Chapter Fourteen
The evening air carries a hint of burgeoning mid-summer heat as I settle onto one of the cushioned loveseats dotting the rooftop patio. Ember Unit's common area has become our favorite hangout spot, with its stunning views of the city skyline and cozy seating arrangements.
“Pass the chips!” Noa calls out from where she's tangled up in the elemental twister game. Her leg is awkwardly stretched over a male named Seokbin's torso while another female contorts beneath them both, all three of them wobbling precariously.
I toss the bag their way, snickering as it hits Seokbin in the head and makes him lose his balance, bringing the whole group down in a heap of limbs and laughter.
Yeojun drops onto the loveseat beside me, his warmth radiating against my side. I shift closer, letting my head rest against his shoulder as we watch the others untangle themselves and start a new round.
“Want some?” I offer him the box of chocolates I've been nibbling on. The rich scent of cocoa mingles with the spicy notes of his cologne and the faint presence of smoke that clings to his skin.
His dark eyes catch mine, sparking with playfulness. “What kind are they?”
“Fire pepper dark chocolate. They're from that new fae chocolatier downtown.” I pop another piece in my mouth, savoring the way it melts on my tongue with a subtle burn.
“Can I try one?” Yeojun asks, his gaze dropping to my lips.
I select another chocolate, but instead of handing it to him, I place it between my teeth. The corner of my mouth curves up as I turn to face him fully, raising an eyebrow in silent invitation.
His breath catches, and I feel the loveseat shift as he leans closer, drawn in by my deliberate provocation. The chocolate starts to melt slightly as his face hovers inches from mine, his intentions clear in the heated look he gives me.
Yeojun's fingers trail along my jaw, tipping my head back as he leans in. His lips brush mine, taking half the chocolate in a gentle bite. Before I can pull away, his tongue swipes across my bottom lip in a deliberately wicked move that sends tingles down my spine.
I giggle and shove his chest. “Behave yourself.”
His eyes glint with mischief as he chews the chocolate. “It's good chocolate. But I can think of something much sweeter.”
Not one to let him have the upper hand, I lean over his lap, bringing my lips to his ear. “You better not be teasing me.”
The rooftop door slams open with a bang that makes us all jump. My good mood instantly sours as Dohwan appears, his dark eyes zeroing in on where I'm draped across Yeojun's lap. The others shift uncomfortably, the playful atmosphere evaporating.
I spring to my feet, a growl building in my throat. “What do you want now?”
Dohwan's upper lip curls, though I notice he's careful to keep his fangs hidden. “Just came up for a smoke break.”
I scoff, crossing my arms. “I thought the roof was off limits.”
“No,” he replies quickly, his voice clipped. “It's just ill-advised to be climbing the bannisters twenty stories off the ground.”
Heat flares in my chest. “You know what else is ill-advised? Following me around like some grumpy shadow and pretending that you're not.”
I watch in disbelief as my friends start gathering their things, shooting me apologetic glances.
“Where are you all going?” My voice rises with indignation.
Noa pauses, adjusting her bag on her shoulder.
“Girl, we heard about what happened at the training field. The scorch marks are still there.” She winces.
“We support you, but I'd rather not end up as charbroiled collateral damage while you two…” She waves her hand between Dohwan and me. “Work out whatever this is.”
My mouth drops open as I look at each of them in turn. Even Yeojun stands, brushing off his pants. He leans close, his breath warm against my ear.
“You know where to find me when you want to burn off all that frustration.”
A deep growl rumbles through the air. I snap my head toward Dohwan to find him baring his fangs at Yeojun, who just rolls his eyes as he strolls past.
The door clicks shut behind them, leaving me alone with the insufferable guard. The city sprawls out below us, lights starting to twinkle in the growing dusk. I cross my arms and fix him with a hard stare.
“Why is it that you always seem to conveniently appear every time I'm about to have a little fun lately? Do you have a sixth sense for cockblocking or something?”
Dohwan rolls up his ruby silk sleeves casually, exposing inches of tanned skin. He takes his time pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. The flame from his lighter catches his sharp features for a moment before he snaps it shut. He takes a long drag, smoke curling from his lips as he speaks.
“Perhaps if you weren't trying to secure your liaisons in public spaces, you wouldn't have this problem.”
I tip my head to one side, studying Dohwan's profile as he takes another drag. “I'm fairly certain my only problem is a stiff-necked highborn who seems hyper focused on ruining my day.”
He scoffs, smoke streaming from his nostrils. “You have an awfully high opinion of yourself to think just because you appear where I work that I'm focused on you.”
I lift my brows and turn to face him fully, planting my feet. “Oh?” The city lights cast shadows across his sharp features as I stare him down. “So you're not trying to intercept my love life?”
A derisive laugh escapes him. His dark eyes lock with mine, holding my stare for a long, charged moment before he drops his cigarette and crushes it under his heel. The sound of his footsteps echo against the concrete as he steps toward me.
“I'm not interrupting anything,” he says, his voice dropping low and dangerous.
“You seem to be forgetting something.” Another step closer.
“I'm fae. I can smell your arousal.” His eyes flash.
“And I don't smell it on you when you're with that male halfblood. Yet curiously, I can smell it on you now.”
Instead of flinching back or getting flustered like he clearly expects, I lift my gaze to meet his and let my lips curve into a challenging smirk.
“You must not know halfbloods have a fae sense of smell too.” I lean in slightly, dropping my voice to match his tone. “And I can smell arousal on you too.”
The crackling tension between us feels like static electricity dancing across my skin. I watch Dohwan's chest rise and fall with increasing speed, his breathing becoming more rapid. My own pulse thunders in my ears as I struggle to maintain my composure under the intensity of his darkening gaze.
“Why did you lie?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. “About being assigned as my guard at Ruby Hall? Why pretend you were forced into it when you requested the position?”
His jaw tightens. “Because you're an unusually reckless halfblood,” he says through clenched teeth. “I didn't want you causing trouble in Ruby Hall.”
I laugh, sharp and knowing. “Liar.”
“I can't lie.” His eyes flash dangerously. “You know that.”
“No, you can't.” I take a step closer, tilting my head back. “But you can talk around the truth. That might be part of it, but it's not the whole reason and you know it.”
The muscle in his jaw jumps as he stares down at me. His voice drops lower, challenging. “Since you seem to know so much, why don't you tell me why you think I requested to be your guard?”
I hold his gaze steadily, refusing to back down. “I think you wanted an excuse to be close to me.” The words come out soft but firm. “I think you're drawn to me, and you don't want to admit it.”
The air between us feels charged enough to ignite. I can see the conflict raging in his eyes as they bore into mine, can practically taste the tension rolling off him in waves.
Something flickers in Dohwan's eyes, and he takes a measured step back, seeming to collect himself. A skeptical laugh escapes his throat as he shakes his head.
“You understand nothing,” he says, his voice cool and dismissive. “You're projecting your own emotions onto me. Just because you feel that way doesn't mean it's reciprocated.”
I stand frozen, stunned by his audacity.
The words hit me like a physical blow as I process what he's implying—that I'm the one with feelings, that I'm somehow pining after him.
Heat rises in my chest, indignation and fury warring for dominance as I watch him turn away, preparing to flee like he always does.
Oh no. Not this time.
My temper surges, breaking free of my control.
Before I can think better of it, I lunge forward and grab his arm, my fingers wrapping around his bare forearm where he'd rolled up his sleeves.
In an instant, the world tips, nothing but instinct driving me.
I only think about my bare skin touching his a second before it's too late.
Light explodes between us.
Brilliant red illumination bathes the rooftop as Dohwan whirls back around, his eyes wide with shock.
We both stare down at where my hand grips his skin, watching in stunned silence as lines of glowing crimson race up his forearms like living fire.
The marks swirl and twist into intricate patterns that look like dancing flames licking up his flesh.
My breath catches as the lines disappear beneath his rolled sleeves. I know without seeing that the marks are continuing upward, that right now they're forming the crest of my house over his bicep.
The red glow fades slowly, leaving behind black lines as permanent as tattoo ink embedded in his skin. Mate marks. My mate marks. On Dohwan.
Thunder crashes in my ears as realization settles over me like a heavy blanket. There's no denying what I'm seeing, what this means. The universe has a sick sense of humor.
“No,” I whisper, unable to tear my eyes away from the marks.
Dead silence blankets the rooftop as we both stare at the black lines etched into Dohwan's skin. My heart pounds against my ribs as I wait, desperately hoping the marks will fade or vanish. They don't. The intricate flame patterns remain stark against his flesh, permanent and undeniable.
I yank my hand back as if burned, shaking my head. “No, no, no…”
Dohwan twists his arms, examining the extent of the markings that disappear beneath his rolled sleeves. “Fuck!” The curse rips from his throat, echoing across the rooftop.
“This can't be happening.” My voice comes out strangled. This has to be some kind of cosmic joke.
Dohwan's head snaps up, his eyes blazing as they lock onto mine. A growl rumbles from his chest. “Why did you have to touch me?”
“How the fuck was I supposed to know?” I fire back, my hands clenching into fists. It's not like I hadn't touched him before. His knee brushed mine in the car yesterday plenty of times. We had a whole damn wrestling match on the training field. Except … we never touched skin to skin.
He paces the rooftop like a caged animal, running his hands through his hair as continuous growls vibrate through the air. The sound grates against my already frayed nerves.
“Oh, fuck off,” I snarl. “It's not like I wanted this either. You're the very last fae I would've chosen as my mate.”
Dohwan whirls to face me, his fangs flashing. “The mate marks don't appear unless both partners feel a bond. You know that.”
I arch an eyebrow, giving him my most condescending look. “Exactly. Both partners.” I take a step closer, jabbing a finger at his chest. “You said it yourself. So, if you want to blame someone for this current predicament, try looking in a mirror.”
Before he can respond, I spin on my heel and storm toward the door. The satisfying bang of metal hitting metal echoes behind me as I slam it shut.
My feet carry me down the stairs on autopilot as my mind reels. What the hell am I supposed to do now?