Wonderland

chapter 8

she didnt see the water boiling at the fountain, be he did. he had heard stories that the royal family of fire could desrtroy everything in their path when pissed off. Hongjoong thought it was an old wives tale. one that was told to scared off people from marring into the house.

seeing it first hand didnt scare him, for he knew that when his father was pissed off, the ocean responed. the weather would change in an instant. only his father knew how to control it. that was the biggest training he and his brother  would ever have. San was going through it now.  just like he did the year before.

" how do you feel now princess? still mad at my mother?" he asked Ember.
when she looked at him, with the ocean behind her, he knew. she was calm and centered again.

" no, im not. thank you. but now i have another question. how did you know to bring me here?" she asked.

he looked at her and thought of how to word it. " there are stories about your royal line in my kingdom. they have been told to San and I. but you, you are  rumored to be calmed by the sight of water." he sat on log and started to remove his boots and roll up the bottom of his pants. " am i wrong?" he asked. she looked at him. what had he heard of her and her family?

" no, my father noticed it the night i was born. so did my mother. growing up, " she laughed at the memory. Hongjoong was drawn to that laugh and her smile. " there was one day i was so mad at the four of them. my mother picked me up and tossed my arse in the fountain.  my brothers were so shocked, they ran from her." Hongjoong just stared at her, jaw dropped.  he watched her walk into the water. what he felt at that moment was something he would have to think about later. for now he enjoyed the company.

by the time both Hongjoong and Ember made it back to the castle, it was nightfall. they had to sneek through the gardens. which was easier said then done. once in the castle walls, through the kings hall and past  the first two landings , they saw nor heard of anyone. but on the third landing were the rooms where, they got caught.

" rumors are going to fly like the birds about you two!"  both of them froze and slowly turned around. only to see Mingi standing there. " you both sent the mothers into a frenzy. well at least your mother Hongjoong. ours Ember, just sat back and laughed." she pushed her upper lip to her nose and crossed her eyes. Mingi laughed at her. " both of you, change and get to bed. i wont tell a soul." Mingi smiled at them and left to his own bed.

they hurried to the door of Ember's room. turning she looked at Hongjoong, " thank you for today. im going to try and not let words get to me." she told him.

" theres no need to apologize." he looked at her. he and his family had been coming to see her and hers for over ten summers now.  in five more he and her were to be married.

he didnt think, he cupped her face and kissed her long and hard. for him it was a claiming. she was his, prophecy or not, she was his.