CHAPTER 49
His black eyes gleamed with an eerie, beautiful red-gold glow, giving him an almost otherworldly beauty.
Muwon noticed, pulling back for a moment to stare at him in wonder.
He reached out and gently ran his fingers along one of the glowing tattoo lines on Sihyun's collarbone.
"It's because of me..."
he whispered in awe, feeling the faint hum of power where his curse mark resonated with Sihyun's magic.
Sihyun's breath hitched, but instead of retreating, he let Muwon guide him backward onto the bed, Muwon's body hovering protectively above him.
Their kisses grew hungrier, more desperate — lips parting, breathing each other in, their bodies molding together in a heated, tangled embrace.
Muwon's hands roamed carefully, learning every inch of Sihyun's body with a tenderness that made Sihyun's heart ache.
And Sihyun, for once, let himself fall —
let himself feel —
let himself be loved.
All the pain, all the fear melted away under Muwon's careful touch, replaced with something new, something terrifying yet beautiful.
Something he was no longer sure he could ever live without.
Sihyun shifted, chest heaving softly as he collapsed on top of Muwon, his body spent but his heart still pounding against his ribs.
The glow from his eyes and tattoos slowly began to fade, leaving only faint lines across his pale skin, like embers dying after a wild fire.
He rested his forehead against Muwon's shoulder, his voice muffled but playful, tired.
"You've drained me..."
he grumbled weakly, his breath ghosting over Muwon's skin.
Muwon chuckled quietly, wrapping his arms securely around Sihyun's waist, holding him close.
"I'm sorry,"
Muwon murmured against his hair, pressing a kiss to his temple.
"Maybe next time... we'll keep the chain on,"
he teased, voice low and mischievous.
Sihyun, still catching his breath, smacked Muwon's bare arm lightly.
"Idiot,"
he muttered, but there was no real anger in it — only a tenderness that surprised even himself.
Muwon laughed again, a soft, genuine sound, and pulled Sihyun closer until there was no space between them.
His hands traveled gently along Sihyun's back, feeling the new warmth of his skin, the faint pulse of magic still lingering there.
Suddenly, his fingers brushed against a fresh tattoo — the 19th mark — newly formed and gleaming faintly under the moonlight pouring in through the window.
Muwon paused, tracing it carefully with his fingertips, marveling at the intricate, horn-like curve of it.
"It's beautiful..."
he whispered, voice filled with something close to reverence.
Sihyun shivered at the soft caress but didn't pull away, his face still hidden against Muwon's shoulder.
"You're beautiful, Sihyun,"
Muwon added, kissing the spot just above the new tattoo with a tenderness that made Sihyun's throat tighten painfully.
They stayed like that, tangled together — skin against skin, heart against heart.
Sihyun slowly let the exhaustion wash over him, feeling safer in that moment than he ever remembered feeling.
Muwon kept whispering little things — sweet nothings, promises he didn't dare say aloud yet — as he stroked Sihyun's hair, soothing him.
Eventually, Sihyun's breathing evened out, falling into a deep, peaceful sleep on top of Muwon.
Muwon smiled faintly, tightening his arms around Sihyun protectively, before finally letting sleep claim him too.
The moonlight bathed their sleeping figures, the room still messy from earlier chaos, but filled now with something far stronger — something soft, raw, and real.
Love.
The morning light filtered gently through the thin curtains, casting a pale gold glow across the tangled sheets and the two bodies curled together on the bed.
Sihyun stirred first.
For a few moments, he stayed still, eyes half-lidded, feeling the steady rise and fall of Muwon's chest beneath him.
Warmth seeped into his skin from every point they touched — so much so that it almost felt dangerous to move.
Slowly, reality caught up with him.
His heart skipped a beat.
He lifted his head slightly, messy strands of hair falling into his eyes, staring down at Muwon's peaceful face.
The prince's arms were still wrapped securely around his waist, refusing to let go even in sleep.
Sihyun's cheeks flushed a soft pink as flashes of last night returned to him.
The heat, the way Muwon had whispered his name, the way he had kissed every mark on his body like they were precious...
He panicked a little, trying to slip away carefully — quietly — but before he could fully pull himself free, Muwon's arms tightened, and a sleepy, gruff voice rumbled against his ear.
"Where are you going?"
Muwon mumbled, his breath warm against Sihyun's neck.
"I-I'm just..."
Sihyun stuttered, trying to find an excuse, but his voice was too soft, too unsure.
Muwon cracked open one eye, a lazy smirk tugging at his lips.
"Stay."
It wasn't a command.
It was a plea.
Sihyun froze, heart hammering in his chest, before he finally gave in with a small sigh.
He allowed Muwon to pull him back down easily, their legs tangling once more.
Muwon pressed a kiss against Sihyun's forehead, murmuring so low Sihyun almost missed it.
"You're not allowed to run away... after stealing my heart like that."
Sihyun buried his face into Muwon's chest, trying to hide how red his face had become.
He muttered something incoherent, something that sounded suspiciously like idiot again, but he didn't move away.
Muwon chuckled sleepily, his hand stroking slow, soothing circles along Sihyun's bare back.
Wrapped in each other's arms, the outside world faded away.
Just for now — it was only them.
Only heartbeats, soft touches, and unspoken promises.
A gentle knock broke the silence.
Sihyun stiffened immediately, jerking his head up as if he had been caught doing something terribly wrong.
Muwon, on the other hand, just groaned softly and tightened his grip around Sihyun's waist, burying his face deeper into Sihyun's shoulder.
The knock came again — more insistent this time.
"...Sihyun? Are you awake?"
Yuhyun's voice floated from outside the door, cautious but concerned.
"I–I brought breakfast... If you're feeling better... I can leave it if you want..."
Sihyun's face burned hotter than fire.