The morning light slipped through the rain-streaked windows, pale and watery, casting a cool glow over the chamber. Outside, the sky was bright, but the steady drizzle had not relented, wrapping the palace in a damp, lingering chill.
Inside, the air was heavy with the scent of last night—smoke, rain, and the faint, metallic trace of blood. The bedding was tangled, the rug askew, and a chair lay on its side near the door, silent reminders of the sudden vampire attack that had driven them to flee the room hours before.
Yuyan and Tian Yu were still in bed, his arm draped loosely over her waist, their breathing slow and in sync. Her hair spilled over the pillow, brushing against his chest with each rise and fall. He didn't sleep often, but the exhaustion in her body had kept him still beside her.
Yuyan stirred against him, a small sound escaping her throat as she shifted. Her lashes fluttered, and when her eyes opened, she found him so close she could feel the slow, steady rhythm of his breath against her cheek. The faint, clean scent of him filled her senses—like snow against steel.
Instead of pulling away, she let herself linger, telling herself he must still be asleep. "How can a vampire be this… warm?" she murmured under her breath.
But Tian Yu was awake. Awake, and watching. His gaze tracked the tiny movements of her face, the way her lips formed each word.
When she finally turned her head, their eyes met—his crimson gaze locking with hers. The shock jolted her upright, the blankets tumbling into her lap.
"You, why did you hold me?" She asked, startled. She hadn't expected that he would be awake.
Tain Yu smiled, "You seemed to find comfort in my arms, no need to act like you weren't aware of my presence." He teased, his crimson gaze boring into her.
Yuyan opened her mouth to reply, but then a knock interrupted them.
Tian Yu headed to the door and pulled it open.
Three maids stood there, hands folded neatly in front of them.
"Your Highness, breakfast is ready," they chorused, voices trembling just enough to betray their fluster.
Their eyes lingered, too long, too warm, but he had grown used to the way people looked at him.
"Bring it here," he said simply.
The maids bowed, cheeks flushed, and hurried off.
He closed the door and turned back into the room. But when he looked around, Yuyan was no longer on the bed.
Just then, he heard the faint splashing of water coming from the bathroom.
A slow, knowing smile curved his lips. So that's where she was hiding.
He crossed the room and tapped gently on the door.
"Yuyan. I need to bathe."
Inside, she stiffened. Her fingers paused mid-motion, and her heart gave a hard thump. She could almost see him standing there in her mind, and that thought alone made her cheeks flush.
She said nothing, ignoring him.
He knocked again, this time with more force. Still nothing.
A smirk tugged at his mouth. "Stubborn, hm?"
Without warning, he stepped forward and vanished, reappearing inside the small, steam-filled room.
Heat wrapped around him instantly. The air was heavy with moisture, clinging to his skin. His gaze landed on her, her back turned, damp hair sticking to her shoulders, water glistening over her bare skin.
She froze, the tiny ripples in the pool betraying her sudden stillness. Slowly, she turned her head, and her eyes went wide when she saw that he had already began undressing.
"Tian Yu?!"
She snatched a small soap dish and flung it at him. It smacked against his shoulder, sending droplets flying.
"Who gave you permission—"
He didn't answer, instead, a smirk tugged his lips as he removed the last of his robe. Yuyan quickly turned away, not wanting to stare at his nakedness that already had head pooling beneath her stomach.
He stepped down into the pool, the warm water lapping at his calves, then his thighs, until it surrounded him completely.
Yuyan instinctively backed away, but the pool was too small, and her back soon touched the smooth wall.
He moved closer, his eyes locked on hers. His bare chest came within inches of hers, the heat radiating from him almost as intense as the steam.
Her breath caught as his hand slid around her waist beneath the water, pulling her the last few inches until her body pressed lightly against his. The contact sent a shiver racing through her, and she wasn't sure if it was from the heat or the way his touch made her stomach twist.
Tain Yu tensed as he felt her bare chest against his. His pulse quickened, blood rushing straight to his length which was now damn hard. She was so close he could feel every shallow breath she took, the soft brush of her skin against his.
One of his hand stayed on her waist, firm but not forceful, while the other lifted slowly out of the water. He reached up, brushing damp strands of hair away from her face. His fingertips grazed her cheek, leaving a trail of warmth.
Her lips parted slightly, her eyes flickering between his gaze and his mouth. Her chest rose sharply as if she was trying, and failing to steady her breathing.
He could see it in her eyes: the fight to resist him was slipping
His thumb stroked the line of her jaw, his touch gentle but deliberate.
"Yuyan…" he murmured, his voice low, almost a growl.
The sound sent another rush through her. Her knees felt weaker in the water.
He leaned in slowly, closing the distance until his breath fanned over her lips. For a brief moment, he hovered there, letting her feel the warmth of him, the tension coiling between them.
Then, with no more space left to steal, he pressed his mouth to hers.
The kiss was hot, unhesitating. His lips moved against hers with a hunger he didn't bother to hide. The hand on her waist pulled her tighter, until her body was flush against him.
Her breath hitched, and she melted into the kiss despite herself. Her fingers found his shoulder, gripping lightly for balance. His other hand slid from her jaw to the back of her neck, deepening the kiss, holding her exactly where he wanted her.
Her pulse roared in her ears. His heart was hammering too, each beat a hard thud against her chest. The air between them was gone, replaced by heat, water, and the sharp ache of wanting more.
But as if she snapped out of it, Yuyan pulled away abruptly, stepping out of the pool quietly without looking back at him.
Steam still curled lazily in the air when they stepped out of the bathing chamber. Droplets slid down Yuyan's neck, disappearing into the folds of the silk robe she'd pulled tight around herself. Tian Yu's hair clung damply to his shoulders, a single strand tracing the line of his jaw.
The room felt warmer than before, the scent of freshly baked buns and sweet rice porridge drifting from the low table. The maids had already come and gone, leaving two bowls, their porcelain lids still trembling faintly from being set down in haste.
Steam still clung to their skin as they stepped out of the bathroom. Yuyan moved to the wardrobe, her fingers brushing over layers of silk before pulling out a pale lavender robe. She dressed with her back to him, fastening the sash in quiet, deliberate motions.
Behind her, Tian Yu was tying the last knot of his black robe, the damp ends of his hair leaving dark streaks on the fabric. For a moment, his eyes lingered on the curve of her neck where a stray droplet slid down, disappearing beneath the silk, it linger more on the curve below. Then he swallowe and didn't say anything, but the corner of his mouth lifted slightly before he turned away to adjust his cuffs.
As Yuyan finish dressing , she went straight to the dinning, she sat down and lifted a small pot and poured tea into two cups, her movements deliberate—careful not to glance at him for too long. Tian Yu sat opposite her, sliding the lid off his bowl. Steam rose between them, briefly blurring his face.
He picked up his chopsticks. "The porridge will get cold," he said quietly, not looking up.
She nodded, taking a small sip of tea before tasting her own food. The silence between them wasn't sharp like before—it was softer now, a pause filled with unspoken words.
Halfway through the meal, his gaze lingered on her hands as she broke a bun open, the faint curl of steam escaping into the air. She caught him staring and raised an eyebrow, but he only lowered his eyes to his porridge again.
They ate in measured bites. No laughter, no playful teasing—yet the space between them no longer felt like a chasm. Just a still lake, waiting for the first ripple.