[ROM4] The Dark Mage's Letter

words: 10192
rate: PG13
(Chapter Four of the Reign on Me series.)

Chapter Four: The Dark Mage's Letter


When he awoke, he opened his eyes to the mattress pressed against his cheek. He opened his eyes to the window close to his bed with the curtains pulled back allowing for full sunlight to flood into the room. Slowly, he pushed himself up and then sat down. He looked around just in time to see the Dark Mage getting up from the edge of the bed. Dressed in white paji and a black, sleeveless jungchimak, he looked formidable with his muscled physique and shaved head.

“Ah, what a sight I’m not used to seeing in the mornings,” Kyuhyun grinned,

Kangin rolled his eyes, “Get dressed, it’s ridiculous for a prince to be abed at this hour still. Breakfast is probably cold and you might as well just hold out until lunch.”

“If I’m late to rise you only have yourself to blame,” Kyuhyun shrugged as he slipped off the bed, clad in just simple pyjama bottoms and padded over to the bathroom connected to his bedroom,

“Myself? My life does not have to revolve around you, Kyuhyun,” Kangin snapped, “I have a life outside of yours!”

Kyuhyun froze, standing before the sink, the water already running for his use; “This all began because of our friendship… I wonder sometimes if it has continued out of duty for your prince rather than anything else.”

Kangin, who had followed him to the bathroom, approached him, grabbing his chin and roughly forcing the younger man to look at him, “Don’t insult me by saying such bullshit, Kyuhyun. I’m here aren’t I? Every night I’m here. Every morning I’m here. But don’t you dare presume that you’re the only thing in my life.”

Kyuhyun dark eyes, slashed with silver, swept over the mage’s hardened face before nodding as best he could with an iron grip on his chin; “I know that… I was kidding earlier about blaming you…”

Kangin sighed and sharply turned away. He made two steps before a hand grabbed his forearm. He stopped. Waited.

“But I was serious about what I said afterwards. If you want to stop this, I’m okay with that… We can end this now and I’d be fine with that,” Kyuhyun insisted, softly.

Kangin sighed quietly. It was times like these when the prince’s voice was so quiet, so soft, so vulnerable that he remembered why their peculiar relationship began. The second prince was vulnerable and it sometimes hurt what little heart Kangin had left when he witnessed that vulnerability. He saw his younger self in those moments. His urge to protect the second prince blossomed somewhere in the vicinity of his chest.

“I don’t want to end things,” Kangin replied, “You need me, Kyuhyun and, for as long as you need me, I’ll be here for you. Then, and only then, will this end.”

Kyuhyun’s grip slackened and Kangin walked away. He stood there staring at the mirror before him as he heard the distant sound of his bedroom door opening and then closing. Leaning his palms against the counter, he sighed heavily, staring sightlessly at the running water.

Kangin’s words should comfort him, soothe him. Instead, they felt restraining, smothering. How could he feel such a way when just a moment before he was the one who didn’t want Kangin to leave him. He hadn’t said it blatantly, but they both knew that he had been begging Kangin to allow them to continue as they were.

He cupped his hands beneath the running water and splashed his face with the cold liquid. After a few douses, he grabbed a towel and patted his face dry. Lowering the towel, he looked at his reflection in the mirror.

Kangin had been there for him when no one else could be. Kangin supported him, cared for him and protected him. Kangin had been his crutch, but he knew that when Kangin left him, he’d have nothing left to keep him up. He was scared when that time came and knew it would happen sooner rather than later. He knew Kangin was just waiting for him to get stronger – emotionally and mentally – before he ended things and left. He had gotten used to Kangin being there that he worried of the time when he wouldn’t be there any longer. He relied so heavily on the mage that he wondered if he could really be left alone and sane.

As he pushed thoughts of the mage away from his mind, other thoughts spilled in, threatening to cause his head to burst. There was another mage at the castle. This mage was different, had caught his attention almost immediately. This mage made him lose control, made him unstable. This mage confused him like nothing else could. This mage was never far from his thoughts since the previous evening.

He changed quickly into black pants and an indigo shirt so dark it was almost black. He brushed his hair back from his face and left his room immediately. He walked swiftly, with purpose, all servants seeing his determined, almost dark expression, and immediately jumped out of his way. If the usually friendly, if snarky, prince was not smiling, none dared to challenge him. He reached the door to the room where he knew the mage was ‘imprisoned’ – he had asked a footman before blowing past him like a hurricane – and raised a hand to knock. He lowered his fist before it came in contact with the wood.

Why should he knock? He was a prince, was he not? This was his castle – technically – was it not? Ergo, he should not have to knock. Indeed, the occupant within was his prisoner. That gave him visitation rights by default. He was allowed to just storm into that room whenever he had such a whim without giving a thought for common courtesy and knocking. Damn it, he did not need to heed such niceties with someone who threatened his life the night before! He was going to burst into that room and then…

Kyuhyun cursed quietly to himself as he whirled away from the door and paced to the opposite side of the hallway, leaning back against the wall and glaring at the offending door. Or rather, at the offending prisoner on the other side of the door. He knew what he wanted to do after going into that room: he wanted to kiss the damn mage again.

What was it that instantly attracted him to that mage? Was he suffering from the same delusions his brother had been when the princess had been presented to him? Worse, were these true delusions? Kyuhyun shook his head, no, true delusions would make him paranoid, make voices talk in his head. These were not delusions and, if they were not delusions, then they must be real.

Damn it.

That meant he was very much – really – attracted to the mage.

Damn it, again.

Maybe it was the moonlight, or the firelight. Maybe the night was just playing tricks on his mind?

He strode across the hallway with all intents to burst in. At the last moment, he knocked, his nose kissing the door due to his late decision. He sighed heavily, took a step away from the door and waited. He heard no sound. He took that step closer to the door again and knocked, pressing a keen ear to the door. Silence.

Could that foolish mage have escaped? No, he wouldn’t leave the princess… Kyuhyun glanced down the hallway to where he knew the princess’ room was and decided he was jumping to conclusions. If the mage had escape – and, therefore, with the princess – his brother surely would have raised the hue and cry for her recapture, wouldn’t he? He looked doubtfully down the hallway again, he couldn’t be too sure with Siwon, especially since his moods, when they rarely appeared, were unpredictable at best.

He tried the doorknob and found it unlocked. Damn it, what if the mage had escaped with the princess and his brother was too much of an unfeeling fool to do anything – the door would not open. He tried again and it opened a few inches. He tried to look into the small opening it allowed and realized there was something on the ground making it difficult to open the door. He blinked and squinted harder and realized he was staring at leather-encased feet and the ends of black paji. Immediately, he knew who was there, but why was he on the ground!?

Kyuhyun didn’t want to push the door at the risk of injuring the mage further. His eyes roamed over the door, taking in its polished, grainy surface. Wood. Perfect. Holding the doorknob firmly, he touched his middle- and index- fingers to the middle of the door. Concentrating, eyes narrowed, he began to trace invisible patterns with his fingers. He ended his motions with a downward slice of his two fingers. A perfectly straight cut appeared in the door, halving it. He practically threw the side he held to the ground as he bent to pick up the mage.

“Damn it, you’re heavy,” Kyuhyun muttered as he struggled to stand straight, “Or maybe I’m just not that strong… no, no, let’s account it to you being heavy.”

Kyuhyun knew why the mage was heavy, too. Indeed, could feel why. The mage may have been slightly smaller compared to him, but his body was encased in ropes of muscle. He could feel firm muscles of thigh and calf around his arm hooked beneath the mage’s knees. The mage’s arms, bare as before, weren’t even tense, the muscles relaxed and, yet, they were still visible, still defined in their dormant state. As Kyuhyun brought him to the bed, he knew that in a physical fight, he would never win against the mage.

Once he had the mage on the bed, his eyes swept over him, trying to find some sign of injury. Why had the mage been collapsed upon the floor? If he had felt himself strong enough to get out of bed, then he should’ve been strong enough to get back in. He had a feeling the mage was smart enough to know if he was strong enough to whisk away an elusive princess or not.

Propping a knee on the bed, Kyuhyun leaned forward, slipping a hand beneath the mage’s head, carefully trying to feel for the bump. He had healed it, but what if he hadn’t been as thorough as he thought? What if the mage had been strong enough to get out of bed, was hit with dizziness and collapsed? A part of him was screaming at him for caring so much. Really, he was never like this unless the other person was his brother or his father.

“What are you doing?”

Kyuhyun was startled, his gaze moving to the mage’s eyes which were very much wide open now, “Checking on the bump on your head,”

“I have a bump on my head?” Sungmin questioned,

“Well, not anymore,” Kyuhyun replied, “But last night –”

“So it was you last night,” Sungmin stated,

Kyuhyun blinked, he had only himself to blame for that slip-up. However, he had choices. He could confess to everything or he could – “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Yes, being flippant and brazening it out was always the best route to take.

Sungmin rolled his eyes at the prince, “Last night someone healed me, took away my pain. It was you.”

“Of course it was not,” Kyuhyun insisted,

“I remember,” Sungmin stated,

Kyuhyun blinked. Well, so much for being brazen… “Oh,” was all he managed to say,

“I knew it!” Sungmin exclaimed with triumph,

“You bluffed!?” Kyuhyun gaped down at him,

“It was the only way to get you to admit you were lying,” Sungmin shook his head impatiently. It was then that he remembered the hand beneath his head and he belatedly realized that the prince was hovering over him, their faces just inches apart.

At the same time, Kyuhyun remembered how close they really were. He couldn’t think of any way of moving away without making the situation worse than it already was. So, he did as he pleased and didn’t move a single centimetre. In fact, the alluring pink that was suffusing the mage’s cheeks was quite intriguing. He wondered how deep that colour could turn and how long it would take him to find out. So, instead of moving away and, instead of staying still as he had previously planned, he moved a fraction of a centimetre closer to the mage, hovering above him. Oh, how red the mage’s cheeks got!

“What are you doing!?” Sungmin questioned,

“Checking for your bump,” Kyuhyun stated seriously even as his dark eyes laughed at the mage,

“You just said I don’t have one anymore!” Sungmin accused, his steel-blue eyes glinting,

“Well, that was only concluded after I assured myself it was gone,” Kyuhyun insisted,

“Then you cannot still be checking for my bump,” Sungmin argued. He would have shoved the prince away but he was still weak from healing Taeyeon earlier. That and he wondered what the punishment would be for pushing a prince. “Considering I’m your prisoner, one would think that you’d like to keep a sound distance from me.”

“Considering you’re my prisoner, I can do pretty much anything I please with you,” Kyuhyun replied flippantly,

“Within reason!” Sungmin grounded out, his fingers curling into fists as his nails dug into his palms,

“You seem more scared than angry,” Kyuhyun observed, his black eyes locked mercilessly with the mage’s, “What is it that I could possibly do to you that would scare you, Mage?”

“Considering you’re in my room, in my bed and hovering over my body… well, one can only assume certain things from such a scenario,” Sungmin stated with ill-concealed irritation,

“Ah, but I was checking for your bump. You just happened to have woken up in the middle of it,” Kyuhyun replied and added, “And let us not forget none of this is yours, Mage. You are in my castle.”

“Well, now that you’re done checking, you can move away from me,” Sungmin countered,

“Oh, but I do like where I am right now and am vastly enjoying myself,” Kyuhyun said as if they were talking about the weather,

“What!?” Sungmin gaped up at him,

“As you stated, we are in the same room, the same bed and my body is scandalously close to yours. Also, the colour of your cheeks is hinting at what that head of yours is assuming,” Kyuhyun explained, a small smirk tugging at one end of his mouth, “I have no reason to change anything, really.”

“All of this just to amuse yourself!?” Sungmin questioned, eyes narrowing even more, if possible,

“Yes,” Kyuhyun answered before adding, “And because I want you.”

Sungmin blinked several times. He opened and closed his mouth several times before he managed a very weak – oh, he hated himself for how weak, “What?” Damn, it came out like a squeak!

“Well, we’ve already acknowledged I’m in a bed with you, why else would I be if not because I want you?” Kyuhyun asked in the most damnably sensible tone Sungmin had ever heard – damn that brat!

“I… I’m engaged,” Sungmin stated quietly, the words falling from his lips before he could pull out from the prince’s dark gaze, “I have a fiancée,”

Kyuhyun gave him a hard stare, “Really?” When the mage said nothing, Kyuhyun’s dark eyes lit with realization, “But of course… your journey here was not for the princess alone. She’s your fiancée, isn’t she?”

Before Sungmin could aptly reply, Kyuhyun carefully slipped his hand from beneath the mage’s skull and pushed off the bed. Shoving a fist into his pocket, he walked towards the half-door as he stared down at the hand which had been holding the older man’s head. He could still feel the warmth of him, the soft tendrils against his skin. He paused in the doorway, his gaze drifting to the discarded half of the door,

“I’ll just have to steal you away, then,” Kyuhyun said simply,

“What are you going to do? Keep me here until you have me!?” Sungmin questioned, gingerly pushing himself into a sitting position, “You can’t –”

“I can do whatever I want,” Kyuhyun replied, looking over his shoulder, his dark gaze sweeping over the mage, “And yes, I will keep you here until I’ve stolen you away.”

“You would risk a war –”

“I will risk everything to have you,” Kyuhyun’s gaze narrowed. Then he looked ahead and left.

Sungmin heard the distant yell of the prince commanding someone to fix the door. He stared at the half-a-door where the prince had stood. He had been startled to find the prince above him and, yet, he had felt an instant fire blossom in his stomach and spread throughout his body. Their conversation had been so inane and yet, so natural, so comfortable that neither of them had noticed the position they were in.

And because I want you…

The words had shaken him to the core and, yet, warmed him like no fire – magic or natural – ever did. The words tugged at something in his heart and he had the insane, sudden urge to reply in kind. When he had revealed his relationship status to the prince, he had used it as a shield, a guard to keep him safe from the prince. Keep his heart safe? No, never – he would never allow the prince near his heart.

I’m engaged… I have a fiancée…

To his own ears they sounded like a mantra, like a reminder. They had been said hesitantly as if it was a new thought, as if he had forgotten. But he had, hadn’t he? For most of the time he was with the second prince, he had forgotten and it was not something he easily forgot.

Then he reflected on the prince’s final look before he left. It had looked so fierce and, regardless of magic and age, he had felt intimidated, almost scared of the younger man. At the same time, flames had licked all over his body, tingling his nerves. He tried to remember a time when someone had looked at him so intently, so intensely and failed. No one had ever looked at him with such raw need and, he was sure, he had never looked at anyone as such.

I will risk everything to have you…

Sungmin flopped back down onto the bed and stared up at the canopy. He didn’t doubt the second prince would do just that. There was ill-concealed emotion in the prince and they were directed at him. He was scared and, yet, wanted to see exactly what the prince would do. After recalling the prince’s final look, he didn’t think about the princess.

…

“Prince Siwon… will you kiss me?”

He stopped abruptly; she stopped in a more graceful manner. He slowly turned towards her and stared down at her in shock. Had he heard correctly? Looking down at her amber eyes and he knew immediately he had heard correctly. And, gauging from the calm expression and light in her eyes, she was most definitely serious. The question was, would he oblige her? It was something he had wanted do since she came into his study in Kangin’s arms. It was something he wanted to do more and more the longer he was in her presence.

So, instead of doing something he wanted to do since yesterday morning, he asked in a confused voice, “Why?”

“I have found myself in a situation whereby I am free of the strictures of my station and my brother. For the first time in my life I am most definitely, completely free. As such, I find the sudden need to take advantage of such a freedom,” Taeyeon answered simply, casually, as if theirs was a commonplace topic for conversation.

“So, you decide to do the one thing that is far from your usual life such as kiss a prince of the Dark Kingdom?” Siwon questioned, his thick brows which had been raised now slowly lowering into a glare,

She shook her head as she raised her free hand to push back a lock of his that had fallen free from the pack and now graced his forehead, “On the contrary, I decide to do something that I want to but would have otherwise been forbidden.”

“The proverbial forbidden fruit, then?” Siwon asked, his gaze still narrowed,

She laughed lightly and it floated around him like a warm breeze, “Do you never do anything for the simple happiness of it?”

“My garden –”

“Is an escape. There is a difference between peace and happiness,” Taeyeon interjected, her hand remaining where it was, her fingertips grazing his temple, his cheek like butterfly wings,

“It would make you happy if I kissed you?” Siwon questioned, sceptical and suspicious of the princess,

“I think it would and I’m able to see if it would,” Taeyeon answered simply, the hint of a smile playing about her light pink lips, her hand now gently cupping the side of the prince’s face,

“But the question still remains,” Siwon said, his voice low and warm, “Will I kiss you?”

“I think you will not,” Taeyeon said after staring into his obsidian eyes for a pregnant pause, “You are too much a gentleman to do such a thing as kiss me. And perhaps I am too much a lady and will shy away at the last possible moment.” Her warm gaze swept over his face before she finally did offer a small smile, “After all, although this is a beautiful escape, it is still only that: an escape.”

“But for now, we are in this escape,” Siwon stated, grabbing her hand as it fell away from his face. He lightly placed it over her other hand on his arm. Then raised his hand to her face, the side of his forefinger beneath her chin and gently swept his thumb back and forth just beneath her bottom lip.

For a moment, all Taeyeon could think about was had she really just asked the first prince to kiss her? So many other questions accompanied this, such as why did she do it, why was she not running away in embarrassment but they were nothing compared to her persistent, disbelieving question of did she really just ask the prince to kiss her? It was too late to take back the words and the moment they left her lips, she realized she couldn’t regret them. For the first time in her life she had done and said exactly what she wanted when she wanted and knew that there was a possibility, regardless of how small, that she was free to get as she wished.

This prince, who was a curious mix of dark mystery and colourful possibility, had intrigued her. She first met him as a prince that was dark, intimidating. Then, all morning, she met him as a prince that craved for a freedom as she did. She met a side of the prince that was beautiful, jewel-toned and she forgot he was of the dark. She was able to see glimpses of the prince beyond his striking, handsome appearance. Then, walking with him in this garden that was his creation, his escape had been simply… well, simple. Simple peace, simple peace – simple. The words had spilt from her lips before she realized the desire to feel his lips against her own. Once said, however, she realized she really did want the prince to kiss her, very much so.

As the silence stretched between them, Taeyeon felt herself drowning in his dark gaze, felt her cheeks warm – with a blush, she was sure. And always, always, she was aware of that thumb slowly stroking just below her lips. She was also aware of the arm beneath her hands, the tall, strong body so close to her own. Briefly, she believed that even if he never kissed her, she would cherish that moment, that memory together.

Siwon leaned his face closer and Taeyeon felt her eyes slowly slide close. She felt his breath like a warm puff against her skin. Then, she felt his lips strong and warm against her forehead. Her heart, which had been beating at a rapid tattoo, seemed to still for just a moment before racing again. She let out a slow breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding. Then, she felt those wonder lips move against her forehead and realized he was speaking quietly to her,

“As much as I wish to kiss you, Princess, I cannot do so while you are engaged to another,” Siwon said quietly,

Taeyeon’s eyes flew open and she found herself staring at the prince’s black-clad chest. Had she truly forgotten about Sungmin? Wonderful, loving Sungmin who had been there for her for years since he first came to the castle to ask permission to be a mage. The one whom all the world knew her to be engaged to? She had forgotten about him and, regardless of how far from reality she went, she could not escape that one fine detail. Neither could Siwon.

“If I were to end the engagement?” Taeyeon inquired, her voice quiet, barely above a whisper,

She felt him smile against her forehead and she desperately wished she could have seen such a rare sight, but to move enough to see his smile meant breaking the contact of his lips on her skin. She couldn’t quite bring herself to do it. His hand moved from her chin to run along her jaw until it cupped the back of her neck, his long, strong fingers tangling in her thick hair.

“You would break an engagement of – how long?”

“Three years –”

“You would break an engagement of three years just for one kiss?” Siwon asked his tone half amused, half serious,

“Even if I would, you would think me fickle and you wouldn’t let me anyway,” Taeyeon mused, “Such is the way of a gentleman.”

“A gentleman wouldn’t be with you alone. I should have left the moment I saw you walking the gardens –”

“And left me to get lost in this maze of yours?” Taeyeon scoffed, laughter in her voice,

“A gentleman wouldn’t be so close to you. I should always keep an appropriate distance from you even while walking –”

“Supposing I tripped and you caught me before I fell. Or I was doubled over in pain and you helped me stand tall,” Taeyeon offered, more amusement in her voice now as she continually interrupted the prince and he continually kept talking as if she hadn’t.

“A gentleman wouldn’t be kissing your forehead – a sure sign of affection – and not remove his lips from there for several minutes,” Siwon finished as he slowly, slowly, pulled away, straightened, breaking contact with her skin.

She looked up at him again, “Do you, Prince Siwon, have affection for me?”

“I don’t know. I hardly know you at all,” Siwon replied as he began walking again, prompting her to walk as well,

“And I do not know you at all, either,” Taeyeon mused as she let one hand drop from his arm, keeping the other safely tucked near the crook of his elbow, “I suppose that’s not a good basis for breaking an engagement, hmm?”

“Not at all, but I offer my friendship instead of a kiss,” Siwon stated,

“You mean instead of a real kiss,” Taeyeon corrected matter-of-factly, “And I accept your friendship.”

They walked in silence for a length, turned a corner and Siwon showed her another sitting area, this one filled with buttercups, marigolds and sunflowers. Taeyeon stepped into the sitting area and slowly sat down on the stone bench, one arm wrapped around her abdomen just below her bust. He saw a slight twitch in her eyes, a sign of suppressed pain. She sat there, her gaze sweeping the natural gold around her before closing her eyes and tilting it to the sun that shone in at an angle.

“After so long inside, the sun feels wonderful,” Taeyeon said,

“My apologies, I hadn’t thought of such considerations for one of the Light, especially since you use your magic,” Siwon replied, his tone flat and even again,

“Hmm, that reminds me… Ever since I’ve been in contact with those of the Dark Kingdom, they’ve all been on a day schedule like my people,” Taeyeon noted,

Siwon felt another smile tugging at his lips, “Are there tales twisting in your kingdom?”

“That’s the second time I’ve heard that since the mage, Kangin, found me in the river,” Taeyeon stated. She opened her eyes and looked over at the prince, “I acknowledge that I am vastly ignorant of the Dark Kingdom and Dark Magic. So, please, instead of allowing me to continue in ignorance, tell me what I do not know.”

“Those of the Light gain their strength and power from the Sun. At night you are weakened, more susceptible to temptation, to evil. So, those of the Light sleep when the sun is gone from the sky to protect themselves,” Siwon stated,

“I know that –”

“A difference in Light and Dark is their strengths, their weaknesses,” Siwon continued, “Those of the Dark gain their strength and power from the Moon. During the day, we are weakened while at night we are strong. However, since our souls are of the Dark, during the night we are more susceptible to evil.”

“We all have strengths and weaknesses. Those of the Light can become overloaded during the day, bursts of magic occurring even when a person has very little or no magic,” Taeyeon replied, “Summer is a horrible time for fires in our lands.”

Siwon nodded, “But because of the war, those of the Light are far more wary of us than of their own weaknesses. You are awake during the day and sleep during the night. Also because of the war, we are wary of ourselves, of our own people. We still do not know who killed –”

“My parents,” Taeyeon interjected, dropping her gaze although her face was still angled towards him,

“Yes… we do not know who did it but that means any of us could fall, any of us could be the next soul to be consumed by the Dark,” Siwon explained, “So, we live on a day schedule to protect ourselves from, well, ourselves.”

“Even if it weakens you?” Taeyeon asked, looking up at him despite her shining eyes,

“We’d rather be weak than risk our souls,” Siwon answered simply as he moved towards her and offered a handkerchief from his pocket, “I trust you’ll never tell your army that should they ever decide to attack.”

Taeyeon accepted the cloth and unashamedly wiped away her unshed tears, “I fear I have been horribly wrong all these years.”

“For someone who has probably thought the worst of me and my kind, you would trust me so quickly? So easily?” Siwon asked curiously as she handed back his handkerchief and he pocketed it,

She stared up at him, sunlight washing around him, giving him an ethereal, halo outline, “In truth, Sungmin talked to me before about Light and Dark.”

Siwon merely nodded as he helped her up and led the way out of the sitting area.

They walked in silence again for quite some time. Taeyeon was slowly digesting all she had learned from the prince about his people. He had referred to the people of the Dark as his. He would be a great king one day, indeed. Siwon was still remembering the odd moment in the maze when they had stood so close together that he was sure all the warmth around him was radiating from her small body.

He had been close to kissing her lips. When he hadn’t, he had been close to telling her to break the engagement so he could. He had been close to breaking her and the mage apart, been close to having her kiss. However, he fought for his soul every day. He fought during the night and he sure as hell would not give into temptation during the light of day when he had no excuse.

It wasn’t until the leafy walls fell away from them that Taeyeon realized the prince was leading her out of the garden maze. Instead of continuing to the back terrace, he stopped and turned towards her. She did the same, looking up at him in silent questioning.

“I don’t know what my brother plans to do with the mage, but he will not be harmed, I promise you,” Siwon stated,

“Why?” Taeyeon asked simply, “Sungmin threatened your brother. I’m not betraying him, but if someone threatened my brother… I would understand, indeed, your hostility towards Sungmin this morning was quite understandable.”

“Because you asked for a kiss and I could not give it to you,” Siwon answered with a slight shrug of his broad shoulders, “I will give this to you instead. A promise of your fiancé’s safety.”

“But not freedom,” Taeyeon stated,

“There is only so much I can offer you, Princess,” he replied quietly, “He still threatened my brother. Would you so easily release someone who threatened yours?”

Taeyeon sighed, “You know I wouldn’t… but thank you for your promise.” She hesitated and then added, “And your friendship.”

“I do not know you now, Princess, but I have no doubt that by the time your mage is released, I will have gotten to know you quite well,” Siwon stated,

“Indeed –”

“And when that time comes, I can surely answer whether or not I have affection for you,” Siwon continued, “And, surely, you will know the same of me.”

“What are you suggesting, Prince Siwon?” She asked simply, her amber gaze sweeping over his emotionless face before resting on his black eyes that shone with a dark fire, dark intensity,

“That is when I will ask you if you will break your engagement and when I will give you your kiss,” Siwon answered, his voice like black velvet, wrapping around her like a blanket. He picked up her hand from his arm and raised it to his lips, “Do you need help back to the castle?”

She shook her head in a negative response. He gazed into her eyes for a moment, seeing the determination to try for independence. Then, he turned and headed back towards the garden maze.

“Prince Siwon,” Taeyeon called out,

He paused and turned enough to look at her properly over his shoulder,

“If I have read you so correctly this morning as you’ve said, then what I am assuming should be correct also,” Taeyeon stated, “This is your escape during the day, but surely you have an escape for the night time when you cannot sleep. Will you show me your night garden one evening?”

“If there is one, perhaps I will,” Siwon replied, his dark eyes shining as if smiling as the rest of his face was expressionless, “I must retain some of my secrets from your amber gaze, Taeyeon. Your eyes are far too beautiful and see far too much.”

She stared as he turned again and continued back into the maze. She stared at his retreating, black-clad self until he turned a corner and was gone from her sight. Her mind jumped on the compliments he gave her easily, sincerely. Then, her heart seized as her mind slowed and took a step back before he spoke of her eyes. He had called her by her given name.

When the time came, would she be able to refuse him?

…

When lunchtime came around, Taeyeon paced before the prince’s study contemplating whether or not to knock on the door. She had been invited – ordered, really – to have breakfast this morning by, apparently, the second prince. Did that invitation extend to all the following meals? After all, wasn’t she no longer a prisoner in the castle? Didn’t that mean she was afforded the same courtesies as a normal guest would? What if she was wrong, however? And, so, she paced before the door, stopping every once in awhile to raise a fist, hesitate, lower said fist and continue her pacing. The ninth time she did her almost-knock, she turned and raised her fist to see the door open and the first prince standing there looking down at her with what must be amusement in his dark eyes.

“Yes?”

“I… How long have you been standing there?” She questioned,

“Long enough to deduce it must be serious indeed if you’re pacing in such a manner,” Siwon replied, “Is there something you wanted to talk to me about?”

“Am I allowed to eat lunch?” She asked simply,

Both of Siwon’s thick eyebrows rose before the ends of his lips twitched as if hesitating to smile, “Well, that’s certainly a question for serious thought.”

“I’m not joking,” Taeyeon narrowed her gaze at him, “Your brother ordered me to breakfast which, I should remind you, he never showed up to and I don’t know if that permits me to continue having meals while I stay here.”

Siwon offered her his arm and led her to the dining room, “Even if it did not extend to other meals, I would graciously offer you to have the remainder of your meals with us. I thought I made it clear that you are not a prisoner.”

“Yes, well, one can never be too sure,” Taeyeon muttered, “Where is your brother? I haven’t seen him all day and I’ve at least covered half of the castle’s grounds,”

“Have you? And haven’t gotten lost?”

“The layout is similar – if not the same – as the castle,” Taeyeon warily eyed a passing maid, “Just… the other one.”

Siwon nodded his understanding, realizing they had to safeguard her identity from all others, “Makes sense. The… erm, other castle… was a gift from a Dark King centuries ago. Perhaps he wasn’t so creative?”

Taeyeon laughed, drawing the attention of all in the vicinity.

“Anyway, my brother doesn’t usually make an appearance until late morning. It really depends,” Siwon explained as they entered the dining room and naturally walked to his end of the table, a footman running to pull out the chair for Taeyeon.

Sitting in the same seat from breakfast – adjacent to the prince’s left – she looked at Siwon, “Depends on what? His mood? The weather? What side of the coin faces up after being tossed?”

Siwon chuckled as he settled into his own seat, “You must have been bored this morning if your imagination is flying like that.”

“After the gardens I just wandered around the castle,” Taeyeon shrugged,

“And your injuries?” Siwon inquired as plates of food were placed before them,

“Still… sore, but I didn’t want to be so idle,” Taeyeon explained. Her hesitance suggested it was more painful than sore, but Siwon decided not to probe the subject. “And you haven’t answered,”

“Haven’t answered what?”

Taeyeon and Siwon looked up to see the second prince striding into the dining room. Giving a small bow to Taeyeon which, thankfully, could have been mistaken as a bow to his brother, Kyuhyun sat down in the seat adjacent to Siwon’s right. As a plate of food was rushed to his spot, he beamed a smile at the princess. Taeyeon gaped for a moment. She was so accustomed to Siwon’s lack of smiles, indeed, lack of any emotion, that seeing such a bright smile from the second prince was startling.

“You should introduce yourself before anything,” Siwon admonished lightly, “Actually, even before you throw about orders.”

“Of course, how could I have forgotten?” Kyuhyun asked as he stood from his chair, “Perhaps it’s because my brother talks of you so often that I simply feel as if we’ve already been introduced?” He offered another smile as his eyes darted a glance at his older brother.

Siwon stared hard at his brother but said nothing. Taeyeon stifled a laugh as Kyuhyun walked around the table, behind Siwon and to Taeyeon’s side. Without permission, he picked up Taeyeon’s hands and pulled her to her feet, “I am Prince Kyuhyun, the second prince of the Dark Kingdom.”

“T-Taeyeon. Just Taeyeon,” she grounded out as she suppressed a cringe,

“Was my introduction not polished enough?” Kyuhyun blinked, looking at his brother with a complete sense of loss,

“No, you’re just presumptuous as always,” Siwon nudged his brother aside, none-too-gently, as he took Taeyeon’s hand, placed his other at the middle of her back and helped her back into her seat, “Are you okay?”

“Yes, yes, just… sore,” Taeyeon insisted as she offered both brothers a weak smile,

“I have a feeling you would say the same thing after being trampled by a stampede of horses,” Siwon stated dryly as he sat back down. He threw his brother a dark stare,

“I didn’t realize you’re injured,” Kyuhyun replied sincerely as he knelt by her side, “Please allow me to make it up to you. I can heal them for you.”

Taeyeon shook her head, “They’re in a… well… that is…” Her cheeks infused themselves with bright pink,

“The mage,” Siwon offered. He never realized how difficult it would be for him to suggest a thing, but he had offered her friendship and he would honour it, regardless of his feelings.

“He can only do so much,” Taeyeon explained, “It’s okay, really. I’ll just heal on my own.”

Kyuhyun stared at her a moment, his dark eyes unreadable. Finally, he nodded, straightened and returned to his seat. “So, what were you two talking about?”

“Why you’ve only appeared now and… and yet you ordered me to breakfast,” Taeyeon answered, a slight challenge glinting in her amber eyes,

Kyuhyun laughed easily, “Stop looking at me as if what I’m about to say will start a war. Most mornings after I wake up I spend time with my father.”

“Oh… that’s… wonderful,” Taeyeon murmured, shooting a guilty look at Siwon,

Siwon gave a slight shake of his head as if to assist in dispelling her worries, “Did Father actually wake up today?”

“For a few minutes,” Kyuhyun answered as he picked up his spoon, “I’m pretty sure during that time he declared me his successor.”

Taeyeon’s jaw dropped in shock, eliciting another laugh from the second prince.

“He’s lying,” Siwon stated as he continued eating his food. Between bites, he added, “Kyuhyun states this at least five times a month and, regardless of how it may seem, the last thing Kyuhyun wants is the crown.”

Kyuhyun sighed with mock-drama, “He’s right, I’m afraid. You see, to be king means having to be responsible, to become stuffy and forget to have fun.” He cast his brother an amused look, “The world can only take one prince as such and, since he already is, well, it’s easier for me to remain just the way I am.”

“Once again he is lying,” Siwon insisted as he picked up a glass of water, shooting a warm gaze at his brother, “He’s so irresponsible that I had to make up for it.”

Taeyeon remained quiet as the brothers bantered back and forth. She had seen a different side of the prince in the gardens. It was a warm side, a proud side. He claimed to be so cool because of his past use of Dark Magic and, yet, she saw another side of him again. He was practically radiant when he interacted with his brother. His face remained expressionless, but his eyes sparkled with a warm fire, a different quality than what she had seen in the gardens, and there was just a hint of amusement on his lips. Already she knew smiles were rare from the first prince, but she wondered if they came easier when he was near his brother.

“Sungmin!” Taeyeon cried as she jumped to her feet, her eyes glued to the mage who had just walked into the dining room. She cringed horribly immediately.

“Taeyeon!” Sungmin made a slight lunge forward instinctively even though he was too far away to even attempt to soothe her with his hand.

Siwon, however, was not too far away. He was at her side before she could even hide her expression. His hand at the middle of her back, “You really should know better from before.”

“I was just – wait, are you okay?” Taeyeon looked up at Sungmin, carefully sitting down as the pain slowly dissipated,

“I’m fine,” Sungmin insisted as he slowly approached the table, eyeing the second prince.

Kyuhyun, who hadn’t turned to look at the mage, was watching his brother intently. After the princess sat back down and Siwon seated himself again, he caught Kyuhyun’s gaze, startled. Kyuhyun slowly raised a brow at his brother, quickly glancing at Taeyeon before looking at him again. Siwon, as if knowing his meaning, gave him a slight shake of his head.

“Apparently, I’ve been ordered to lunch,” Sungmin stated, his gaze resting on the second prince,

“Well, I would hate for you to starve,” Kyuhyun said flippantly as he held up a cup filled with green tea in mock salute before taking a slow sip of the warm liquid, staring at the mage over the rim of his cup. He placed the half-full cup back on the table, “Prisoner or not, there is no reason why I cannot be… friendly.”

“Friendly?” Sungmin narrowed his steel-blue eyes at the second prince, his hand gripping the back of an empty chair,

Kyuhyun stared hard at the mage, his dark eyes dancing with amusement and another intensity Sungmin couldn’t quite label, didn’t want to label.

“Yes,” Kyuhyun said slowly, “Friendly.”

“Sungmin,” Taeyeon hissed from across the table, effectively snapping his attention away from the prince, “I don’t think you have the right to being rude when you…” she glanced around at the footmen who were stationed at the doors, and lowered her voice accordingly, “Threatened the prince.”

“I had to if I was ever going to find you,” Sungmin retorted,

“And you couldn’t just ask instead of throwing magic at other people?” Taeyeon questioned,

“Yes, couldn’t you just ask?” Kyuhyun repeated mockingly,

Sungmin threw him a scathing look before looking back at the princess, “I come to get you and this is the thanks I get?”

“I am not ungrateful,” Taeyeon retorted, her eyes growing wide before narrowing.

Her gaze wavered but she was relentless. However, Sungmin saw, as did the first prince. It was enough.

“I apologize,” Sungmin said quietly, his head bowing slightly, but he kept his gaze locked with Taeyeon’s.

Taeyeon’s lips parted on a silent gasp. She and Sungmin had dropped formalities between them years before when their engagement was announced. It had been so long that she had forgotten what it felt like to have him being formal with her. It felt cold, it felt as if a chasm had opened up between them, beginning as a small crack and slowly, slowly opening wide. Her lips trembled and that’s all it took.

Sungmin was at her other side, not trusting to have the first prince at his back; “Taeyeon…”

She shook her head, waving him away, “Don’t mind me, it’s just… been a long day,” she insisted, bowing her head as she threw a glance at Siwon from beneath her lashes.

“I have work to do,” Siwon stated as a means to excuse himself as he stood abruptly, a footman rushing forward to pull back his chair, “Mage, sit and eat. Kyuhyun… be nice.”

“You should be saying that to him,” Kyuhyun scoffed, gesturing to Sungmin with his spoon. He threw a smile at his brother, “Is this work in the study or work in the gardens?” He looked at the princess, “I believe it’s my duty to inform you that my dear brother is a gardener. That way, should you glance out a window and see him watering plants you do not fear for his sanity.”

“I already know,” Taeyeon replied as she looked at the first prince, “Perhaps you’ll show me around the gardens sometime?”

Siwon raised a single brow, curious as to why she worded it as if they hadn’t been touring the gardens that morning, as if she didn’t already know some of the secrets of his most precious of treasures. It would be so easy to agree, to be gallant and polite. It would be so pleasant to agree, to spend more time with her, to talk with her. Slowly, his gaze moved from the princess to lock with the mage’s. The mage stared at him with undisguised curiosity.

“Perhaps your fiancé could,” Siwon suggested as he looked back at Taeyeon,

Her eyes lit with challenge, “But he wouldn’t know the garden as well as you and he’d be unbearably bored.”

Siwon stared at the princess for a heartbeat, perhaps three heartbeats before he gave a slight nod, “Very well… when you have the desire to tour the gardens, I’ll be at your service.”

Siwon turned to leave when Sungmin called out, “Your Highness!”

Siwon paused and looked back at the mage over his shoulder, “Yes?”

“I need to speak with the Dark Mage,” Sungmin explained, “I… I have a message for him.”

“I can summon him, but depending on where he is will determine how long it will take for him to get here,” Siwon glanced at his brother, “Do you know where he is?”

“He left hours ago,” Kyuhyun shrugged, his shuttered expression belying his flippant tone; their conversation repeated in his mind; “He could be anywhere by now.”

“When the Dark Mage arrives I’ll have you notified,” Siwon said,

“After lunch am I to return to my room?” Sungmin inquired, his gaze on the first prince, knowing he wouldn’t get any help from the second; not wanting any help from the second prince.

“You are not my prisoner,” Siwon shrugged his broad shoulders and left the room without a backwards glance.

“You are not bound to your room,” Kyuhyun said after the doors closed behind his brother, “But you are not to leave the castle grounds.”

When Sungmin said nothing, merely stared at the prince, Taeyeon nudged him with her elbow. He bowed his head, “Thank you, Your Highness.”

As Sungmin slowly sat down in the seat beside Taeyeon, servants brought forth food for the mage. All the while, the second prince continued his meal in subdued silence. In the few moments since she had met the second prince, he seemed anything but quiet. She glanced at Sungmin who had also seemed to withdraw into himself. With Siwon gone – she slightly suspected the prince had run away from the awkward situation before it became awkward – she knew it was up to her to smooth things over. It was her duty since it was on her behalf that Sungmin had threatened the prince. It was her duty because she was a princess.

Plastering a smile on her face, she looked across the table, “Prince Kyuhyun, what do you do when you’re visiting with your father?”

Immediately, the second prince’s face transformed, infused with a warmth that wasn’t like his careless amusement like before, but rather the affection he had when looking at his brother. The awkwardness seemingly forgotten, the prince began to answer her question.

…

It wasn’t until after dinner that the Dark Mage came to the castle. The footman informed Siwon just as he was standing from the table.

“It appears the elusive mage has arrived,” Siwon announced as the others rose to their feet.

“Took him long enough,” Kyuhyun rolled his eyes,

“Well, it’s hard to get word to him when he’s off wandering who knows where,” Siwon insisted as he began to offer his arm to Taeyeon.

Taeyeon had begun to raise her hand to his arm when she paused and looked up at the prince. It happened for a fraction of a heartbeat, but they understood one another. He lowered his arm and she turned to Sungmin who hadn’t seemed to notice what had transpired. Rather, he was turning his gaze away from across the table. As she placed her hand in the crook of Sungmin’s elbow, Taeyeon furtively glanced at the second prince, but he had turned to talk to his brother. Had she missed something?

The princes led the way to Siwon’s study. Upon entering, they found the Dark Mage seemingly perusing the many books on the floor-to-ceiling shelves of the study. He slowly turned to them, his eyes latching onto the lesser mage. Siwon walked immediately to his chair behind the desk and Sungmin guided Taeyeon to one of the chairs before the desk. Kyuhyun, rather than sitting in the final chair by the desk, walked over to the nearest window, leaning a hip on the sill and gazed sightlessly into the night sky.

“Apparently there is a message for me?” Kangin looked at Siwon,

“Not from me,” He replied, gesturing for Sungmin,

The lesser mage stepped forward, pulling out a sealed envelope for the Dark Mage. Kangin took it, his brows rising high on his forehead as he caught sight of the wax seal. He broke the seal and unfolded the letter, his gaze sweeping quickly over the words on the letter.

“Confirmation of the Princess’ identity,” Kangin stated as he looked at Taeyeon and swept her a bow,

Sungmin nodded as he pulled another item from his pocket. This time, it was the small, gold ring that contained the royal crest, a smaller match to the one Eeteuk wore, “Your brother told me to give this to you.”

Taeyeon took the ring into her hands, the necklace looping through it, sliding through her fingers; “This was my mother’s.”

“He said it would give you his name and influence if you need it, that it would mark you as Princess of the Light,” Sungmin explained,

“I suggest you don’t make your identity known quite yet,” Kangin instructed, “We still don’t know how people would react if it’s found out you’re here.”

Taeyeon nodded as she slipped the chain over her head, tucking the ring into the high collar of her royal blue jungchimak. When she looked up, she found herself staring directly at Siwon. He watched her with a quiet intensity and Taeyeon wasn’t sure if she was more afraid or intrigued. All she knew was that she didn’t want to look away.

Siwon stared at her for another second, before slowly turning his attention back to the Dark Mage. When the lesser mage had pulled out a ring, he had felt pain in the vicinity of his heart. When it was revealed it was simply a seal ring, the pain subsided. When he realized she wore no rings at all, he grew even more curious of the princess than before.

“We’ve already confirmed her identity earlier this morning,” Siwon informed,

Kangin blinked, “Then why are they still here? This could cause any amount of trouble.”

“Because the mage threatened Prince Kyuhyun’s life. My brother has taken him prisoner,” Siwon explained,

“A prisoner who roams about and eats in the dining room like a guest?” Kangin glanced towards the younger prince,

“He remains here until I say so,” Kyuhyun shrugged, not bothering to look away from the window,

“Well, while you have your little tantrum,” Kangin looked back towards the lesser mage, “I might as well continue your training.”

“My training?” Sungmin blinked, “What do you mean?”

“Ever since the war ended, there aren’t any practicing mages, correct? Which means you’re training on your own,” Kangin stated, “You’ll progress faster with your magic if I train you. That is, if you wish it.”

Kyuhyun whirled around then from the window, “Kangin –”

“Not your concern,” Kangin interrupted, holding up a hand to silence the younger man, prince or no prince; “If you want me to train you, I will.”

Sungmin nodded, “Please.”

“Very well, we’ll begin tomorrow morning after breakfast,” Kangin instructed. He remained still as the second prince swiftly left the study, the door slamming behind him. “Don’t mind him, just another tantrum of his.”

“Did… Did the King ask you to train me?” Sungmin inquired,

“No, but it’s implied,” Kangin insisted. He glanced at the princess, “And you know your brother well enough to not ask me to train you.”

Taeyeon sighed, “I don’t expect anything from my brother after disappearing on him.”

“Which reminds me, would I be able to send a message to my king?” Sungmin asked,

Siwon glanced at the Dark Mage, “It’d be difficult to ensure security of the message…”

“It’d be succinct and nondescript,” Sungmin insisted, “No one would understand it but him.”

“I can bring it across the border later this evening,” Kangin offered, “If you put the royal crest on it, I can give it to a guard of your kingdom… A guard who is loyal to your king wouldn’t dare break a seal –”

“We can’t use the seal,” Sungmin interjected, “No one must know that Taeyeon is gone from the Light Kingdom’s lands. Some story the king will put out is probably that she’s off visiting one of the estates,”

“And your disappearance? Being the only mage would make it remarkable if you are missing also,” Kangin stated,

“The people will probably assume I’ve gone to join her,” Sungmin explained, “But no one can know we’ve left the Light Kingdom, it’ll cause all the problems we all want to avoid.”

“The flowers are alright,” Taeyeon stated.

Three pairs of eyes stared at her,

“What?” Sungmin asked,

“The flowers are alright,” Taeyeon repeated, “That’s all you have to write. He’ll know you’re with me and that we’re okay

“He would understand that?” Sungmin raised a brow at her,

She narrowed her eyes exasperatedly at him, “Yes, he would. Eeteuk was always worried I’d burn things when I got angry. Whenever we argued outside, he told me not to take my anger out on the flowers. So, if you tell him the flowers are alright it means you’ve met up with me and that nothing’s caused me to let my magic loose.”

Sungmin grinned, causing Taeyeon to roll her eyes. He looked back at the Dark Mage, “Would that be safe to write?”

“It should be. I’ll post it from the closest bordering town in the Light Kingdom,” Kangin replied, “If I do it while it’s still dark out, no one will know who posted it except for the king.”

“What if someone sees you?” Taeyeon inquired,

“No one will see me if I don’t wish it,” Kangin stated,

“Don’t brag,” Taeyeon warned as she slowly stood up,

“Do your ribs still hurt?” Sungmin asked,

“A little, the pain’s subsided a bit,” Taeyeon insisted,

“Mage, talk to me a bit so I know where to start tomorrow,” Kangin invited as he began to cross the study towards the fireplace,

As Sungmin joined the older man, Taeyeon turned her gaze to the first prince who was, once again, watching her intently.

“It was you, wasn’t it?” Taeyeon asked quietly, “You were slowly healing me every time your hand was at my back.”

Siwon shrugged his broad shoulders, “If your mage couldn’t do it, I didn’t see why I shouldn’t.”

“But using your magic…” Taeyeon murmured,

Siwon stared at her quietly for a moment before whispering, “Some things are worth it.”

Taeyeon’s amber eyes widened. Her lips parted to say something, anything when the mages returned from their short journey to the fireplace.

“We’ll start after breakfast then,” Kangin confirmed,

Sungmin nodded as he offered his arm to Taeyeon, “I’ll help you to your room?”

Taeyeon struggled to pull her gaze away from the prince. Finally, she looked at Sungmin who watched her with quiet concern; “Yes… Thank you.” Placing her hand on his arm, she quietly let Sungmin lead her out of the study.

Once they were alone, Siwon looked at the mage, “I always knew you knew the King of Light… but now I wonder how well you knew him.”

“What do you mean?” Kangin asked,

“You more or less declared yourself their protector,” Siwon said, “At least, that’s what it seemed like when Kyuhyun was still here.”

“Perhaps,” Kangin shrugged,

“I never really got to know you until after the war,” Siwon stated, “Before that, I have very few memories of even just seeing you.”

“I spent a lot of time training,” Kangin replied,

“In the Light Kingdom?” Siwon prompted,

“In both kingdoms,” Kangin corrected,

“I’m probably the only one who saw the significance of you burning that letter,” Siwon stated, “Most likely not even the Lesser Mage realized it and he was standing right beside you. You never did say what was written in the letter.”

“If I tell you, Siwon, it will be because I wish it so, not because you are fishing for information or because you command it,” Kangin stated sternly, “I am loyal to you, Siwon. You are my prince and my friend, but that doesn’t give you free reign of my past.”

Siwon held up his hands in a gesture of giving up, “It’s hard to be your friend when you don’t talk, Kangin.”

“I could say the same about you,” Kangin retorted as he turned to leave,

“Are you going to Kyuhyun, now?” Siwon asked,

“Of course, he’s in the middle of a tantrum,” Kangin stated as he continued to the door. He paused and countered, “Seriously, Siwon, she’s not for you.”

“I never said –”

“You didn’t have to,” Kangin left, closing the door behind him.

He left the castle and cloaked himself in darkness, heading towards the servants’ stairs. As he crept silently, invisibly, the contents of the letter repeated in his mind. The letter had been as short and nondescript as any other letter that demanded the highest of level of security and obscurity. It held three simple words and the only reason he had understood them was because of the seal that had held the letter closed.

You owe me.

No, perhaps the seal wasn’t the only reason he understood the letter so perfectly. Perhaps, he understood the writer so perfectly that even without a crest, he would have known whom it had come from. Perhaps, he had been waiting for such a message and it had finally come.

“Eeteuk…”

Like a shadow, Kangin slipped into the bedroom of the second prince.



(Chapter 5 - Dark Jealousy)

[ROM3] The Last Dark Spell

words: 10106
rate: PG13
(Chapter Three of the Reign on Me series.)

Chapter Three: The Last Dark Spell


“Now you’re just begging for a war,”

Siwon glared from across the room.

“Imprisoning a Princess of Light – the Princess – and now you almost kill the Mage of the Light,” Kangin shook his head, “A lesser Mage telling by his hair and the power I sense in him… but of course, that could be because he’s unconscious. Really, Siwon, eight years of peace and now you decide to start up trouble.”

“I’m in no mood for your teasing for the very things you just listed,” Siwon drawled.

They were in his study again. He stood before his desk, hips set back against the edge and arms crossed over his chest. A settee had been pulled closer and the Mage of Light had been laid there. He had summoned Kangin immediately and hadn’t moved since. He glanced to one end of the study, opposite to where the glass doors were. On that end was a hearth, the stone was carved intricately like vines crawling up stone pillars. Sitting in a chair before the hearth was Kyuhyun. His brother, who had been the one to transport the mage to the study, hadn’t moved and hadn’t made a sound since sitting down.

What concerned him more than the fact the damn mage was right and he was risking a lot with the princess and mage in the castle, was Kyuhyun’s show of magic. Kyuhyun usually controlled himself rather well, even when emotional. What had gotten his brother so riled up that he had let off so much magic? Worse yet, he had seen the Dark swirl around his brother like fingers of smoke ready to wrap and grab.

Belatedly, he realized the mage was talking to him, “What?”

“I said what happened that caused this injury?” Kangin repeated. After assuring himself that the other mage had broken nothing, he turned his head sideways to access the back of his skull. He knelt on the ground, his hand hovering over the bump he had felt growing there.

Siwon sighed, looking away. He would not betray his brother, “I –”

“Only know how to water plants with your magic,” Kyuhyun spoke then, his voice hoarse as if he hadn’t used it in years. His tone was flat, snarky but without the light, teasing edge he usually had. Remaining still in his chair, he continued, eyes on the flames in the fireplace, “I did it.”

“Oh?” Kangin prompted. His tone was mildly surprise and thoroughly curious,

“I let my emotions get ahead of me,” Kyuhyun said simply, apparently flippant,

“It has to be a lot of emotion for that to happen,” Kangin stated as he stopped for a moment, doing intermittent healing. “Compared to Siwon, you’re just boiling over with emotions all the time. To lose control would take more. What happened?”

Kyuhyun remained silent.

“Kyuhyun,” was all Siwon said. It was a simple statement, almost as if there was a silent question attached.

“You were going to let her leave. You were going to actually let her leave,” Kyuhyun stated simply,

Siwon stared over at him, realized Kyuhyun’s hands were now gripping the cushioned armrests with a hold so tight his knuckles were white; “Kyu –”

“You were willing to risk so much to keep her here and, yet, some mage comes along, asks for her and you’re willing to just hand her over!” Kyuhyun’s voice had slowly escalated in volume until he was yelling, his words bouncing off the hard wooden surfaces and books of the study,

“Yes, I did want to keep her here – still do – but at a risk to your life? I think not, Kyuhyun,” Siwon scoffed, an angry tone to his words, appalled that his brother hadn’t thought of that.

“You didn’t have to agree –”

“YOU TOLD ME TO DO SOMETHING!” Siwon exclaimed, suddenly straightening, thick brows narrowed.

Even Kangin blinked up at him, startled at the sudden outburst, the sudden display of powerful emotion from the first prince.

“THEN USE YOUR DAMN MAGIC!” Kyuhyun yelled back, jumping to his feet and turning to look at him. He gripped the back of the chair then, his fingers digging into the cushioning, “I wanted you to use your damn magic… not save me.”

“I will always save you, Kyuhyun,” Siwon promised, his dark eyes glinting darkly,

Kyuhyun stared at him a moment, then blinked rapidly and turned away, pacing before the hearth, “Yes, well… if you just used your magic, none of this would have happened. You could have subdued him with your magic.”

“Subdue him? I appreciate the confidence, but he’s a mage,” Siwon raised a brow, his emotions seemingly dissipating once more,

“He was preoccupied. Besides, he didn’t think you had any ability, just like he thought with me. You saw his shock when he realized I can use Dark Magic,” Kyuhyun stated, turning to look at his brother once again, “We don’t have to let them go if you just don’t give in so easily.”

Siwon watched him a moment and merely gave a short, curt nod.

Kangin straightened, dusting off his white paji as he did so. He glanced down at the younger mage and then up at the brothers. Kyuhyun had turned back to the hearth, staring into its fiery depths. Siwon, who had been intently watching his brother, seemed to sense the mage’s stare and slowly turned his gaze to the older man.

“The swelling is gone, but I dare not try to eliminate the pain. I don’t want to expose one of the Light to so much Dark Magic all at once,” Kangin explained as he crossed his bare arms over his black jungchimak, its silver embroidery shining with the firelight. “He’ll wake up with a horrible headache, but he should be able to heal it himself, of course, I could bring him back to my home –”

“No,” Kyuhyun’s reply came swiftly, a hard edge to his voice. Still giving the others his back, he continued, “I was the one he threatened to kill… he will remain here and answer to me.”

“Very well,” Kangin replied stiffly, “I’ll take my leave then.”

Siwon pushed away from the desk and gestured to the door, “I’ll see you out,” he stated to the mage,

Kangin glanced at Kyuhyun curiously before nodding and following the first prince out of the study. Regardless of their long-standing friendship, his insolence to the prince could only go so far.

Kyuhyun stood still, silent until he heard the study door close with a sharp click. Slowly, he turned and crossed to the settee where the Mage of Light lay. Kyuhyun stared down at the chest covered in black silk and the bare, slightly muscled arms. He had barely any time to inspect the mage’s face and he did so then. He knelt by the settee on one knee. He reached over, his fingers lightly brushing over where the bump had been. Slowly, he turned the mage’s head so he faced the ceiling again instead of to the side. He brushed back the dark strands of hair from the mage’s face.

“I hadn’t meant to hurt you,” Kyuhyun said softly, his fingers lightly pushing back the strands of hair, each lock like more black silk between his fingers, “I don’t know what it is… I may be the emotional one between my brother and me but I’m not fanciful… I’m not like this and yet…”

The mage began to stir, his face immediately twisting in pain, a sharp, indrawn breath accompanying it. Kyuhyun slipped a hand beneath the mage’s head, causing the other man to suppress barely a cry of pain.

“I know it hurts,” Kyuhyun murmured, “Let me take away the pain… let me finish healing you.”

The mage’s eyes slowly opened, blinking several times, his gaze still clouded over. Kyuhyun wasn’t even sure if the mage could see him properly.

“I’ll take away the pain,” Kyuhyun promised as he leaned forward, focusing magic in the palm of his hand. “I’ll take away the pain…”

The mage’s eyes closed, his expression relaxed and Kyuhyun knew his magic was working. He leaned down, his lips brushing the mage’s, “It would probably pain you even more if you remember me doing this to you… so I take one more kiss and with it, the memory.”

His lips pressed more firmly against the mage’s. The lips were soft, warm and the kiss caused his lips to clench powerfully in a way he had forgotten about. Slowly, ever so slowly, he pulled away, taking away his hand with him. Distantly, he heard the sound of approaching footsteps. He straightened, pulling his gaze away from the mage’s sleeping face.

“Lucky bastard… I wish someone could take away my memories,” Kyuhyun said quietly. Then, he made his way to the door just as it opened and his brother entered.

“You haven’t acted like this for quite some time,” Siwon commented as he paused just inside the door and Kyuhyun moved to walk right past him. Siwon put out a hand, pressing against Kyuhyun’s chest as they were anti-parallel to one another,

“Leave me alone,” Kyuhyun practically growled, keeping his narrowed gaze straight ahead, “And Kangin?”

“Probably slipping around the castle to the servant’s stairs as we speak,” Siwon said simply, “I don’t even understand why he bothers. If he wants to be discreet, might as well climb up the castle from beneath your window.”

“It’s easier to veil himself in darkness in the servant’s stairs rather than a well-lit corridor,” Kyuhyun replied simply, the sharp edge to his tone quickly dissipating until it seemed never to have been there at all,

“More like you two like to continue pretending as if no one knows he frequents your bedroom,” Siwon drawled, all emotion gone from his voice.

Kyuhyun absorbed the comment and, felt the need to look back over his shoulder at the other mage, “Where will you put him?”

“Me? He’s your prisoner,” Siwon folded his arms over his chest,

“Fine… where do you have the princess being kept? Put him in the same vicinity,” Kyuhyun stated,

“Third floor, east wing,” Siwon answered,

“High enough she cannot escape and a wing opposite of our own… There are guest rooms on that floor,” Kyuhyun stated and then laughed lightly, “Of course, I should have known. After all, she’s beautiful, right?”

“Say nothing of her and I won’t tell anyone about how you looked at that mage when you realized he was hurt,” Siwon countered swiftly, sharply,

Kyuhyun knew better than to deny anything. Above all others, Siwon knew him best, could read him best. He gave a curt nod, “I’ll leave you now. I have a strong need to go to my room and sleep.”

“Best not keep Kangin waiting,” Siwon replied simply,

“Naturally,” Kyuhyun took a step and then paused, “Siwon…”

“Yes?”

“Thank you… for choosing me over the princess,” Kyuhyun said quietly,

“Of course,” Siwon replied, his voice softening, warm, “I’ll never choose otherwise.”

Kyuhyun didn’t reply. Instead, he continued out of the study and firmly closed the doors behind him. Siwon stared at the unconscious mage lying on the settee in the middle of his study.

He sighed heavily, “Do I dare put you even in the same hallway as the princess?”

He shook his head as he turned back to the door and opened it, calling for some footmen. Two footmen appeared. Siwon gave them their instructions and they quickly went about it, fetching the mage and hauling him, carefully, up to the third floor and to the east wing. As Siwon watched them carry him away, he leaned a shoulder against the doorway and silently mused to himself,

“Who are you to her where by you come into the Dark Kingdom to get her? Then again, who is she to me where by even my brother questions who is worth more to me?”

Siwon retreated into his study and closed the doors behind him. He needed to be alone.

…

When Siwon came down to breakfast the next morning, he was surprised to find the Princess of Light seated at his table seated to the left of the head of the table. Knowing his father wouldn’t be joining them for breakfast, as usual, he took the place of honour, shooting her a sharp nod as he sat down,

“I do not appreciate being ordered about,” Taeyeon snapped.

Dressed in her mage clothes, they looked perfectly pressed. The only difference in her appearance was that her long hair was no longer pulled back, rather it flowed around her in soft waves down her back. Arms crossed beneath her bust, she stared straight ahead rather than to her right at the prince.

“I’m sure you don’t, that’s why you were given meals in your room yesterday,” Siwon replied as a servant stepped forward to place a plate of food before him.

“So, why the change?” She questioned, her nails digging into her arms to stop from attacking the prince. He was too handsome and his voice too flat. She wanted to spark emotion in that voice, force him to react as much as she was every time she encountered the annoying man.

Siwon turned his face towards hers and raised a single, thick brow, “I haven’t the slightest clue.”

Taeyeon swung her gaze to his, finally, “The least you could do is think about what you’re doing before enacting orders!”

The second brow rose to join its twin high on the prince’s forehead, “I didn’t order you here,”

“Then who?” She replied, unbelieving,

“While I suppose I seem all-powerful, I do insist that I am not,” Siwon replied, “However, seeing as you know close to nothing about the Dark Kingdom and its monarchy, perhaps I shall inform you that I’m not the only prince in this castle. It was most likely my younger brother who ordered your presence at this table. Though why he deigned to do so, I once again state, that I haven’t the slightest clue.”

“Then I’ll just return to my room –”

Siwon’s hand shot out and grabbed Taeyeon’s arm as she stood up, stopping her. “You’re already here and there’s already food out for you. You might as well eat rather than act like some insolent child.”

“A child! I assure you that I am not as you believe me to be! Spy, assassin, impostor and, now, a child – I am –”

“Lower your voice before a dozen footmen come running over to protect me,” Siwon said steadily, locking gazes with her, “Sit down so they don’t think you’re threatening or insulting me.”

Taeyeon slowly sank back down into her chair, “Will you let go of my arm now?”

Siwon suddenly looked at his hand as if forgetting he had been holding her. He retracted his hand and began his breakfast, “I think none of those things about you,” he stated calmly,

Taeyeon sat straighter in her seat. He believed her? He truly believed her? She wasn’t sure why, but that one statement made her happy, made something in the vicinity of her chest flutter like butterfly wings. “R-Really?” She asked, hoping her anticipation wasn’t evident in her voice,

“Last night someone from your kingdom came to this kingdom and snuck onto the castle grounds,” Siwon replied, “He identified you.”

Once again she was left wondering why that statement made her react, why it felt as if a rock was pressing against her chest. Why did she expect so much from this prince? She had met him just the other morning and yet, she reacted to him so peculiarly. She turned her head away so he couldn’t read her expression. She didn’t want him to know what she was feeling, not even to guess at the thoughts confusedly running through her mind.

Siwon saw her turn her face away. He raised his gaze from his food and stared at her. Her profile was exquisite. Her hair fell around her face like a shining, ebony frame. Her small, pert nose, round, rosy lips and her dainty, slightly-rounded chin. He realized then that her chin shook slightly and perfect, white teeth bit into her full, bottom lip. She was upset about something. Was it because he had not believed her until someone else confirmed her claims? No, of course not. She had been upset when he didn’t believe her, but now that it was confirmed, she should be happy. And, yet, she wasn’t.

He didn’t know why, but he suddenly felt a strong urge to make her happy, or, at the very least, take away the taint of sadness that seemed to be hovering just below the surface of her façade. He tried to remember the last time he wanted to make anyone happy who wasn’t his brother or father. He tried to remember the last time that his own happiness depended upon another’s. He tried to remember the last time he was truly happy. He failed at them all.

“I suspect you’d like to speak with this person? I’m assuming you know them or, at the very least, they know you,” Siwon offered, just the slightest hint of hesitation in his voice,

“Everyone knows me in the Light Kingdom,” Taeyeon replied, hating how hollow her voice sounded. Why couldn’t she stop feeling so disappointed?

“Well, then perhaps I should tell you who they are… seeing as you go around dressed as a mage, do you know any real mages?” Siwon inquired,

Taeyeon’s gaze whipped towards his own, her amber eyes wide, “There’s only one mage in my kingdom… are you telling me Sungmin’s here?”

“We don’t know his name, but he’s a lesser mage of the Light,” Siwon answered, forcing his eyes to narrow, her reaction was too familiar, as if the mage meant more to her than he would have liked.

Taeyeon’s hand flew to her mouth to hold in a gasp physically, “He came… oh my when I didn’t show up he must have known something was wrong…” Her hand suddenly flew out and grasped Siwon’s forearm, “Please, can I see him?”

Siwon’s eyes widened fractionally. Her face, which he quickly realized was always so open and expressive, was now looking at him expectantly, hopefully. In that moment several things happened that made him realize he could never let her leave. First, his heart had clenched so powerfully and then began to beat at such a rapid tattoo that he thought he was having a heart attack. Second, he would have given her everything in the world if he could when she looked at him like that. Third, he wished the mage had never come to the castle, let alone the Dark Kingdom. Last, he was going to do as she asked just at the chance to see her smile.

“Come with me to my study and I’ll get someone to fetch him,” Siwon said simply, knowing full well that he was holding his breath in anticipation for her answer,

“Okay,” she answered quickly,

Siwon stood from his chair but before she could drop her hand from his forearm, he grabbed her hand, bent his arm and then replaced her hand on his arm. Formally, he escorted her out of the family dining room swiftly despite her stiff posture. He gave his instructions to a footman as he led her to the study. Once they were in the study, Taeyeon stopped him from closing the door,

“I… em… propriety,” she explained,

He raised a brow, “If you want any privacy at all – and I assume you do considering who you are and where you are – propriety is the last thing you should be worried about. Besides, nothing here will find its way back to your… home.”

Taeyeon chewed on her bottom lip before nodding.

Siwon closed the door and then led her to one of the chairs before his desk. Before he could round his desk, however, she called out to him,

“Wait, sorry… can you not sit at your desk? You’re very… formidable when you sit there especially when you’re so stoic and solemn,” Taeyeon admitted and then added, “And every time I’m before a desk like this I feel like when my brother scolds me.”

Siwon turned back towards her, he silently confirmed that his feelings towards the princess were far from brotherly. He leaned his hips back against the edge of the desk when she stopped him again,

“No, no, I’m sorry that’s still as intimidating, standing over me,” Taeyeon shook her head,

“Princess, I believe you forget that you are a visitor in my kingdom,” Siwon drawled,

Taeyeon’s amber eyes flashed with something – irritation? – before being replaced with guilt, “I’m sorry, you’re right it’s just… is it really so hard to just sit in this chair and talk to me like an equal instead of like you’re getting ready to dictate or reprimand me?”

Siwon stared at her before chuckling slightly. The sound caught her off guard and she found herself fighting to stay in her chair as she anticipated more, wanted to hear more of that laugh. It was so warm, so rich, like sweet vanilla milk on a winter’s night. So distracted was she that it wasn’t until he sat down that she realized he had done as she requested.

“If we’re to hide your identity, would it be so bold as to ask for your permission to –”

“Oh, just call me Taeyeon already,” she waved away his words, “Has anyone ever told you that you’re very formal? In speech and well… everything that I’ve seen of you.”

“You’ve been with me for a short period of time over the past twenty-four hours,” Siwon raised a brow,

“Yes, and it’s told me almost next to nothing except for that you’re serious. Always,” Taeyeon replied,

“Well, Princess, if I’m to call you by your given name then you must call me Siwon,” he insisted,

She shook her head as she leaned back in the chair, waving another hand, “Your identity isn’t a secret and I’m sure if I called you just Siwon half of the staff would come to cut me down at my insolence. You’ll just have to settle for Prince Siwon, although I do appreciate your attempt to being less serious.”

Before Siwon could reply and convince her he just wanted to hear her call him simply ‘Siwon’, there was a knock at the door. He called for them to come in. The door opened and a footman appeared with Sungmin standing behind him. After the footman gestured for Sungmin to enter, the door closed behind him.

Taeyeon slowly rose from her chair, her gaze glued to the mage, “You really did come…”

“Did you think I’d do otherwise?” He asked, not even registering that the first prince was present. He slowly made his way across the study, his pace, his expression as if in a trance.

Sungmin felt his heart seize the moment he saw her. He took in her heart-shaped face, her shining, amber eyes and the way her hair fanned about her beautifully. He knew Taeyeon was beautiful, had known it the first moment he saw her. But in that moment, after endless hours of worrying about her, he thought she was now indescribable. His feelings for her seemed to only double if that was at all possible.

When Sungmin was just a few feet away, Taeyeon ran to him, launched herself at him, her arms slipping around his waist as she buried her face into his chest, “Min, I’m so sorry… making you worry and… everything.”

Sungmin hugged her tightly as if loosening his embrace just a fraction meant losing her; “No, it’s my fault… I shouldn’t have asked you to meet me at night and… I’m sorry it took me so long to get here. I’m so sorry, Taeyeon.” He let go of her, holding onto her shoulders as he looked down at her, taking in the mage robes she wore, “When we get back to the Light Kingdom I’m going to help your brother lock you up in the castle.”

Taeyeon’s heart, which had soared at seeing Sungmin, suddenly stopped in mid-flight and just seemed to hover, waiting to plummet; “When we get back…” Slowly, tentatively, she looked over her shoulder at the prince.

She couldn’t rationally think why she did it. She didn’t know why she wanted to see Siwon’s face in that moment. She didn’t know why she was so expectant of what he would say. She didn’t know why, but all she suddenly wanted was for the prince to argue and tell Sungmin she couldn’t leave. She felt guilty for wanting such a thing, but she realized then that she couldn’t ignore what she wanted so much.

“I’m afraid you cannot leave,” Siwon said simply as he rose to his full height. He took a step towards his desk, turned and leaned his hips back against the edge. Dressed in his usual black slacks and black button-up, he looked every inch of a prince despite missing the formal accoutrements.

“What do you mean we can’t leave!?” Sungmin demanded then, pushing past Taeyeon to approach the prince, “I confirmed her identity, there’s no other reason for you to keep us here! Refusing our freedom could lead to a war!”

“I am not keeping you here,” Siwon insisted, “My brother is.”

“Prince Kyuhyun?” Sungmin asked quietly.

He turned away then. He didn’t move away or pace, he simply turned away from both Siwon and Taeyeon. He had awoken that morning with a memory of pain. He remembered the room he was now standing in, but the colours had been dimmer. He remembered a voice and a gentle, warm touch. But he couldn’t remember any more details. Whoever it was, had taken away the pain that had sliced through him like a lightning bolt. What didn’t make sense was that the memory of that voice and touch caused the same reaction in him when he heard the second prince’s name.

He pictured the prince in his mind. The first time he saw him, his features cloaked in shadows until moonlight highlighted his face. He remembered how struck he was by the prince, how he had to forcibly remind himself his reason for being on the castle grounds. Then, he remembered that flush of energy that had came off the prince, pushing him backwards. He remembered the swirling darkness that had visibly clung to the prince. Keeping that in mind, he turned towards the first prince.

“Why?”

Siwon raised a brow, arms crossed, “Do you not recall threatening to kill him?”

“Sungmin!” Taeyeon gasped.

Siwon had to repress and urge to gloat or, at least, grin. He did not too readily forget that he had threatened Kyuhyun’s life, regardless what his brother may feel. He did not appreciate the affectionate moment he had just witnessed between the mage and the princess. He felt some satisfaction in turning the princess against the mage, even over something superficial.

“I don’t know how things are run in the Light Kingdom, but threatening royalty here is punishable by death,” Siwon stated, “However, my brother decided to lighten the sentence since he did inadvertently injure you.”

We don’t have to let them go…

He had suspicions as he observed his brother, but when he heard Kyuhyun say those words, his thoughts were confirmed. He wasn’t the only one who couldn’t let go so easily.

“You were injured?” Taeyeon gaped, her gaze suddenly sweeping over Sungmin trying to find some tell-tale sign of said injury,

“I’m fine,” he insisted, waving away her concern, “So what happens now? Where is he?”

“So you can have a second round at him?” Siwon challenged,

“No, so I can demand he let us go!” Sungmin grounded out,

“Even if you had any right to demand such a thing after threatening his life…” Siwon said casually, the dark glint in his eyes suggesting he was feeling anything but casual; “I wouldn’t expect to see Prince Kyuhyun until at least another hour.”

“So what happens now? Do I return to my room a prisoner?” Taeyeon inquired,

“No, you haven’t done anything wrong,” Siwon replied, “Unfortunately you, Mage, I cannot so easily wipe your slate clean.”

“I understand,” Sungmin tilted his head in a slight head-bow. He paused and turned back to Taeyeon, “What’s wrong?”

“What?”

“You were stilted when you stood up, your face cringed when you ran, you trembled when I hugged you and you kept wrapping your arms around your ribs – what’s wrong?” Sungmin reiterated as he stepped closer to her, “Damn it, you’re injured!”

Siwon straightened then, “I thought you just had a fever, I didn’t know you were injured.”

Silently, the first prince swore at himself. He should have known something was wrong. Her stiff, slow movements had been because movement meant pain. Instead, he had interpreted it as further proof that she was wary of him, suspicious and angry.

“Some of it was healed yesterday,” Taeyeon explained, “But most couldn’t be healed.”

“Please, Taeyeon, allow the royal doctors to see to your injuries,” Siwon offered,

Taeyeon stared at him with a wide-eyed wonder expression, “Prince Siwon –”

“I’ll attend to her,” Sungmin interjected as he took her hands into his own,

“Propriety –” Siwon began,

“I’m her fiancé, propriety will allow this small thing if it means healing her,” Sungmin snapped. He inhaled slowly, deeply, “My apologies, Your Highness, I’m just angry at myself and the situation.”

Siwon stared at the mage for a moment, his peripheral gaze immediately taking in their hands as his mind repeated the other man’s proclamation of their relationship. He felt his heart twist painfully and he suddenly felt stifled, wanting air, freedom and flowers.

“Of course,” Siwon relented, turning away from them and heading over to the glass doors, “If either of you require my presence, just talk to one of the servants – they’ll find me in the gardens.”

Sungmin began to guide Taeyeon out of the study when she stopped and looked back at the prince who had now opened the doors allowing the pale morning light to blanket him,

“Prince Siwon,”

“Hmm?”

“While I’m here, can I see the gardens?” Taeyeon inquired,

“Of course,” he replied looking sightlessly at his beloved gardens,

“Thank you,” was her reply.

When all he heard was the study door opening and then closing, he stepped out into the promising morning.

“You could have seen them now,” he mused softly as he headed towards the nearest entrance into the garden’s maze, “With me.”

…

Taeyeon stood by the foot of her bed as she took off the royal blue jungchimak. Dressed in just the white paji and undershirt, she pulled back her hair and tied it up in a simple bun. She pulled the hem of her tank-top out from her paji and scrunched it up to beneath her breasts and knotted it securely in place exposing her abdomen. It went against all rules of society, all propriety that he was in her room and here she was baring half her torso to him. But she didn’t care and she didn’t mind. She was quite comfortable in Sungmin’s presence regardless of her level of dress.

“If you weren’t already injured, I’d kill you myself, Minx,” Sungmin sighed heavily as he came up behind her.

Her pale skin was purple and blue in big patches all around her abdomen. On the walk to her room, Taeyeon had explained all that had happened since she left the Castle of Light up until Sungmin had walked into Prince Siwon’s study. Considering she was in the river for hours, he assumed the injures were made from crashing into boulders, banks and who knows what else in the cold water. He silently thanked the mage who had taken care of her fever and some injuries the day before.

His hands hovered close to her skin. Closing his eyes, he summoned Light Magic and focused it at the palms of his hands. He slowly opened his eyes and watched as her skin slowly cleared. Once her back and sides were healed, Taeyeon turned to face him, her arms hanging loosely at her sides. Closing his eyes again, he healed her abdomen and then slowly raised his hands until they hovered just beneath her bust.

“A few broken ribs,” Sungmin murmured, “I sense resistance, difficult healing.”

“It doesn’t tickle… that’s for sure,” Taeyeon grounded out.

Sungmin’s eyes opened and locked with hers, “Taeyeon –”

“You’re healing broken bones, of course it’ll hurt,” Taeyeon gritted her teeth as tears poured down the sides of her face, “Just concentrate on healing them.”

“I… I don’t know if I can fully heal them,” Sungmin admitted, “I can’t even take away your pain.”

“It’s okay,” Taeyeon insisted, “Just do the best you can and my body can take over after that.”

Sungmin sighed before nodding. Closing his eyes, he began concentrating on healing her ribs as much as possible. He felt warmth radiating between his hands and her torso. The dark bruises that had marred her skin disappeared, but he knew that while her bones were in place, they were not completely healed yet.

Taeyeon let out a cry as she felt her bones shifting, felt as if her body was being torn apart even though the opposite was happening. Pain was like lightning, like fire, burning through her until she could no longer control her cries. She felt arms wrap around her shoulders, felt her body trapped in a familiar embrace, warmth but still the pain persisted. She felt the material at her cheek become wet and realized she had been crying.

When she was able to push the pain out of her mind enough that the tears stopped, she straightened and looked up at Sungmin’s face, “You’re tired… I’m so selfish sometimes –”

“It’s fine. An hour or so of rest will be enough for recovery. If I could do more –”

“You’ve done more than enough and I never would ask this of you… I know how much a toll healing has on your body,” Taeyeon insisted as she stepped out of his embrace and released the knot keeping her undershirt up. Tucking in her shirt and picking up her jungchimak, she took his arm and began leading him to the door, “Come, I’ll walk you to your room,”

“I’m not a child, Taeyeon,” Sungmin rolled his eyes even as he allowed her to lead him away, he would never let her know how fatigued he really was feeling.

Once in the hallway, he indicated which room was his – just a few doors down – and she propelled him in the direction. He opened the door and turned to look at her, “What will you do now?”

“Seeing as you’re the prisoner and I am not… I’m going to the gardens. I’ve been in that room for almost a full day and have almost forgotten what outside looks like,” she smiled softly, “Will you be okay?”

“You act as if I’m the injured one,” he rolled his eyes again, he raised her hand to his lips, brushing a kiss to her knuckles, “Take care while I’m asleep. Don’t get into any more trouble, Minx.”

“You’re the one going around threatening royalty,” she murmured teasingly.

She gave him a brilliant smile before turning away and slipping her royal blue jungchimak on. He watched her leave until he could no longer see her. Then, he turned into his room, closed the door and collapsed against its solid wood. Yes, he would never let her know how weak he really was. He sank to the ground, finding comfort in its hard, surface despite the carpet covering it. He closed his eyes and allowed darkness to overcome him. He didn’t even have the strength to get into bed.

…

The moment she was out of his sight, Taeyeon leaned against the wall, sagging as the pain slid back into her mind. She had been struggling against it, to keep it from her thoughts. The moment she knew Sungmin no longer saw her; the pain took over and seemed to be amplified. It did not hurt as much when she moved now, but it was horribly sore and the burning of her ribs beneath her breasts was still very much evident.

“Miss?”

Taeyeon tried to straighten quickly, but the pain shot through her abdomen and she cringed horribly. She smiled through the pain anyway, knowing she must look foolish. Standing at the top of the stairs just a few feet away was a properly dressed butler in black and white,

“Yes?” She hated how much her voice wavered with pain,

“Can I be of assistance?” He was an older man of greying hair and wrinkled face, and his dark eyes, which marked him of the Dark and would usually have made her wary, were full of warmth and genuine concern,

“Ah, yes, I was going to the gardens. Prince Siwon gave me permission to see them and after a day of being indoors I find myself desperately needing the feel of the sun on my skin,” she offered her brightest smile,

The butler hurried forward and offered his arm the moment she gave permission for his assistance. He had seen the way she had been leaning most reliably against the wall and the pain was still not completely wiped from her face. She was a mage from her clothing and her eyes showed she was of the Light. Everyone had heard the rumours of how she had attacked royal guards and had been arrested and brought before the first prince. She had been deemed a prisoner but given a guest room. Then, this morning her status had been elevated from prisoner to guest. All the servants knew – news travelled fast in the castle – but no one knew why one of the Light was in the Dark Kingdom, let alone now a guest at the Dark Castle.

However, he was a good butler, certainly, great even, and she was a guest. He would offer her all the courtesy of any other guest despite what filled her soul.

Slowly, he led her down to the ground floor and then out the back doors to the stone terrace looking out to the expansive gardens. Taeyeon gasped at the sight. Beautiful beds of flowers lined the terrace, almost like an embrace, a boundary before large bushes grew with intervals of entrances set into their green façades.

“A maze?” She asked,

“More or less, Miss,” the butler answered, “Like any other garden, it showcases different flowers and there are small sitting areas to rest and enjoy the scenery. It looks like a maze, but it is still a garden.”

“It’s ingenious,” she insisted, “A garden in the form of a maze? It allows oneself to be completely enveloped in the environment, not simply just surrounded by it. It gives the garden more depth, more purpose – allowing it to be a complete escape, touching all the senses. Nothing else will disturb one’s sight, nothing else will mix with one’s smell – it’s nature at its most beautiful, most safe.”

The butler stared at her a moment, absorbing her words. She spoke without intent, without ulterior motives. She spoke with feeling, with vibrancy. Did she realize that she had spoken so accurately of the purpose of the garden maze? No, how could she? She understood the gardener without possibly knowing who the gardener was. She flattered, praised a gardener without knowing their identity, but understanding their mind, their soul – she of a different origin of soul – and, yet…

“Oh, if I go in will I get lost?” She interrupted the butler’s thoughts,

“All paths lead to an exit. Whether there are many twists or turns, there will always be an exit at the end,” the butler informed, “It’s all a matter of finding a path and just sticking to it until the very end.”

“Knowing me I’ll probably get lost anyway,” she laughed lightly, “Will you send out a search party if I am not seen by nightfall?”

“I assure you, Miss, I will send out a search party long before then!” He scoffed. This stranger, this mage, this person of the Light, he found to quite like her. She was genuine, free of the artifice that usually cloaked the young ladies who graced the castle. He hoped he would not be the only one.

“Is there any particular path you suggest?” Taeyeon inquired as she slowly moved towards the maze, “One, perhaps, that is particularly beautiful or particularly calming or particularly dear to your heart?”

“I do not know if I can answer any of those questions without risking my employ, but I would suggest the path to the farthest right. You might find the sights there enlightening,” the butler replied with a peculiar light in his eyes and humour in his voice.

Taeyeon nodded and headed to the designated entrance. As she stepped into the maze and was surrounded by greenery, she felt herself suddenly calmed. She looked around and realized that the smell wafting around her was sweet lavender. It was no wonder she suddenly was calmed. Gingerly, she wrapped her arms beneath her bust and slowly walked down the stone path, remembering the butler’s words about paths and exits.

She realized then that she had trusted the butler’s suggestion. She didn’t know when it happened, but at some point he went from being a butler in the Dark Castle to simply being a butler. It was as if she were speaking to one of the butlers back home. She spoke to him with ease and not once did she stop and think ‘Wait, this is one of the Dark. Can I trust him?’. Her usual instincts did not flare up. Rather, she spoke of her thoughts freely and accepted his opinions easily. Here she was walking into a maze and not once did she suspect he lied to her of getting lost in the maze. Peculiar that and even more peculiar that she accepted it all so easily.

She recalled the conversation she had had with Sungmin over Light and Dark. They were both encompassing powers and it was only chance that drove those of the Dark to be corrupted first. Yet, thus far, those she had encountered did not seem to have fallen souls. The mage, Kangin, had been quite kind and he knew her brother. He knew Eeteuk enough to know his abhorrence to eating duck! Of course, there was the prince. She disliked him almost immediately and she still didn’t particularly look upon him kindly, but there were moments, the smallest of seconds, when she saw something akin to likeable in his character. Like when he had chuckled earlier. That sound wafted through her memory and settled in pleasantly in her thoughts as she continued down the path.

She came across the first sitting area the butler had mentioned. It was a circle lined with beds of beautiful flowers of purples and blues, tones, she reflected, that must add to the calming effect of the lavender. There was a stone bench in the middle were she thought to rest, although she knew sitting would probably cause her ribs more pain before peace. Then, she realized the area was not empty. How did she realize so belatedly? How did she not see him sooner when, now that she acknowledged his presence, he seemed to invade all of her senses?

He was like a dark shadow standing before one of the flower beds, tall and intimidating. His back was to her and, thanks to the soft leather encasing her feet, knew he couldn’t possibly know she was there. She was able to observe his broad shoulders and the way the dark material of his shirt stretched taught against his back as he moved. She was able to follow the soft lines of his hair that was slicked back, the ends just touching his collar. She should leave, she should turn and go and yet, she was entranced, watching his hand hovering before him, palm down and the way water seemed to form in the air just below his hand before trickling down onto the flowers below.

He sensed her almost immediately. He was too prone to scents of flowers, of the garden maze. He could smell a flower and identify it with his eyes closed. He could take a scent and break it down into its components accurately more often than not. When she was close enough, there was a disruption in the scents that had been enveloping him since he entered that particular sitting area. Beautiful scents of lavender, hyacinth and bluebells had suddenly been dulled by a different smell. Fresh, light, indescribable. It was like the smell of dew in the morning or grass after a rainstorm, but more, so much more.

When she didn’t move, didn’t say a word, he reacted first.

“Do sit down, Princess. Let me not disrupt you with my presence,” he said as he closed his fist and slowly turned to face her,

“I was just surprised to see you here. I know you said you were going to the gardens earlier but I was just surprised to see you here and watering the plants,” she explained as she tentatively walked towards the stone bench, slowly lowering herself onto it,

He watched her carefully, saw now the stiffness in her movement as an anticipation to pain. Saw the flash of pain in her amber eyes and the slight twitches in her facial muscles as she physically fought to express her pain. Had the mage healed her? If so, he did not do a good enough job. He’ll have to ask Kangin to heal her once he was free. Gauging from his internal clock, the Dark Mage was probably leaving Kyuhyun’s room around that time.

“I like to spend most of my time here,” Siwon admitted, “That is, whenever I’m not doing work regarding the kingdom in my father’s stead.”

“I can see why, it’s so… perfect,” Taeyeon explained.

Siwon looked at her as she closed her eyes and tilted her face to the sky,

“I was telling a butler earlier about how brilliant an idea this garden is,” Taeyeon went on, “Of how it could completely encompass one’s entire being, all senses. It’s like a complete, total getaway from everything else. It’s a perfect escape from the world beyond these green walls. I’ve only been walking in here for a few minutes and already I feel a detachment from the rest of the world. Is that why you spend your time here? To get away from the castle, the others? I’m sure it’s a lovely break from state affairs.”

Siwon stared at her, aware that his lips were parted in a slight gape. She understood. Better than anyone else, before he even could explain it, she understood. Being a princess, she understood the strictures of her station, understood he had the same limitations. More than that, however, she understood his garden, why it was built the way it was and why it was so precious, such a necessity. She got him and that shook his soul like nothing else. That scared him like nothing else.

“It is,” he said finally, turning his back and walking to the final bed of flowers he had yet to water.

As always, he found a peace while tending to his flowers. However, more than half his mind was aware of the lady at his back. She looked as beautiful as ever in her mage robes and her flowing hair. Her amber eyes had widened with surprise when he had turned to look at her. They sparkled like embers in a fireplace, like little jewels that only added to the beauty of her face.

He had been attracted to her appearance first. However, since breakfast, he had begun to witness flashes of who she was – her character and personality. Her emotions poured out from her expressions and voice. When she spoke just now about the garden maze, a small smile had lifted her lips, her face beaming with emotion even as her eyes remained closed. She exuded feelings and they made her radiant, effervescent. Her emotions, the way she carried them, expressed them, made her far more beautiful than just her physical features. He found himself drawn to her more and more like a moth to a flame.

“Why do you water the plants?” Taeyeon inquired, “Do you not have gardeners to do this for you? Unless, of course, this is one more way you are more removed from your usual place in life, helping complete the illusion of escape?”

He smiled even if she didn’t see. Yes, she understood him. “But it is still an illusion, is it not?”

“Far better than having nothing at all,” she replied, “And at least it is a pleasant escape. Completely different from what I would expect from you.”

“And what would you expect from me?” He inquired lightly as he finished watering and turned back to face her,

She tilted her head as she regarded him. Did she know her eyes darkened with an almost hazel depth when she contemplated? He had noticed it several times the other morning when he first met her and again when they were seated for breakfast. He found he could easily drown in her eyes, get lost at trying to decipher each tone, each shift of colour.

“Well, as I stated earlier this morning, you’re always so serious and solemn. Well, I suppose not always since you did chuckle earlier, but I would expect you to have something equally serious as an escape perhaps writing and reading. Or, perhaps even something more reclusive such as meditation in a dark room,” she stated matter-of-factly, even as her eyes shined with amusement,

“Shall I return to my study and drench myself in total darkness then?” Siwon questioned, raising a single brow in the process,

“Oh, not at all. I said I would expect different from you, but now that I’ve seen these gardens and seen you watering them, well, I expect something just like this from you,” Taeyeon answered, “It’s so different, such a contrast to how you act in the castle, it provides more distance, does it not, from your usual self? That’s why it’s such a great escape, no?”

“Why is it that within a few hours of my presence you are able to know my actions and their reasoning so well, Princess?” Siwon asked softly, seriously, his lids lowering slightly as he watched her sharply, “Why is it that with all others, even my brother, I have to explain such things?”

She tilted her head up to look at him and it was then that he realized he had been slowly approaching her until his legs almost touched her knees and he was towering over her. Her emotions, as always, played over her face. He saw the initial caution, the hint of fear, flash through her eyes before they softened, the colour lightening from a hazel to a jewelled honey. Her facial muscles dispelled their tension as she looked up at him, her eyes slowly sweeping over his face as if searching for something.

“Because we all need an escape,” she answered simply, softly, “And sometimes we cannot get it.”

Taeyeon gazed up at the prince and was startled to see such intensity in his dark eyes, in the lines of his face. Most times there was no emotion for her to read there. Either he controlled his emotions very well or had little to express. But in that moment, she saw an intensity, barely concealed emotions, just below the surface of his expression. His eyes were dark, almost brooding, and the flickers of emotions she saw there seemed raw, powerful. To see such emotions unleashed, to witness this intimidating man, this handsome prince, give in to his emotions…

She barely repressed the shiver that raced up her spine at the thought and fought to break the spell of his eyes, turning her face away. Strong fingers wrapped about her chin, slowly turning her face back towards him and up to his face,

“What is your escape, Princess?” He asked quietly,

Her eyes widened then, startled at having her words, her theory used against her. But no, he wasn’t the enemy, was he? He was simply asking her a question. He deserved an answered, didn’t he? She read him so well, or so he claimed, so wouldn’t it be fair to allow him the small concession of answering his question? And, yet, it was no small thing to answer the question. To answer it would be offering a great part of her vulnerability, of herself.

“Magic. That is your escape,” he didn’t ask, he stated it with a quiet confidence.

She simply stared at him. She had never said it aloud. Never said the words to her brother. He believed her need to wield Light Magic just another childish rebellion and, in a sense, it was. Even Sungmin, who she trusted implicitly, knew wielding Magic was freedom for her, but he didn’t know the intensity of her need, didn’t understand the depth of her need. And, yet, this Dark Prince, who had known her all of a day, pinpointed her greatest need within a single conversation.

She greatly suspected that he understood her as much as he claimed she understood him. The thought surprised her. The thought scared her. The thought calmed her.

“That’s a dangerous escape,” he said quietly as he released her chin and began to walk towards the entranceway between the maze path and the sitting area, “Care to join me? I make an excellent guide through the gardens.”

Taeyeon nodded as she gingerly stood and made her way to his side, slipping her hand around the arm he offered,

“The mage did not heal your injuries?” Siwon inquired as he guided her farther down the path and deeper into the heart of the gardens,

“There’s only so much Sungmin can do with his magic since he is a lesser mage, and there’s only so much I can ask of him. It takes quite a toll on him to use magic in such a complicated way as healing,” Taeyeon explained. She paused and then asked, “So you, too, believe magic is dangerous?”

“I know it is,” Siwon corrected, “Don’t get me wrong, in small portions, in moderation, magic has done good for both kingdoms. However, too much magic is, well, dangerous.”

“I suppose –”

“Have you never notice how others must regard your fiancé?” Siwon inquired, noting the bitter taste of the word on his tongue, “He is a mage.”

“I… I suppose there is a slight separation in their attitude, but that is respect for his status –”

“It is fear,” Siwon corrected again, “It is fear for the magic he wields. No doubt once he becomes a full mage he’ll be even more feared. No one will ever say or do anything so blatant as to ignore him, to give him a cut direct, but they will distance themselves. The same goes for Kangin. He is a Dark Mage, has been a full mage for over fifteen years.”

“But he cannot be so much older than 25,” Taeyeon gaped,

“He isn’t,” Siwon agreed, “But he has been practicing magic for far longer and was quite disciplined in his training. He gained full control and use of his magic when he was very young, before the war. As such, he is much feared in this kingdom. It is hypocrisy at its greatest because the people go to him for help, for requests of healing, of use of his magic and in the same breath will fear him, will warn their children against him. As such, he does not live in the castle; indeed, his home is on the outskirts of the lands, close to where both our kingdoms meet.”

Siwon paused before a break in the bushes, revealing another sitting area. He led her within and she gasped. The cylindrical sanctum was crawling with thorny stems and little red buds. The beds surrounding the sitting area were every shade of red rose from the palest of pinks to the deepest of scarlet. The area completely fought back the scent of lavender that had surrounded them as they walked. No, this was filled with just roses, the scent engulfing them with slight ebbs and flow as gentle breezes embraced them.

“There are more roses throughout the garden, but this is the only place that is strictly theirs,” Siwon explained as he stood at the entryway, hands clasped behind his back.

Taeyeon slowly walked the perimeter, her gaze starting at the beds at her feet before slowly crawling up the leafy, thorny walls, “There are no white roses or yellow ones. I’ve even seen blue ones before.”

“Blue ones are a man-made trick, flowering the blooms in blue-coloured water. I do not grow them here. Yellow roses and white ones can be found elsewhere. However, here, is strictly for those with red in them,” Siwon explained, “When one thinks of roses, they immediately think of red. It is that initial thought, perception, that has been captured here.”

“Like idealism at its greatest,” She offered,

“Yes, something like that,” Siwon replied, the hint of a chuckle in his voice,

“My, my, Prince Siwon, you are secretly quite the optimist despite your serious disposition, are you not?” Taeyeon said teasingly, “You act to the world as if a cloud is constantly hanging over you, but yet you surround yourself with colour, have such a place of roses made…”

She whirled around then to look at him, her eyes wide and sparkling,

“You do not grow blue roses here… what a peculiar way of wording such a thing instead of stating you instructed such a way or you commanded it to be so… instead you personalized the statement,” she tilted her head and regarded him again, “You do not just water the plants, Prince Siwon, you are also the gardener.”

“Since I do not sense a question there, then I need not answer,” he shrugged,

“This entire garden is your own work?” Her lips parted in awe,

He stared at her silently. For so long, in fact, she wasn’t sure he would ever answer her. Finally, however, he gave a single, sharp nod.

“Oh, how long it must have taken you to create and foster such –” Her words were swallowed by a gasp, her hands flying to cover her mouth, “When you said earlier that magic is a dangerous escape… you speak from experience, don’t you?”

He gave her a smile, but it was rueful, almost mocking, “This was my last dark spell.”

“You control water so easily that you do not even use a spell?” She shook her head, “To think your magic created this garden and you continue to tend to it… It’s truly…” She shook her head again, “I can’t even describe it.”

“Shall we continue on?” He inquired, offering his arm.

She made her way to his side, sliding her hand around his arm once more. They continued on at a slow pace. Occasionally, Taeyeon looked up at Siwon from the corner of her eye. He looked straight ahead. Suddenly, his face that rarely showed emotion was brooding. She stopped, causing him to stop. She looked up at him,

“This is a beautiful garden and yet you regret it, don’t you?” She asked,

“It was a decision I made after much consideration,” Siwon answered,

“That’s not an answer,” Taeyeon said. She tilted her head to the side, regarding him in her way, “This is related to the dangers of magic, isn’t it? But you no longer wield such massive amounts of magic,”

“That doesn’t mean this spell did not have its toll already,” he shrugged,

Her amber gaze swept over him, searching his face, “For one who seeks refuge in a world of colour… does this mean you had just as many emotions, Prince Siwon? Have I misjudged you again in believing you to be only serious and stoic?”

“I suppose you’ll never know, will you?” He replied, continuing to walk, prompting her to do the same. She understood him too well, too much already. Could he really afford to let her slip farther and farther beyond his guard? Could he really risk letting her know more and more of his mind, of his soul, of his…

“Even to control a small part of my magic will suffice,” Taeyeon admitted, “The training itself would be my escape, something so far removed from normality that I could be free… the actual control of my magic will help prevent… well… what happened yesterday. I set those trees on fire because I was scared.”

“You must be blessed with a lot of magic to have it unleashed so easily by emotions,” Siwon commented and then added, “Or perhaps you just have a lot of emotions.”

Taeyeon laughed lightly, “Perhaps even both.”

Siwon felt the ends of his lips twitch but it ended there. Her laugh was soft, freeing like petals floating on a soft, spring breeze. Her laughter had the same effect lavender once had on him, calming, soothing, settling peace in his soul. He shook his head and continued on. He had to ignore these thoughts. Maybe he was going crazy after all. First he was comparing her to a rose and now to lavender?

“Prince Siwon… will you kiss me?”

That was something he could not ignore.



(Chapter 4: The Dark Mage's Letter)