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ellecdc · 3 months

Note

Okay after many many thoughts I think I've got it!

Barty showing up to the gryffindor quidditch after party (cause James and Sirius are great players and know what they're doing) bloody and bruised cause he overheard some butthurt slytherins talking shit about James and their girl. And he wasn't gonna let that slide.

I'm not sure if it's clear, but this is in regards to the darksun x reader were talking about yesterday 😅

oooooooof ok.......*throws this at you all and runs* NEW SHIP ALERT: I'm new to this, be nice to me hahahahaha

poly!darksun x fem!reader at a bloody Gryffindor afterparty

CW: Barty shows up bloody and bruised but he's chuffed about it, reader won't stop slapping Peter [it's not that serious], Sirius is not that serious -> pairing = james potter x reader x barty crouch jr

It had been perhaps only 25 minutes since the Gryffindor vs Ravenclaw game ended and the afterparty in Gryffindor tower was already in full swing.

And what Remus meant by full swing was that Sirius was literally swinging from the chandelier, Marlene and Lily were challenging one another to a game of ‘who could spin the most times without getting sick’ (which Remus felt was a game that everyone was going to lose), and you and Peter were halfway through a very intense muggle card game called slap which did indeed involve slapping and, apparently, swearing and trash talk.

“Fuckin’ hell.” Peter muttered as he rubbed the back of his hands dejectedly.

“Gonna have to be faster than that, Wormy.” You taunted as you collected his pile of cards.

“Oi, if she has so much as one welt on the back of her hand, Pete; there will be hell to pay.” James called as he came up behind you.

You turned to look at James then, and Remus was sure your smile was nearly blinding in your excitement and energy if James’ lovesick look was anything to go by.

“Yeah, yeah Prongs; she’s sodding winning by a landslide anyways, no need to get your knickers in a twist.” Peter muttered (rather petulantly for only having lost a round of a silly card game if you asked Remus).

“I don’t think it’s Prongs you have to worry about, my dear Wormy.” Sirius called from his new home in the chandelier, nodding towards the entrance as Barty stepped through the portrait hole.

Remus watched as both you and James seemed to melt now that your third was here. He knew that it hadn’t been easy persuading Barty to participate in such “Gryffindorian displays of pompous pride” as he had called it, but you had somehow been able to convince him to celebrate the team’s wins if not only for James’ sake.

And, as Sirius would pretend, maybe a little bit for his sake as well. Remus didn’t have the heart (nor the patience) to tell him that was a fat chance.

“I’m not afraid of Junior.” Pete muttered darkly as he watched you reset the game in front of them.

“Circe’s tits…perhaps you should be, Pete.” Sirius bit out through a grimace, causing the group to all turn their attention to the Slytherin boy.

Remus wasn’t exactly sure what the Slytherin practice was when getting ready for a celebratory quidditch afterparty, but based on Barty’s current state, it seemed that ritual consisted of at least one fist fight with a particularly angry hippogriff.

“What happened?” You nearly shrieked as you abandoned your card game and you and James made for your boyfriend.

Barty let out a breath before he broke out into a smile. “Sorry I’m late! Had to take care of something on my way here.”

Remus was sure that the way Barty was grinning at the two of you had to be horribly painful for the busted lip he was currently sporting as his teeth quickly turned a pinky/red colour.

“And what were you taking care of? A graphorn?” James asked incredulously as you guided Barty to a stool in order to fuss over him.

“Don’t be daft, James. There’s no graphorns in Hogwarts.” Barty waved him off, eyes moving to you as you assessed his face.

“Who did you run into, Barty?” You pressed; voice taking a no-nonsense tone that had Peter and Remus sharing a nervous look.

“Just some Ravenclaws who were a little disappointed by the end of today’s match, is all.” He offered happily; pulling you closer towards him from where you were standing between his legs by the back of your thighs, watching you adoringly as you summoned a cloth to dab at his lip.

“That’s all, is it?” You deadpanned, clearly not buying his story.

“I hardly think you were too fussed over some comment about quidditch scores, Barty.” James chided lovingly.

“Of course I did! I love quidditch.” Barty spat defensively.

“Yeah, but you hate the Gryffindor team.” Sirius called from his chandelier.

“That’s not true! I’m shagging the captain for Salazar’s sake.”

“Okay, well…maybe don’t shout that?” You muttered as you looked around in embarrassment, earning a bark of laughter from James as he rubbed your shoulders consolingly.

“I don’t know, bubs; I don’t see you risking showing up late and bloody over discourse on match scores.” James continued, clearly finding this more amusing than you were as you angrily cast a glacius on a cup and held it to Barty’s jaw which was quickly purpling in colour.

“Okay, perhaps they said a few other things; it’s no big deal.” Barty offered dismissively, though Remus (and likely you and James) noticed the way that his grip seemed to strengthen on your thighs at his admission.

“Yeah? Like what?” You encouraged.

Barty let out a defeated sigh as he finally turned his gaze to you. “You know I don’t like people talking about you; either of you.” He admitted quietly.

You shook your head in disappointment but let out a sympathetic sigh.

“Wait, what’d they say about our girl?” James said then, craning his neck around you in order to look at Barty pointedly.

“It doesn’t matter Jamie! It appears he’s already taken care of it, yeah?” You hissed as you swatted at him with the cloth that you had been tending to Barty with.

James quickly caught the end of the cloth and used it to pull you into him, planting a smacking kiss to your face.

“I did take care of it!” Barty repeated excitedly. “Can I have a kiss?” He asked sweetly, smiling at you expectantly as you rubbed James’ kiss off of your cheek.

“Absolutely not.” You grumbled as you ignored his disbelieving scoff.

“Why not!?” He cried out as you stepped out from between his legs.

“Barty, I am not rewarding you for bad behaviour.” You declared as you plopped yourself down in front of Peter again, ordering him to reset your card game.

James quickly looked between the two of you before stepping between Barty’s legs to give him his own kiss.

“You are such a simp, James Potter.” Remus taunted under his breath as to not alert you to your boyfriend currently enabling your other boyfriend.

“Yeah, yeah; laugh it up now. But I get to watch you try to wrestle Pads out of the chandelier later, so I don’t think you have a leg to stand on, Moons.”

“He can sleep up there tonight, for all I care.” Remus muttered petulantly as he crossed his arms.

Sirius wouldn’t sleep up there tonight; Remus knew it, James knew it, Sirius knew it, likely the whole bloody school knew it. But Remus would pretend he wasn’t as big a simp as James Potter, at least a little bit longer, in order to preserve what little superiority he held for the time being.

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dollyyun · 5 months

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𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆 | chap 09

SYPNOSIS: wherein the princess, who is a clandestine assassin, has been commanded to eliminate the seven vampire princes.

GENRE: 18+ (mdni), reverse harem, contemporary fantasy, enemies to lovers, third pov, eventual previous past lives will be entailed.

WARNINGS: profanities, violence, choking, suggestive theme/borderline smut kinda.

WORD COUNT: 6.8k

FEATURING: TXT members

TAGLIST: @aishigrey @kgneptun @b3tt7boop @smg-valeria @lhspeachie @enhaverse713586 @strxwbloody @firstclassjaylee @jwnghyuns @luminouskalopsia @deobitifull @loumin908 @sousydive @mlywon @pinkkami @skzenhalove @darkjongsung @caravm

🍒 MASTERLIST 🍒

As soon as a cirrus of consciousness pervades Elora's mind, an incessant pounding pummels within her skull, and gradually, she regains cognisance, resulting in her feeling sheer extortion throughout her body, while fragments of the event transpired prior to consciousness being deprived from her coalesce into one perceptible account.

The power that coursed through her veins was unlike any other. It was as though the enigmatic power itself derives from her inner core, rendering her confounded. She lacks comprehension of how and why it happened, especially when she was born as the first Aetherlyn without innate power. Subsequently, as she still bears the wound from being impaled by the dragon king's claw in her stomach, the extortion affects her wound, eliciting a painful moan from her lips.

Despite being rendered vulnerable, her mind and heart are in a symphonic tumultuous state of raging emotions, a thirst for vengeance is palpable. Being born with blood on her hands, she has long since developed a proclivity for bloodshed and enkindled mayhem insidiously.

No one, not even a single being, is aware that the princess of Aetherlyn is a clandestine assassin, and Elora intends to maintain this enigma until her dying breath.

"Mia Cara?"

Amidst the cacophony of tempestuous rage, a peculiar spark of benignity ignites within her upon hearing the dulcet tone of his voice. A part of her arduously desires to eradicate him and his brothers, since that is her mission after all.

Groggily, Elora flutters her eyelids open and is greeted by the sight of an unfamiliar ceiling. A searing pain in her wounded stomach elicits another moan from her as she forces her body to turn to the other side, coiling her body with an arm covering her throbbing stomach.

"Elora." She feels his hands on her body before he cradles her in his grasps, with her body now leaning dependently on his chest while she is settled on his lap.

He grips her chin with his fingers firmly enough to tilt her head up, forcing her to meet his crimson-hued eyes with her hooded eyelids. "What's wrong?" Heeseung inquires, his tone evidently laces with worry despite his austere countenance.

"Hurts." Elora lacks the ability to form coherent words into a proper explanation, as pain is all she can feel. Her head almost lolls to the back while her eyelids are threatening to close, but his hand steadily supports her head.

"You need to feed on me." Heeseung raises his wrist to his elongated fangs, tearing the skin without any hesitation, before he descends his bleeding wrist to her parted lips that heave light pants. "Drink my blood." It is an order.

Despite her face contorting into a grimace at the revolting taste of blood, she complies, knowing that a vampire's blood, and moreover, a royalty's, has the ability to heal her wound.

The touch of her lips as she proceeds to drink from him sends an odd sensation through his body. There is no denying that he is enamoured by the sight of his bride with her eyes fluttering closed while holding his wrist firmly to her parted mouth.

Elora pushes his wrist away from her mouth, the excess of his blood is evident as it smears her lips. Her breath catches in her throat when he uses his thumb to wipe away the blood at the corner of her lips, while her gaze remains on his astute yet charming countenance.

Elora should be pushing him away, she should be ramming her hand into his chest to rip his heart out, but his touch on her body and his scent that infiltrates her senses feel oddly comforting and safe, especially with how he is being gentle with her, as though she can entrust her life in his hands.

"I'm going to kill them." An undertone of promise belies her croaked voice, while a spark of vengeance ignites in her indigo-hued eyes.

"No, you're not." Heeseung's opposition dismays her. "There will be no more bloodshed."

"Yes, I am." Elora punctuates her words before forcing herself to disentangle from Heeseung's oddly protective grasps. Despite the fact that his blood in her system has healed her, her body sways lightly as she abruptly stands, her mind going hazy momentarily.

"Mia Cara, stop." Heeseung's fingers latch around her wrist just as she nearly reaches the door with every intention to unleash her wrath at the dragon kings. Her heart lurches in her chest when he pulls her towards him. Their bodies crash against each other's, but unlike Elora, Heeseung remains indifferent as his eyes bore into her widened ones. "Under no circumstances should you provoke the dragon kings, let alone kill them."

She gives him a bewildered glare, but she doesn't feel the slightest bit bothered by his touch on her skin. "Why are you being indifferent about this? Weren't you attempting to annihilate one of the kings earlier?"

Heeseung's eyes flicker down at her lips momentarily, and they entice him to close the gap between them, but he maintains decorum. "Trust me, I feel as enraged as you, but Jay has commanded us to cease fighting any longer."

"Why is that?" She prods, raising an inquisitive eyebrow at him.

"We're about to find out." This time, another voice answers her question, compelling her to look over her shoulder just to meet Jake's eyes.

Jake, who is leaning against the door frame with his arms folded over his chest, tilts his head lightly to one side while a soft grin paints his charming countenance. "It's good to see you finally vertical, love." Even the way he speaks to her sends her a foreign sensation, and she has no idea whether to perceive it as good or bad.

"Elora." Jungwon emerges from behind Jake, his voice tinges with relief. When she looks at Jungwon, the latter's eyes soften as they scan her. "You were unconscious for a few hours."

"So I figured." She mumbles, tearing her gaze off of him to gaze at the window, where twilight has made its appearance. "When will we depart from here?" She inquires tersely, suddenly feeling self-conscious as their eyes remain on her.

"Hopefully soon." Jake heaves a sigh. "The kings agreed to spare our lives. The reason behind their agreement is solely because of Jay."

"Why? Because he's part dragon?" Elora frowns.

"You're not entirely wrong, but there is another reason." Jungwon tips his head to one side, beckoning them to follow him. "Come with me. The kings have summoned us to their main chamber."

"I don't trust them." Elora remains rooted to the ground. Her eyes go hard while a muscle pulses in her jaw. "We might be playing right into their trap."

"At the very least, you should place your trust in us, Mia Cara." Heeseung's voice comes out a tad softer at the end while he holds her wrist to his chest.

Something flickers in her gaze before she masks it with detachment, her lips curling into a sneer as she yanks her hand from his touch. "I don't trust you guys either. Remember that you're the ones who kept me as a captive detainee in the first place and got me into this shit." She says venomously, a patent animosity towards them.

Heeseung's eyes narrow at hers. "I recall you being the one who brought this upon yourself the moment you stepped foot into our kingdom. If anything, you're to be blamed. This is the consequence of your actions, Mia Cara."

Elora grits her teeth, hating how the endearment manages to affect her every time. "Stop calling me that."

The corner of Heeseung's lips tips up a smirk. "The more reason why I should continue to call you that, Mia Cara."

"We should head to their main chamber now." Jungwon's voice is tinged with annoyance as he grumbles.

"Come on, lovely. Enough of that." Jake chides her, but how soft-spoken he is compels her to heed his words. With one last glare at Heeseung, she pivots on her heels and trudges away with storms clouding over her head.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

The familiar faces of the sovereigns greet her in her line of sight as soon as they enter the main chamber. The interior is different than she expected. The chamber is rather coruscating, with glimmering gemstones inlaid on every wall. Her gaze returns to the dragon kings, who have been examining her closely.

Elora recognises them, as she spied on them a few months ago when the high court ordered her too. Mainly due to studying them closely, albeit from afar, with a magical telescope to determine whether or not Pyrefall is merited as one of their targets. While dragons are the most ferocious creatures, they prefer to keep to themselves and avoid meddling with the affairs of other species; therefore, the high court of Aetherlyn concluded that it was prudent to steer clear of the dragons.

"So, is this the mermaidian you speak of?" Yeonjun's voice echoes throughout the chamber, resonating enough for Elora to be cautious of him and the way he is still accessing her with luminous amber eyes.

"I have a name." Elora nearly growls out her words, struggling to preserve decorum as all she desires is to launch her rage on the dragon kings, especially when the power is flowing through her veins with a hum, awaiting her to utilise it.

"Yes, she is." Heeseung wraps an arm around her waist, shattering her sole focus on her rage by the fact that his touch feels oddly protective. When she glances up at him, his stern gaze is directed at the dragon kings. "She's my bride."

"How peculiar. You are most certainly not one of the mermaidian princesses." Soobin speaks to her, prompting her sharp eyes to settle on his face. "Tell me, what is your rank?"

Elora hopes neither of them catches onto the way her heart is beating erratically. She has forgotten to prepare herself for this question. "I serve the princesses closely." As she speaks, her voice wavers lightly.

"A handmaiden?" Kai appears to be pondering as he raises an eyebrow at her. "Pray tell, how did a handmaiden like you end up being His Majesty's bride?"

"Enough." Jay startles her when he slams his palms on the wooden table, towering over the dragon kings' seated figures and glowering at them. Elora can't help but feel gratitude towards Jay for intervening. Her eyes glide all over his back, noticing how tensed his muscles are. "The purpose of you summoning our presence here is not to interrogate my brother's bride."

"Right. Let's get down to business." Soobin leans his body forward with his hands clasped together, and his amber-hued eyes seem to darken. "To begin, we will not apologise for capturing your brother and the mermaidian─"

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Sunghoon cuts him off with a cold snarl. "Not only did you capture and injure Elora, but you've wasted our time when we should have already landed on Runefell's borders."

"Ah, the kingdom of phoenix's." Interest dances in Taehyun's eyes as he stares at the group. "It does beg the question, though. What do you hope to achieve in your expedition?"

"We are not obliged to answer your question." Heeseung's arm tightens around her waist, and she hates to admit it, but a part of her enjoys the sense of security he is providing her with.

"You're right." Beomgyu raises his hands, feigning surrender, while a smirk touches his lips. "But we're afraid that your brother may no longer join you in your expedition."

"Why is that?" Sunoo asks, his crimson eyes are glaring dangerously at the kings.

"Because we need him." Beomgyu's smirk falls, and the ambience is starting to feel sombre. "He's our dragon lord. One of the demigods of our world."

"Bullshit. He may be a dragon-vampire hybrid, but he is still a vampire royalty at the end of the day." Jake shoots him a scowl.

Taehyun shrugs his shoulders. "Don't blame us. Blame the prophecy."

"What prophecy?" Riki frowns.

Jay heaves a sigh, his fingers running through his strands. "They have been told by their elders of a prophecy entailing the dragon lord's reincarnation, and he will reign supremacy over Pyrefall again."

"Aside from the prophecy, we do need him to strengthen the core of Pyrefall, especially when there is something brewing at this very moment." Soobin says sullenly. "A calamity that will happen soon."

"Wait," Sunghoon chuckles coldly, lacing with disbelief as he stares at Jay. "You can't possibly believe that you're their dragon lord."

Elora catches conflict residing in Jay's gaze before he looks away from Sunghoon with his jaw clenched. "What if I do?"

"This is preposterous! Our brother can't possibly be the reincarnation of your dragon lord!" Sunoo exclaims to the kings. "For that matter, demigods don't exist!"

"You have no idea how wrong you are about that." Kai shakes his head. "Perhaps you haven't been apprised of our past, in which there were demigods and demigoddesses a millennium ago. They ruled over kingdoms, including ours and yours."

"If what you are sprouting is true, then where are they now?" Riki asks with a sardonic grin. "Aren't demigods and demigoddesses supposed to be immortals?"

"A tragedy happened, leading to their demise." Yeonjun answers firmly. "We are uncertain of how or why it precisely happened, but according to the prophecy, each of them will reincarnate and will reign supreme over the kingdoms they used to rule."

"I'm not buying any of this." Sunghoon scoffs out. "This is all just a myth."

"Regardless of what you say, it doesn't change the fact that we recognise Jay as our dragon lord." Soobin tells him before his eyes meet Jay's steely ones. "You know it yourself, and you can't deny the fact that you have a sense of familiarity with us ─ your subjects."

"To add on, we will allow you to continue your expedition with Jay, on one condition." Yeonjun's tone is tinged with resolution. "After the end of your expedition, Jay will return to Pyrefall and reclaim his rightful position as the dragon lord."

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Elora leans her back against the wall with her arms folded below her chest, eavesdropping keenly on the seven brothers as they have been engaging in a heated dispute with Jay since the moment the dragon kings made their dispersal. As she continues to listen, her mind drifts off to the conversation she last had with the vampire queen.

Unlike the rest of his brothers, Elora has a strong sense of inclination to believe in the fact that Jay is indeed a demigod ─ the lord of dragons, even more when the dragon kings provided with them concrete proof, just like the queen did with her.

Elora is startled by the ajar door swinging open violently, and as she turns her head to the side, she watches as Jay emerges from the chamber. The tension is palpable in his muscles. Upon catching sight of her in his peripheral vision, he turns to look at her, but the female remains flat-lipped before she leans away from the wall and saunters past him.

Elora hears his footsteps approaching her from behind before he falls in tandem with her, side by side. "You're no longer hurt anywhere, right?" Jay asks, though there is hesitation in his voice.

"No. Heeseung healed me with his blood." Elora says, remaining impassive, before her eyes flicker at his. "Are you actually considering returning to Pyrefall after the expedition?"

Jay's steely eyes harden with emotions she can't decipher. "I have no choice. The only reason you and my brothers are still alive is because of me. Otherwise, they would have executed you lot, especially after Sunoo and Riki eliminated some of the royal guards."

"There is always a choice." Elora retorts as they now turn to a corner where their temporary quarters are located. "You just have to be brave enough to make that choice. If I were you, I would've devised a strategy to outplay their cards instead of acceding to them."

"You wouldn't understand if I told you." Jay mutters bitterly, still following her even as she enters the room.

"Oh, but I do. I understand that you're weak." Elora shoots him a smirk as she stands in front of him. "You've allowed yourself to submit to the dragon kings, accepting whatever tripe they sprouted. I expected better from a prince like you than to acquiesce, but then again, you're just a mere prince, and they're the kings, after all. Pathetic."

"Shut up." Jay clenches his jaw while his crimson-hued eyes dance with menace. "You don't know anything. You're just a useless mermaidian without a worthy rank." He steps closer to her, glowering at her with his glaring eyes penetrating into hers. "The next time you dared to speak to me with such insolence, you'll do well to remember your place that is beneath me."

Elora ignores the tension that rises abruptly in a span of minutes as she remains glaring into his eyes. She clenches a fist to the point her nails are digging into her palm, finding his disrespect towards a royalty like her unacceptable, albeit he's one as well. "You may be above me, but you don't have my respect." She whispers, smirking coldly. "Get out, or I'll show you that I am far more capable of killing you in ways that are unimaginable."

In a blink of an eye, Elora finds herself being pinned against the wall with a loud thud due to the impact, and a gasp leaves her lips at the moment his fingers that are curling around her neck squeeze hard, obstructing the airways. She attempts to summon the magic that derives from the bracelet with the intention of conjuring a weapon, but once again, it fails her.

"Not so tough now, are you?" Jay asks mockingly with a cold chuckle, his grip on her neck is threatening, choking her. "You know, I felt sorry for you earlier today when you were injured by one of the kings. I should've let them kill you off instead."

"Fuck you." She manages to utter despite the restriction of her airways. She struggles in his strong grip and attempts to knee him in the sack, but he uses his knee to settle in between her parted thighs instead while gripping her neck tightly, which causes her to see black dots in her vision.

With a cold smirk on his handsome countenance, he dips his head next to her ear. His voice sounds sinisterly dark. "Tell me, Habibti, should I be the one to kill you?"

Elora claws at his forearms as she continues to struggle, her eyes rolling to the back as she nearly succumbs to the darkness, but he loosens his grip on her neck just slightly, allowing little air for her to inhale. Her heart nearly lurches in her chest at the moment he leans down to her face with his head slightly tilted and their noses grazing against each other.

His crimson-hued eyes seem to darken with each passing second, the longer her gaze remains on him. "Even if I kill you, you wouldn't even matter because Heeseung will eventually find another bride that is worthy of him."

"You can't kill me." She wheezes when he squeezes her neck again. "You need me to acquire the crystal heart. I'm the only access you have to get what you want." The airy whisper from her hits his lips.

Jay examines her with darkened eyes. An involuntary lust clouds his head at the gorgeous sight of the helpless mermaidian, whose eyes glimmer with hope for clemency, but her ego won't allow her to utter the words he wants to hear.

"Beg." He commands lowly. "Beg, then I'll consider letting you live."

"Never." She gasps out once more. Pain is apparent while her eyelids are threatening to close, with the black dots appearing in her vision quicker.

"Come on, Habibti. Don't disappoint me."

Tears well in her eyes, feeling humiliated by the fact that he easily overpowers her. Shoving her pride aside, she begins to whisper brokenly. "Please....."

What he does next throws her completely off guard. As he loosens his grip on her neck, but enough to still assert dominance over her, he closes the gap between their lips and swallows her gasp. She has no idea why, but she falls for his allure, reciprocating the kiss with equal fervour.

With her parted lips, his tongue breaches the entry to explore the cavern of her mouth, eliciting a faint moan from her. A low growl vibrates at the back of his throat as he appreciates the female submitting to him, sending her goosebumps.

Jay has no idea how divine and exquisite the mermaidian taste is. Her taste only drives him to addiction, needing to savour her for as long as he can.

"This is so wrong." She manages to murmur against his hungry lips. Eventually, he pulls away from her lips and dips his head into her neck, kissing her skin so sensually that she can't help but arch her back with her neck bared to him. Her chest heaves up and down at the palpable tension, and she attempts to squeeze her thighs together, but his knee is a hindrance.

A soft moan leaves her lips as he nips at her skin with his teeth. "Heeseung─"

"Keep my brother's name out of your mouth." He growls against her skin, sending shivers down her spine, especially with his hands roaming around her back before they rest on her derrière to pull her closer to his body.

By now, Elora is panting heavily, with moans occasionally leaving her lips at his sensual assault on her neck and her core grinding on his thigh. He trails his kisses on her skin upwards until he presses a deep kiss on her cheek. "Don't fucking say his name when you should be saying mine."

"But Heeseung─"

"What is my name, Habibti?" He nearly snarls, and she discerns how evidently he is being territorial over her. She gasps as he squeezes her derrière hard. "I asked, what is my fucking name?"

"Jay." She whimpers as he slots his lips over hers, not kissing her just yet, but enough to graze his lips against hers ghostly. "Jay." The way she utters his name sounds heavenly.

Satisfaction spreads across his chest before he leans in to nip at her bottom lip, sucking on it and resuming to kiss her senselessly. A low approval growl emits from him upon feeling the mermaidian using his knee to get off her high.

"That's it. Use me." He smirks against her lips, watching as her eyes roll to the back with her head tilting and her parted lips heaving with breathy moans, knowing that she is nearly coming. "I'm the one who gets you like this. Not Heeseung."

Elora ruts her hips against his as soon as her orgasm comes crashing down violently. A moment of exhaustion dawns on her while her arms are lazily draped over his shoulders. He proceeds to carry her over the bed and settles her down with the tendrils of her lilac sprawling across.

With hooded eyelids and dazed eyes, she gazes at him as he hovers on top of her. Her eyes flutter close when he leans down to kiss her, but this time, it is a kiss full of gentleness, as though he is taking his time to memorise the shape of her lips. Her heart flutters in a way that is foreign to her.

Jay pulls away briefly to scan her, smirking as he does so. He places a chaste kiss that she will surely remember before disappearing from her sight in a blink of an eye, leaving the female utterly breathless as she remains unmoving from the bed.

The state of haze continues to cloud her mind while her eyes are staring at the ceiling in daze. As her fingers make their ascent to touch her lips, which still tingle with the sensation of Jay's lips, she begins to ponder: What the fuck was that escalation?

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Seated on the balustrade by the massive open balcony, the nightly breeze tenderly brushes against her cheeks while she gazes out to the horizon, and she catches silhouettes of dragons soaring in the sky freely. The thought of freedom brings a rueful smile to her lips, while her heart has a discernible ache of longing.

Although Elora doesn't particularly have good memories back at her kingdom, she misses being there, especially the Mermaidia princesses, whom she regards as sisters. She misses the view of her bedroom, where the window allows her to view the magnificent kingdom of Mermaidia. Unlike her own subjects, the mermaidians are kinder to her and often welcome her to their kingdom, even though she always comes off as standoffish to them. The only times she wasn't aloof were when the mermaidian princesses were around.

Elora can't deny the fact that Mermaidia feels more like home than Aetherlyn. Oh, how she yearns to return to Mermaidia, where she can seek a semblance of freedom and swim with aquatic creatures. Nostalgia hits her when she recalls a certain memory of her racing with the Mermaidia princesses by riding fairly huge seahorses.

"What are you doing out here, lovely?"

Elora turns her head to the side and instantly meets his kind gaze. She watches in silence as he approaches her. The benevolent ambience he exudes reminds her of the mermaidians. It is ironic how she thought that he would be the insufferable one when he turned out to be the kindest, alongside Jungwon.

"Just thinking." She gives him a curt answer, lowering her disheartened gaze, but the sentiment doesn't go unnoticed by him.

"A penny for your thoughts?" Jake's gentle tone compels her to confide in him.

As she lifts her head up, Jake is settled across from her as he settles down on the balustrade. The foreign flutter makes its movement against her heart as she locks eyes with him. "It's stupid, but I miss home." She murmurs.

His eyes soften. "It's not stupid, Elora."

"It is." She counters firmly, ignoring the palpable crack in her heart that denotes her yearning to return. "You know what's worse? It's the fact that I'll be betraying my people. I'll be betraying the princesses." The back of her eyes burns while she tries her utmost to refrain her voice from wavering, but with the look in Jake's eyes, she feels as though he is able to read through her.

"I'm sorry." Jake offers with a sympathetic glint in his kind eyes. "You should already know that I disagree with their decision to acquire the crystal heart."

"I know." Elora blinks away her tears before gazing out at the horizon once more. "Heeseung was right. I brought this upon myself."

"What really is your purpose for coming to Mysthaven in the first place?" Jake prods gently.

"I can't tell you." Elora releases a shaky breath. "I'm sorry, but it's better for the truth to remain unknown to all of you."

Jake wants to press on the matter, truly, but upon seeing how low-spirited she is and the apparent display of her vulnerability, he decides to forgo it and wants nothing more than to provide her comfort. His sharp eyes catch the sight of a tear sliding down her cheek.

Jake scoots closer to her, and when the distance between them is nearly nonexistent, she looks at him with widened eyes, but he remains focused as his hand ascends to cradle her cheek before using his thumb to wipe away the fallen tear.

"I hate seeing you cry because of us." He murmurs, his eyes zeroing in on her glistening ones. Tenderly, he brushes her cheek once more with his thumb. "Don't cry, lovely."

Elora is about to deny it, but his strong yet kind gaze does something to her heart. She should be pushing him away, as he is one of them, after all, but right now, she doesn't feel like he is a threat to her. Instead, he feels like a safety blanket, offering her the comfort she never knew she needed until now.

"I miss home." Elora says sincerely in a broken whisper. By home, she meant Mermaidia. Not Aetherlyn.

"I know you do, love." Jake's velvet tone soothes her, prompting her to lean into his touch. There is also a peculiar warmth he exudes. His heart soars upon seeing the way she voluntarily seeks comfort, even from his mere touch as he cradles her face.

"Thank you." Elora murmurs, sincerity glimmering in her beautiful indigo eyes, which have become his favourite colour. "You are kinder to me than most. Thank you for that, Jake."

Jake unfurls a soft, lopsided grin that sends another flutter to her beating heart. "So, since you're not sleeping any time soon, care to tell me more about your home?"

When he sees a small smile appearing on her lips, he realises that he may or may not catch forbidden feelings for his brother's bride.

All the while Elora tells tales about Mermaidia and sits closely with Jake as he listens attentively, they fail to realise a pair of eyes and ears have been watching and listening to them in the dark.

Jungwon's jaw is clenched while his eyes harden with newfound envy before he forces himself to look away from the sight any longer and retreats to his quarter.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

When the next sun rises, the group wastes no time delaying and prepares to disembark for their next destination. Kingdom of Runefell, the kingdom of the phoenixes. The air is crisp as soon as she arrives at the castle's courtyard, where she is taken aback to see the kings in their dragon forms.

"You're here." Heeseung breathes out, his eyes scanning her appearance, and his chest rumbles with approval that the female is wearing the attire he had provided for her.

"It's not as if I can run away, can I?" There is a certain bite in her tone before her eyes soften as she stares at Jake, who is approaching her with a welcoming grin.

"Hey." Jake greets her as normally as he can, despite his heart pounding hard against his chest at the gorgeous sight of the mermaidian.

"Hi." Elora dismisses the way Heeseung seems to be examining them and remains in eye contact with Jake. "So, why exactly are they in their dragon forms?"

"Because we'll be riding them." Sunghoon's annoyed voice speaks from behind, prompting her to break eye contact with Jake, who, in return, pouts his lips in dismay as she no longer has her attention on him.

"But why?" Sunoo asks, his face twisting in pure annoyance and distaste. "We have Jay to do that, and surely he is able to carry the seven of us on his back."

"Shifting into a dragon is not as easy as you think." Jay's cold voice sends a familiar shudder to her, and when she accidentally locks eyes with him, instantaneously, she lowers her gaze while her cheeks feel oddly warm from the recollection of yesterday's event that happened between them. "Just like Riki, I need to save strength for what is to come next." Even as he continues to speak, she can feel his eyes drilling into her figure.

"The kings initiated and graciously agreed to assist us at Runefell's borders." The authoritative tone in Heeseung's voice indicates no room for any objections, to which the rest immediately smack their lips shut. "You all know your assigned teams. Elora will be riding with─"

"I'll ride with Jake." Elora interjects sharply, taking everyone by surprise as she walks towards Jake and latches her fingers around his wrist, dragging him with her. Jake can't help but shoot a smug grin at Heeseung before following her.

"Wanna ride with me?" Jay asks Heeseung, forcing the latter to look away from the two as they look oddly comfortable with each other.

Heeseung heaves a sigh. "As if I had a choice."

"Since when did they get close to each other?" Sunoo asks Jungwon in a whisper as they approach Taehyun's dragon form.

Jungwon's tongue hits the roof of his mouth as he rolls his eyes. "Do I look like I have the answer?"

Sunoo narrows his eyes at Jungwon's bitter tone. "I was merely asking."

While the group is busily mounting and settling themselves on the dragon kings' backs, the kings exchange looks between each other with snorts of smoke leaving their muzzles, finding great amusement in the palpable tension amongst some of the hybrid brothers and the mermaidian.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

The journey from Pyrefall to Runefell is not as tedious as she thought it would be. Maybe it has something to do with Jake, who has made the journey comfortable for her, and how secure he held her waist, similar to how Heeseung held her before, but this time, the butterflies were intensifying in her tummy.

The sky remains a clear, bright blue, with the sun by the horizon casting a warm glow as the dragon kings make their descent to the land. As Jungwon dismounts from the dragon king with ease, his eyes are attached to Elora and Jake once more, and the green feels like poison within him.

As Jake has dismounted first, he assists Elora with his hands on her waist, carefully helping her to dismount from the dragon king. A subtle smile yet one that is impactful to Jungwon dances on her pink lips as Jake says something to her, to which she chuckles lightly afterwards.

"Are you okay?" Sunoo nudges Jungwon with his elbow. "You look like you're about to pop a muscle."

"Shut up, Sunoo." Jungwon hisses lowly before tearing his gaze off of the couple.

"Why do you have to be mean to me every time?" Sunoo sighs, following after his brother.

"It should be the opposite." Jungwon states in a monotone manner.

"Thank you for your service." Jay speaks for the group as he stands in the dragon kings' line of sight. In return, the dragon kings bow their heads before flapping their wings, gradually making their ascent.

The group begins to cross over the border and simultaneously wonders about the lack of security at the border. Elora has never been to Runefell, and neither has she ever encountered a real-life phoenix. However, she has heard that phoenixes are a majestic species and a force to be reckoned with.

"Has any of you been here?" Elora breaks the silence that feels thick, her eyes darting between their faces in curiosity.

"No. We have not." Sunghoon answers her curtly, his eyes are scanning their surroundings to keep a lookout for any potential danger that decides to hurl at them.

"Is it just me, or does this place look like a ghost town?" Riki asks in a low murmur, prudence is evident in his tone.

"Yeah." Elora swallows harshly in an attempt to moisturise her dry throat. She immediately understands what he means. Despite the striking autumn leaves that cast a warm ambiance amidst the peculiarly warm temperature, it sure does feel ominous, especially when there are no signs of civilisation.

Silence befalls the group as they walk in silence. Occasionally, Heeseung's eyes trail to his bride from time-to-time to check for her well-being. His eyes narrow at the close proximity between her and Jake.

"Look over there." Sunoo announces, his finger pointing towards a small town from afar. "Maybe we can ask the folks directions."

"There's the castle." Sunghoon points out this time, and as they catch sight of the castle, they expect to see a beautiful castle, but instead, it looks ruined, almost as though a calamity had dawned before.

Elora's head throbs, leading her to stagger back a step while a wince escapes her lips, but Jungwon is swift to catch her as he supports her from behind. She ignores the tingles dancing on her skin as he touches her, her fingers rubbing her throbbing temple.

"Are you okay?" Jungwon asks in a murmur beside her ear and, subsequently, squeezes her shoulders in an attempt to comfort her.

"Yeah, I just─" Her breath hitches momentarily when flashes of images appear in her mind before they disappear into thin air. She shakes her head, finding it bizarre. "Never mind. I had a little headache."

"The more reason we should head for the town to get you some refreshments." Jungwon's breath fans the shell of her earlobe, still not letting her go. "Come on."

Elora allows herself to be assisted by Jungwon, and eventually, the group makes their way to the first sign of civilisation.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Riki was right. Everywhere is a ghost town. As they finally arrive, there are no signs of any phoenixes in sight. It is practically deserted, and every building looks dilapidated, akin to how the castle looks. It is as if the kingdom and its inhabitants have been forsaken.

"I have heard tales about how Runefell was a radiant kingdom and prospered with an abundance of opulence, but this?" Sunoo speaks up, scoffing. "This is giving me major eerie vibes."

"Where is everyone?" Elora ponders out loud, her eyes scanning her surroundings keenly, and a movement captures her attention. Without alerting the princes, she rushes past them, startling them.

"Excuse me!" Elora halts her steps a few metres away from the mysterious, tiny, cloaked figure, who was previously about to sneak away. "Are you a citizen of Runefell?"

The kid hesitantly takes a glance at Elora, allowing the latter to catch a glimpse of the little boy's face. "Stranger danger." The kid mumbles.

Elora hears the princes approaching from behind, but she focuses on the kid with radiant golden rims in his eyes, and a frown pulls at her lips when she notices the abrupt change in his contortion. "Hey, kid─"

But what happens next shocks her. In an instant, the cloak obscuring the kid's full identity burns into ashes while he bursts into flames, but peculiarly, his flesh doesn't seem to melt.

"Elora!" Jungwon is quick to snatch Elora by the waist, pulling her away from the kid. Elora is too shocked to process anything after what she witnessed, still staring at the kid with her lips parted.

"Are you going to kill us?" The kid begins to wail, his power is abundantly uncontrollable. Despite bursting into flames, tears stream down his cheeks. "Please don't kill us! We have nothing left!"

"What? No! We're not going to kill you!" But the way Sunoo declares it seems to frighten the child more.

"Duck!" Riki shouts, dodging the flames that are shooting uncontrollably from the child's power.

Sunoo uses his magic to create a shield, with Riki behind him. Jungwon uses his body to shield Elora from allowing any of the flames to touch her, with his arms wrapping around her. Heeseung uses his magic to counter the flames, distinguishing them with water. Jay, who clearly breathes fire, clearly isn’t affected by the flames.

"Jake, what the hell are you doing?!" Sunoo's exclamation draws their attention to the aforementioned male, who is cautiously approaching the kid without any concern for his safety, and it also appears that the flames have no effects on him.

"Jake!" Heeseung grits his teeth, worried for his brother.

But Jake ignores any of their calls, as his sole focus is to soothe this kid. "Hey, it's okay. We're not here to hurt you." Amidst the child's wailing, Jake's gentle voice manages to overpower the chaos.

The others watch in bafflement as Jake places both of his hands on the child's shoulders while he kneels down. Upon Jake's touch, the child's wails quieten as he tearfully stares at Jake with a peculiar emotion that has Jake in confusion.

"We're not here to hurt you, little one." Jake reiterates firmly this time. "Where are your parents?"

"I don't have any." The boy hiccups, and Jake's heart feels as though it has been ripped off his chest. As a matter of fact, Jake feels oddly inclined to protect this boy as though the boy is his own.

"Then where are the rest of your people?" Jake asks, his face contorting into a frown.

"They're everywhere." The boy wipes away his tears with the back of his hand. "Please spare our lives. We have nothing left but the scraps of our home."

Jake clenches his jaw, and his eyes darken dangerously. Whoever is their sovereign clearly doesn’t deserve the title. He begins to ponder how long the citizens of Runefell have been neglected and living in such conditions.

"Do you know your way to the castle?" Jake asks gently while keeping his anger at bay.

"Yes." However, wariness resides in the boy's eyes. "But─"

"Can you guide us?" Jake's voice sounds too calm, and out of all them, Elora is able to discern that he is more than pissed. "I'd like to have a chat with your sovereigns."

"Jake! That's not what we came here for!" Sunghoon doesn’t bother to conceal his annoyance.

"I don't care." For the first time, Elora is taken aback to see the fierce resolution Jake displays, and for a fleeting moment, she swears she sees radiant golden rims in his eyes that are akin to the child's.

"Our expedition can wait, but this can't." Jake nearly growls, glowering at the rest of his brothers, before turning back to the kid with a firm nod. "Lead the way, little one."

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#eternal curse #enhypen #enhypen poly #jake #heeseung #jay #sunoo #sunghoon #enhypen fanfiction #ni-ki #jungwon #vampires #dragons

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