Li Wei parted his lips, ready to speak.
Then he felt it.
His own fist, clenched tight.
Rage and instinct coiled together in his chest.
Leena noticed first.
Without thinking, she moved.
"Excuse us!"
She shoved the nearest officer.
He stumbled back with a surprised yelp, knocking into his companion.
Both men toppled into a pile of bamboo baskets.
Before Li Wei could even blink, her soft hand caught his.
"Run!"
The prince had led armies before, but he had never been dragged through a crowded market by a girl in a fluttering veil.
Her fingers were warm.
Her scent—jasmine, soft and sweet—hit him with every stride.
Heaven help me…
He couldn't look away.
Her hair danced like silk in the wind, sunlight catching on every strand.
They ducked into a narrow alley, chests heaving.
Li Wei pressed against the wall, and she pressed against him, the space too tight to breathe.
For a moment, the world went silent.
Only the thud of his heartbeat filled his ears.
The warmth of her body seeped through his robe.
Stay still. Don't move. Don't think.
If he moved even a fraction closer, he might…
Leena peeked toward the street.
The officers sprinted past, still shouting.
She let out a soft breath, her lips brushing the air near his jaw.
"They're gone," she whispered.
Then, without hesitation, she slipped out of the alley first.
Li Wei stayed frozen a moment longer.
One hand over his chest.
His heart refused to calm.
What are you doing to me…
When he finally stepped out into the sunlight—
"Leena!"
A familiar voice rang out.
Chen Yu jogged over, grinning ear to ear, holding out a glistening pear.
"Here! I just bought it. Sweetest in the market!"
Leena blinked in surprise, reaching for it—
And Li Wei's jaw tightened.
Something in him snapped, slow and dangerous.
This time, he wasn't about to just stand there.