Chapter Thirty-Four #2
The second night of the new moon allows the stars to shine impossibly bright in the cloudless sky.
The air is warm again, making tonight perfect for dinner beside the gentle stream.
We sit on the uncovered section of the pavilion overlooking the water.
The protective barrier over the Western Court outer garden shimmers faintly when the flames of our fire send tiny motes of ash into the air.
Joon has never looked stronger. The reason why brings a flush to my cheeks, which can easily be attributed to the milky-colored frost wine we share if he notices.
After the first siphoning this morning, he proved to be stubbornness-made-flesh when I pressed the issue of his not taking enough power. Joon eventually gave in and siphoned again. His ploy became obvious when our limbs tangled again before he had barely even siphoned.
Half the day passed before he finally siphoned all he needed. I can’t complain, as the process was far from a hardship on my behalf.
My stomach clenches at the memory of him taking me over and over, his hands traveling over every inch of my body as if trying to memorize it, the way we worshiped each other with our mouths.
Even from across the table, I can still feel his touch on my skin—can still feel him moving over and in me.
I swallow thickly and take another sip of the wine. When I look up, I find Joon watching me with a sensual smile and eyes that shine like deep blue flames. I wonder if he knows where my thoughts are or if his are the same.
Determined to focus on this moment, I offer him a placid smile. I pluck one of the many pieces of bite-sized finger foods and pop it into my mouth and chew, pushing those thoughts aside for now.
Joon continues his story, one of the few, clear memories from his childhood he has. How he used to sneak pastries from the kitchen and then take them to Iseul and Mingi before he brought them to the palace.
We take turns sharing pieces of our lives that once felt mundane and unimportant but now feel sweet and significant as we talk over good food and good wine. It’s as much learning more about each other as it is listening to the sound of each other’s voices.
Tonight is for the present alone. I do not let thoughts of what must come to pass, or what cannot be, infringe on our evening.
“I have been meaning to ask how you found the book that told you of the frost bloom,” he says thoughtfully as he brings his drink to his lips.
The change in topic takes me aback. Then I smile inwardly. He’s asked before, but things were different between us then. There is no malicious intent behind his curiosity.
“I found it in the back room of the archives when I was working. It must have been mixed in with the antiquated texts by mistake.”
Joon sits a little straighter and arches a brow. Suspicion flickers in his expression. “Are there more?”
“No.” I frown down at my glass in concentration. “Not that I noticed. I’ve been through half the main library, and all of the back room shelves, but it is possible I missed others.”
“I am glad to hear it.” He takes another sip of his drink, never taking his eyes off me as I do the same. A gentle curl forms over his lips. He is smiling more and more these days. I would like to think that I could be the reason for it.
“Tell me about your work. What does one do cloistered in the back room of the archives?” Joon wrinkles his nose. “Please do not tell me they kept my wife busy with mind-numbing tasks such as dusting,” he says with faux horror.
If more people could see this side of him, I know he would win his people over in a heartbeat.
“There was some dusting, but I mostly rebound and repaired books.”
Joon nods, keeping the smile plastered across his lips until it takes on a strained edge. “That is… much better than dusting.”
Laughter bursts from me. “I suppose to a prince, it might sound tedious, but I enjoy working with my hands, and taking something worn and making it like new again.”
Joon’s teasing fades into an expression of warmth as I speak.
“I studied in my spare time, filling countless notebooks with everything that could be useful, from common illnesses to rare conditions.” I smile inwardly.
“Over the past few years, I’ve had a few opportunities to help neighbors and acquaintances.
Even if I couldn’t find answers for myself, I enjoyed being able to help my city.
” I sigh wistfully. “I loved being able to help others get well with my own two hands…”
Realizing how long I’ve been going on, I pause to look up. Joon’s chin is propped in his palm as he leans on the table. He watches me closely, with such intensity, I feel self-conscious.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
His smile is sleepy. He inhales in a deep, contented way. “You are beautiful. More so when you speak of things you are passionate about.”
I can’t help the slight blush that creeps over my cheeks. “Anyway… even though it’s not the same, I also enjoyed working at the archives.”
From there, my story morphs into memories of my surrogate family, skipping the ones surrounding the time when my parents were entrapped in the cursed ice, and focusing on the times before and after. Now is not the moment for that. Right now, I want to relive the happiest times.
Joon moves to my side of the table as I finish telling him about the time Sebastian put a frog in Talya’s handbag when we were in school.
He leans toward me, trailing kisses from my shoulder to the column of my throat.
I trail off. “You are very distracting,” I murmur.
He hums. “I find I am not fond of you looking so happy when speaking of other men.”
“He’s a friend. If anything, the two of them are like the siblings I never had.” My explanation reminds me of what I’d read. “Oh, I nearly forgot. There is something I wanted to tell you.”
Joon nips at my earlobe before pulling it between his lips.
Small bumps race over my skin. I hum at the warmth that spreads within. “Joon…”
“Moan my name like that again, and I might not be able to control myself out here where anyone could happen upon us.” Joon’s voice is a sensual growl as the hand on my thigh inches upward.
“This is important,” I insist weakly. It’s getting harder to remember why by the second as I melt into him.
He nips playfully at my neck, then slowly draws back. All I can manage is a weak, plaintive sound of protest.
Demons and saints, this man will be my complete undoing.
“What is so urgent?” Joon’s eyes and tone show concern.
I sit straighter and turn to face him. “I’ve been looking into your family history—”
“You have?”
His bewilderment makes me wonder if I overstepped. “Is that all right?”
He shakes his head. “It is fine, just unexpected. Most don’t bother unless it is to confirm a date or some other small detail.” He considers me for a moment. “I suppose those living in the mortal lands would not be so familiar with recent fae history.”
I relax, relieved to hear that. “When I was researching, I noticed something—” I hum, trying to find the right word. “—peculiar. A page was removed from one of the books. And there was something written that didn’t make sense because it contradicted—”
“Your Highness,” Mingi calls out from the far end of the pavilion. His footsteps thud loudly as he runs toward us.
Still looking at me, Joon holds up a hand to him. “We are in the middle of something.”
“Demons have breached the palace walls,” Mingi says, not heading the order. “They are swarming the Grand Hall and Southern Court.”
He commands our full attention.
“Everyone with lesser magic who cannot defend against demons must go to the Temple Tower,” Mingi tosses me a meaningful glance. “Immediately.”
Joon and I are on our feet before he finishes.
Talons click against the pavilion floor as Imugi and Bear arrive seconds later. Bear nearly crashes into me as the two demons reach us.
Joon takes my hand and pulls me along with him. “I will meet you back at the gate once I escort Violet.”
“There’s no time,” Mingi protests. “Barriers are down and more fail every minute.”
Joon continues dragging me along. He’s not listening. I plant my feet and use my full weight to stop him. “I can make it to the tower on my own. I’ll be fine—Bear is with me.”
Joon ducks his head and kisses me. “I will see you soon, and then you can finish what you were telling me.”
He doesn’t hesitate to trust my ability to do so.
I smile. We will see each other again soon, right after this is over.
And then, just as he said, I will tell him everything. A gut feeling tells me what I found is important. I’m not sure exactly how, but perhaps he will.
He inhales as if he is fighting the urge to kiss me again, but refrains. There is no time for prolonged goodbyes.
Joone turns to Mingi, once again, transforming into the prince he is. “Fill me in,” he says as they race toward the gate that will take them to the Southern Court.
“Minister Yeona was found murdered moments before the first barrier fell.”