The Ice Queen and The Dark Prince

Kill the heart PT.1

A/N: if your seeing this that means that I probably haven't formatted the chapter but I sent it anyway. Dw I'll do it later and when I do, you probably won't see this message

Minatiro's mind raced as he sat on the edge of Esdeath's plush bed, staring at the ornate ceiling above. His thoughts were a mess of contradictions, swirling around like an uncontrollable storm. *How did it come to this?* he asked himself again, trying to make sense of everything that had happened in such a short time. Esdeath, the Empire's most feared general, was in the bathroom, just a few feet away, and here he was, sitting on her bed like it was the most natural thing in the world. 

But it wasn't natural. Not at all.

The sound of the shower shutting off sent his heart racing again. Minatiro gripped the sheets beneath him, fighting the urge to bolt out of the room. *Maybe I should leave. Yeah, just get up and go. This can't be right. She's Esdeath, for crying out loud.* He tried to convince himself that this was a terrible idea, but a part of him—one he didn't want to acknowledge—wasn't so sure.

When the bathroom door opened, steam billowed out, and Esdeath stepped into the room. Minatiro's breath hitched. She wore a thin, silk robe that barely clung to her body, revealing tantalizing glimpses of her curves. The fabric shimmered slightly in the dim light, sticking to her still-damp skin, and Minatiro's eyes were immediately drawn to her figure. *Damn...* He couldn't stop himself from admiring the way the robe accentuated her slim waist, the subtle rise of her chest, and the effortless grace with which she moved. 

*Get a grip, Minatiro,* he scolded himself, trying to snap out of it. *This is insane. She's literally the enemy. A ruthless killer. But... why does she have to look so damn good?*

Esdeath's wet blue hair cascaded down her shoulders, framing her face as she smiled at him. It wasn't the cold, predatory smile he had seen her wear in battle. This was different—softer, almost... warm. She sat down beside him on the bed, her proximity sending a wave of nervous energy through him.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," she said in a calm, almost tender voice. "Would you like anything to drink?"

"I'm fine... really," Minatiro managed to respond, trying to maintain some semblance of control over the situation. He avoided making eye contact, his gaze drifting between her and the wall, unsure where to settle.

Esdeath tilted her head, looking at him with a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Are you nervous, Minatiro?"

"N-Not really," he stammered, though it was clear to anyone that he was lying. His heart was practically pounding out of his chest. *Why am I so damn nervous? I've fought monsters and killers. I've stared death in the face more times than I can count, but this... this is different.* 

The way Esdeath leaned closer didn't help. She brushed her fingers lightly over the back of his hand, a touch so gentle that it sent a shiver through him. Her skin was cool, almost icy, but it wasn't unpleasant. In fact, it felt oddly comforting. *Why does this feel good?* he thought, confused by his own reaction. He knew he shouldn't be enjoying this, yet he couldn't deny the effect she was having on him.

"You're terrible at lying," Esdeath said, her voice laced with playful amusement. "There's no need to hide it from me. There's no shame in feeling what you feel."