The tunnel had no end in sight.
Leon carried Yun Lan on his back, his grip firm but careful. The only sounds were the soft splash of water beneath their feet and the rhythmic tapping of his boots against the stone. The dim light from the crevices in the ceiling lit the way, flickering like fireflies. Yun Lan's arms were draped around his neck, her breath close to his ear.
She hated how safe it felt.
After what felt like forever, the narrow passage suddenly opened. A soft breeze greeted them. Leon stepped forward—and they both froze.
A hidden paradise lay before them.
The chamber expanded into a massive underground sanctuary. Emerald grass stretched beneath their feet, dotted with vibrant wildflowers. A crystal-clear waterfall cascaded from the high rocks above, feeding into a sparkling pool that glistened like glass. Sunlight poured in from a narrow opening in the ceiling, painting everything in golden hues.
Yun Lan's eyes widened. " It's beautiful ?"
Leon smirked. " Not as beautiful as you are."
"Put me down, I want to walk" she muttered.
He didn't budge. "You'll try to run again."
She huffed. "With a twisted ankle? I can barely move. Just put me down."
Leon grunted but lowered her gently onto the soft grass. The moment he let go, Yun Lan winced. Her ankle throbbed.
Still, the place enchanted her.
As Leon explored the edge of the pool, Yun Lan sat quietly, letting her fingers trail through the cool grass. She couldn't help but glance toward the waterfall. The sound of rushing water called to her. Despite the pain in her leg, she stood and limped toward it.
"Where are you going?" Leon called.
"I want to bathe," she said. "Don't look."
He raised a brow. "Princess, you're hurt. I think you need my help" and he smirked.
"I don't need anything from you!" she snapped.
Leon rolled his eyes and turned away. "Fine. Do it your way."
Yun Lan undressed slowly behind the veil of falling water. The cold stream hit her skin like silk. She sighed, letting herself relax for the first time in what felt like days.
But a sudden slip on a slick rock made her yelp.
Leon turned instantly and rushed over. "Yun Lan?"
He found her kneeling in the water, soaked, with nothing but her underwear clinging to her skin.
"Don't look!" she screamed. "Pervert!"
Leon turned, but the grin on his face betrayed him. "Princess, I'm your husband. Isn't it normal to bathe together?"
"You're only my husband because you forced me to be your wife!"
Leon shrugged. "Still counts."
Yun Lan glared, red-faced, then turned her back and got dressed behind the curtain of water.
Later, as the sun dipped slightly through the natural skylight, Leon returned to the pool. His shirt was off, draped on a rock. He stepped into the water with a lazy confidence, eyes closed, wet hair slicked back.
Yun Lan sat nearby, tending to her ankle.
"Princess," Leon called, "bring me my clothes."
"Bring them yourself," she muttered.
"Can't. Too far. Besides, you want to see me naked."
She blush and rolled her eyes and grabbed his folded clothes. She approached slowly, hand over her eyes.
"Here!" she said.
Leon smirked. "Thanks."
When she reached the water's edge, he suddenly grabbed her wrist.
"Ah!" she gasped.
She lost balance and fell forward, her hands landing on his bare chest. Her eyes shot wide open.
Hard muscle. Warm skin. The water dripping down his torso.
Leon's smirk deepened. "Seems like you like what you see."
"Let go!" she blushed.
Instead, he held her close, their faces inches apart. His breath was hot against her cheek.
"You want me" he whispered.
She shook her head.
"Liar, I know you want me" he growled.
He kissed her.
Yun Lan leaned in, fingers clutching his shoulders. The kiss deepened—wet, hungry, dangerous. Leon lifted her with ease, wrapping her legs around his waist.
"You drive me insane," he murmured against her lips. "You make me want to ruin you."
Yun Lan's breath hitched.
He carried her through the shallow water, up onto the soft mossy slope near the flowers. He laid her down gently, lips trailing from her mouth to her neck.
"Say my name kitten "
Her voice was barely a whisper. " Leon.."
"Good girl."
He kissed her again, slower now, more possessive.
Leon's hands pinned her wrists above her head with one hand. His other hand explored her side, her waist, his touch rough but intoxicating.
"I want to hear you beg," he growled.
Yun Lan bit her lip, trembling beneath him.
"I'm going to mark every inch of you," he said. "So you never forget who you belong to."
The heat between them ignited. Her resistance blurred. Her lips parted.
"Please..." she whispered.
Leon's eyes darkened.
"Too late," he said. "I'm already yours."
And he kiss her again this time on her neck and down waist, and He took her completely, over and over again, until her cries echoed through the chamber.
He made love to her with a hunger that blurred time.
In the morning when Yun Lan woke up and saw that Leon was half naked next to her remembered what happened last night and she blush, she got up easily and started to go back on the road from grave and see if she could leave, but when she went for ten minutes she felt a strong arm around her waist and she looked back and saw Leon.
He was red from anger and says " I think I leave a little strength to my little kitten to walk" and he smirk and took Yun Lan with one hand and says " I think that my little kitten forget that I say "If you run again, I'll make you scream my name until you forget why you ever tried to leave."
"Your punishment? You'll beg for mercy beneath me."
What will happen in chapter 13, would they leave the grave and return home?
Will Yun Lan stop running from Leon arms and love?
And what will Leon do to Yun Lan?