Bound by Fate

11

Hua's eyes widened in surprise. "Huh? You told him that I'm Hua? But why did you pretend I was Yueling earlier?"

Prince Li Wei just smiled and took her hand, pulling her along as he ran. "No time to explain, my love! We have to get to the army before the Demon Emperor's forces arrive!"

Hua stumbled after him, her mind reeling. "But... but I don't understand. Why the charade?"

Prince Li Wei glanced back at her, his eyes shining with love and urgency. "I'll explain everything later, I promise. Just trust me now, okay?"

Hua nodded, her heart racing with excitement and confusion. She trusted Li Wei with her life, and she knew he would never hurt her. So she followed him, hand in hand, into the unknown.

Yueling wandered through the dark garden, her footsteps echoing off the twisted trees. She had come seeking the rare and beautiful flowers that only bloomed in this forsaken place. But as she reached out to touch the petals, she realized that something was wrong.

The flowers were dead.

Their once-vibrant colors had faded to gray, their delicate petals wilted and brown. Yueling's heart sank as she gazed upon the desolate garden. This was not just a natural occurrence - something had drained the life from these flowers.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was Xie Feng

"Yueling," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "I see you're looking for the flowers. But they're gone. And soon, everything else will be too."

Yueling's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

Xie Feng smiled. "The Demon Emperor's power grows by the day. And with it, the darkness spreads. Nothing can stop it now."

Yueling's grip on her dagger tightened. "I won't let that happen."

Xie Feng chuckled. "You're no match for the Demon Emperor's power. But you can join us. Together, we can rule over the ruins of the Light Realm."

Yueling's face twisted in disgust. "Never."

Yueling's eyes widened in shock as Xie Feng's lips brushed against hers. She tried to pull away, but he held her in place, his grip like a vice.

"You're so beautiful, Yueling," he whispered, his breath cold against her skin. "And so powerful. Together, we could be unstoppable."

Yueling's mind reeled as she tried to process what was happening. She had always thought of Xie Feng as a friend, a ally in her quest to help Li Wei and Hua. But now, she saw him in a different light.

She pushed him away, her hand on his chest. "Xie Feng, stop. This isn't right."

Xie Feng's eyes flashed with anger, but he smiled again, his lips curling up. "Oh, but it is right. You just don't see it yet."

Yueling's heart raced as she realized she had to get away from him. She turned to run, but Xie Feng caught her arm, spinning her back around.

"You're not going anywhere, Yueling," he growled, his eyes blazing with intensity. "You're mine now."

Yueling's eyes widened in horror as Xie Feng's arms wrapped around her, his voice dripping with affection. "What do you want for your birthday, darling?"

She tried to push him away, but he held her tight. "Huh? You know when my birthday is?" she stuttered, her mind reeling with fear.

Xie Feng chuckled, his breath hot against her ear. "Of course, I do. I know everything about you, Yueling. And this year, I have a special gift planned just for you."

Yueling's skin crawled as she realized the extent of Xie Feng's obsession. She had never told him her birthday, never mentioned it to anyone in the Dark Realm.

"How...how do you know?" she stammered, trying to hide her fear.

Xie Feng's smile grew wider. "I have my ways, darling. And soon, you'll be mine, body and soul."

Yueling knew she had to escape, but Xie Feng's grip was too strong. She was trapped, and her birthday was still weeks away...

Yueling struggled in Xie Feng's arms, trying to break free. "Let me go!" she demanded, her voice firm.

Xie Feng just laughed, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Not until you tell me what you want for your birthday," he said, his voice low and husky.

Yueling's mind raced as she tried to think of a way to escape. But then, a sudden idea struck her. "I want a Guzheng," she said, hoping to distract him.

Xie Feng's eyes lit up with excitement. "A Guzheng? How...lovely." He released her, but only to raise his hand, his fingers weaving a intricate pattern in the air.

Yueling felt a surge of fear as Xie Feng's powers washed over her, freezing her hand in place. His other hand remained on her waist, holding her close.

"And now, my dear, I'll give you a birthday kiss," he whispered, his lips brushing against hers.

Yueling tried to pull away, but she was trapped. Xie Feng's powers held her fast, and his kiss deepened, his tongue tracing the outline of her lips.

When he finally pulled back, Yueling was gasping for breath. "Sure, darling," Xie Feng said, his eyes gleaming with triumph. "I'll get you that Guzheng. But don't think you can escape me that easily."

And with that, he vanished, leaving Yueling shaken and alone in the dark garden.