The Shadow Prince [Yandere Prince x Princess Reader] Aridian Legends; [hiatus]

IV

"You have a fever." Apollo laid blanket after blanket on me as I laid in bed. The maids had lit a fire in my fireplace. "Don't scare me like that." He knelt beside the bed and held my hand. "Do you understand?" I nodded.

"That's my good girl." He stroked my cheek. "I won't leave your side until you are healthy again, okay?"

"I'd like that." I smiled.

"Where's that...scum that you've been arranged with?"

"I don't know. He may have left, but...he really isn't that bad..."

"What a pathetic excuse for a prince. He has no valor at all, he cannot protect you."

"Can't I protect myself?"

"My sweet (y/n), of course you can. But you also need someone to look over you...at all times..."

"Is Ven still here?" A flash of an emotion I couldn't quite capture flashed across Apollo's eyes.

"I believe he's gone back to Almaria. I'm going to stay with you. I'm going to take care of my princess."

"What's that? On my table?" I saw something with ribbons sitting on the desk. "It looks like flowers. Will you bring them to me?" Apollo stood and went over to pick them up. I noticed he slipped something into his pocket.

"Seems they are from your parents. Aren't they nice?" He brought them over.

"What did you put in your pocket." He sighed and handed me a letter. I opened it and couldn't believe what I saw.

To (y/n);

I've heard from Apollo that you have been well, and that makes me content. I know he is caring for you and making you happy. However, I heard talk tonight about your true feelings towards me. I am disappointed. We shared love as children but it seems you are still a child; having eyes for a man betrothed and in love with another. Their highnesses, your parents the king and queen, will be warmly welcomed at my wedding but I ask for your absence. I want mine and my bride's day to be clear of all potential pests. I wish I could say this with a heavy hand and sad heart but that time has passed. I hereby no longer acknowledge any relations between the two of us. I truly do wish you well on your path to being queen and I do hope you mature before that point.

-Goodbye, Ven

I tore the letter in half and then in half again and crumpled up the pieces; throwing them across the room. Tears blurred my vision and I couldn't hold them back. This cannot be...these cannot be his words.

"(y/n)..."Apollo stood and climbed into the bed beside me.

"Y-you're in my bed...you cannot..."

"Yes, I can." He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me against him. "If I must act out of line to comfort you, then so be it." He held my head against his chest as I cried into his shirt. "What did the letter say?"

"Nothing." I kept my face buried in his warm embrace.

"Was it from...him?"

"I never want to see him again nor hear his name again. Ever!" I felt Apollo jump at my scream.

"You won't, my love. You won't have to see him or hear a word of him ever again." I thought about his kiss from that morning. It was my first kiss. "What are you thinking about, hmm?" He leaned away and lifted my face towards his.

"This morning..." I knew I was blushing.

"Did I upset you..?"

"No, of course not. It's just that..." I bit my lip. "I had never kissed anyone before. I was so surprised."

"I took your first kiss?" He smiled and ran his fingers across my cheek. "Did you enjoy it?" He whispered. Whatever weary feelings I had that morning disappeared as I nodded. He pulled me up towards him so we were at eye level. He drew my face close to his and brushed his lips against my cheek. "May I do it again?" He whispered in my ear. I gripped onto his shirt, saying yes without words. His lips slowly met mine. His arm wrapped around my waist and he pulled me closer, deepening the kiss. He shifted a bit, gripping my waist tighter. Suddenly he was atop me. His breath was heavy as he looked down at me. Before I could do anything he swooped down for another heated kiss. His hands ran down my arms until our fingers interlocked. He pulled back a bit and I could feel his labored breathing against my neck. He squeezed my hands as I felt his lips against my throat. He let go of one of my hands and grasped my chin, pushing my head to one side, giving him better access to my neck and shoulder. I squirmed beneath him but he pressed his body down against mine. I let out a squeak when I felt him bite down on my neck. "Shh...endure it...for me." His tongue slid over where his teeth sank into my skin. He bit down again closer to my shoulder. The hand holding mine slid up to my wrist. He gripped tightly and pinned my wrist above my head.

"A-Apollo..." I could barely breath.

"Just a bit more..." He nipped at my ear.

"W-we should stop..." His lips left my skin and he pulled back.

"As much as I want you, right now...I'll respect that." He released me and left the bed. "I hope one day, you'll want me..." I blushed. I couldn't deny the fire racing through my body.

"I...I liked that...Apollo..." Something felt empowering about letting him do that to me after reading Ven's letter.

"Sleep well." He smiled before closing the door behind him as he walked out.