The golden light of dawn crept slowly through the canvas of their tent. The forest birds were already awake, chirping softly in the distance. But inside, the silence was heavy—charged.
Yun Lan stirred first. Her limbs were sore, her body still warm from the fire Leon had kept burning all night beside her. His strong arms were wrapped tightly around her waist, anchoring her to his chest. His scent—deep, smoky, intoxicating—surrounded her like a cage. She could feel the slow rise and fall of his chest, calm and even.
He was asleep.
She opened her eyes slowly and turned her head to peer at him.
This was her chance.
If she wanted to continue her search for the final flower—the one that would save her from the curse blooming inside her blood—she needed to act. The second flower's energy was already fading, and the sickness was crawling back into her veins. Her dreams were filled with shadows again. Whispers. Cold.
She slipped her hand under the blanket, quietly moving away from his chest, holding her breath as his grip loosened.
One step at a time, Lan. You can do this.
But the moment her bare foot touched the edge of the blanket, a voice shattered the silence.
"Going somewhere?"
Yun Lan froze.
Leon's voice was low. Dangerous.
She slowly turned back—and her heart dropped.
His eyes were wide open, fixed on her. Burning.
She didn't even hear him move before he sat up and reached under the bedroll.
"Leon, wait—"
"Shut up," he growled.
Her lips parted in surprise, but before she could protest again, he pulled out a small iron object. She blinked.
Handcuffs?
These had chains—thin silver chains attached to ankle cuffs.
"What are you doing?" she asked, heart now thundering in her chest.
Leon's eyes were pure obsidian. Cold, furious, and possessive. "What I should've done the moment I brought you back."
"You're not serious—Leon, please—"
He grabbed her ankle before she could move, pulling her down onto her back. He straddled her thighs, pinning her easily beneath him. She gasped, struggling as his fingers clasped the cold metal around her right ankle.
Click.
Then the other.
Click.
A short silver chain—no more than a meter—connected the cuffs.
Yun Lan stared at him in disbelief. "You chained me?!"
"You ran," he said coldly.
She tried to sit up, but his hand pressed her down by the shoulder.
"You told me you wouldn't leave. And you lied. Again."
"Leon, I only wanted to—"
"To what? Disappear into the mountains again? Risk your life chasing things you won't even tell me about?" His jaw clenched. "No more, Lan. I'm done playing the patient lover."
She pushed at his chest, but he didn't move. Instead, his gaze dropped to her lips.
"You're mine," he said darkly, leaning in. "And now… I'm going to remind you what that means."
"Leon—"
Her protest died as his mouth crashed onto hers.
It wasn't gentle.
It was a claim.
He kissed her deeply, hungrily, his tongue sliding between her lips as he grabbed both of her wrists and pinned them above her head. Her heart raced as she struggled beneath him—conflicted, furious, but also burning. Her body reacted before her mind did.
When he pulled back, his eyes were darker than before. "You drive me insane, Yun Lan. Running from me. Lying. Tempting me with that pretty mouth, then hiding behind your secrets."
"I'm not—"
"You are," he growled, biting at her jawline. "And now I'm going to punish you for it."
His hands slid down her sides, pushing up the hem of her thin shirt. She gasped when he ripped it off, baring her chest to the morning air. Her nipples hardened instantly, both from the cold and the heat of his gaze.
"Look at you," he whispered, brushing his thumb over one peak. "So beautiful. So mine."
Yun Lan moaned when he leaned down, taking her breast into his mouth, sucking hard while his other hand slid between her thighs.
"L-Leon—ah!"
"You're wet," he murmured against her skin. "You like when I chain you up, don't you?"
"No," she gasped, cheeks flaming.
"Liar." He kissed down her belly. "Even now… your body is begging for me."
He slid her panties down and shackled legs apart with gentle force. The chain between her ankles jingled softly as he pushed her thighs open.
And then he buried his face between them.
Yun Lan moan softly, hands gripping the blanket as Leon's tongue stroked deep and slow, sending jolts of pleasure through her. He didn't give her a moment to think, to argue, to speak. He just devoured her—ruthlessly, skillfully—until she was sobbing his name, writhing against the chain that kept her from closing her legs.
When she shattered beneath his mouth, her moan echoed through the forest.
But he wasn't finished.
Leon climbed up her trembling body, his eyes wild now. "You think you can run from me? Hm?"
He didn't wait for her to answer. He unbuckled his belt and positioned himself above her, dragging the tip of his hard length between her folds.
"I'll make sure you never try it again."
And then he thrust into her.
Yun Lan moan, her back arching as he filled her in one deep, punishing stroke. The chain around her ankles tugged, restricting her from wrapping her legs around him. He pinned her hands again and moved inside her with relentless power, each thrust a command:
Stay. Mine. Never leave.
"Say it," Leon growled against her ear. "Say you're mine."
Yun Lan moaned, eyes fluttering. "I'm—yours…"
He kissed her hard then, swallowing her cry as he drove into her again and again, until she shattered around him a second time, and he followed, spilling deep inside her with a broken curse.
For a moment, all that could be heard was their ragged breathing.
Leon collapsed beside her, dragging her against his chest. He kissed her hair, then her forehead.
"I'm sorry," he muttered. "But I can't lose you. I won't."
Yun Lan didn't answer. She couldn't. Her body was too sore, too spent.
But her heart was full—and trembling.
Because she knew the truth: she would have to leave again.
No matter what chains Leon used.
Because if she didn't find the last flower in time… she would die.
And she wasn't ready to let him see that.
What do you think that will happen in chapter 29?
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