Chapter 8. Caught up by a kiss
AT THE SAME TIME
EMPEROR LIANWEI POINT OF VIEW:
I tracked her to this crumbling door, could almost taste the chase, feel the pulse of my obsession rising with every step. When she opened it, my breath hitched. There she was, vulnerable and fierce, all at once. Her eyes wide with shock, her body frozen like a trapped songbird.
"How did yo-"She started.
"How did I find you so fast?" I whispered, not even needing to ask.
Before she could slip away, I slammed my hand against the wall beside her, trapping her in place. Her sharp intake of breath was like a strike to my heart, so fragile, so alive.
"You think you can run?" My voice dropped low, rough with the fire inside me. "Don’t be silly Mei Shen."
Her panic was a physical thing, her chest rising and falling, eyes darting, mouth trembling. I could smell the fear and confusion, but beneath it... Something else. I leaned closer, letting my breath brush her skin.
"Where else would you go?"I asked her, my lips nearly touching the side of her ear.
I wanted to believe she’d fight me, push me away, scream at me to leave. But the truth was, I never wanted to let her go. This was something darker. Something alive. I loosened my hand, but didn’t move back. I gripped her arms a little tighter, not enough to hurt, but firm enough so she couldn’t pull away. Her body tensed, eyes wide and panicked, like a trapped bird fluttering in a cage.
"Why?"I demanded, my voice rougher now, hurt bleeding through. "Why did you run from me? What are you so afraid of?"
She swallowed hard, struggling to find words.