The Mercenary: A Sequel to Hwarang: The Saga of the Sooks Book #2

Chapter 32: A Glorious Sunset's Serenity

The prince had spent the afternoon sitting. A wonderful change from lying flat on his back. But an hour after he'd enjoyed his dinner with Sook Myeong, he asked her help in sliding down the bed. He was growing weary of holding himself upright. He longed to lie down on his mattress again. As unbelievable as that sounded after he'd spent days wishing for nothing so much as the ability to recline against a wall rather than lying flat on a bed.

Once he was comfortably settled on his back once more, he murmured to her, "I know that you are missing your sunsets. So close your eyes. I'm going to paint one for you."

A slight tremor passed over her face as she glanced his way to catch his gaze.

"Come now," he whispered. "I can't begin until your eyes are closed."

Her eyes fluttered shut.

"Lean back. Relax," he instructed her as his eyes slid over her lovely countenance.

She had been far too tense the last few days. On edge. Worried for him. Fussing over him like a mother hen. Most odd behavior for the princess to exhibit.

He knew that she was still battling the fear that she was going to lose him. Somehow, he had to help her conquer it. So tonight, he was going to try a distraction. But he could still read the tension in every line of her body as she held herself erect in her chair.

"Come closer," he whispered.

Her eyes popped open. "What?"

He glanced over at his sister. Still hovering in her far corner of the room.

"I'm tempted to tell you to lie down next to me. Then you could truly relax. I want to hold your hand," he breathed.

Sook Myeong's eyes widened. And her gaze slid towards the far corner too. Feeling a little rebellious and growing weary of being penned in this confined space with the lover of her soul yet unable to touch him most of the time, she stood up and wandered over towards the window.

Eun Sook glanced her way before her attention returned to her parchment.

The princess eyed her for a few seconds. When she was satisfied that the older girl was distracted by her own story, Sook Myeong tiptoed towards his bed. And slowly lowered herself onto the very edge of it. Then sliding between the covers, she scooted over until she was lying right next to him. She reached out, searching for his hand. It met her halfway, and a huge grin suddenly wreathed his face.

"This is more like it," he whispered.

The corners of her lips flipped upwards briefly.

His fingers wove themselves through hers until his palm was clinging to her own. Warming not just her hand but her heart too.

"Close your eyes," he murmured.

After holding his cinnamon gaze for a few delicious seconds, she directed her own towards the ceiling and allowed her eyes to flutter shut. He smiled at her as he watched her take a deep breath. As her body relaxed, he opened his mouth to entice her with his latest poem. Meant to woo her heart closer to his.

"Earth's blue dome bends towards the night.

To the dying of the light.

The sun's bright rays paint the sky

With a brush that makes me sigh.

"Deepening cyan blending

With royal violet bending

Near the horizon to glow

With a lovely indigo.

"Heaven is now unloosing

Its ardent blush, now choosing

To flood the sky with its love,

Perfect pictures from above.

"Swirls of orange and honeyed air,

Leave this prince without a care.

Heaven's strokes, glorious gold,

All these colors, do enfold.

"Resplendent rays bend their knees

To noble night, as you please.

Giving way to all its dreams,

Majestic colors, bright beams.

"Magnificent master strokes

That only darkness now cloaks.

Beautiful breath of Heaven

Releasing these bold seven.

"They will return with the sun

When this night is finally done.

Again, they'll paint the sky fair.

Unleashing awe in the air.

"Lovers will bend to embrace

All the glories of its face.

Reveling in sweetheart's touch,

Remembering their nonesuch."

As the prince came to the end of his poem, his eyes caressed the quiet face of his beloved. His gaze had been clinging to that beautiful countenance all the while that he wracked his brain to remember the poem which he'd spent hours composing for her. He had discovered this was the best remedy for removing his attention from the aching pain that continued to throb in his shoulder. Especially every time he moved.

So he focused all of his brain cells on rhymes and rhythms. On painting marvelous pictures for his princess to imagine. If he couldn't hand her a real sunset, then he would paint her one on the canvas of her mind.

It had worked its peace into her heart too. He listened to the gentle rhythm of her deep breathing. Sook Myeong was sound asleep. Again. In his bed. Right where she belonged. Her hand cradled in his own. Her heart safely enveloped by the steady beat of his own valiant organ.

Jong Su had finally come home.