"I'm in the deep
Come look for me
You like your peace
But you love a little chaos"
Maze - Alina Baraz

Hint! Every chapter picture at the top is important, as well as the song, and the gif. THIS CHAPTER YALL ARE GONNA LOVE ME (listen to the song when you get to the bedroom scene pllzzzzz)
Spicy level: 🌶🌶

Tw: cutting/knife stuff

🌬

It was one thing to read about the sea and it's vengeance. It was another, to see it afar, thrashing about from her window, and sit above its mighty pull. It was wholly another to be near it. To see it's foamy claws reaching out to her, just to suddenly disappear behind the rocks.

And yet, it seemed less daunting than what was waiting for her inside the fortified castle.

Why?

She thought, as she pulled at some of the strings on the back of her dress, trying to alleviate the pressure on her chest.

Every one of her actions had been thought through her entire life. Meticulously planned, carefully crafted. That, sitting on the prince's lap, had been impulsive. And she didn't even get a reaction worthy of the act.

It was treacherous. Stupid.

Leila was starting to realize the more she tried to move him, she felt more of the pull in herself.

She fucking hated it. Hated that the one thing she knew about herself, was that she had will. Self-control. He made her feel like she had never had control at all.

The girl walked forward, letting crushed shells and rock undulate beneath her shoes. The roaring got louder as she neared. A dark, velvet expanse. The moon shone clearly, glittering wisps across the surface. No other spot of land could be seen on the left or right.

But the princess wanted to experience everything. Feeling centered by the silver light hitting her cheek bones and kissing her lips, she bent down and took off her heels. A tentative step forward, her hands out to keep her balance. But the rocky beach did not break her skin.

Underneath the bite of sediment, was a soft sand. She sighed, feeling its grit filter between her aching toes. It was a white color, dissimilar to the soft brown she knew. It urged her closer to the water.

Leila wanted to feel it all. All that she had not felt before.

The chaos of nature seemed to calm her tumultuous, newborn emotions. She prided in the tide, waning with the moon. Closer, and closer, her eyes widened with inexperience as she made it to the water's true edge. The salt and spray trickling over her, the salty smell thick, but inviting. Wind whipping her hair into tight ropes.

The daughter of the moon pointed her right foot, letting it touch the water. The coldness of it was shocking, invigorating. The girl almost moaned into it, her flesh beyond heated from her previous encounters. The ocean did not care, and crashed into her wedding dress. She decided that she did not give a damn either.

The young woman wanted to feel the ocean over her in its entirety.

The ocean sung to her, a siren. Pulling her further and further in as it soothed her with its icy grip. And she couldn't stop. She felt powerful. Awakened. A thrumming started in her chest, urging her. And soon enough, Leila was up to her chest in salt water. No sight of land in her peripheral, just the vastness of dark, almost black waves.

As her long, dark hair lifted around her, and her body floating, arms moving on their own accord, her feet kicking up silt from the sand below, alone. The sound of her body moving with the water, and the distant crash against the shore.

The princess thought that this was peace. This was the meaning of life. 

With that, her chest started to glow. A pale, ghostly light from where her heart would be.

Leila thrashed in the water, a moment of revelation. Her chest only lit up when she was privy to a new type of magic she could behold. Her jaw clenched, as she stepped back onto the sand. moving backward, and away from the source of power that could swallow her whole if it wanted.

So she moved out of the ocean, shaking. Her dress dripping with crystals and a thousand more pounds of drenched liquid. The girl did not care she was freezing.

Her power was somehow connected to the ocean, and she did not know how.

It was another thing she had not been prepared for, and could not tell anyone. She would again, have to rely on herself to discover more about her abilities. The first of which, she barely understood to its extent. If it was what she expected, there were a thousand more ways she could best her captor.

And as much as it scared Leila, it gave her hope. Every moment alone, she would work on her magic. Try to figure out its new limits.

But another thought dawned on her. Taehyung had failed the test. He had not shown up. And now, she had to slink back to the castle. Soaking wet.

Sand stuck to her dress, her feet. Salt burned around the edges of her eyes, thickening the lashes. The ocean had drenched her hair, ripped her veil off her head. The dark ribbons of hair clung to her face, her chest, an wrapped around her ribs. Dew drops fell of the wavy locks around her eyes. She held the veil over her arm, not wanting to lose the beautiful fabric. Grabbing onto her skirts, and walking with them so she didn't trip. The young woman had decided she would soak the dress in her bathtub.

While she was walking back through the graveyard garden, she laughed to herself. Wondering how exactly would get around the guards like this. Leila looked down at her body, at the cream fabric that was now sticking to her body.

Well, there was one way.

She passed a large, scraggly tree. One that looked similar to one of the stained glass. A bright purple flower growing at its base, the petals so bright they almost glowed in the night. Leila paused, not seeing anything else alive in this area. She looked back up at the castle, knowing she should just go in. But she couldn't, her stomach fluttered in agreeance. Her wander once again moved her to the plant, as she bent over to touch the soft petals.

The purple flowers almost seemed to move towards her palm. The center a silver the opacity of her blood.

"What are you-" She started, before she was grabbed by her waist and hauled away.

Leila was flush against someone's hard chest, and her breathing was harshly mixing with the man's behind her. The girl did not struggle, knowing that this man's grip around her waist would only get tighter. Her cheeks reddened in embarrassment, as her training had failed her once more. She had been so distracted, she was an easy target. Yet her fear simmered into anger, when she smelled the familiar scent of mahogany and cedarwood.

"Already running off? And I thought we'd enjoy our first night as newlyweds together." Taehyung's voice dripped into her ear, his lips brushing the shell of her as he leaned over her to speak. His voice was mockingly soft, stiffening her back.

So much for lenience. His voice was calm, but she was not fooled. The rage in it was dangerously waiting to bite.

He seemingly did not care that she was soaked. The girl's mouth gaped open as he moved them to the tree trunk, pressing her front on the harsh bark. His grip on her waist dropped, and her back arched as he took both of her wrists into his right palm. The well trained prince then pressed his chest into her back, filling her with warmth as his strong fingers grazed under her skirt.

The same fingers she had licked honey off of.

Leila let out a huff, turning her head to the side to see him completely concentrated, his expression fierce. She knew this was not a romantic touch, considering her desire to harm herself to spite him. His hand was roaming for her weapon, which she didn't wish him to find.

So the brunette decided to tease him.

"Could you please be more gentle?" She asked lavishly, letting her voice dip higher. The bronzed girl arched her back even more, letting her hair fall away from her exposed back.

The ebony haired man moved away, sucking his breath through his teeth. He let go of her like she was burning ember.

To which she pushed off the tree, ripping away the hair that had fallen into her mouth. The prince was in his wedding outfit still, hands crossed behind his back. The anger that was there earlier in his contorted face, gone. She saw no emotion other than controlled disregard once again.

The man stood a few feet in front of her, eyes boring into her. It made her step back into the tree for support. The garden was blue and silver in the light, shadows black. It made him seem all the more the statue she saw him as.

"You've never seen an ocean before. So what were you doing out there? Taking the easy way out so quickly? But you should know, drowning is not pleasant. The knife hiding in your garter belt may be the more enjoyable way." Taehyung spoke, in that infuriatingly condescending, uncaring tone. All marble and stone as he spoke of her insolence.

The moonlight seemed to think so too, as it turned his feline eyes darker. His bones were sharp, able to cut her. Mouth, not at all swollen with warmth and candlelight like before.

Her head dipped a little, as she took in his stance. Leila felt like a child being scolded, not a woman on her wedding night. Maybe that is what caused her to be vulnerable. Maybe it was her lack of her emotion, that made her unable to hide it. But the words spilled out anyway.

"I-I've missed out on so much." She said, her voice cracking in the frigid air.

It was if the cold finally settled in, her arms had unknowingly embraced herself. Her eyes feeling heavy will the truth, with melancholy. Her stare connected with his, her lips quivering.

Taehyung's stony glare shattered, eyes looking her up and down. He stepped once, his right hand twitching in a fist. And yet, no words were spoken.

The man let out a long sigh, his neck thrown back. Contemplating. His fist finally unclenched, and he started to move.

Pulling off his overcoat.

The man moved forward, head to the side. Holding out the jacket to her to place around her body. Only his stark profile was in view for her. Leila was stunned, her arms still stuck around her waist.

"I don't need it."

The man shook his head, walking with the coat. His dark brows furrowed over his eyes. She tried to protest as he placed the material around her shoulders, not putting aside her salty hair from underneath it. His warmth lit against her back, before he moved just as quickly away from her.

"Thank you." She muttered reluctantly, thinking of all the malice she had for him only minutes ago.

It was still there. But she learned despite his indifference, and his captivity of her, he was a gentleman.

It was all she really knew of him. So far.

They walked together, the path to the castle clear. She looked up, taking in his height slyly. His steps were longer than hers, but he slowed himself down to make sure she could keep up.

Just as she was about to break the somewhat comfortable silence, his voice deeper than the darkness surrounding them.

"Lunetta."

"What?" Leila question, her voice hanging in the air. She moved his coat tighter around her body.

He did not look at her, eyes remaining on the castle.

"The flowers you were looking at. That's what they are called." Taehyung coughed, putting his hand to his mouth. Letting it drop promptly.

Questions of his unease surrounded her, but she did not falter. Instead, embracing this piece of information he traded to her. They must have been special, if they were the only flower given care within this garden.

Special enough to be useful.

"They're beautiful. Am I allowed to pick them? For my room." Leila inquired, keeping her voice level. Hoping it did not raise any suspicions.

They made it to a large metal gate leading into the castle once again. It lifted with a bellowing screech, and inviting them once again to comfort. The man gestured for her to walk in before her, his eyes grazing her wet attire as she passed, eyebrow lifted. Probably laughing at her foolishness, as the regal Taehyung never seemed to make mistakes. He continued to speak, as he walked beside her. She followed, ignoring the way his gaze had heated her blood even more than the fireplaces.

"Yes, but only for decor. They are highly poisonous."

There he went again. Making sure she knew every precaution he threw her way, was to keep her alive. Not for the sake of her health, but his wants, whatever they may be.

"They are the perfect predator. Gorgeous. But deadly within." The princess continued, unnecessarily filling the silence.

She never felt the need to with anyone else. But walking with Taehyung was charged, his clenched hands. Tense shoulders. Every interaction with him felt like she was torturing him.

"Yes, I know someone very much like that." His deep voice stressed the middle of the sentence, making the rest of the walk silent.

The princess welcomed it. She hadn't known how to respond to the richness of his voice when he said it. Like it was true, and any amount of denying would be imprudent. The left side of her body, the side closest to him, felt like the sky during a lightening storm. Yes. That was what his presence was like. A black abyss, until the lightening struck across the sky like angry veins. For once, turning the endless ebony into a steely blue.

Never knowing when she would be struck.

Did he mean to call me beautiful? Leila thought. Her back was stiff as she walked, sodden in her dress and now rock and sand filled shoes. The material made slick noises as they moved down the hall, and past even her own rooms. Where they were headed, was closer to the library she had been taken to by Jimin.

No, she looked like a drowned rat. And unlike earlier, his gaze was comfortably on the path ahead of him. Uninterested once more. The deadly part was true though. He did not know the extent of her magic, nor did she his. But they knew they were powerful in each their own right.

Finally, Taehyung had settled in front of a smaller door. It was fortified, with metal vipers slithering along its face, interlocking. A key system, that would take a good period of time to figure out.

Taehyung's eyes connected with hers, startling her internally. Her heart dipping. Leila cursed herself, wishing to stop that utterly odd reaction. He looked at her face carefully, before speaking.

"We are at my rooms." The prince said, letting his intention enter his tone.

Letting the words hang in the air. Leila froze, her chest lifting. Her eyes shifting from the door, to the prince who waited patiently before her. He said nothing more.

"Thank you for your coat. I should be going back to my rooms."

"No, Leila. You are to stay in mine. At least for a little while."

Taehyung did not take back his words, as they stood there. Instead, his apprehensiveness only seemed to increase. He placed his left hand, a fist, onto the iron door. Cut jaw tight, right foot scuffling into the ground. Unsettled, as if he wished he didn't ask her to stay. His earthy and spice filled scent, making her a little unfocused.

So why did he?

The girl questioned everything. His previous exclamation that he would not bed her. His disinterest in her as a woman. The fact it was still their wedding night, and this was expected of her, either tonight or in fifty nights.

Leila just didn't expect him to follow this particular tradition, when he seemed so rancorous towards the others.

"Fine." The princess answered, her voice thin.

It took everything in her not to panic. To calm her breathing, to prevent the blush to rise to her chest and cheeks. To feel her blood pump to her stomach, thighs, and in-between.

Why? Why was her head swimming. Why did his answering smirk almost make her want to run in the other direction. This is what she wanted. To have the opportunity to seduce him, to gain his trust. To act out what happened only in her sleep. Could she handle it? Was she ready?

But the feeling in Leila's stomach was the most true of all. It was she who was in danger to seduction, to lust.

Running a finger down the silver snakes, Taehyung unlocked his door through magic. The rings glittered, just like they had in her dreams. How had they been so vivid? So accurate. It made her swallow harshly. To push down her nerves.

Nervous. That's what she was feeling. A new, an terrible emotion. It made her feel shaky and unsure. Like all of her years of training to be willful were for nothing. To be confident, an alluring to men. She would have to push through it, like she had when she sat on his lap. Taehyung would not be seduced by inexperience, by meekness.

The door promptly opened, and he walked in. Leila only saw the back of his black adorned back, but was pleasantly surprised as she made it into his room behind him.

Leila was now in his rooms. With the prince. Alone. His pretty, pretty chamber.

It was the antithesis to her own. Where hers was silver, bright in cool tones, his was darkness. Manly and celestial all at once.

Dark blue velvet sheets decorated a ebony wood bed frame. Thick, gauzy curtain of a black shade, were tied to the four ornate posts and ready to protect their master in sleep. The floor was lavish, wooden and laid with ivory and midnight blue designs, similar to his door and decorated with snakes. Crescents were cut out of black crystal, sapphire and placed across his ceilings. Etched into his wardrobe and armoire. The walls were a dark stone, but furnished with tapestries. Myths, she recognized, from eons old Greek legends. She recognized Hades and Persephone in one, making her cheeks flush at the irony. He had a book shelf of his own similar to her room, but it was closer to the floor to ceiling window that cut out a piece of the sky.

Not being able to help herself, she walked closer to the view. The moon lay directly over his window, the sea almost looking peaceful from here. Looking out, she saw the tree that she had found the flowers under in his line of view. The shape of the garden from above, was a perfect circle.

She was about to ask more about the garden when she recognized her own window, though in a tower like his own, was very close to his. If she could fly, it would be possible just to jump to her ledge, that sat a bit further down.

"Would you like to warm yourself up with a bath?" Taehyung asked, quietly from the corner his room. Close to where he had a shelve of trinkets, which she would be inspecting later.

He had said nothing as she roamed around, unbothered by her curious perusal.

Leila was demure in her acceptance, "Of course."

The man nodded once, surprised by her willingness to listen. He shouldn't be surprised, though she was stubborn, she wasn't dumb enough to turn down a bath when she so desperately needed it. It also gave her enough time to go through the motions of bedding the man, and calming herself to the idea. To become the woman she was supposed to be.

He gestured for her to follow him, take her to a separate door. His bathroom was very similar in set up to hers, except it was made of black marble. The bathtub was square, and dug into the floor. Tiny flecks of blue littered the deep stone, and many jars sat around the edge. Leila sat down, starting to undo her heels.

Leila turned her head to the prince with a teasing smile, "I didn't know you would have so many different types of soaps, prince."

The dark royal leaned closer to her, resting his hand on the tub knob. His face was close to hers, as he returned the joke with a straight expression. Leila dipped her chin, not knowing what to do at their proximity.

"Taehyung, call me by my name. We are married, are we not?" With that, he turned the knob.

Water rushing behind her back, and she could not remove herself from his stare. The man stayed near to her, as she searched into him. The tension heightened, when she ignored his request.

"I would like to bathe, alone. Prince."

The raven haired man's eyes flashed, before he moved away. Tightness around the corners of his mouth. Though it seemed to push him away, Leila knew that challenging him would make herself all the more tempting. If he was not initially attracted to her, this might spark interest.

At least, that is what her elder instructed of her. And the romance books she read.

If they were wrong, she was doomed to an eternity of night.

He left without another word. Leila's gaze catching on the expanse of his back and, strong profile before he was gone.

Leila relaxed finally, letting out a haggard breath. Again, the thought entering her mind that no matter how many sexual dreams the goddess sent her way, she would never be prepared for him. Everything he did was carefully practiced. Concise. Liquid.

She doubted not that he would be the same in bed.

While she, who knew everything, had done nothing. Except one single, numb kiss that ended in someone's death.

Holy fuck.

The brunette peeled off her wedding dress, letting the salt and sand fall with it to the floor. The tub filled quickly, and she sunk into the water with a sigh. Her stiff hair went soft, dunking her head into the bath so that her eyes would stop stinging. She would have to wash off the beautiful make up, that was now trailing down her face. She took a purple jar that looked similar to the one in her own room, and poured the contents on a soft cloth next to her.

Leila would not explain the extra minutes. Where she smelled all the jars he had, wondering exactly he used to make his intoxicating scent. Though none compared to the real thing, that seemed to permeate the air of his bedroom. Her head was almost clearer, sitting in the tub of water. Away from him.

I am simply going to sleep with my husband. It will put me one step closer to breaking this curse.

I will do it.

And another, even more frightening thought.

I want to do it.

Leila couldn't hide in there forever. The now clean girl lifted out of the tub, drying off. The man had placed a long v neck gown on a bench. The girl blushed at the smooth fabric between her fingers, knowing it was at most a little transparent. Still, she placed the dress over her head. It was shiny, and soft. A v neck that exposed her breasts, with a lace mesh around the curves. The waist cut in, so it was not lost in the silky fabric. It was beautiful.

Standing in front of his gold dipped mirror, she rung out the rest of her wavy hair, shaking it so that it would dry faster. Her skin stood out against the material, contrasting in a pleasant way. Though her eyes lacked kohl, she narrowed her almond shape so they looked more sultry. She pinched both her cheeks and lips, hoping to bring out their light maroon shade. She opened cabinets, searching for some sort of rouge.

Luckily, she happened across a dusty rose color hidden in a compartment. Without too much thought to whose it could be, she ran the smooth balm over her lips. Feeling at least a bit more put together. Still, it did not make her trek to the door quicker.

It was strange, how she had almost stuck glass into her heart with no hesitancy.

Leila wasn't a coward. She would not back down, not even from this unknown. Whatever happened now, it was her maze to get lost in.

No matter whether she made it out or not.

When she eventually walked back into the bedroom, Taehyung sat with his back turned on his bed. Wearing only his black doublet and a soft pair of pants. A book rest in his hands, assisted by the 10 candles he had lit in the space while she was gone. Making the room fragrant with pine, their wax stems green. He was bathed in a fiery light, and all strictness was gone from his expression.

She hesitated by the door, almost feeling like an intruder. The creak from the frame exposed her, making his eyes find her own.

The man closed his book, his expression closed. Though his eyes were golden by the light, they remained at her eye level. She tried to remain just as eloquent, but her cheeks rusted with blood. There were no words spoken, as his mouth open and closed. One hand resting on the bed as he waited for her to walk closer.

Did he like what he saw?

It felt like she would never know.

"May I sit?" Leila asked, walking closer to the bed. Her hair was no mostly dry, falling in close waves. Her dress clung to her front as she moved. And though his eyes did not trail down, his pink lips parted. His chest inhaling deeply.

There. It was small, but it was a hint of reaction. A meager sip of wine, when she needed the whole bottle.

Leila sat, the mattress sinking under her. She thought it was best to sit towards the foot of the bed, her chest towards him and her feet directed towards the end. Closeness, once again to him stealing her breath.

He was absolutely marvelous in this light. Crowned by the moon and the ocean behind him. The book thrown off to the side haphazardly. His face almost open, as he scaled her own. Making their own conclusions.

If he did not want to kiss me, why did he want to bed me?

If he was not interested, why did he not look away?

"Rattle away, wife. I can tell when you're begging to ask me something." Taehyung teased, his white teeth flashing against his tan skin. His deep voice ending the silence.

Leila did not show her shock at his simple ease in the moment. A smile was so rare from him. She would remember this one, as she sat on his bed.

Maybe it was the fact no one could see them. Or that it was there wedding night, and he knew her to be a virgin. But his usually icy contentment had softened, only a little. If only to jest at the expression of distaste and confusion that sat on her face.

She had a million things to ask. One being why she was here. But there was one glaring inquiry, that she could not rid herself of. The hot embarrassment and spite returning from before her visit to the ocean.

"Why did you not kiss me?" Her voice was muted in the room. A song in its own right, though she was sure it was in harmony with his melody.

Taehyung's gaze was sharp on hers, that small smile slipping away.

Leila couldn't help but ask. It would set them in the right direction, as she begged the question of something physical, to make him think about it. This much she knew.

But her vulnerable position as she asked, was unaccounted for. Both of her hands were on the bed, her legs to the side. Her chest forward, facing him. Neck bared. Her eyes dark around their almond shape and filled with silver, furrowed with uncertainty. Humility.

Taehyung leaned closer to her, his black doublet now untied at his neck. The man made himself more comfortable, as he moved to lay on his side. Long legs crossed on the sheets. Ebony head resting on his folded arm, so that Leila was now seated slightly above him and much closer. Seeing the prim prince loosened, turned her body to clay. His head dipped to the side, eyes falling from her irises to her lips. As if inspecting for himself, why he did not take them tonight.

"I thought it wrong to do so for customary reasons. If we kiss, it shall be because you asked me to. Because you want it. Not because it's something expected of you." He said the words with venom.

Leila was affronted with the hostility in which he spoke. Though it felt like chivalry, she knew. The grimace on his face seemed to be of disgust. He did not bring her here to sleep with her.

He did not want to.

'Do not mistake my begrudging respect for interest.' Yet, for a moment, she had.

"I will never ask." Leila remarked dryly, her eyes filled with with nothing as she stared at him. Though her stomach was filled with bitterness, her chest rejection.

It was an eternal promise.

Her desires would not be known to him. Not when they were not returned.

The left side of the prince's mouth quirked, his eyes just as flat at her own.

"Then we never shall."

The air was charged between them. Moon meeting night in their endless dance. Feeling herself in the residence of the one they wrote stories of her with. So much felt silly, in the fact that fate was like in the hand of two young adults. Two humans, blessed with magic, that would not shorten the distance that kept them apart.

Leila was willing to rip apart the bridge that divided. If only to get any reaction. Because he was the one that got to grow up and feel things. While he was fated almost the same as her, he did not live a life suppressed.

No, she would not be denied emotion any longer. 

"Does that not bother you? I am your wife. It's supposed to be my duty, to please you. To bear children to become heirs." She said without restraint, her voice an angry edge.

Seeing if he was willing to skirt it.

Though instead, he lifted himself up. Now almost in the same position as her, level to her silver irises. Her eyes trailed along his straight nose, the small freckle that sat on the tip. The feature took away some of his statue like quality. Humanized him.

Taehyung dipped his head, peering back up at her, "What have you heard about desire?"

That it controls the will of men.

"That it is as obsolete as the sun." Leila offered instead, hoping he would assume her family and elders told the same of lust that they had of love, or any other emotion.

Not that it was a tool to be used against him.

It seemed to palliate the man. Though his the color of his eyes darkened as he turned from the candle light. The prince's voice an electrifying embrace as he gave his true answer.

"If you haven't noticed Leila, I have adverse feelings towards rules, expectations, or duty. You will not be forced to consummate this marriage if you do not so wish, you do not have to share my bed, and more. This marriage is strictly so that no harm comes to you in my court. And that no other territory can claim you."

"Yet, you wish everyone to think we bedded each other though." It was a shot in the dark, as she presented her theory slowly.

Taehyung's lack of emotion and fidgeting limbs confirmed it. His eyes moving from her own, to his hands on the bed.

"Yes." He muttered back, smiling wryly. Like he was glad he hadn't been the one to say it allowed.

Leila realized two things.

One, that he expected her to be so inexperienced that she wouldn't even have asked why she was in his rooms. That she would have innocently went along with it, and left when he told her to, in order to trick his court that their marriage would be consummated. And Leila, with her little, poor undeveloped heart would have went along, none the wiser. For what are marriage beds for other than to chat with bitterness?

Two, that he had underestimated her in every possible way. And his misjudgment would always her courage.

And a strategy.

"Then," Leila said leisurely, letting on silky strap cascade off her shoulder with a coy shrug, "we must do a better job at pretending."

A simple wardrobe mistake.

The man braced himself, his eyes blazing at her, dipping to trace where the material had fallen. Good. Probing for an explanation to her behavior. For she played so unknowing to desire, that she did not know that her bare skin would tempt anyone.

Leila lifted her hands to her lips, pressing down to feel the rust toned rouge on them. She let her willow like fingers run across the flesh slowly. Taehyung watched intently as she smeared the material onto her fingers. The blue sheets under him, wrinkled as he balled his fists into them.

Yes.

"May I?" She asked with a soft smile, leaning closer to her husband.

The prince's eyes flashed with understanding. At her attempt to fool everyone. Their first act as rulers of the same kingdom, though less important than she would've liked, at least they would be working together.

Taehyung nodded his head, eyebrows furrowed. Looking at her with the strangest expression.

Leila lifted her hand to his mouth, mussed the rouge onto him. She felt no breath from his nose, as she ran the color over the soft lips that were no more coated in honey. Making it look like as if they had kissed.

"Anything else?" She asked, slightly breathless. She was now on her knees, only a lean from her lips meeting his own.

Taehyung's eyes were ardent in a way she hadn't seen them before. The lids lazily falling, his chest moving with more abandon as he gazed upon her. The iciness that radiated off of him, was so cold it burnt.

Controlled, as he spoke, "May I?"

Leila felt her heart jolt as the man also moved to rest on his knees. His long fingers came to rest on her hot shoulders, the touch artic. Spine straightening, as he ran his finger under the strap that was left on her, and hooking it with his pointer finger. Pulling at it gently.

"Jimin is supposed to undress me." Leila said, hoping to ignite the man.

He stopped pulling the strap, keeping his finger wrapped around it. His stare unwavering on hers.

"Not tonight."

She thought she imagined the way he pulled at the straps a bit rougher, making it look like he pulled the fabric off of her. But still leave the white lace to cover her chest. The latter, of which moved harshly up and down, taking in soft gasps of breath.

He moved away again, after messing up her dress. There was no way to avoid the red blush that ran up the middle of her chest at his touch. Yet, somehow, he avoided the subject. Acting as if this all were simply a little fun game to play.

"Put your hands in my hair. Ruffle it a bit to look like it got messed up from the sheets."

Leila nodded, lifting herself up a bit to reach him. His face was almost flush to her chest as she did so. Though he raised his gaze to meet her eyes instead.

It was almost worse, to combat the seemingly unfeeling ember, chin tilted up. The prince, vulnerable to any attack she could've formed in her hands. As her fingers ran into his scalp, nails scraping gently, feeling his smooth and waved hair for the first time. Revealing his untouched forehead, and angled brows as she did. He did not peek at her breasts, or her collar bones littered with mica. Nor her navel, that had could clearly be seen through the material at this proximity. Letting his hair fall out of place, she took her hands back.

She resisted the urge to pull at the locks.

This time, as she sat back on her knees, he turned away from her. Only his profile visible, as he fisted the comforter under him once more. His eyes were closed to her, taking deep slow breaths.

"Taehyung?" The young woman called out, wondering if she did something wrong. If she scratched him with her nails to roughly, or cut his lips.

"Yes?" He gritted out between clenched teeth. Eyes now open, but remaining on the bed and not the woman before him.

She continued cautiously, hoping he would not reject this, "Shouldn't you leave a mark of some sort. And the sheets will be clean. They will know, nothing has happened."

It seemed to startle him out of his frustration. His face was in a grimace, neck shifting as he swallowed.

"We can pour wine-"

"My blood is silver."

Taehyung shook his head, blinking at his unusual miscalculation, "Right. What do you mean by mark?"

He was stiff as he asked, more so than usual. Frozen as he awaited her answer. His tanned skin inviting between the open doublet at his neck. It had fallen further apart, and Leila tried to keep her attention away from his fine bones.

It was now the princesses turn to hesitate. Her cheeks felt hot, as she thought of the lovers in her novels. How the man would kiss the woman, allowing him to taste at her skin. Till a bruise formed. A love bite.

"You know, like when you get a bruise. And the blood rushes to the surface of the skin. How lovers mark each other. I don't know I could be-"

"You're correct, Leila. Though I'm admittedly shocked you know of it. Are you sure?
Taehyung finished, his voice meddled with both relief and bitterness.

"It is only for people who need more convincing that their prince conquered his wife."

Practical, her voice remained.

Her center, said otherwise.

The man nodded, a starch movement. His lips pressed into a line. Reaching out to her with his right hand. Leila took in a sharp breath, as he moved away her long hair from her front gently.

"It needs to be somewhere visible," The prince said, eyes tracing along her neck, "Here."

His pointer finger grazed upon the front of her vein, circling the skin close to her throat. So gentle, treating her body delicately. Similar to how he had dipped himself in honey earlier. Feeling like a trail of fire. Goosebumps arose on her flesh, her nipples hardening. Hoping the man did not notice her reaction.

Hating then, that she was still more afflicted with desire than him. And he barely touched her yet.

She nodded, letting him know it was all right. Anticipation rose in her throat, and then sharp disappointment as he got off the bed. His shirt hung loosely over his hips, covering the top of his legs. He jostled around his shelves, throwing things to look for something.

Her disappointment turned into a spike of uncertainty when he turned, a silver knife in his hand. The handle was green jade, the hilt based with a serpent. A motif, that most likely represented his kingdom as she assumed. His eyes glittered with the blade, letting it shine as he turned it in his hand, coming back over to her.

"Why the knife?" She asked, knowing he would not use it to kill her. He wouldn't, at least while it benefitted him to do so.

Taehyung sat, the bed dipping. Eyes flickering to her, as he questioned with body language alone. Speaking, wondering, and offering.

"The sensation might be distracting enough so that drawing your blood won't hurt." The man gave to her, his idea.

He continued to flip the blade in his bronze hands. Not getting closer. Letting her absorb what exactly he was proposing.

Which was to cut her to create her "virginal" blood on the bed sheets. While he formed a love-bite on her neck. An idea that she would've never thought of.

But seemed quite wrong.

نشاط آور

"Oh, right."

"It should be your wrist. That way you can hide the wound under your dresses." Taehyung explained, his voice softer than usual. His eyes were riddled with questions, as he placed himself back on the bed.

She nodded, waiting for him to tell her what to do. He instructed her to sit on her knees once again, facing the headboard. He then moved around her, heat sweltering as the prince positioned himself behind her. Leila felt him, even when she couldn't see him. It was like her body was attuned to his energy, even as he sat. Hands to his side, gripping onto the knife with his dear life.

It was silent, as the princess anxiously waited. No moves were made, towards her neck or her wrist. Her eyes remained on the flowers that were carved into the headboard, trying to ignore the tingling sensation of her body just being near his. His knees, slightly open and touching her thighs as he situated himself closer. Fuck, she swore her legs were in flames. Her head fell to the side, an ache forming where his kiss was supposed to be. The restless girl shifted, running her hands along her sheer night gown.

Would she have to beg?

"Leila?" His deep voice question, right above her ear.

She felt his height, as his chest neared her. Caving over her. Grabbing her hair with one hand, and laying it across her other shoulder. His breath now warming her flesh. Her eyes fluttered.

Breathe.

A breathless whisper, "Yes?"

"Do you want me to? I can just lie and no one will question my authority." Precariousness colored him, even as the tip of his nose rested along her bare shoulder. Letting the knife fall to the side of them.

Even as his left arm wrapped tightly around her waist, grasping her as he did at the tree in the garden. Though she could feel his hand this time, grasping, anchoring her to his hard chest. Even as his other arm made it around her front, between her breast. His strong hand wrapping gently around her throat. Using his fingers to turn her chin to the right, and keep the left side open to him. So firm inside of him, she could not move even if she wanted to.

She did not.

"They will question mine."

"We don't have to-"

"Taehyung, please." Leila begged with vexation, not wanting to prolong it anymore. While this was meant to test the man, it would be needed to ensure the validity of their marriage.

The man did not hesitate, Leila jolted when she felt his hot mouth press to her aching neck.

No, the goddess hadn't prepared her. Nor her elders.

She was completely unassuming, to feeling that would come from the real touch of the Prince.

Heat cascaded over the area, as at first he pecked the skin. Soon enough, dew drops turned to rain. The man opened his mouth, running his tongue over her tanned skin. Up the veins, and circling over the pebbled flesh. Leila tried to still her self, mouth parting and cheeks heating. The woman bit her lip so harshly, she tasted blood. Using all her energy and will to keep away noises, she let her head fall back onto his chest and shoulder. Arching.

Why did it feel so indescribable?

She swore she heard him groan darkly, bringing her body even closer to him. The rumble in his chest heightened the tingling, and licking sensation. She wanted more, no needed more. The princess pressed herself closer to him, moving her hips. He froze his movement, using both hands to keep her away. And there they remained, keeping her at a distance as he tasted her. He licked a bold stripe up her neck, moving his face closer so that his nose touched her. His lips parted more, as he sucked at the newly red skin.

Leila couldn't help but let out a small moan when he bit at the skin.

He stopped for only a moment at the sound, before sucking even harder. His hand moved from her chin to her neck, holding but not squeezing. Taking his time and nipping in between each kiss.

Why was she here? Why had she asked? None of it mattered. She wasn't even sure if she would've known her name if someone asked in this moment.

Goddess, she wanted to see his face. His eyes. To see if they would peer up at her with delight, as they had in her visions. She wanted to brush away they hair from his eyes as he did it, pull on the strands and bring him closer.

She barely even noticed, when he held out her left arm. When Taehyung whispered fuck, as she let herself fall back on his chest, wanting to stay connected. The knife cutting at her wrist, only a prick. Taehyung continued to bite at her neck, as he held her left arm dripping with fresh silver blood, and letting it pool on the sheet beside them.

No, it was all part of the pleasure. That sharp pain and the soft touches of his mouth. Heaven.

That was until, he stopped kissing her neck. 

"What are you doing?" The princess croaked out, turning to her side.

The prince of the eclipse had already lifted her dripping wrist to his mouth. His ember eyes flashed, gold in the depths of onyx. Eyebrows brought together, lines of worry or pain between them she did not know. The silver of her blood ran, even as he held her tightly, tree branches reaching to her inner elbow.

"Do you trust me?" He chanced, voice quiet. Almost as if he wished her to say yes, against all odds. Asking a prisoner, to trust her captive. The man who wanted the world to live in perpetual darkness, despite having the key to the curse supple between his hands.

Though he stared intently, more than ever, she answered honestly.

"No."

Taehyung did not falter. His pupils dilated wider.

"Good."

Then, he opened his mouth, tracing his tongue against her new wound. Leila writhed in his arms, feeling a burning sensation all along the cut. It was more painful than the knife, the sensation of him now on her wrist. It should've been horrifying, watching him lap up the blood. Tracing around the opened edges of her skin.

But his eyes took her in, as they had when they were eating something else in her dreams. Dark, and unholy.

She was ready to break her way out of his grasp, but he let go of her. The girl quickly turned, backing into the headboard until she hit it. An animal uncaged, as she nursed the wrist at her chest.

Taehyung let his head fall, eyes furrowed. His lips set in distaste. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, as he looked a bit out of breath. Cheeks a dull red.

Leila was about to scream, to question his motives before she looked at the wrist. And what she saw, was alarming.

The skin was healed, stitched together in a thin pink line.

No more new silver pouring out of the cut.

"You healed me." Leila spoke out, swallowing softly.

But the man who touched her, who kissed her, was gone. A phantom, onto a new haunt. Taehyung's eyes glazed over, as he moved to the edge of the bed. He regarded her with no passion or light.

"Yes, and its time for you to leave." He responded, voice gruff, wringing his hands between his knees. Not giving her another glance.

And though, she didn't expect much, she didn't expect this. For him to be so closed off as he had given her some form of pleasure, albeit pleasure in the name of fooling others.

After his task was done, he had finished with her. No pulling at her, for a real kiss. No laying her onto his pillows, and moving across her body. No sense that his desire was great, or their at all after he had let go of her.

Did she imagine it? Had she not woken up from the dream yet?

She had no time to protest, for a knock filled the angry silence.

Leila got off the bed, waiting for him to take her to the door. But he did not. It was like the princess was already gone to him. He started pulling up the bed sheets that had been soaked with her blood, not even offering a goodbye.

Her chest tightened, but she would not give him anymore of herself.

Instead, she lead herself to the door. She tried to cool her expression, as she ripped it open, and saw Jimin leaned across the frame.

Jimin stood, looking up at down at her haphazardly replaced dress. The bruise forming on her neck, and her smudged mouth.

The man's crescent eyes prowled over her disgruntled dress, the bruise that should have been blooming across her neck, and the slight sheen along her collar bones and chest. His eyes remained unmoved as he sneered at her.

"Well, at least your night was better than mine."

"It was." She said bitingly, matching his attitude.

The man's eyes widened at her tone, before peering around her. A hand reached past Leila's head. She failed to breathe as the taller man spoke from behind her, only a step away.

"Put this in the laundry room, for the maid."

Jimin's eyes narrowed, taking in the silver on the sheets. Leila remained with her head up, though her cheeks burned fiercely at the implication. The implication she had wholeheartedly agreed to. Jimin held the sheet in one hand, he bowed at the prince.

"Goodnight, I shall take her to her rooms safely."

"You shall." Taehyung's voice deepened, a demand.

Leila stepped away from him, from his heat. Grabbing onto Jimin's arm tightly. The advisor looked down at her questioning, but she wouldn't meet his gaze.

As they walked down the hall, she knew the prince was watching. His door did not sound shut.

But the woman did not dare look back.

The walk was quiet to her rooms, and the princess seethed.

Even in her most helpless moment, he had not received her. Taehyung had not begged for more. Hope took a bitter dive, as she recounted the whole interaction. How she molded into him like water, how unbending he was for her.

A fool. A lustful little fool.

That's all he diminished her to, under his touch.

If the prince had been with other women, he had seen it all. Maybe that's why her beauty, her allure did nothing to him. Nothing held his luster, or maybe she didn't hold any for him.

Jimin waited in her rooms, not removing himself as she stomped over to her window. Sitting on the ledge, and insolent child that she was not allowed to be while growing up. Letting the anger and rejection spill to the surface.

She just wanted to advisor to leave.

No, instead the man dropped the sheets. Walking towards her with a purpose, he stood next to her. As she sat on the ledge, she was eye level to him. Without a warning he turned her toward him, bringing her face as close to his lips as he could without kissing her.

Leila gasped, pulling away from his pouted mouth. He looked wounded for a moment, his hand remaining in the air. Before letting it drop with a knowing glare.

"Leila, if you're going to lie about having sex with the prince, at least be better at it." The man spouted dryly, moving himself away from her.

"You know." She answered for him, watching as he kicked at the blue sheets with silver blood.

Leila leaned back against the wall, hating how transparent she was. How her failure as a woman was now visible to Taehyung's best friend. Visible to the man who already enjoyed insulting her.

"Your innocence becomes you."

"Fuck you. And maybe it's just because I don't react the way you want for you. Maybe I'm just faithful to my husband." Leila spit back, hoping to offend him.

"Ah, the sacrifice is angry. What shall I do?" He raised his hands in sardonic surrender.

"Don't call me that."

"Leila, if you still want to be the sacrifice, what's the difference if I call you it or not?"

"Leave me at once!" Leila screamed, ending their jest.

Jimin stopped smiling, seriousness entering his eyes. The man moved closer, leaning both arms on the ledge next to her feet. The princess bit back the shamed tears, even though it made her nauseous. The lump on her throat thickened as the meanest person she knew looked at her with sympathy for the second time today.

"Look, I won't question the prince. He's my friend. But you'll need to not be so scandalized by touch if you want to convince the rest of the court. Or, better yet, just actually sleep with him. There's nothing in the curse that says you can't, and frankly, it gets a bit lonely around here. Especially since he sent most of the courtiers away upon your arrival."

The brunette shook her head with an acidic smile, "He doesn't want to."

Jimin laughed, the sound pricking the air. The little bells, grating at her chest even more. He must've thought her to be incompetent.

"Princess I know you're a soulless prude, but I didn't believe you to be daft." Jimin commented, his voice dipping in disbelief.

The girl let out a groan, grabbing at her face.

"I'm telling you he doesn't want me. He's not interested. He barely looks at me if he's not forced to. What happened was, just a ruse. Go ahead, laugh at me all you want. The stupid brainwashed girl knows nothing of how to seduce a man."

The man rolled his eyes. He adjusted his white doublet, that had been rolled up to his forearms. he gestured to her.

"Come with me. Stand in front of this mirror here."

Leila got up with a huff, settling beside him. He grabbed her shoulders, fingers chilled as he moved her to stand in front of her silver and seashell encrusted glass.

"What Jimin? What." She barked, standing with her arms across her chest.

It did not matter what she saw. Not when fate depended on what the prince saw. It was not her alone who could save the sun.

Jimin laughed again, incredulous, "You're telling me he doesn't want you? Taehyung loves routine, rigidity, but he's still a man. You're a beautiful woman, one so unlike the rest around us. You're destined to kill one another. Divinely interwoven. What is more tempting than that? A woman he should not want, nor have."

Leila's cheeks heated at the compliments. It was the wrong person to think so.

"Why don't you ask him? You're friends."

"Trust me, when it comes to you, he won't speak of anything." Jimin's jaw clenched at that, his grip on her shoulders tightening.

Leila moved out of his grasp, his gaze far away as she turned face to face with him.

"See? He makes his disinterest clear." The princess of the moon offered with a simple shrug. Hiding further shame.

The man shook away her words, twisting his face. Eyes once again serious, in a way that always discomforted her.

"No, you don't get it. The issue is not that he does not want to look at you. What if he can't ?" Jimin spoke assiduously, his eyes prodding at her own. Brows lifted in a question, begging her to consider his words.

Leila let her focus turn to the moon outside her window, the same that would be shining upon Taehyung. As he drifted into a quiet sleep, without a second thought of her.

"Jimin, just how badly do you want me gone?" The girl questioned, almost to herself rather than the man.

The resounding shock on his face was palpable. He had not guessed that she thought he still wanted her gone. And somehow, seducing the prince would be one way to get rid of her.

The man took a slow breath, regarding her with a whole different light.

"Leila, I've finally found my purpose with you."

And that night, a tentative truce was formed. They spoke through the night, of the plan that would benefit the both of them. One man willing to help the princess in her quest for seduction, in hopes that she would run away. And while she did not understand his motive to do so, she knew that she could trust him.

Because he would be getting what he wanted if he helped her. Even if that meant betraying his friend.

Jimin did not know her freedom meant death. But he didn't have to.

The girl did not sleep soundly that night.

Again, like the past three nights, her dreams were wild. Vivid.

With Taehying's lips on her neck, hands wound into her hair. His breath leaving him and never returning, as it meshed with her own.

And this time, she knew what it felt like to have his mouth on her. Even as she plotted against him, the feeling was never sweeter.

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(A/N: well? Did I give the people what they wanted and more 🤑🤑🤑??

Hope you guys like this chapter! It's superrr loaded so if you have any questions, let me know!

Sorry this chapter was long as well, I promise they will on average be a little shorter.