to speak to him closely. The man shivered underneath her, "I was going to tell you to make this look convincing. But it seems like you don't have to try."

Jimin let out a groan of protest, pushing her back. She caught his eyes, laughing mirthlessly as he avoided her gaze, his eyes showing all the mortification he felt. Leila was drunk on it, as she stepped closer again. Put her hands back on his chest, finding the racing of his heart. She finally shocked the relentless man into silence. She had never seen him lost without a quip.

"You have told me many times you find me attractive. It is not a secret. I just know you would get bored and leave me for the next new servant girl in a heartbeat." Leila joked, as he snapped his head up to peer at her. She narrowed her gaze at him, "Now hold onto my hips, like you mean it. I'll do the rest of the work."

Jimin let out another low noise from his throat, this time pained. He nodded, his mouth twisting as he looked down at her. Placing both of his hands on the bones of her hips through the material of her dress, and swallowing harshly. Bowing his chin so that she knew to start whatever torture she had planned.

Leila began her warpath.

First, by reminiscing on her and the prince's first dance. How he had asked her for her time during their visit to her homeland. It was the night that had truly begun to change everything between them. When she had started to realize maybe the prince had wanted her back. She remembered how she touched the prince's chest, dragged her hands down.

And did the same to Jimin. Because anything she had done with the prince, she could learn to with someone else. It blinded her, that feeling of retribution and wrath. It's feeling sweet, in that she might make the prince feel an ounce of the heartbreak she did in this moment. Maybe he would feel that deep shame, embarrassment, stupidity. For believing that Leila felt something for him deeper than lust.

She used that satisfaction in her movements, and Jimin peered down at her with bewilderment. Her hips began to sway as he held onto her, pressing them closer together than they ever had been. Closer than even when they kissed. She ran her hands up his arms, mimicking every movement she had used on Taehyung that night. Every. Single. One.

Remember?

Remember, when I showed you how I felt before I even knew myself?

Jimin held onto her tighter, his lips pursed harder. She knew she'd bruised with his fingerprints later, and in this moment she did not care. Only urged him to move his body with her, so that they were in sync. The man looked down between them, from where their bodies joined and back up at the ceiling.

"I can enjoy one night, can't I?" He asked the heavens. He let his gaze find her again, a little wild. Before turning her away from him, and holding her back fast to his chest. She was startled by the quickness of the movement before gathering herself.

Smiling, because it was already what she planned on doing. He had just made it happen quicker. Leila was surprised and pleased to find that the advisor did move gracefully, when he wasn't standing paralyzed before her. Now, he moved in time with her, flowing to the music that played. His hands holding fast to her, pulling her against him as they both moved their hips.

"You're quite good, sacrifice." Jimin spoke slyly, not having to dip far to speak to her.

She just smiled, placing her hands back on his forearms. Tracing the cream fabric there. Feeling the dizziness in her head form, take away any hesitation or worry she felt.

Despite everything, Leila was having fun. Slowly her intent started to slip away, and she was left with spending time with her friend. Without the threat of a curse nipping at her heels. The ever impending doom she felt closing in.

Jimin raised his hand to her chin, turning her head. Leaning down, and tilting her enough so that her lips were only centimeters from his own. She felt his breath against them, even as they still moved in time to the melody. As he craned his head closer, she did not stop him.

Maybe I should.

Leila's stomach twisted with wrongness, just as his lips faintly caressed her own. A tilting shift to the world, that cleared her sight. Stiffened her body, as he had her caught by the chin.

She opened her eyes to find the advisor's eyes a midnight sky. The man went to press his lips to hers again, when she felt her stomach lurch again. His eyes were closed, and he had not realized she leaned away from him. He wouldn't have kept pursuing her, if he saw it.

"Jimin-" She started, ready to tell him of her hesitance.

But she did not have the chance.

Jimin's cold presence was taken away from her.

Leila opened her eyes, peering back out at the crowd. The people closest to them were not staring at her, but behind her. And she knew the only person who could garner that sort of attention from their court. It would be a lie to say she did not already catch his scent, feel the warmth of him even from this far.

Leila's heart pounded with fervor, as she turned to confront her fate. The world fell silent when she found him standing between her and Jimin. The advisor pushed only a couple steps away, his eyes blazing. Taehyung had him pinned to his place, unable to move.

She moved around slowly, enough so that she could see his face. See beyond the stiff, unmoving back. The hands that were balled and trembling, blanched entirely of color.

The prince didn't look envious. He looked hellbent on murder.

A slow, aching death for anyone who touched her.

Of course.

She wasn't sure if she should be devastated or relieved. It was what she had wanted earlier in the night. Now, all she could hear was Jimin's words. Of his prediction. That he only wanted her when another man thought of taking her.

His expression was sharpened to spires, his fangs elongated. His predatory gaze remaining on Jimin, not even sparing a glance as she moved into his line of sight. He just peered over her head, blazing red towards Jimin. The only sign he realized that Leila was standing defensively in front of the advisor was a quick twitch of his nose, a slight roll of his eyes. His chest moved rapidly from his slightly opened vest, bronzed and shining from the essence of the sun.

Leila was ready to plead. Because the man before her was coiled, less a prince and more a viper. Ready to strike the man behind her at any moment. Despite knowing the risks, if anything happened to the advisor because she of what she'd asked of him, she would never be able to forgive herself.

Jimin shuffled behind her, shifting closer. She felt his coldness near her arm, as he reached out to hold it.

"Don't you fucking dare." The prince uttered darkly, fiercely as he commanded Jimin. His eyes fell, just to make sure that his hand did not move any closer to Leila.

(A/N: *beyonce*I AM GOING TO SEE MY HUSBAND)

His threat, his smooth voice sent a chill down her spine. For once, she felt the need to step away from him. His aura only darkening as she accidentally brushed into the advisor.

She expected the advisor to walk away. To apologize. Instead, his sour defiance startled her more than the prince's sudden appearance. Full of discontent and malice centered towards the prince in a way she had never heard before.

"Oh, must I obey you prince? Are you going to force me to leave her alone this time? She's not your puppet to throw away and pick up the strings whenever you're done feeling sorry for yourself."

The princess held her breath, eyes widening.

He had never once spoken out against the prince since her arrival. Since the time before she appeared, from the way they spoke of each other. Leila tried not to flinch at his blunt words.

Taehyung did not seem startled by Jimin's accusations. In fact, he did not seem moved at all by his best friend's vehemence towards him. He just staring, as if waiting for the man to do as he asked.

It seemed to be the wrong reaction for Jimin.

The advisor stepped forward so that he was beside her, and grabbed her hand. Leila did her best to hide her gasp as pain writhed up her arm. Something feels wrong. A sickness that did not leave, but only worsened with every intake a breath. A twinge in her chest she could not get rid of. Still, she did not pull away. She would not, when Jimin defended her against his own friend. His own prince. In front of the court, who would undeniably take the prince's side, they had no other choice.

Grateful. She felt grateful for him.

Indebted.

Taehyung did not relent. Instead, stepping closer to the pair. Standing before them with a scythe and the promise of finality. The tension only thickening as Taehyung bared his teeth, his eyes now only bathed in onyx shadow. Leila had only seen that expression, before he had stabbed a Lord's eyes out of his head.

"I'm telling you, not as a prince, not as your friend, but as a man that you will let go of her or so help the gods I will break every bone, and cut off every piece of skin that even accidentally grazes along her."

Leila hated the deviant flare of heat in her body at his words. Instead, directed all of her hatred and frustration at the prince. He still had yet to acknowledge her.

"I will only leave if she asks me to." Jimin fired back, an insult and a challenge. A declaration, that he would always be there even if the prince chose not to be.

Leila squeezed his hand once, twice. Took in the way Taehyung's eyes seemed to absorb light, his lip curling at Jimin's words. There was no love, no shared history the prince could hold onto in this moment. Taehyung's hand dropped from their tense fists, and he took another step towards them. She needed to act, and quickly.

She turned, her brows already lifted in apology. Hoping that Jimin could see every ounce of thankful pride she felt at his show of loyalty to her. That no matter what, she would remember this. Holding his hand with both of hers, she met his expectant brown eyes. So soft, for a moment he did not look like the Jimin she knew at all.

"Go, please."

His expression lost it's softness, the light that she had only witnessed tonight. Unmoving. His eyes moving from their joined hands, back up to her face. He squinted, as if peering into her.

Leila felt cold when he pulled his hand away. Irises stormy, as he nodded. I am sorry. Listening to her request, and promptly pushing through the crowd that had formed around them. As he disappeared, Leila felt her body heave and then loosen. The weight finally releasing on her chest.

She couldn't help but feel as if she had not showed the same loyalty back.

Leila whirled on the prince, ready to fight. But he placed a casual smile onto his reddened lips, looking out at the spectators. Damage control.

"Enjoy the solstice." He said, and with a wave of his hands the music started up again. Leila was unnerved, not even noticing the entire room had fallen silent as they watched the royals.

Embarrassment and anger and resentment colored her cheeks, flared her body with the heat of fire. Even as the high pitch of a violin rung out, cutting off the sounds of gossip and allowing once again the festivities to continue and companions to dance. The beautiful voice of the singer crooning between them, doing little to calm the animosity between them.

His dark eyes finally capturing her own in their thrall.

Because that's who he was. The eye of the storm, that always seemed to destroy and then comfort.

It took little effort, to use his authority. His title, to get his advisor to move away from her. To leave her with no choice. Was that his plan? To keep her far away, to deny her of him. And then every time someone wished to be with her, to rip them away? He could not have both.

She was livid. He wanted her to live a life without him, but did all that he could to prevent her from just that.

The prince stalked towards her, his elegant body sliding like a shadow over the floor. The feel of him looking at her like the break of moonlight against a dark sky, after he had been avoiding her. Circled her. Inspecting her.

Leila felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand, as he finally stopped right before her.

The man held his hands behind his back. His scent doing little to help the dizziness from the wine. She acceded first, lifting back her head so she could stare him in the eye. So that he could feel every particle of anger inside her towards him.

I loathe you. I will loathe you if I cannot love you.

But the man did not glare back, did not deny her his emotion. Instead he smiled. The lines of it appearing on his cheeks, making his jaw even sharper. He didn't even ask, as he placed his hand out for her to take. Making it very obvious that in spite of her rage, she would not say no. She would take the opportunity to rake her nails through his mind, to claw her way into answers.

(a/n: play chapter song desert rose live strings version plz :((()

She placed her hand in his outstretched palm, shunning the traitorous beat in her chest. Her reaction to that simple touch a reminder that only he had made her feel so much with so little. His smile only grew wider, his onyx eyes fading to an ember as he drew her into his body. The crescendo of the high, honeyed violin piercing through her heart, just as his eyes did.

Taehyung was gentle as he placed his ringed hand on her waist, the heat of it seeping through her clothes. Leila felt her face blaze as he seemed to brush over the bruises Jimin might have left. But there was no way he could have known. Tender, so tender in a way that ruined her. Tender in a way that was intrinsic opposite of the brimming darkness he expelled towards Jimin.

He took her other hand, just as Jimin had. Threaded his fingers slowly through all of hers, his eyes watching the movement carefully. Trailing it all the way back to her silver, back to the moon.

Taehyung stepped back in time with the singer's voice, another song from her home she realized. His lips only slightly tilted as he led her body to follow him, her skirts sweeping around them. He led them to a stop, his fingers unclasping from her own to brush the soft skin of her arm. Sweeping, to stretch out her limb further as he inconspicuously taught her the steps to a dance that matched the tempo. Every graze of his skin felt like fire. 

"Jimin is right." Leila spoke strongly, breaking the silence.

The man's ethereal face grew shadowed, lines of darkness spreading like branches. The kohl around his eyes only made him more severe, "He is not right. I only came over here and stopped him because I felt your discomfort."

Her heart splintered and mended.

"Is that the only reason?" Leila questioned, her voice frayed. Her brows lifted as she inspected him for any seed of truth that could grow between them. 

He removed his hand from her own, placing it around his neck. She knotted her fingers through his dark waves, keeping their connection. His smile fell, as he lifted his hand near her face. Reaching.

"Leila." His eyes softened the harsh lines of rage only a fraction, his finger grazing along the side of her cheek, nearing the underside of her bottom lip. Her name falling from his lips sent her body into boneless shambles, "Do you want it to be the only reason?"

The prince was genuinely asking, and it did something to her she couldn't comprehend. Coming from a man who thought first, and only by himself. She stepped into sand, and it was filling into mouth. Her lungs. Her mind.

But she wouldn't forget.

"If there isn't, you can let me go." Leila put her hands on his chest, feeling the smoothness and hardness of it under her finger tips. The heat of him at her palm. The beat of his heart that was almost familiar as her own. Attempted to push away.

But he weaved his arm around her waist. Not tightly, she could have moved if she wanted to. But enough so that their every intake of breath met. So that he had to drop his chin to stare at her, and she had to crane up. His expression grew serious, as he swayed further across the floor with him. Not missing a beat of the song with every languid and meticulous movement.

"Then I can't let go." Taehyung admitted, his hand twitching at her side.

Leila ignored the painful thud of her heart. She didn't know who or what to trust. Her emotions had led her array, and chosen wrong. Her numbness never failed her.

She continued her inquisition, "That song, it was Persian. The singer had almost perfect pronunciation. That had to have taken weeks, maybe months to accomplish. You've been having the musicians practice for that long, haven't you? And you must've had someone from my village instruct them. All of that for a song I used to sing while looking outside my window?"

Taehyung pressed into her with one shoulder, his right to her left, forcing her to walk to the side. They moved around each other in a semi-circle, their eyes meeting across the way. His dark eyes caressed her as they switched, repeating the configuration. He barely had to direct her, as she seemed to mirror him perfectly.

"It's your favorite." He said it as if it were an answer.

Leila didn't even want to know how he threatened Elder Fareena into offering a villager to tutor them. How he was able to order them to prepare, even as he went away for diplomacy. Or that it was most likely where Lily was sent while she was away, in order to gather the musicians from Persia.

All of that. For her.

Leila pulled away from his grasp, looking around the room. Watching the other women step around their male partners, some women dancing with other women doing the same, "Tell me why prince. And don't lie. If you don't want to be with me, why did you do all of this? I just don't understand you."

It is not a lie.

Taehyung watched her hungrily, painfully, as she stepped around him. Taking her time, as she ran her hand from the front of him, purposefully grazing underneath his vest. Over his shoulders and flattening her palm over his back. Scratching the surface, before setting herself before him.

When she found herself in front of him again, his eyes consumed her like the wine that stained his lips. The prince grabbed both of her hands, lifting them softly to their sides. Holding them out in the air, as he threaded their fingers together again. She was open, unable to glance away as they neared closer to the center of the room. His quiet, skilled steps yielding her backwards. They were close now, his eyes glancing between her lips and her eyes. Dragging them both to hell, a serpent. Leila gritted her teeth, biting her cheeks so that she did not close the distance between them.

Taehyung fixed her with his hot gaze, only tilting to rasp into her ear as they still moved in time to the strings, "Shall I let you in on my thoughts Leila? Should I tell you all my dark, compromising secrets?"

His words unclothed her, leaving her bare.

"Yes." Leila gasped out as he pushed her back once more, his chest touching hers once again.

Taehyung flattened his palm against her back, forcing her back into an arch over him. He followed, leaning over her as her body stretched like a swan's neck away from him. He let her blossom open like the petals of a flower, slowly as he dipped her to the point her hair grazed the floor.

Leila lost her ability to breath, as his lips neared her once more. His strength showing from his ability to hold her only with one hand, and not even caring. Gazing down beneath ink lined lashes, taking in every inch of her face. He lifted his other hand, letting out a shaky breath as he trailed he curled his finger, running his knuckle from the hill of her collar bones and down the expanse of her chest. Leila's pulse stuttered, her mouth falling open as stopped only at the hem of her bodice.

Coming undone as he looked up through he lashes, placing a kiss upon amber scented skin, right in the center of her chest. She pulled his hair taut with her fingers, the only tether she had to reality. He shifted his face closer to hers, brushing past her so that he could speak into her neck. Nuzzling his face into the skin, grazing her nose right at her vein. The princess hyperventilated under him, feeling every scratch of gold thread from his vest on her skin.

The prince laughed huskily, his scent washing over her as he enlightened her, "Should I tell you, how I wanted to kill every man who looked at you tonight? In front of the whole room and I wouldn't care, of the screams of the horror. Removing their eyes wouldn't have been enough to satisfy me this time. I would do it again and again if only to get to you. When Jimin..." Taehyung paused to take in a deep breath, his forehead now resting against the side of her neck, "Touches you I pretend that I am him, that I can touch you so freely without hinderance. But the fantasy is broken, when I feel your emptiness. Your lack of delight. Because I know that only I can make you feel ignited."

With that, the prince lifted her body upright. Just as out of breath as her, as he slid both hands around her hips. Replacing the feel of the man before. Revering the feel of her curves, her mannerisms. He was able to read her like a story she knew from prologue to epilogue. His fingers began to trail down her spine, and the words leapt from the pages. He read them in her eyes, in the rapid pace of her heart, in the part of her rouged lips. From the wonder and exhilaration in her eyes she always tried to shade from him.

But he wasn't finished.

The prince gulped in another breath, unable to tear his gaze away from her. So close, she was so close. And yet he could not bring his lips to her own, in fear she would not want it.

"When I saw you walk in wearing this," He looked down, in awe of the dress she had helped craft. Of her golden mask which both venerated the sun and the moon, "I imagined taking you into my arms, the rest of this room be damned. Of bringing you over by the steps, in the shadow and cutting the dress off of you with my dagger. I dreamed of lifting you onto the wall and burying my face between your thighs. Everyone would see that you only feel this way with me. That I hold your hand with the same amount of passion a man uses to kiss you. That only can I make you bend and break. So everyone could watch how your prince worships his wife." Taehyung finished, absolutely famished as he spoke his fantasies aloud. His tone broken and deep, sensual as it danced across her skin.

Neither noticed that the advisor already watched the spectacle with repugnance, only a few feet away and hidden within a throng of people.

Leila felt her knees buckle, and the prince held her up easily. His smile turned dangerous, in the way it always did when he dangled her over the brink of sanity. The prince used her hips to face her away from him, now holding her by her waist. His other arm wrapped around the front of her chest, his hand clasping to the underside of her jaw.

Easily holding her head to the side as he scraped his teeth against her. Deities, give me strength.  Leila bit back her moan, swimming aggressively to the surface. Head above water, she reminded herself. Head above the waves.

"Can you do one thing for me?" Taehyung begged of her as he dipped his head, running his nose along her neck again. Inhaling slightly.

"Anything."

The word slipped out before she could stop it. She had sunk below the depths.

She felt the man tremble against her back, and she couldn't help but wrap her arms over his. To run along the skin, as he took in one shaky breath after another. Even as it hitched along his throat, getting stuck.

He felt sad. Like the feeling of mourning seeped from his flesh into her own.

Leila grew worried, as she felt the softness of his voice pleading into her ear, a solemn request, "Smile against my lips when you kiss me. So that I know when we let each other go, when you move on without me, at least I felt your happiness one last time. I know I'll never be worthy enough to see it again, and it will belong to some other man."

I am breaking.

I am breaking.

I am breaking.

It took little time to guess he had seen her and Jimin somehow, in his mind. It had not been her that projected it to him. It took less time to realize, even that would not be enough to keep him by her side. Even as he held onto her without lust, but just the desire to keep her close.

That his sorrow was real, and he was going to continue both of their suffering.

He was still going to give up on them. She turned still as an unbroken lake.

Even as he pleaded into her ear, the cry of a man and not a prince, "Just one last time Leila, and then I can let you go on. And I'll live the rest of my life with that memory. It will be enough."

It will be enough?

Why did it hurt more than if he had never danced with her at all?

Leila tore herself away from his grasp, still affronted to see just how miserable he looked. His eyes no longer glittering, his stance of a man without hope. She shook her head, stepping away, even as he reached out. Unspoken words on barren lips.

"I will have all of you, or nothing at all."

Then the princess fled, easily since the crowd of people parted like clouds in the sky under her every move. But it didn't matter. She couldn't see couldn't think couldn't breathe. She had finally gotten her answer, and she didn't even get to ask her question.

The stone slapped under her feet. She didn't look back, not even as her chest caved. I am done. Her beautiful black skirts trailing behind her like snow off a mountain. And all she wanted to do was cry, cry, cry until she forgot her own name.

"Leila!" She heard her name yelled down the hall. The prince. And she wished he would never say it again because it was a slap in the face, an axe in her chest. Just another beautiful piece of the world she got to experience that was now ripped away from her.

And for what? Fear only meant you cared. For before her life here at the kingdom, she did not know fear.

She was almost at her rooms. Leila hauled herself closer, ready to use blood magic to seal the door from his entry. Even though he was skilled enough to undo it, she knew he would leave her alone.

Leave her.

Another wave of tears rolled down her face as she found that familiar iron.

"Leila, Leila please." Taehyung was right behind her now, graceful even in their chase. Immortui in his quiet, quickness. He had always been able to catch her. He had just given her time to run. To feel like she had a choice.

But it was always just an illusion with him.

Leila cursed as the door refused to open, another curtesy of the fucking prince.

She whirled on him, seeing that he already bowed his shoulders. His eyes rimmed with pink, his sculpted face crestfallen when he took in the wetness of her face. The melancholy that held fast to her bones. His eyes trailed over her, around her, as if searching for something to mend. Helplessness, that is what he felt at causing her pain and being unable to take it away. For being at fault.

Leila snarled through her tears, her voice cracking, "Do you remember asking what part of me did you break? It is my heart. You held it in your hands as soon as you called me unremarkable. You revived it when you kissed me for the first time. You cracked it only days ago, and you're shattering it now."

Taehyung lifted his hand, grabbing at his chest. He reached out to brush her cheek, to wipe away her tears but she pulled away from him. He clenched his fist, letting his hand fall lamely by his side. Closing his eyes so tightly, a grimace painting his face. When he stared back at her, his eyes shone with unshed sadness. Leila found herself at a loss for words as he silently cried.

His voice plead with her, shaky once again, "Ignis, tell me how to fix it. Tell me how to mend you without hurting you. Because I will do it. I will do anything."

That name, again. It seared her. Pushed her anger to the brim.

"Except be with me." She said dryly, pushing away the wetness from her cheeks.

He shook his head, exhaling, "I have told you-"

Leila had enough of his excuses, his lies. She had seen enough in their time apart, and she would shove it all back in his face. A mirror to his faults, his hypocrisy.

She raised her voice, talking wildly with her hands as he continued to stare at her with deep regret, "Your court is nothing to my power. To your power. You stabbed a man for looking at me the wrong way, and no one disobeyed you. There were no protests, no whispers of tyranny or unfitness of you to your crown. While you sulked, I spoke with your friends. The nobles. The people who's loved ones died in the massacre, and they look at me with less fear in their eyes than you do now. And during my time with them, I did not burst into flames! Did you know, I got Namjoon to ask Lily to the ball? Do you know, that I danced with Jin, Hoseok, and even sour faced Yoongi? Did you know that Jimin sleeping with me at night gave us both comfort from darkness? I do. And while you whined and pretended to hate me for a mere set of days, I figured out more about the curse and its origins. Things that you could only wish to find out, unless you spoke and worked with me. I do, I know about this kingdom and it's people. I care to know it all, and to keep you all safe." Leila panted, feverish. Taking in the prince's astonished guise, his face paling. She didn't stop, "I do because this is my home. These are my people. They are the family I need and will continue to want. I am not Sorina. And you are right, you are not your father. He gave himself to her as much as he could. At least they had each other."

The last thing she said hit him, his body physically revolting. He looked up from the blow, looking as sick as she felt. Leila poured more of her heart out anyways, "So what is stopping you now? It is not the curse, nor court opinion. Nor the opinion of your friends, who exchanged coin over whether you would declare yourself to me in the council room. You are too afraid to have me, and then lose me. Too selfish to give me the time I would love to spend with you, in trepidation of the heartbreak that you would suffer to have lost me." She clasped her hands together, folding them over her chest, her silver heart, "But you will lose me, Taehyung. You will. Life ends inevitably, no matter how long we can last. But at least then I would be able to enjoy spending my days with you."

She couldn't stop her cries then. Even as they stuttered out of her pitiful. Mica like glitter trailing from her cheeks, onto her dress. Showing just how deeply she felt about him, if her confessions before meant nothing. Taehyung shook his jaw trembling, his hands twitching by his sides. She knew he wanted to hold her, and that it would do nothing to soothe either of them. Leila softened, speaking her misery through the messiness of her face. It fell from her like magma, without end and without restraint.

She wanted him to know the truth. All of it. To feel that thread that connected them once again. To get through his stubborn head.

So she tried, she tried with every last bit of her love that had not yet been scorned by him yet.

"I miss fighting with you, even now as we fight at least I am speaking with you. I miss when you couldn't look me in the eye, because at least you didn't avoid me. I want to read in the garden with you. I want to hear as many stories as you can remember about your childhood. Teach me more history. Take me with with you while you hunt. Lay with me in bed till I fall asleep, just because it's easier when you run your fingers through my hair. I even miss you tugging the ends of it, because I know that's when you're stopping yourself from saying something you can't lie your way out of. I'll even pretend I can't swim anymore just so you teach me again. But please, please Taehyung. I miss you. Not your power. Not your rulership. Not because of the stupid, godsforsaken curse. I want you. I choose you. And I know you would too." Leila implored, offering him a watery smile through her tears.

Something in the prince snapped. All of the bronze shifting from him, leaving him an emerald gray.

Impenetrable stone, as he stared her coldly in the eyes, "No. You know nothing. I do not want you. I do not want this. Sorina and my father were in love, I can admit that now. And maybe that is why they lasted as long as they did. You are right, we are not the same as them."

Leila stopped crying, too fucking startled at his vexation. That he was hurting her again, that he was daring to lie after all they went through tonight. Leila could deny his words, but she could not deny the way he held her earlier. Begging for just a smile, and a kiss. The harsh, terrible words spilling from his mouth as if he practiced them in the mirror meant nothing to her.

The prince had made a mistake.

Take it back.

"Lies." Leila gritted out, stepping closer to the man. Wanting him to feel shame as she refused to look from his eyes.

She wanted to see him clearly as he lied to her.

He only lifted his brows, only the pith of his tears remained. Golden, as they shimmered down his face. That look of arid emotionless dulling his irises. The same look he had given her before when he willed her away, "It is true. I cannot stand the sight or sound of you. I wish you to leave. To stay far away from me, and to never return. Leave. Leave me at once Leila or so help me-"

Fine, so he wanted to lose. And Leila was sure of her winning play now, more sure than she had been last night. More sure than she had been when he pulled her from another man's arms tonight.

Leila smirked knowingly, arms crossed. Not even listening as she interrupted him, "I know what Ignis means."

"What was that?" Taehyung paused his tirade, his spine straightening. He gazed at her with wide eyes, his mouth pressed into a line. Hoping he had heard her incorrectly.

Leila graced forward, slowly. Growing more confident by the second, or maybe impulsively stupid. Either way, there was no turning back now. She rather jump over the cliff with him than play by the edge.

"I know what Ignis means." Leila cocked her head, staring him down.

"What?" The prince paled further, grabbing at his head. He closed his eyes, wincing as he rubbed at his temples. He was backing away from her as she charged forward, his back hitting the stone wall behind them with a thump.

Leila walked until she stood right before him, her smile dropping.

"I know why you call me it-"

The prince cried out, opening his eyes. Crying once again rivers of gold. Shaking his head as he gripped her shoulders, holding on for dear life. His eyes bore into hers, swimming with memories he could not contend with.

"Leila, I'm begging you-"

But Leila had already set the fire. She was waiting for it to settle into ashes, as she spoke over him ardently, "Because you can't bear it, to say their name. Because it pains you, to not be able to show what you feel, or you wish to hide it. From everyone, but mostly from yourself-"

"Leila." Taehyung begged once more, voice brittle. Body and mind hurtling past exhaustion, finally tired of fighting. But he knew she would not stop, it was one thing she would not do for him.

The princess lifted his hands from her shoulders, held them in her own between them. Staring deeply into his glassy eyes. Only finding denial.

"Ignis. You were called 'Ignis'. You were someone else's fire when there was only darkness around them. Your father, called Sorina 'Lunae'. He called the woman he sacrificed everything for, little moon. He used to in front of others to tell Sorina how he felt. He used it in front of others, because saying her true name would reveal how he felt."

He shook his head, wincing with pain once again. He was panicking, Leila held onto his hands even tighter as he admitted out loud, "I-I don't remember."

She knew, she knew why he didn't remember. But he needed to.

"Taehyung, do not be afraid of the truth."

"Is this all the truth? I can't find it anymore. Between the dreams, nightmares, and reality." Taehyung questioned, his voice turning to the onyx of his eyes. She was losing him, and quickly. He already tried to pull his hands away from her own, because he wanted to run.

This time she couldn't let go.

"You called her Sora. Sora, because you saw her as an older sister. You came up with it the same night your father called her Lunae before your eyes. The same night you vowed to only be a prince and never a king." Leila finally let out, the heavy feeling leaving her chest. A silent sign of approval, from the blood magic Sorina had placed onto the poem.

She saw it, when his consciousness returned to him by her words.

Taehyung's eyes widened. Tears making them glisten with memories that had been lost or warped by the Queen. Taken for safe keeping by Sorina. It was not the time to tell him why, not just yet. He remembered. He remembered one memory out of the many that had been taken. And he knew that Sorina's dreams were not a lie. But the truth he had forgotten.

There was something else he needed to know first.

Leila looked him directly in the eyes, without apology, "And maybe at first you called me by another name. A name that gave you hope, a name used to tease. Because you didn't want me to fall apart. But now..."

"Please." The prince pleaded one last time. Though he did not close his eyes, or shun himself away from her. Could not run, as she held onto him.

Leila let go of the cliff with a sigh, and a truth that would change them forever.

"You call me Ignis Lunae, because you love me."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
(A/N): cliffhanger to end all cliffhangers???

AHHHHHHH TAE AND LEILA WHAT IS GOING ON WHAT DID MISS GIRL SAYYYYYYY!!

Have you ever seen a confession like this? I'm obsessed Leila never comes to play. She also doesn't even know if its true or not shes just WINGING IT!! but tbh we all know its true

But to explain, Taehyung did remember the part about not being a King. It's the only thought he had left after Sorina took some of his memory.

So he called her Ignis Lunae because of his subconscious, and (of course he loved/cared/wanted to protect her) but right then when Leila said it he remembered EXACTLY why 😭😭😭 i could cry it's too much and I really hoped you like how I wrote it <33 it means so much to the characters and how closed off they are...but want to love. This makes sense with the chapter he almost told her what Ignis means. But him
asking was almost like him asking himself (does that make any sense). Because he would've just said it's a nickname because he cares for her (she always wanted a nickname from family). But inside of his head he knew it was deeper than that, like his subconscious trying to remember. Beautiful I love them so much 🥹

I wonder what will happen next 🙂😍 SCREECHING CRYING SINGING CROCHETING THROWING UP RN

Sorry for writing out all the dancing between her and TAe but I saw it so clearly in my mind from when I started writing this story and imagined it with that song in particular which is why I chose it for the first trailer. Its just so wild that I thought of it all last August and now I am finally writing it !!!

Okay onto outfits (buckle in it's gonna be confusing) IM SO ANNOYING&detail oriented but deal 🙄

Taehyung:

So I imagined him wearing this vest

With this getup on top (less sparkles, I'm not feeling the sequins but shape and color) also who is this model cuz DAMN

With this mask

Leila: hopefully this makes sense

Back of dress: cape / cap sleeves + beads part

With THIS BUT IN GOLD on top

front / detailing;

This is the skirt look but a little fuller and less sea through and covered with purple and black and gold baroque pearls

Baroque pearls in question (again not on the string, but placed like the glitter around the dress)

But with gold accent colors like this

Bodice: the design only (the color is black)

Her mask:

Her crown: