Want (I'll give you all the love I want in return)

Chapter 3 - Dis-ease

Two days later in the afternoon the convoy reaches the city walls of Gyeongju, the capital of Silla. Jimin is filled with dread when a general pushes through the omegas until he finds him.

"You. Park Jimin. Come with me."

They pass the large number of soldiers until they are at the very front. It's like a fucking parade and Jimin swallows heavily when he realizes that Taeyoung and him are the prime catch that is paraded around, right behind the crown prince and surrounded by his four highest generals.

It's a small relief for a second when Taeyoung hugs him briefly, but then looks at him with concern. Her hand reaches for Jimin's forehead as she utters:

"Jimin, are you OK? You're burning up."

He nods, trying on a weak smile: "Don't worry, it's just a cold."

In reality, it's a major effort to lift the corners of his lips and keep on his feet rather than crumbling to the ground. Sleeping outdoors on the ground in flimsy clothes did not please his spoilt body, so a fever and a cough have taken his body hostage. His cheeks burn and there is a throbbing pain behind his eyes, making it hard to see in the blinding sunlight that feels too hot one moment and too cold the next.

"You look like shit." a snide voice makes Jimin take his eyes off his half-sister's worried face.

"W-why am I here in the front? I thought I was just a bastard concubine?" Jimin grits between his teeth, swaying on his feet with a wave of rage and fever.

The crown prince laughs. It's short, dry and blood-curling. He steps closer:

"I think our people are curious to see the little pretty birdie that was hidden deep in the palace because of his father. I can't deny them this simple wish. They want to see the princess go to the dungeon and you to the gisaeng house. That will be the historical end of Gaya."

Jimin catches Taeyoung stare at Yoongi with narrowed eyes, shooting daggers. His addled mind can't multitask, so he settles worrying for his half-sister instead of himself.

"I'll come and get you..." he whispers, lips close to her ear.

But she snorts: "I'll come and get you first. They can't keep me a prisoner. I'm Kim Taeyoung of Gaya."

Jimin's brain is not sure if she means it or is joking... or if his fever makes him hallucinate, because everything seems too fast and foggy to be real. Right. This can't be real. It has to be a nightmare and he'll wake up in his comfortable bed with Hoseok making him tea to calm his bristle nerves.

Slowly, he sets one foot in front of the other, walking behind Taeyoung and flanked by the generals with their swords glistening in the sunlight. It's such a strenuous dream, because it really takes all his strength and concentration not to stumble and fall. Each of his muscles feels sore and all he wants to do is lie down and sleep.

Jimin's eyes hurt from the fever and the boring stares of the people crowding the street left and right of their parade. The stares are heavy on his shoulders, making his knees wobbly. He feels a hand on his elbow steady him. The general hisses:

"Pull yourself together, omega."

He keeps his eyes glued to the ground, shame coloring his burning cheeks even deeper. The soldier's grip tightening and yanking his arm makes him stumble and still just before accidentally bumping into Taeyoung. The cavalcade came to a halt.

The gazes of numerous people burn on the omega's heated skin. It prickles like a thousand pinpricks. It takes all of his willpower to raise his vision up from the tips of his tattered shoes. Over a head with white hair, his eyes meet a pair of eyes that sends a jolt of electricity down his spine. The eyes are large and round and dark. They are gentle, yet intense.