Chapter Twenty-Three
Ilet Dohwan guide me back down the stairs, my legs still a bit shaky. The tension between us has eased somewhat after our rooftop encounter. His hand rests lightly on my lower back as we descend, and I find I don't mind the possessive touch.
When we round the corner to my floor, I spot Eunho leaning against the wall beside my door. His casual pose straightens immediately when he sees us, dark eyes focusing first on me, then hardening as they shift to Dohwan.
“You could have let yourself in, you know. You have the code,” I say quickly, trying to dispel the sudden charge in the air.
“I know.” Eunho's voice is tight. “But you disappeared and I got restless waiting.”
Dohwan makes a derisive sound. “She doesn't need a babysitter. Stop hovering.”
He moves to push past Eunho toward my door, but Eunho's arm shoots out, barring his path. The two males lock eyes, and I see Eunho's nostrils flare as he scents the air. His irises begin to glow.
“Why do you smell like her blood?” The question comes out as a low growl.
Before I can intervene, Eunho turns to me, reaching for the collar of my shirt. “Eunho, don't overreact—”
But he's already tugging the fabric down, exposing the bite mark on my shoulder. The sound that tears from his throat is pure predator.
Here we go again. I wince as Eunho whirls on Dohwan, his fangs gleaming in the hallway light. The temperature spikes several degrees as their powers flare.
“Couldn't even let me keep my mark on her for an hour, could you?” Eunho's voice drips with venom.
Dohwan's lips curl into that infuriating smirk I'm starting to know too well. “You started it by being petty and trying to cover my mark in the first place.”
“They're literally posturing like male dogs,” I mutter, but neither of them even glances my way. The testosterone filling the hallway is suffocating.
“Petty?” Eunho barks out a laugh. “That's rich coming from you. Remember when you enrolled in Ancient Fae Literature at the academy just because Yoonsung told you I was top of the class? You hated that course.”
“And you're one to talk.” Dohwan's eyes narrow to slits. “I haven't failed to notice how you mysteriously acquire something new right after I get it first. The watch, the car model, even that ridiculous limited-edition copy of Elder Shin's fire wielding lost art techniques.”
I lean against my doorframe and cross my arms. “Love how they're discussing me like I'm just another possession to collect,” I grumble, but they're too caught up in their dick-measuring contest to hear me.
“At least I didn't throw a tantrum and set the training grounds on fire when I beat your dueling record,” Eunho snarls.
“No, you just spread rumors that I cheated on my practical exams when I scored higher than you in combat class.” Dohwan's hands curl into fists at his sides.
“That wasn't a rumor—everyone saw your brother slip you those enhancement potions before the test!”
“Like you didn't have your sisters helping you cheat on every written exam!”
The air crackles with their rising powers, heat waves distorting the space between them. I can see the shadows of old wounds and rivalry etched in their faces as years of festering resentment bubble to the surface.
“You've always been a spoiled brat who can't stand anyone else succeeding,” Eunho spits.
“And you've always been a desperate copycat trying to steal my spotlight,” Dohwan shoots back.
I stare between them as their argument takes an unexpected turn, my mouth falling open slightly.
“Every single thing I've ever wanted, you've tried to steal from me.” Dohwan's voice drops to a dangerous growl. “And now, when I finally find my mate—two days. I had her for two days before you swooped in and decided you wanted her too.”
My heart skips at the raw possessiveness in his tone. But Eunho's derisive laugh cuts through the tension.
“That's rich. I wanted Gawon long before I knew she had anything to do with you.” Eunho's eyes flash with an intensity I've never seen before. “If I'd had my choice, I would have mated her the first time I saw her in that café.”
I blink rapidly, stunned by this revelation. All this time, I thought Eunho's flirting was just his natural charm, his way of putting me at ease. But before I can process this, Dohwan's next words knock the air from my lungs.
“I wanted her since the first night she arrived at Halfblood Hall.” His voice comes out rough, almost pained.
“When I saw her wandering around Ember Unit. Even when she scared me half to death climbing onto the edge of that roof.” His eyes find mine, burning with an emotion I hadn't recognized back then.
“And even more when she got right in my face and told me she didn't take orders from me.”
My mind reels as I look between them. All those heated exchanges with Dohwan, all those casual touches from Eunho—they meant something entirely different than what I'd assumed. And here I am, only now hearing their true feelings, delivered in the form of yet another competition between them.
“You're telling me,” I say slowly, “that all those times you were being an absolute ass to me”—I point at Dohwan—“and all those times you were helping me, hanging around, flirting”—I gesture to Eunho—“you were both actually … what? Pining?”
They at least have the grace to look slightly sheepish, though neither backs down from their aggressive stances.
I watch in disbelief as Dohwan’s jaw tightens and he stalks toward my door. “I’m done with this nonsense. I’m sleeping in the bed tonight.”
“Like hell you are!” Eunho’s voice rises sharply. “I’d rather set that bed on fire than let you sleep in it beside her.”
“Hey! No one is setting fire to any more of my furniture.” I step forward, remembering the smoldering remains of my coffee table from their last spat. “I just replaced half my living room.”
But Dohwan whirls around, flames already dancing in his palms as he faces Eunho. “I’d love to see you try to stop me.”
Fire blooms in Eunho’s hands to match, the heat from both their powers making the air shimmer between them. My heart pounds as I realize they’re actually about to start throwing flames around in the middle of the residential hallway.
“That’s it!” I shove between them, holding my hands up. The heat from their powers prickles against my skin. “I’ve had enough of this dick-measuring contest.”
They both blink at me, momentarily startled by my outburst.
“You two clearly need to bring this to a head.” I glare between them, crossing my arms. “So we’re going to settle this like proper fae. Both of you, down to the training field. Now.”
“What?” Dohwan’s brows draw together.
“You heard me.” I jab a finger at his chest, then Eunho’s. “You want to fight? Fine. But we’re doing this properly. On the field where you can’t burn down my home or anyone else’s.”
“Are you suggesting a formal duel?” Eunho’s eyes light up with interest.
“That’s exactly what I’m suggesting.” I plant my hands on my hips. “You two have been at each other’s throats since before I got here. Time to fight it out like real fae and get it over with.”
I settle onto the cold metal bleacher, crossing my legs and leaning forward to watch as Dohwan and Eunho take their positions on opposite ends of the field. The spotlights cast harsh shadows across their faces, highlighting the tension in their jaws and the predatory gleam in their eyes.
“Remember,” I call out, my voice carrying across the quiet field, “if you scorch this grass, Elder Nam will give us all an earful. And no permanent damage to each other—I don't want scars on either of my mates, thanks.”
Neither male acknowledges me directly, but I see the slight tilt of their heads that tells me they heard. They're too focused on each other now, circling slowly like wolves sizing up their prey.
“Other than that”—I wave my hand—“have at it.”
The words barely leave my mouth before Dohwan strikes. A blazing arc of fire erupts from his hands, lighting up the night in brilliant orange as it tears across the field toward Eunho. The heat hits my face even from where I sit.
Eunho dodges with fluid grace, retaliating with his own blast of flames. The two streams of fire collide mid-air in a spectacular explosion of sparks. Neither of them can be burned—being fire affinity fae—but the raw power behind their attacks is impressive.
Dohwan's style is precise and calculated, each burst of flame controlled and targeted. He fights like he lives—with careful consideration and deadly accuracy. Eunho, on the other hand, moves like a dancer, his flames swirling and diving in elaborate patterns as he weaves between Dohwan's attacks.
Their powers clash again and again, lighting up the field like daylight. The air grows thick and heavy with heat, making my skin prickle. Neither gains the upper hand—they're too evenly matched, too familiar with each other's techniques after years of rivalry.
Dohwan feints left, then strikes right, sending a wall of fire surging toward Eunho.
But Eunho anticipates it, dropping and rolling under the flames before springing up inside Dohwan's guard.
They grapple briefly, hands locked together as their powers surge between them in a brilliant display of light and heat.
The grass beneath their feet starts to smoke slightly and I wince. “Watch the field!” I shout, but they're beyond hearing me now.
I lean forward, my heart racing as I watch them dance their deadly ballet across the field. The night air crackles with energy, illuminated by constant bursts of orange and gold. Their shadows stretch and twist against the darkness like living things.
Dohwan pivots smoothly, sending a concentrated stream of fire at Eunho's chest. Eunho deflects it with a wave of his hand, the flames dispersing into harmless sparks. They move with practiced precision—every dodge calculated, every strike purposeful. They know each other's patterns all too well.