Kyel came to a stop in front of the little house, his lungs burning from the relentless run. He bent forward, gripping the doorknob to steady himself, breath rough and uneven.
"Princess… please don't be asleep," he whispered, half a plea, half a prayer. "Because if you are, I'll have to wake you up again."
He twisted the knob and stepped inside. The house was drowned in darkness, except for a faint glow seeping out from the upstairs bedroom.
Without hesitation, Kyel bolted up the stairs two at a time. He stopped at the doorway—and his breath caught.
Eva stood by the window, bathed in moonlight. Her nightgown shimmered faintly against her frame, delicate and ethereal, as though spun from starlight. She looked so breathtaking it almost hurt to look at her.
"Princess…" His voice cracked on her name.
She turned, startled. "Kyel."
"Princess, I'm back." His arms aching to hold her.
Suddenly Eva dropped to the floor, bowing her head until it touched the cold boards.
Kyel froze. "Princess… what are you doing?"
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
He frowned. "Sorry? For what?"
"For slapping you."
Kyel exhaled, relief and frustration mixing in his chest. "I already told you—it was a mistake. You were sleeping—"
"And for biting you."
He stiffened. "Wait… you… you remember that?"
"Yes."
"Wait—since when? Where? How much?!" Kyel's voice rose with panic.
"From the moment I jumped on you," she replied softly.
"I was drunk… and I attacked you."
"Right. You were drunk," Kyel repeated, more to soothe his own soul than hers.
"Drunk. Yes. Exactly. That's what it was. Drunk."
"Princess, please… just get up from the floor. Let me see your face."
"No." She stayed bowed.
"Not until I say what I need to say. So just—stay still."
"But—"
"I can't believe I slapped you… and bit you like some wild animal." Her voice cracked.
"It must've hurt so much."
"No, no, it didn't hurt," Kyel said quickly, tugging at his collar. "Look—my neck, my face, all healed. Not a mark left."
Eva finally peeked up. "How did it heal so fast?"
"There's a healer in the capital. He heals injuries instantly," Kyel answered proudly.
"I bet when he saw the bite mark, he thought you were attacked by a Beast."
Kyel choked. "No! Princess, listen—"
Eva suddenly sprang to her feet. "Here."
She lifted her chin and pointed at her cheek.
"Slap me."
"…What?"
"Slap me. Do it."
"Princess, I—"
"You always let me get away with everything, Esaliye. I deserve it this time."
She stared straight into his eyes.
"Do it."
"Hit me as hard as you can."
"Hit you? As hard as I can?" he echoed, disbelieving.
"Yes."
"You can't be serious."
"I am." Her jaw tightened. "Don't worry—I can take it. I'm strong." She tapped her cheek again, steady and unflinching. "Here."
Kyel took a step closer. "Wait—wait—let me close my eyes first,"
Eva said quickly, squeezing them shut. "Your hands are big, I need to brace myself."
She tilted her face up with mock bravery. "Here. Go on."
Kyel stared at her. One second. Two seconds.
She stood there, face tilted, eyes closed, lips slightly parted, completely bracing herself for a blow.
Kyel leaned in—and kissed her cheek.
Her eyes snapped open. "Wh–what are you doing? I told you to slap me, not to kiss m—"
Kyel cupped the back of her neck and pulled her into a deep, passionate kiss.
His lips crushed into hers with such urgency it stole the breath from her lungs.
When he finally pulled back, her lips were still parted in shock, cheeks burning.
Eva blinked, dazed, her lips still tingling. "Kyel…"
He swallowed hard, his voice low, almost trembling. "You said… you remembered everything from last night, right?"
She nodded slowly.
"Then tell me." His hand tightened at her waist. "When you said me you wants me—And When you asked me to love you… did you mean it? Or were you just saying it because you were drunk?"
Eva's lips parted, but no sound came. Silence stretched between them, her gaze locked to his, her heart pounding so loud she thought he might hear it.
A bitter smile ghosted across his lips. "I knew it. There's no way you'd say those things to me—"
"I meant it." Eva's voice wavered, yet her gaze didn't falter.
Kyel's breath caught. His gaze snapped back to hers. "You —You meant it?"
"Yes," she whispered, her lips trembling.
His heart thudded violently in his chest. "How much did you mean it?"
"Every word," Eva breathed. "Every single word, I meant it."
Eva lifted her gaze, her cheeks flushed but her eyes steady. "I want you."
Her lips trembled as she whispered, "So Please, Love me."
For a long heartbeat, silence hung heavy between them. Then, slowly, Kyel's lips curved into a smile—bright and unrestrained, breaking across his face as if he'd been waiting forever to hear those words.
"Then tonight," he murmured, his voice rough with desire, "I'll love you as much as you want."
His hand slid to the curve of her waist, pulling her closer, his smile deepening as he whispered against her skin—
"I won't stop… not unless you tell me to."