My Enemy, My Love

ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝔉𝔦𝔳𝔢

*warning: this chapter contains some sexual descriptions lol*

Lord Anurak [Phuwin]

I gave up frantically searching through the stash of letters for any word from Thyme. Ever since that strange and unexpected announcement of his engagement to Luka, he'd been avoiding me -- us. I had written to Meili, desperately hoping that she had received a note from him, but to no avail. Thyme had remained silent all month and it was starting to worry us. I couldn't tell if I was more pissed off at him for his failure to trust us or concerned about what it all meant in the long-run. We were supposed to tell each other everything, yet here I was, completely in the dark.

But we had to give him space and time to process it. I was convinced he would write to us soon; the wedding was only a fortnight away.  

As I urged my horse through the trees, the forest's shadows secluding me from prying eyes, my thoughts wandered to the memories of that evening - the dinner with the Royal family. In truth, their visit proved to be a helpful and momentary distraction from Thyme and his situation, but it also forced me to confront an even uglier reality - Prince Ray. As he sat beside me, his body within reach to my right, the tension of what we always did when no one was watching, plagued my mind to the point where I struggled to contribute to the discussion at the table. 

His irritating, seductive smile only complicated the matter more, and it was that smile that lingered in my head hours after the occasion, the thought of it forcing me to reconsider how I felt about him. He'd always been a game to me, a once-in-a-blue-moon fling, but lately...it was different. He was different, and so was I. Perhaps I wasn't any better than Thyme - I had lied to him, to Meili; they knew nothing of my situation with Ray. Was I a hypocrite? 

Frankly speaking, yes. 

I crossed the shallow river, the sound of rushing water calming me briefly, when I noticed something out of place. A white stallion, sleek and well-groomed, stood tethered near the trees, its saddle adorned with the unmistakable royal emblem of Phuket. I froze, halting my horse on the riverbank, eyes narrowing as I searched the area. What was a royal horse doing out here, unattended? Before I could piece it together, I heard something. A voice, faint and distant. No - not a voice. Noises. 

Pleasure-filled noises.

My heart kicked in my chest as I strained to listen, and then I heard it -- Ray's voice. Low, breathy, unmistakable. Without thinking, I dismounted slowly, my boots crunching softly against the underbrush as I crept toward the sound. The trees were thick, but I moved carefully, stepping between them until I reached a small clearing.

And there he was. Ray. His back against a tree, trousers undone, his hand working against his own need. He was lost in it, unaware of my presence. I should've turned away. I should've - but I didn't. Instead, I stood there, watching him, feeling a twisted sense of amusement curl in my chest. He was so vulnerable, so exposed, and I couldn't help but smile at the sight of him.

It wasn't the first time I had seen him like that. 

Then, as if sensing me, his eyes snapped open and locked onto mine. His face flushed deep red, and he scrambled to pull his trousers up, flustered and cursing under his breath. But before he could say anything, I grinned wider, the teasing words slipping out effortlessly.

"Quite a show, Prince Ray," I said, leaning casually against the nearest tree. "Didn't know you were so desperate you'd resort to the woods."

Ray's face darkened further, embarrassment clear in his eyes as he awkwardly buckled his belt. "Shut up, Anurak," he muttered, but the bite in his voice wasn't convincing. He was flustered, completely caught off guard. Good.

"Come on," I continued, chuckling. "You can't blame me for being entertained. You were practically putting on a performance."

Ray glanced at me, lips pressed tight in frustration. He shifted on his feet, but something in his expression changed -- less embarrassed now, more determined. He took a step toward me, and for a moment, I thought he was going to storm off, but then he spoke, low and soft.

"Maybe," he said, his voice dropping, "you'd like to finish me off, then."

His words hit me like a slap. I blinked, thrown off, my heart skipping a beat. What the fuck was he saying?

I stared at him, the smile falling from my face. "Ray --"

He moved closer, his body brushing mine, his lips just barely grazing the tip of my nose, his breath warm against my skin. My chest tightened. "Don't you dare," I hissed, trying to step back, but he was faster. His hand was already at my belt, fingers deftly working the buckle.

"You're always teasing, Anurak," he murmured, his voice a dangerous whisper. "But maybe it's time I act upon it."

I grabbed his wrist, forcing it away from my belt. "Stop," I growled, my voice sharp. But my heart was pounding, my body reacting in ways I hated. He was too close. Too close, and he knew it.

Ray's eyes met mine, and for a moment, something flickered there -- something raw, something that made my pulse race for all the wrong reasons. He leaned in again, his lips ghosting over my cheek, his breath hot against my skin.

"I know you want this," he whispered. "I know you can't resist me."

For a second, the world narrowed to just the two of us, the space between us charged with everything unsaid. I should've shoved him away. I should've walked off, left him standing there like the arrogant dick he was. But I couldn't move. I couldn't breathe.

He was playing with fire. And the worst part? I wasn't sure if I wanted to stop him.

"Enough," I finally said, pushing him back. My voice was harsher than I intended, but I needed the distance, needed to regain control. "Don't start something you can't finish, Ray."

He grinned, stepping back but not fully retreating, his eyes glittering with amusement. "Who says I can't finish?"

I glared at him, my chest heaving with a mix of frustration and something darker. "You really are an idiot, aren't you?"

Ray smirked, adjusting his clothes. "Maybe. But I'm not the one running." He turned, heading back to his horse, but not before throwing one last glance over his shoulder. "Think about it, Anurak. You're not as good at hiding as you think."

I clenched my fists, watching him go, his words hanging in the air like a challenge. As much as I wanted to brush it off, I knew he'd gotten under my skin. Damn him. Damn his arrogance. And damn me for letting him.

I stood there, alone in the forest, my pulse still racing. I should have felt in control. I should have been angry. But instead, all I could think about was the heat of his breath on my skin and the way my body had betrayed me.

Maybe Ray was right. Maybe I wasn't as good at hiding as I thought.

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