The Sacrifice of The Blood King: A Taekook Story

Chapter Eighteen: Plans

Taehyung wakes in the morning to a bright light shining through the cavern, and Jungkook's hand idly wandering over his torso. He stretches his back as it cracks uncomfortably from the painful night on the stone floor, but at least he was warm. He looks up and sees the king staring down at him, his dark eyes warm and gentle as a smile slips over his lips.

"Good morning. Sleep well, my prince?" Jungkook asks, and Taehyung shyly nods, remembering all that happened the night before.

"Did you sleep?" he replies and Jungkook shakes his head no, "I'm sorry...I said I was going to stay up with you and instead I fell asleep..." Jungkook softly laughs and kisses Taehyung's forehead lightly.

"Do not fret. I'm sure you needed the rest," the king quietly says before Taehyung stands and stretches, his whole body stiff. He helps Jungkook bundle up the blanket and remaining provisions, silence consuming them as Jungkook's mind leaps to the assassins and evidence while Taehyung thinks on last night. On the tenderness and comfort that the king provided when Taehyung hesitated. He didn't push or demand his body as he has every right to do. Instead, he let Taehyung spin tales of a bird in a cage, listening to his deep voice until the prince fell asleep. And that means so much to him.

As Jungkook disarms the trap he set up, Taehyung looks over at him. The Blood King hasn't complained once about discomfort from the cave floor or cold weather or cramping limbs. He moves as if he isn't injured or hungry or cold. No, instead he moves with determination. Each movement is quick and decisive. Taehyung knows there is a plan churning in the king's mind, and he is interested to see it through. Once the trap is disarmed, Jungkook leads Taehyung out of the cavern and onto the rocky path that leads back to the horse who sits stock still, waiting for his owner's return. The horse immediately stands when it sees Jungkook come around a large boulder, yet Taehyung is the first man to the horse, hurrying to it with a smile on his soft lips. He runs his hands over the horse's muzzle and mane, feeling for any injuries that may not have been seen last night.

"You are good and wise, I hope you know that," Taehyung praises him. The horse just lets out a small huffed whinny to show his approval of the prince's judgment. Jungkook watches the prince with admiration; he's awed by how he can immediately radiate such positive energy even if he spent the night in a cold cavern. Jungkook cannot do that. He cannot risk optimism clouding his judgments, for kindness can be used as a weakness. And he cannot be weak. Not with the vultures circling him, waiting for his demise.

"Come, kitten, we need to go now," Jungkook gently demands as he rests a hand on Taehyung's shoulder. The prince looks up and nods, moving to the side so Jungkook can get the saddlebags attached and adjusted before he climbs onto his horse. He then reaches a hand down and lifts Taehyung, helping the prince get situated in front of him once more. And the more Taehyung sits with the Blood King's strong grasp around him, the more comfortable he becomes in his arms. He is becoming attuned to Jungkook's touch and his body; he is comforted by the broad chest and strong muscles that press against his back. Yet, now is not the time to tell the king any of this. Jungkook has to figure out who tried to kill them last night, and he would rather not get in the way of that powerful determination. So instead, he gently rests a hand on Jungkook's hands that hold the horse's reins, showing him silently how much he values his support.

The king doesn't say a word. His eyes are trained on the path in front of them and the rocky crags they climbed up the night before. He sees faulty steps and what looks like a body slipped in the snow, yet there are no signs of anyone who may have successfully climbed the crags. Once back on the main path, Jungkook sees multiple crossbolts still sticking out of trees and scattered along the dirt road. What he does not see is the body of the assassin he killed. There's a blood pool in the snow, yet no body. Jungkook curses lowly, the deep growl in his words rattling through Taehyung as they both analyze the ambush site. Jungkook looks for any remnants of the assassin and who may want him dead, while Taehyung tries to make sense of it all.