"Why does it feel like both our souls are intertwined?
When you meet my eyes,
We both know that you're mine"

Sinners - Ari Abdul&Thomas LaRosa

🤞🏻

It has been two weeks since Jeongguk was placed into the dungeon, awaiting his 'trial'.

The revelations that they had rejoiced in, slowly becoming a mockery of their present state of unknowing.

The only positive being that no one had attempted her life in those long weeks.

For days they scoured around the library. This time, bringing Setareh in through a secret passage way. It would be contrary to their little display at the council meeting if they were seen working together. Hours upon hours they would search, with no new leads. No mention of the curse, or the four phases. No mention of how the Immortui came to be. No more family trees or records of affiliation.

Leila had the gnawing feeling all they needed was within Lily's capable mind.Leila wasn't sure what Lily had uncovered since Leila had given up and just offered Lily the book in her own chambers. To watch her translate, Leila would've needed a time where she wasn't in the prince's room. And he wasn't in hers.

Which was turning from a rarity into an impossibility.

And, it would've needed an explanation that Leila could not offer.

The princess, turned Queen, new that she should've told Taehyung. But every time she attempted to utter the words, the died a quick death.

Even as her suspicions grew. Even as the bellowed with their paranoia.

Even now, as she sat beside Taehyung and her sister, her own thoughts imprisoned her.

During the meeting she accounted for every movement made. Aera's stiffness, as if she already knew was about to be said. Jimin's apparent indifference. Lily's haunted expression. No other noble seemed as strange as those three.

The three people Taehyung either loved or hated. Two who were wrought by envy. One that was related by blood to the other.

Setareh slammed a book down next to them, making Leila jolt. Taehyung just lifted his head slowly, unabashed.

"Can't we just let him go." Setareh bit out. Her soft voice as grating as it could muster. She was born demure, so watching her attempt harshness was endearing. And a bit intimidating.

Here we go again.

This conversation had happened four times over already. She was becoming impressed with the way Setareh had come up with a new way to try and sway Taehyung.

Though they failed each and every time.

Leila was a spectator, sitting back in her chair as Taehyung lifted only a single brow, his face neutral. Trying not to think about how good he looked in the uncharacteristically white blouse he sported, which opened slightly at his chest. It made his hair a rich black, his skin burnished.

He was much softer than he would've been to anyone else. Yet still abrasive, "Did I not tell you to do as I say? Your Jeongguk will be fine. But we need more time, they will show themselves when they believe our suspicions are placed onto someone else."

Leila stayed silent, not pointing out that their plan had not come to fruition yet. Every single person under their scope had acted meticulously in this time. Everyone showed up to meetings, took blood offerings instead of hunting, and offered no other suspicious behavior. Namjoon, Jin, and Hoseok had stopped by to ask them more questions, to here the story of the massacre again. They both felt as guilty as Taehyung. The three nobles even tried to offer more details of what they remembered at the time. Little rumors of what they heard about the curse and it's origins.

Jin had mentioned something interesting, 'The world was in its proverbial dark ages before the sun was sent away. We lost all technology and ability to use it after several wars. 322 years the sun has been in hiding, but for 900 the world has lost its modernity."

While Taehyung had not been shocked, Leila had been none the wiser. She always had been told the fall of civilization came crashing down with the night. This, she did not blame on Elder Fareena who did not have the access to information that these almost immortal beings did; through libraries and generations that remembered. It explained why there were some people of divine descent and of ability to use before the sun went away, which led to their prospective bloodlines. Still, it told them nothing of what they truly needed.

Yoongi had made no protest to Jeongguk's capture, despite his obvious discontentment. That was the biggest shock of all, but still, not suspicious. He had visited the man and offered to find him clemency, but that was all.

It's like the expected the betrayer to life their arms and shout 'I am here to end you!'. They expected this person to relax enough to make a mistake. Whoever it was.

Or worse, they did not yet know of their part to play.

"It's been long enough." Setareh flared her nostrils, amber eyes squinted.

Taehyung met her challenge without strain, "No, it hasn't."

"And why is that?"

"Because we haven't caught them yet." The prince deemed the conversation over with that, and Setareh huffed back in her seat. Mentioning the foreboding anonymity of their adversary sucked all the amusement out of the room. He regarded her, that line of frustration sprouting between his brows, "Have you had anymore visions?"

Though the question was not accusatory, Setareh still flushed with shame. Knowing that if she did have a vision which named whose blood was of blue and black, she could alleviate Jeongguk of his duty.

"No."

Leila took in at the slump of her sister's shoulders and decided to interject, "And I haven't had a single dream. They appear when I least need them."

Taehyung sat back. He was brewing some sort of concoction, as he placed his hands together. Despite their situation all the confidence that had been chipped away suddenly reformed around him during this tumultuous period. Leila would like to think it was Sorina's memories. Taehyung liked to say it was all her doing.

"When do your visions come to you Setareh?" He asked, the question held high in his throat. He already knew the answer.

Leila smirked, rolling her eyes as the raven haired man sent her a quick wink.

Her younger sister blushed deeper, her eyes trailing to the side. Unable to look at neither her sister beside her, nor the man from across. "When I am relaxed. When I am not trying too hard—"

"When you're with him." Taehyung finished, unable to hide his grin from forming. It made Leila's heart quicken in pace just from that simple flash of teeth.

She loved him quite a lot. She loved him more when he was cunning.

"King-" Setareh started to protest. Only using the title when she truly aggravated.

Taehyung interrupted, offering an innocently arrogant smile, "It looks like you'll be joining him. Since we can't take Jeongguk out, we'll put you in with him. Does that solve your problem? It helps mine."

Setareh whipped her head, her long black hair falling over her shoulder. She widened her eyes at Leila. He's insane? He really couldn't be saying what he just suggested? Leila did not know. What she did know, is that if both of them were jailed two culprits would feel as if they were exonerated. They might make a mistake, and that's exactly what Taehyung wanted.

And he knew what Jeongguk and Setareh wanted; each other. This was just a push towards it.

The older sister just shrugged her shoulders, doing her best attempt at a straight expression.

Setareh scoffed, standing up from the table and accepting her role. She rolled back her shoulders, her yellow dress like a meadow of golden light across her deep skin.

"Jeongguk is right." She paused, staring both royals in the eye, "You're almost as insufferable together as you are apart."

Leila lifted her brows but said nothing as her sister fled the room angrily.

"That went as well as it could've. When were you going to divulge to me the next phase of your plan was jailing my sister?" She asked casually, standing up from her chair.

The male eyed her hotly as she trailed her hand across the dark grain of the table. Her deep, emerald skirts swirling around her body as she stepped around it to get closer to him. His gaze shined brightly onto her when she stopped before him, and played with the material of his trousers as he sat open legged on the chair.

Even with her soft touches and solitary condition, his expression turned gentle. Like a breeze kissing across her face. His black eyes absorbed the light, reflecting it back onto her as he smiled softly. Before their first time, before their second vow, he'd never shown so much affection. Now it came freely and easily, as he grabbed her hand and squeezed it gently before promptly pulling her into his open lap.

Leila fell with huff, her waves falling around her eyes and covering the beauty of his face. He held her waist, adjusting her legs with his other hand and holding her to his chest. Then, carefully placed the hair in her face behind her ears. His smile was soft, apologetic when it was finally revealed.

Leila also realized that with each day, he grew more remorse for hiding things. He was getting better at being transparent with her, but his habits were as stubborn as her own. And she had her own secret hidden from him, so she could not fault him too much. They were both just used to suffering alone.

"I promise you, it was not what I wanted to do initially. But it's been two weeks with no sign of any mishaps. Another two weeks, and we will have less than three months before the summer solstice."

Before something unfavorable happens that neither one of us can control.

The princess shook her head, wrapping her arms around his neck. Reveling in the way his warmth coated her through her dress, his hard thighs pressing against her own.

"I agree. And Setareh will eventually come around to it. If she doesn't find a way to burn this castle down first."

Taehyung laughed, the sea against the rocks. The deep sound a tide that continued to pull her in.

"I enjoy squabbling with her." He commented, his eyes narrowing as he looked into her silver depths, "It is like having another Lily around. And she's been quite absent recently."

The name startled her. Wanting to avoid the mention of Lily and her own hesitancies, she changed the subject. One possibly more dangerous and uncertain than the last.

"Have you talked to Jimin?"

Silence ensued. She felt every muscle in his body tense, and her heart tightened.

She should be grateful. With all the strangeness that surrounded Jimin and Lily, this would be the perfect opportunity to mention it to Taehyung. His anger towards Jimin because of his attachment to Leila would allow her to speak with that man freely without him being in denial.

But she was not.

Leila saw Taehyung both bloom and wither. Her prince had made little mention of his friend since the night he asked Leila if she returned his feelings. But it was obvious, in the way the man's light dimmed when he saw his friend. The way his eyes would pass over, and only pause momentarily on him. He missed him, whether he wanted to admit it or not. He had just not realized he lost him ever since the day he sent Jimin to watch Leila two years prior.

It was not like she was unaffected. While Taehyung's friendship with the man was longer and rooted in family, she had grown attached to the man. He was her first friend...ever. All her previous worries seemed silly when looking back at how he cared for her in his own harsh way, but still it kept her grounded. His squabbles and insults were enough to keep her from feeling entirely lost and numb. His scheme to make Taehyung jealous is what brought the prince and her closer. He always knew what to say to make her feel better. Whether it be an insult or a compliment, Jimin observed and cared enough about the person whom he spoke of to know it. It felt like a piece of her happiness here was missing without the disgruntled man by their side.

Jimin's supposed feelings for her did not seem like an obstacle. Jimin would understand if they all just spoke together. If Leila apologized, it could smooth over the tension between the two men. And still, she felt like she was not what stood between them.

The advisor wasn't stupid enough to let unrequited love rule his actions. She was sure he'd laugh in the face of anyone who accused him of it.

She learned that while her love for Taehyung was momentous, it did not outweigh others. Familial love for Setareh, new but burrowing deep within her. Love of friends, even for those she wasn't sure she could trust. They all mattered, they all kept her heart full.

"No, why would I?" Taehyung said coldly, though his eyes were shaded by raven hair.

He was hiding.

Leila brushed back the soft, wavy locks from his eyes. His brows lifted, a look of yearning as she continued to run her fingers through it. His mouth fell into a regretful line.

"He's your best friend. Your advisor. Your family." Leila reminded him, watching some of the tension fall away with her fingers.

Stop.

Do not lead him to trust anyone fully.

Was she making a mistake? She did not know. But she could not fathom watching the prince lose another person he loved. Should she be screaming her suspicions? She did not know if they were true. If they would further persecute a person who had been loyal to them, who had loved them both, were they worthy of saving?

What if I am right?

What if I am wrong?

The man shook his head, her fingertips grazing his hairline, "He's lied to me Leila. I had him watch you for two years. I could never live with myself if-"

"He's horrid. Unbearably the worst at times. But he never violated me in any way." Leila finished for him, stopping his thoughts. Anything that happened between them had been at her request.

It had kept the prince awake most nights thinking if Jimin were any less of a man, that Leila could've been hurt. His gaze burned, but his shoulders fell in relief. But Leila had assured him many times over now that no matter what the advisor felt, he had always been respectful as her maid. He had never looked at her body for longer than he needed to, never took touches that were not his.

Leila watched the man's expression simmer. He could not fault his best friend loving Leila, for he knew how easily it was to. But to keep it from him for two years? To slowly pull away from his presence once she arrived? To not mention it before he sent him off to play as her dressing maid? To let her think he was just a friend, as they kissed and held each other?

It twisted within his gut.

"We used to never keep things from each other." The man whispered, his fingers flicking across her waist. His gaze felt far away, "Sometimes we were the only two people in the world we could count on. With him, I wasn't just my title. And with me, he cared not about his lack of one." The prince let out a small laugh, as if he were foolish for every believing it. Leila frowned as he met her awaiting face, "Do you want to talk to him?"

She let silence continue between them as she held his stare. His dark eyes appraised her carefully, trying to read what she would not say aloud. Not nervous for his reaction, but she wanted him to know clearly her intentions.

"Yes, eventually. If it is true what you say of his feelings for me, I have much to apologize for."

For using him, without knowing how deep his feelings ran. For being ignorant enough to believe attraction does not lead to a path to devotion. For hurting a friend, even if it was not her wish. If Jimin had experienced anything like what she did when Taehyung feigned his dislike of her, she felt remorse in the marrow of her bones. No one deserved that. No one.

"It's not like he didn't enjoy it." The prince expelled bitterly, working his jaw as his eyes turned onyx.

Her stomach dropped, watching as envy writhed over him. She could lie and say it wasn't attractive, and that it didn't make her want to slowly undress him. But again, that would be the opposite of the truth.

"Just talk to him." She blurted out, trying to stay on course.

Their talk would give the situation closure. It could reveal their true intentions, end or fulfill suspicions. It needed to occur. Whether Leila and Taehyung would lose Jimin as a friend or not.

"Princess." The prince groaned, the title slipping through.

That deep sound was enough to fully distract her. She wriggled closer to him, making sure to place herself fully over his lap. The man gave her a warning glance, and she just smiled.

A denial, not of her wish for him to speak to Jimin, because she unknowingly sent him an image of what she would like them to do together.

"Ah, so we go by that title in private?" Leila asked in a coy in manner, biting her lip.

Taehyung's eyes fell directly to where her teeth made contact with flesh. "Not in private. To each other." He cleared his throat, a flush starting there, "A piece of my father lives on in me. Sorina in you as well. And I would like to think-" He laughed, his white teeth shining, as his tongue grazed over one unsharpened fang, "Never mind. It's ridiculous."

Leila lifted his chin with her fingers, his eyes meeting her own again. She liked watching the midnight expanse of his eyes widen into nightfall, his pupils taking over as he looked at her.

"No, tell me. You can tell me anything."

"I like to think if you call me prince, wherever she may be, Sora will know that I stayed one. At least to those I love."

She would never get used to him saying that, saying that he loved her. Each time felt new, each time created the foundation for novel evocations, sensations. She wondered if he would one day grow tired of coming up with different ways to tell her of his love. Leila's chest warmed with his words, "That has to be the least ridiculous thing you've ever said prince."

The prince leaned forward, capturing her top lip between her own. Her heart swelled as she gripped to his shoulders, holding tightly as he tilted her head back with his kiss.

When they parted regretfully, he sighed, holding her closer, "I don't know what to say to Jimin, or how even to begin. I much rather spend time with you." He leaned forward, nipping the edge of her jaw with his teeth.

Leila shivered, taking her hands from around his neck and running them down his chest. The man's mouth fell open, only slightly, that arrogant smile coming back for a very different reason.

She kept moving down, down, down between them. Landing at the edged seem of his satin trousers.

"Do you need some convincing?" She asked coquettishly.

"What do you take me for? I am not a servant to my desires for you. I have control, restraint. And I will talk to Jimin if I so will it." The man said, his royal pride shining through. Before Leila began to slip down his lap, just like she had shown in that vision in the council room. His hands gripped the sides of his chair harshly when she began to unbutton his pants, his voice gruff, "Maybe just a little convincing is necessary."

She worked on his buttons, the lacings. Making sure to do so slowly, and strenuously. The man softly arched into her touch.

"You know, I have been thinking," Leila started. They had little time, so they liked to share theories of the curse while they gave each other pleasure, "Why did the Queen never come for me? If you were notified of my birth, like my village was notified of yours, wouldn't she have tried to kill me as well? I was the next in line to become the daughter of the moon." She undid the last of his seems, and took him out from his pants.

The man cursed, gazing at her through his dark lashes as she worked on him. It took him a few seconds to catch his breath before he whispered out, "I told you I needed you. You're brilliant."

She smiled, taking him into her mouth. He jolted, gripping the chair tighter, before one hand came to rest in her hair and hold it back for her. Feeling as she moved up and down upon him. Another thing both she and the prince had learned, was that she loved praises. And he sang them easily to her.

"Why?"

The man continued, straining to speak but not letting go, "That means she could have possibly had her sights set on someone else who was born on the day of the black sun. Someone else she believed to be the daughter of the moon. There are others Leila, there has to be."

It was something they needed to discuss, but later.

Leila placed her hand on his chest again, trailing her nails across it. The man let out a string of curses, longer than the last. And promptly forgetting what he just said.

Leila smiled devilishly, before making sure he had more than enough courage to go confront his best friend.

🩸🩸🩸🩸

Jimin

He inhaled the scent of lavender before he saw him.

It burned in his throat, sour and putrid as the King entered his quarters. Clinging to him like a lonely siren. A call, and a death wish. Mocking its endless song in its wake. Leila, it screamed. Leila.

I want to kill him.

"We should talk, dear friend." The King started, his usually sure voice uncertain as to where they stood.

As far as Jimin was concerned, it was far away from him. After what Solis had told him from nights ago, the man wanted to ran his fangs across his skin. Open him up and flush him from the inside out.

Wait.

Just wait. I will have my chance.

The advisor turned, his face as unwritten as his heart. Unfeeling. Devoid. If he tried to be too civil, it would have been suspicious. Why would a jilted lover be kind to his best friend? That is what he assumed his friend wished to speak of. Leila.

Jimin must have been so focused on evading questions of his actions that he did not guard his mind from his friend's abilities. Or, his foolish countenance at the ball had been clear enough for the man to realize that it was possible for him to want someone for more than fucking. Oh how shallow the his best friend thought him to be. Though Jimin was sure he was shallow in soul, and would continue to be.

"Ah, now you wish to talk to me. About what, may I ask?" The man inquired darkly, moving to the bed and picking up a linen shirt. Placing it around his bare shoulders. He eyed carefully around the room, making sure none of what he wished to hide was in plain sight.

He had luckily removed all poisons from him room, for the royal Immortui would've inhaled it.

The King said nothing. The King. Jimin wanted to laugh in his face until his vocal chords splintered.

Taehyung kept his expression open, contrite even. But he would not let down his guard. Jeongguk was in a cell, taking his place, so it was imperative that all suspicions remained on the boy. And not himself.

Focus on Leila.

"What is it prince? Could you not fathom me wanting someone? Did you think I would just let you have her because you wanted her? 'Here you go my liege, have this woman and I will just go fuck myself'. I mean is that what you wanted to hear? Is that what you thought I would do? If you truly believe that, you are not the man I have grown to know. You are the man who uses his power and his friends as stepping stones to get what he wants." Jimin spit out harshly, ruining the calamity between them. It was intentional, "I have never once stood in your way. Because I am your friend. But we both can't deny you are above me, that your wants and needs will always be met before mine due to your position in life. I never once denied you, or tried to take more from you than I should. But I wanted Leila. Is that a crime? Does that erase all the years I have been good to you?"

He did not mention of his new title, or the fact Taehyung had not discussed it with him. It exposed too much.

Not for long.

A distraction. Silly, foolish words.

But the charcoal in his heart seemed to singe with the truth. And Jimin hated it. Because he had killed it, hadn't he? Any true feelings he had. Any emotions that surrounded his friend of many years, other than anger?

The prince looked taken a back. And it furthered the burning within him.

You really do not know, do you? So ignorant to honesty, so self involved he couldn't see past his own perspective of our ill-stricken friendship.

Jimin wasn't sure what he expected from the prince. Maybe some bitter words. Maybe threats. Maybe some useless speech about how they would always stand the test of time. When they were younger and they fought, they were forced to separate rooms. They wouldn't speak for days, until one got bored and asked the other to play. As teens, they would wrestle or sword fight until one of them won or ended up bloody. They hadn't fought as adults, because Jimin had stopped trying to understand the man before him. Who had went from princeling, to prince.

But Taehyung had a funny way of shocking him every time.

The taller man shook his head, stepping forward. His dark hair without a crown. His black eyes filled with flecks of gold, without their bronze shield. He looked just as he had when they were boys. When the only punishment they knew was being apart for too long.

"I do not blame you, Jimin. I came here to apologize. I sent you on a mission for two years to watch the daughter of the moon. I asked you to know everything about her, so she could be comfortable here. So I could know if she posed a threat. So that I could avoid any possible feelings of my own, without considering yours. It was foolish, self-centered, and frankly horrible that I did so to my friend." The prince stepped forward, and Jimin stumbled clumsily back. His spine hitting his bed post. Taehyung furrowed his brows, his dark eyes clear in the candlelight, "And when you showed signs of those inevitable feelings, I lied to myself. Saying it was just attraction, dimming them. Instead of speaking to you, instead of giving you the benefit of the doubt. I was condescending, and placed my feelings higher above yours. I regret attacking you. I regret being stupidly jealous. Because I pushed you away, as I tend to do with all those that I am afraid of losing."

Shut up.

Shut up. Shut up. Scream at me. Call me a leacher. Threaten me away from Leila. Say our friendship means nothing. Say you hate me, and that you will never forgive me. Tell me I am a worthless liar.

Tell me all the things I want to say to you. Do unto me worse.

Curse me, ban me to hell.

No, Jimin felt small. As the man, his best friend, and the King apologized furiously. The man who had everything I craved. Not as the man who threw a dagger into the eye of a man who dared spy upon Leila. Who forgot about me as soon as the daughter of the moon arrived. The man who never admitted to being wrong, claiming his mistakes before him now.

Why now?

Why after everything?

Taehyung could not hear his silent, clawing pleas for mercy.

"I understand why you avoided me when Leila arrived. Even as you so graciously and skillfully did your duty. Because you knew I had my own feelings. You knew yours wouldn't matter, once I finally stopped lying to myself. I am a prick. I said I did not want Leila, I denied your accusations. And when you both grew closer, I always stepped in between."

Jimin's breath was caught in his throat. Years sitting stagnant between them. It was clear, the prince was still holding back. But it was there, in his eyes.

'I gave you my toys as a child. I gave you vibrancy as an adolescent. I gave you your title as an adult. I gave you everything you have.'

You took everything I had.

Memories branded into his skin. Laughter that felt like the cries of hell. Smiles that felt like a lifetime ago and somehow not far enough away. They should have brawled. They should have kicked, fought, and bit. But his old friend held no malice in his eyes. Just unwavering forgiveness and atonement.

Eyes familiar, the same black as the King.

Jimin was going to be sick.

"You're my dear friend, you always will be." Stop, just stop. His voice was filled with deep sorrow as he kept speaking, "I will give you anything and everything I can. I always have. But I cannot give you Leila, because she loves me." The man paused, sighed as he made eye contact, "And I hate myself a little for it, because it hurts you."

The advisor stayed silent, his chest pounding. His vision felt hazy, like his friend was a mirage in the desert. No words could fall from his mouth, and he was rendered speechless for the second time in his life.

All these words he'd always wanted to hear, but never expected to. Never allowed himself to want.

Why now.

Taehyung stepped forward once more, his hand placed on Jimin's shoulder. The heat of the sun, as it burned through his thin shirt. His eyes were gentle as he addressed his friend once more, breaking the silence that Jimin could not fill.

"Come talk to me when you're ready, because what I cannot fathom is losing you as my friend. Leila just so happens to miss you as well. You are wanted. You are accepted as you are. And you are always, always welcome here."

Jimin did not speak.

Did not utter a sound, or a breath. Not when his best friend quietly left the room, shutting the door gently. Not when the sound of his footsteps finally disappeared down one of the many castle halls.

No, it was only when Jimin needed to breathe. It was a gasping intake, the first breath of life after a kiss of death.

And then he screamed.

Shadows in shadows. Swimming in the blanket of a sky void of stars. Endless darkness gripped onto him. He could not see his hands, his fingers.

He screamed and screamed, his fingernails gripping at the stone of the floor as he fell. Clawing at the rough edges.

Why.

Was this all a plot to make him feel remorseful? To make him feel bad?

Why.

After all of these years.

Why does it hurt more than anything imaginable. Why do I care. Why did I feel regret? Why do I feel so, undoubtably sorry?

Why do I miss my friend? Why do I miss the time before it all went to shit, before I knew everything. Why do I want to run and apologize, and tell him everything?

Why? When I have to kill him, when I have to kill her. Why?

Another cry left his throat. Jimin lifted his hands to his face, feeling for flesh. Finding rivers and floods instead.

I cannot give up. I worked so hard to earn my power. To find what I have lost.

His chest burst with pain, his stomach heaving. A dreadful feeling of cold melted over his shoulders, making him shake.

I cannot do this.

"Solis, rip my heart from my chest. I do not want it anymore. I do not want it." Jimin called out into the night, once again.

Needing relief, needing insanity. Needing to stop being afraid of the dark.

It was dark, so dark. And no one was coming to find him. It was dark, and the ocean was the color of blood. There was a little body floating, and it was facedown. Not breathing.

He grabbed, and started swimming.

But it was dark. So dark, he could not find the beach. Was there a beach? The world upside down, they the stars in the sky. To white spots as they floated, floated further into blackness. Drowning, drowning, drowning.

He grasped at his chest, pushing away the memory. Pushing away any love in his heart.

"Please, take it." Jimin whispered only once more, exhausted.

The groaning croak entered his senses, flooding them. It was still pitch black, but he could breathe once more. He inhaled.

"Precious Nightfall, close your eyes."

The shadow swallowed him. But he wasn't afraid, not anymore.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
(A/N: awww cute Leila and Tae we don't see enough of that.

The forced proximity of Setareh and Jeongguk 😩🤞🏻 Tae came in clutch

Ooooo that scene of Jimin and Tae. There's a reason why there isn't many scenes of the TOGETHEr. It's kinda to show how ppl could be like family and grow apart depending on how different they are.

Like Taehyung didn't even NOTICE how Jimin was feeling distant until he realized he liked Leila. His friend hiding something from him in that way was something he could never even fathom. Their bond was so strong to him, he didn't believe they even needed to have the conversation. Contrary to popular belief the prince isn't a mind reader 🙉

Jimin had felt second to his best friend all his life, and never said anything. Still hasn't said anything. Instead he willed himself to not "care" which only deepened the wound over time. That's why it was soooo easy for Solis to just drop in and get Jimin on their side.

The distance you psychically see in the book is the metaphorical distance Jimin put in between them to justify his actions.

Okay guys, next chapter is a BIG one...like huge to the plot and it was one of the first chapters I thought of so I'm so excited to write it. I can't wait to experience it with you all <3 you'll see why Taehyung is my fave character after haha. Okay who am I kidding I love them all, but the plot is gonna PLOTTTT!