#kaipaedyn

the forget-me-not scene (part 1) – kai's pov

"Then why do you push me away?"

I breathe in softly, intending to calm my nerves as I ask her the question I so badly want the answer to.

And that is a mistake. The faint scent of lavender makes my heart pound.

Fervently, profusely, arduously.

I am drunk on her scent, and in this moment, the only thing that can sober me up is her answer to my question.

I spin her around slowly, refusing to let her deflect. Refusing to let her gaze stray from mine. I let storm meet ocean, smoke meet sky.

She has changed everything I believed in. She has changed me.

I catch myself fearing what she has done to me. Because suddenly, I realise that I, Kai Azer, prince and future Enforcer of Ilya, would do anything for her, would do anything to be hers, if only she asked.

I look at her, really look at her, stripping myself bare in front of her very eyes. I watch her thoughts unravel, wishing that she would tell me what she was thinking. She never does.

We continue staring at each other, and I ignore the stares that are on us. And before I can blink, she is pulled out of my arms and replaced with Blair.

I sigh. Looks like I won't be getting that answer any time soon.

Not if I can help it. A wicked idea crosses my mind.

Blair starts rambling about her sore feet, and how her maid had ruffled her dress earlier, or something like that when I cut her off.

The dance has ended anyway, so I'm doing her a favour by not leaving her earlier.

"Excuse me, Blair," I begin, "I need to go empty my bladder."

She sputters at that, but I don't hear the rest of what she says as my mind is determined to find Paedyn.

Thankfully, it is not difficult to find the shining girl with her silver hair. From afar, I watch her midnight black figure walk towards the doors separating the ballroom from the courtyard. And I watch as her path is blocked.

ִֶָ 𓂃⊹ ִֶָ

By the time I make it close to her, she already has her hand hovering above her dagger.

And I realise that it's because the Imperial has his hands on her.

I'm going to make him regret that. That is, when Paedyn is done with him.

"Careful, she'll press that blade to your throat. I would know."

My hands are tucked into my pockets, but the Imperial is smart enough not to mistake it for nonchalance. "But, sir, we have orders that the contestants are not to leave the–"

I nearly cluck my tongue. "And now you have new orders. So I suggest you open the damn door."

My tone is deceptively calm, concealing the storm brewing inside. "Oh, and if you want to keep your job, your head, and your hand," I pause for dramatic effect, watching his throat bob, "I suggest you release the little lady." I sneer.

Pathetic.

When the Imperial jumps away from Paedyn and releases his hold on her like it has scalded him, I raise my head a little out of satisfaction.

Just when he thinks he can walk away from this, I twist the front of his shirt in my fist and slam him against the wall. "I lied," I spit into his face. His terror makes the monster in me want to grin. "You'll be lucky if I let you keep your head, let alone your hand for lying a finger on her."

I continue staring him down, watching him cower, but I don't miss Paedyn stepping away and taking her chance to exit the ballroom. And because of that, I show him mercy. I let him go.

Plagues, look at what she's done. Look at what I'm doing. The future Enforcer showing mercy?

I shove the Imperial aside before making my way to the door.

paedyn to kai:

"i'm sorry i killed your father

but i'm not sorry i killed your father"

kai to paedyn:

❀ - angst ☆ - smut ♡ fluff

multi chapter

one shot