The Stormbringer (Starlight #1) - Kim Taehyung/ BTS Fanfic (#SerendipityAwards)

15.1

                        Neva/ Zephryn

I chuckled at the bewildered look on Taehyung’s face as I slid into place beside him. “Surprised?”

“I didn’t expect to see you here,” His face twisted into a puzzled frown as he eyed me questioningly.

“Stop badgering her. I invited the two of them,” Yoongi spoke up and Jimin nodded in concurrence, “I thought it would be nice to involve them in the ritual.”

I nearly snickered, certain that Yoongi’s motives weren’t entirely innocent as I watched him slyly eye Jimin.

The Princes shuffled awkwardly as a hush fell over us. No one spoke for quite some time before the Prince of Lyceran finally broke the silence, “Well, you know what they say. The more the merrier!”

The tall, burgundy-haired woman threw him a scornful look which she later directed at me as she turned on her heels and drifted into her tent. I racked my brains, a name finally forming itself in my mind. Lyria Maltre, the cousin of Prince Jungkook.

Said prince slapped Hoseok on the back, “I think Lyria might like you,” Jungkook winked at him and Hoseok visibly shuddered.

“If that’s how she treats people she likes then I wouldn’t want to know how she treats the ones she doesn't,” I heard Taehyung mutter softly beside me.

I nudged him gently while Jungkook merely laughed as the tension eased a little, everybody a little more comfortable than before.

“I think we should all settle in and get some rest,” Namjoon stated, “It’s going to be a long night.”

Everyone mumbled in consent as they dispersed, entering the tents and marquees intended for them.

I was about to follow suit when Taehyung grabbed my arm, “I’m glad to see you here.”

I snorted, drawing my cloak closer around my shoulders. “You look more dazed than glad by the looks of it.”

He looked embarrassed as he deliberated over my observation, finally raising his hands in admittance. “Fine, you got me. It’s just that, um, I don’t know how to put this but the last time we met and when-"

“And when you almost kissed me?” I watched in silent amusement as Taehyung’s face went all shades of red.

“I-I wasn’t about to ki-kiss you,” he stammered, turning his head away.

“Relax Prince. Like I said, you don’t have to worry about it,” I assured him, a real smile crossing my face.

Taehyung’s shoulders sagged in relief as he met my gaze again, “So we’re cool?”

I nodded, raising my hand in farewell, turning to stride towards the tent I would be sharing with Jimin, “We’re cool.”

Taehyung grabbed my elbow, a slow grin spreading over his face, “Good, because there’s something I want to show you.”
                              ***
The cave wasn’t small by any standards, its cavern stretching into a small labyrinth smudged with perpetual darkness. It was situated a little further away from the meadow, its structure hidden behind a thick growth of underbrush which served as a sufficient cover.

Taehyung flicked his fingers, illuminating the entrance as he led me in. My eyes traced the tattered nooks and crannies of the cave, their surfaces maligned with decades' worth of grime and dust. I had no idea why he had brought me here, every nerve in my body on alert. But even then I knew that I faced no danger from the man who was walking a few paces ahead of me. It was the other way round if anything.

We strolled deeper in, Taehyung’s flames lighting our path as we gradually entered a room the size of my chambers. It was cleaner compared to the rest of the cave and as it brightened, a panorama of shades and images arrested my eyes.

Every vacant space was occupied with paintings and sketches. I studied them in fascination, my eyes tracing the worn out canvases flecked with colors and shapes. Most of them were representations of nature, though there were a few which portrayed human figures.

I peered at these closely, recognizing the delicate features of Princess Bo Ra in one. Next to her portrait was that of the King and Queen, followed by a sketch of Yoongi. And Taehyung.

“Did you draw all of these?” I asked in amazement as I turned to the prince.

He had been carefully watching for my reaction and nodded with a grin, “It’s a hobby I’ve cultivated over the years.”

“They’re beautiful Taehyung,” I marveled at his ability to recreate such startling likenesses, as I surveyed the other paintings, “Why are all of these here?”

“My room has no space left to hang them. And there is no other safe place in the palace,” Taehyung walked over to where I was scrutinizing a sketch of the Field of Poppies, “But this is an abandoned cave. When I was younger, I loved visiting it for the solace it offered and before I knew it, it had transformed into my very own art gallery.”

I chuckled at the happy glint in his eyes, “You have a knack for this.”

Taehyung’s grin was replaced by a serious look. “If you wouldn’t mind,” he began slowly, his gaze capturing mine with a startling intensity, “can I draw you?”

I narrowed my eyes, “Is this another one of your ploys Prince?”

He raised his palms in a pacifying gesture, “No ulterior motives. I promise.”

I weighed my options as I pretended to consider his request. This would be an ideal location to kill him. We were alone and chances of outside interventions were minimal.

Should I take the chance? Once my task was done, I could warn Jimin and we could flee.

A warm sensation prickled the back of my hand, jolting me out of my reverie. Taehyung’s fingers lightly brushed my skin as I looked up to see the appeal in his eyes. His innocent entreaty was overwhelming.

I sighed inwardly. Maybe another time then. And Jimin would be disappointed if I took any step without him.

I nodded slightly and Taehyung smiled broadly, stalking off and immediately returning with a canvas. He set the stand down and motioned for me to take the chair which was lying in a corner of the room.

Taehyung’s fingers were quick. His eyes roved over me with dedicated concentration and the sketch he produced bore an uncanny resemblance to my features; the brown hair, the toughness of my skin, the emerald eyes.

“Looks better than I ever did,” I observed drily, shooting him a snarky look.

Taehyung didn’t laugh, his eyes raking over my face as if memorizing every detail, “I think no sketch can do you justice.”

“Like I said, your attempts to flirt are pitiful Taehyung. You’re going to have to try harder,” I laughed at the forlorn expression that glazed in his eyes.

“Why do you always mistake the truth for flirtations?” He pouted, his forehead wrinkling.

I cackled at his sulky face, reaching up to pat his head, “I’m sure Lady Lyria wouldn’t.”

He blinked a few times, and then grinned, “Well at least she'd appreciate my efforts.”

We looked at each other, our laughter ricocheting off the walls and resonating within the cave.

And despite my indifference, something within me was warming up to him. I chided myself at my line of thinking, shaking my head as we exited the cave. There would be plenty of other opportunities to kill him.

At least, that’s what I wanted to believe.
                            ***
A lot of things are happening in this chapter because of which I thought it would be better if I broke it down into two parts. I'll update the next one soon! :D

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