Save Me (Kim Namjoon X Readers)

Chapter 16

Branches were breaking from the forest. You both snapped your heads in that direction. The rustlings came closer and louder. Shadows painted across the trees, they all morphed together under the light like a carnivorous monster. Someone emerged from the treeline at an incredible speed. You didn't have time to register what was happening before Namjoon's sword went up, clashing against the blade of another person.

The other person, still quite young, was holding his ground against Namjoon's built body. He wore a full armor of gold and ruby while his hair flew freely in the wind. His eyes were captivating, they were lit up with confidence and he had the strength to back it up. More men wearing the same armor pile out from the forest, sword diligently aimed at the enemy. You were the enemy.

You stood up quickly and faced the two men. "Please, we don't want any trouble." you spoke calmly and slowly. "We are fishing folks simply passing through this town."

"Fishing?" the man scoffed arrogantly. "I was looking forward to a better excuse than that?" He pushed Namjoon's sword off and Namjoon fumbled a little bit. Luckily, you wrapped your arms around him and caught him in time. He visibly gulped before moving away, onto the dock. "I'll need to search your possessions."

"For what?" Namjoon asked, it wasn't his nicest tone.

"What he means is that we are very much harmless and would like to get going." you added, hoping to appease the man with the army behind him. Namjoon rolled his eyes, noble and their strange way of talking.

The man turned to you completely. "Smugglers of black sand and spies from Silver Stone have been spotted recently. We're not taking any chances here." he answered. With a nod of his head, a few men from the back began searching the boat. Swiftly, Namjoon grabbed the lavender pouch before anyone else could touch it. That move raised suspicions from the man. As the other guards scan the boat inside out, he walked closer to Namjoon and yanked the pouch out. Namjoon's sword went up again but you quickly went to calm him down.

"It's not good to cause a commotion right now." you said quietly. His eyes were fixated on the other man, eyeing every movement, every touch. It seemed that every touch was having an effect on Namjoon. His breathing quickened, sweat forming on his forehead. "Please do be careful of that, it's from his mother and she passed." you lied. After inspecting it some more, the man tossed it back to Namjoon, who pressed it against his heart for a second, then tied it back in place.

"Commander Jeon, there's nothing on the boat." one of the guards reported back. Your eyes widened at the mention of his name.

"Commander Jeon? As in the one who leads Her Majesty's Sacred Skies Army?" you asked.

"For simple fishing folks, you sure know a lot." he answered in amusement. You stole a glance at Namjoon, who was both curious and concerned with that you're about to do. Trust me, you tried signaling to him. "I'm going to give you one more chance to tell me who you really are."

"My father is Lord Song, Royal Doctor to Her Majesty." you began. Beside you, Namjoon tensed up. "He wouldn't let me go visit my aunt in the North because of the conflict with Silver Stone. I am simply trying to get there with...my guard." you said, gesturing to the man beside you. He'll take it, even if it still means being your servant. Commander Jeon nodded slowly with an eyebrow raised.

"He's doing a terrible job of guarding you, considering he left you on the boat by yourself." he commented. Namjoon clenched his jaws, he hated the arrogance fuming out of the other man. He could easily take him down, or at least have a fair chance in battle. But the situation needed stealth and calmness. He was about to say something when you spoke up.

"Please don't disregard him like that. He is a great warrior and I am grateful to have him by my side." Namjoon's heart involuntarily did a flutter at your words. He had promised that you wouldn't have that effect on him anymore, but that was out the window. "But right now, he also needs my help. He was cursed by the woman who lives in this hut and we need her to break the enchantment."

"A curse? Do you expect me to believe that?" the Commander asked.

"What you believe or not does not matter to me, what matters is helping him." you stated firmly.

The man turned to Namjoon and pointed the hilted sword to his chest. "Did the curse affect your tongue as well? Why don't you explain yourself?"
Namjoon refrained from rolling his eyes. "My name is Namjoon. The woman cursed me. Accusing me of being a spy from Silver Stone, the curse must be broken within two weeks or else it will be permanent."

"What does it entail?"

"This pouch," Namjoon pointed to it protectively. "If I am away from it, I will die. And as the days pass, my body will begin to disappear, unless..."

"Unless...?" Commander Jeon pressed on.

"It doesn't matter right now," you chimed in, understanding that Namjoon felt uncomfortable finishing the rest of the sentence. Either because he doesn't want to remember it for the pain, or if it's because of you. "We just need to find the woman."

"Well, if that's the case, you must have bad luck. Someone already took the woman by force. My men saw her hands and feet bound with iron."

"Took her? Where?" Namjoon yelled, he felt his hope slipping further and further away.

"My best guess is Silver Stone." thee commander answered.

You wanted to curse out. "We've already lost time traveling here. If the woman is there, that's where we have to go."

"Lady Song, I will not let you go to Silver Stone, it is too dangerous." Namjoon urged. His eyes had the same tenderness as the first time, and this time, he was genuinely worried.

"It's not up to you, Namjoon. I want to." you answered. Commander Jeon was getting impatient with the lover's quarrel. He would have believed that you two eloped rather than going on some witch hunt.

"Neither of you are leaving this place," he spoke up. "I'm taking you in the be questioned by the Empress."

You gasped, "What? No-"

"Disobey my order and you'll die here." he said with a grin, the sword glimmered under the sunlight. Namjoon pulled you back behind him and held onto your hand. His hand was warm, you could feel every scar. Your heart felt strangely at ease again.

"We'll go." Namjoon said. "Please take up to the Empress."