The Sacrifice of The Blood King: A Taekook Story

Chapter Ten: Exclusivity

*Hey guys! I'm so sorry for the delay in my stories! I have a new very sporadic job and schedule, so I have been only getting one day off here and there. So I'm writing, editing, and posting all of this today just so I can go into a work clump knowing I have it done. I hope you enjoy it!!**

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A harsh silence falls over the two travelers. Jungkook takes the reins from Taehyung, wanting control of the horse as sharp rocky cliffs and rough trails lead North, the snow falling while barely lightening the tension that swallows them. Taehyung rests his hands on Jungkook's forearms, layers of wool keeping him from feeling the rigid muscles beneath them.

"How did you hear that story, Taehyung?" Jungkook can't help but ask and Taehyung sighs.

"There was a tree stump in an abandoned garden at the palace that I could see from the temple...I asked the priestesses about it and they told me it was a sick tree. My brothers told me it was the tree our mother killed herself on...I found out other bits and pieces and made up the rest," Taehyung admits, his fingers tightening lightly as he fights his emotions. Jungkook leans forward and kisses the back of Taehyung's head, the ebony locks tickling his head.

"I'm sorry,"

"You don't have to apologize. It was just a story to me..." Taehyung exclaims, though Jungkook knows that isn't true. It was the story that told him how fucked up his family was...and how unwanted he truly was. The boy's own mother didn't want him. Jungkook, moves the reins to one hand, the other reaching up to stroke Taehyung's cheek with cold calloused fingers.

"You don't need to lie to me either. I can only imagine the hole in your heart left by your family," Jungkook quietly murmurs, and Taehyung has to close his eyes to keep the tears in. The Blood King really doesn't need to know all of his weaknesses. With a deep sigh, Taehyung opens his eyes and tries to change the topic to something else. Anything else. But all he sees are rocks and snow, the steep paths obscuring any evergreen trees or wildlife from his vision.

Taehyung fidgets in his seat, wanting to distract Jungkook and himself, dissipating the thick tension around them, yet all that comes out of his mouth is, "What about your mother?" which isn't something he should be asking because Jungkook swiftly goes rigid.

"What about her...?" he retorts, the cold tone in his voice demanding Taehyung to rethink this line of discussion, yet Taehyung's curiosity eats away at him. Why did he have such a negative reaction? Did he lose his mother, too? Do the North have different rules around monarchy and queens? Taehyung glances over his shoulder with those wide, innocent eyes, though he's surprised when he sees Jungkook's icy rage. He reaches for Jungkook's cheek, flinching when the king dodges his touch.

"My king...what happened to her...?" Taehyung gently questions, resting his hand back in his lap as Jungkook trudges onwards. He doesn't answer right away, unsure if he really wants to, but then again Taehyung told him about his parents...the least Jungkook can do is tell Taehyung.

"She was a member of the Royal Court. Hand-selected by my father and The Advisor for breeding. That is all she was to him. A beautiful woman to impregnate and have an heir," Jungkook spits, his grip tightening on the reins again. He hates how the Royal Court controls the royal line through breeding and blood. They decide when, who, and how a king will produce an heir. To have such an impersonal connection to his mother has Jungkook cold and bitter, yet understanding as well. He understands how Taehyung felt isolated in the tower all of those years. Taehyung tries to wrap his head around the concept. A woman just used to breed a prince. No marriage, no title, no power. Just reproduction. It is a disgusting thought that has Taehyung shivering when another one follows. Jungkook is king. And he, as a man, cannot reproduce.