Kiss the Stranger

I almost dropped the cup again the moment I saw him. My whole body trembled uncontrollably, despite my efforts to steady myself. I opened my mouth, but no sound came out. His pheromones settled thickly around me—not arousing me, but filling me with sheer terror. Just inhaling his scent made my knees threaten to give way. Thankfully, I was leaning against the wall and didn’t collapse, but I could not stop shaking.
“I—I was told I mustn’t fall asleep on the bed, Your Highness—”
My words rattled as they tumbled out. The moment I forced a sound, Asgail’s face twisted into a grimace that sent my head spinning.

“Who said that?”
His low voice pierced through me. I had to answer, or I would be struck dumb. Summoning all my courage, I forced out the words.
“T—the chamberlain.”

Asgail stared down at me without a word. He parted his lips, and after a moment the words came.
“Jume’a?”
His voice rumbled like an echo from a great chasm. I could only nod as I trembled. Again he was silent—lost in thought, it seemed, though I couldn’t fathom what he was considering. His eyes fixed insistently on my swollen cheeks. After studying me crouched there, shoulders hunched, he glanced behind me. Only then did I see the chamberlain and his attendants standing in a line.

“Jume’a.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The chamberlain replied swiftly. Asgail turned back to me and spoke.

“Bring me my sword.”

“I understand.”
Though Asgail spoke, another attendant moved. Panting, he dashed off and soon returned bearing a blade whose edge gleamed ferociously. Its gentle curve and immense size suited Asgail’s frame—just a graze would cleave me in two. The chamberlain handed it to Asgail, who grasped the hilt with those large, powerful hands. I stared in horror as he lifted that heavy steel effortlessly with one arm. What if he slashed me just as mercilessly as he had whipped my back? I squeezed my eyes shut at the thought.
A sharp hiss split the air—and something sticky splattered across my face.

“Ah… Aaaaah!”
My scream echoed in the hall. When I dared to open my eyes, I was frozen by the sight. The chamberlain stood before me, hands dripping blood, screaming in agony—and behind him, on the floor, lay his severed hands. The attendants stood pale and stunned, unsure what ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) to do, while only Asgail watched impassively. Crimson droplets fell from his blade, and I saw again the merciless executioner who had lashed my back. My terror mounted until I felt I might faint—but the thought of losing consciousness frightened me more.
The chamberlain, trying to gather his fallen wrists, wailed, “Your Highness… why have you done this to me?!”

“Asking why?” Asgail’s lips curved in a chilling smile. “Do you not know your crime?”
The chamberlain looked up at him, sobbing. Asgail replied coldly, “You offended my mood. Be grateful I spared your neck.”
The chamberlain’s face went ashen, and everyone around turned utterly pale. Without another word, Asgail ordered, “Remove this filth. How long do you plan to leave such a disgusting sight before me?”

At last the attendants stirred. One, with shaking hands, helped the wounded chamberlain away. They retreated down the hall, trailing blood behind them. A tense silence fell. All eyes flicked to the prince, who extended the sword toward the nearest attendant. The man retrieved it hastily, and Asgail turned.
Our gazes met. His deep violet eyes, half-hidden in the heavy gloom, shone under the moonlight. In that pale glow, he looked larger, more imposing than ever. The horror of what had just occurred— the chamberlain’s scream, the blood spattered on my cheek—flooded back in vivid detail.
And then a memory I’d thought buried surged up: Kamar, unflinching as he slaughtered Salem and his men, his blade red with blood—just as Asgail now stood, calmly holding the murder weapon. Back then, Kamar had no hesitation or guilt. Now… was this the same?

It wasn’t. I looked up at Asgail, terrified. Back then, he’d done what he did for me. But now, he’d cut off a man’s hands simply because his mood soured.

A man who could sever a wrist at will stood before me, exuding that intense scent. I was filled with such dread that my vision swam—and then I blacked out.
In the haze between consciousness and sleep, I dreamed. I knew it was a dream, yet felt suspended between worlds. I wandered a sandy desert beneath a bright, mist-shrouded sky. I walked on soft dunes toward something I could barely see. Each time I neared it, it receded, just out of reach. Suddenly, despair overwhelmed me.

I have loved only you…
A faint song drifted through the air, ghostly and fragile.
The world is empty,
And I wish not to live any longer…
My eyes burned with tears, and I awoke.

When I came to, the ceiling above was vaguely familiar. Blinking away tears, I realized I’d been crying. The ornate dome of the prince’s bedchamber loomed above. I lay alone on the vast bed, instead of the floor.
Silence surrounded me; even my sniffle sounded loud. I turned my head and saw Asgail standing by the window. When our eyes met, he spoke quietly, “You’ve finally woken.”
His tone was unreadable—as it always was. Asgail never displayed emotion: no laughter, no fury. His expressions remained within a narrow band.

So why had he been so enraged earlier?
The memory of my last moments before losing consciousness chilled me. He must have been very angry—perhaps simply in a foul mood.
Alone in the room with him was terrifying. I didn’t know what slight would provoke him to strike again. I shrank back, and Asgail crossed his arms against the window frame.

“Why are you trembling again? You’re standing so far away.”
I felt his sharp disapproval. I startled, but my body wouldn’t obey me. I managed to whisper, “I’m… sorry—”
My voice broke, and a dry cough rattled my chest. Asgail’s brow creased. Oh no. I must have offended him again. Just then he left the window sill and walked to the table. He poured water into a cup, just as he had before—clearly to give it to me. I had to get up and take it. Determined not to upset him, I moved in a hurry.

“Ah—ah!”
A jagged pain ripped across my back. I cried out involuntarily. Asgail paused mid-motion. I gasped for breath and froze. Warm fluid soaked my clothing. Overwhelmed by dizziness, I was on the verge of passing out again when I sensed Asgail approach me—and then all went black.