MTLNOVEL Chapter 8: 8. Caught up by a kiss
AT THE SAME TIME
EMPEROR LIANWEI POINT OF VIEW:
I tracked her to this crumbling door, could almost taste the chase, feel the pulse of my obsession rising with every step. When she opened it, my breath hitched. There she was, vulnerable and fierce, all at once. Her eyes wide with shock, her body frozen like a trapped songbird.
"How did yo-"She started.
"How did I find you so fast?" I whispered, not even needing to ask.
Before she could slip away, I slammed my hand against the wall beside her, trapping her in place. Her sharp intake of breath was like a strike to my heart, so fragile, so alive.
"You think you can run?" My voice dropped low, rough with the fire inside me. "Don't be silly Mei Shen."
Her panic was a physical thing, her chest rising and falling, eyes darting, mouth trembling. I could smell the fear and confusion, but beneath it… Something else. I leaned closer, letting my breath brush her skin.
"Where else would you go?"I asked her, my lips nearly touching the side of her ear.
I wanted to believe she'd fight me, push me away, scream at me to leave. But the truth was, I never wanted to let her go. This was something darker. Something alive. I loosened my hand, but didn't move back. I gripped her arms a little tighter, not enough to hurt, but firm enough so she couldn't pull away. Her body tensed, eyes wide and panicked, like a trapped bird fluttering in a cage.
"Why?"I demanded, my voice rougher now, hurt bleeding through. "Why did you run from me? What are you so afraid of?"
She swallowed hard, struggling to find words.
"I... I heard." She whispered, voice trembling. "The Empress hates me. She says you only see me as a toy… something to be discarded when you be bored."
Her words cut sharper than any blade. I stared, disbelief flashing before something darker settled in. She pushed, twisting in my grip, desperate to escape.
"Let me go!" She hissed, panic rising.
I didn't release her. Not yet.
"No." I said quietly, my breath brushing her ear. "I'm not going to let you disappear from me again. Not like this."
Her frantic words echoed in my mind, but before she could answer, a sly voice slid through my thoughts, Zeyrith, the ever mischievous god, chuckling softly.
"Ah, the poor tyrant, torn between fury and desire. You're so close, Lianwei… will you taste her lips or pull back? Come now, don't be shy."He grinned.
I clenched my jaw, ignoring the god's teasing, though a flush warmed my cheeks. I pressed forward, just a breath away from her, feeling the rapid pulse of her heartbeat. Her struggle slowed, panic flickered with something else an unspoken invitation.
"You think I see you as a toy? Then prove me wrong."I whispered again.
Zeyrith's laughter danced through my mind again, sweet and mocking.
"Oh, the tension! The chase! The moment before the storm, delicious."He grinned.
My lips hovered over hers, tasting the heat of the moment, and yet I held back, just barely.
"I'm not letting you go, Mei Shen."I whispered trying to keep control of myself.
It didn't last long as I didn't wait any longer. My lips crashed onto hers, fierce and claiming. The world narrowed to the taste of her, soft, startled, yet not pulling away. Instead, she stiffened beneath me, a silent surrender that sent a thrill deep through my veins.
My hands gripped her wrists, pinning them above her head against the cold wall. Her breath hitched, mingling with mine, her pulse pounding in sync with the wild beat of my heart. Zeyrith's voice teased inside my head, smooth as silk.
"Finally, Lianwei. No more games. You're drowning in obsession, and she's tasting your fire. Delicious."He whispered.
I pulled back just enough to meet her eyes, dark and fierce.
"You can run no more." My voice was a growl, a promise, a warning.
The panic in her gaze flickered, replaced by something raw, fear, desire, and confusion, all tangled in one. I leaned in again, deeper, deeper still, my world collapsing into the taste of her lips.
AT THE SAME TIME
MEI SHEN'S POINT OF VIEW:
My heart hammered so hard I thought he might hear it. His lips, his hands, holding me so tight against the wall that I could barely breathe. I wanted to scream, to shove him away, but my body froze, trapped between fear and something darker swirling inside me. He refused to let me go. His eyes burned into mine like a warning, and maybe a plea. I swallowed hard, trying to steady the panic bubbling up inside. Think. Think. Don't show him you're scared. Slowly, I pulled my wrists free just enough to step back a breath, forcing a calmness I didn't feel.
"Wait." I said softly, voice steadier than I wanted. "Before… before this gets worse, would you like some tea? I just made some."
He blinked, surprised for a moment. That was enough.
I reached for the small kettle on the table, trying to act casual, though my hands trembled beneath the blanket of calm I was draping over myself.
"It might help… calm your mind." I added, forcing a faint smile.
Inside, my mind raced, maybe if I kept him distracted, kept him thinking I wasn't afraid, I could find a way out of this. Maybe. As I poured the steaming tea into his cup, a soft, teasing voice echoed in my mind, Zeyrith, the ever-mischievous god of fate and chaos.
"Oh, little one, you think you can outwit the emperor with a sleepy brew? Bold. Delightfully bold. This dance just got interesting."He grinned in my mind.
I flushed, cheeks burning hotter.
"Not now, Zeyrith! "I whispered in my mind.
But the god just laughed, a low, warm chuckle that only I could hear. Just as I slipped the faintly powdered sleep draught into the tea I got a message from the system.
"System alert: unauthorized sedative detected. Risk of exposure increased. Recommend caution."The system said.
My fingers trembled for a heartbeat before steadying.
"Play it cool." I muttered under my breath, hiding my rising panic beneath a calm mask.
I handed him the cup, heart pounding like a drum. Please work. Please…I needed to leave as soon as possible, but I had no idea if this will work or I get pulled into his strong hands again.