CHAPTER 37
Vanyul stood at its edge, staring into the distance—his expression unreadable but his posture alert.
"He's coming,"
he murmured, voice laced with something between dread and excitement.
His two allies exchanged looks.
"I feel it,"
the female shapeshifter said, stepping back slightly.
"That heat—it's unnatural…"
"The earth itself feels like it's burning,"
the male added, eyes narrowing toward the direction of the palace.
"What the hell is he turning into?"
Then the glow appeared between the trees.
Sihyun emerged from the darkness, his steps slow and unsteady, golden eyes barely open. His skin shimmered like hot metal under moonlight. Steam rolled off his body in faint curls, and even from several feet away, the temperature surged around him like a silent blaze.
The allies instinctively stepped aside, shielding their faces as the air sizzled.
Vanyul didn't move. His eyes widened—but not in fear.
"Sihyun…"
he whispered, stepping forward.
Sihyun's vision blurred. His legs buckled.
And just before he collapsed fully, Vanyul caught him in his arms.
His skin seared to the touch, but Vanyul didn't let go.
He pulled Sihyun closer, one hand cradling the back of his head.
"You came to me… even like this,"
he said softly, with a crooked, pained smile.
"You really are mine."
Sihyun didn't answer. His eyes closed completely as he passed out, breathing ragged and shallow, the fever burning through his body like wildfire.
Vanyul turned to his allies, voice sharp now.
"Prepare the cave. No one disturbs us tonight."
Back in the prince's quarters, the room was dim, lit only by the soft flicker of a lantern in the corner. The silence was thick—until a quiet rustle stirred the air.
Yuhyun shifted slightly in his sleep, brows knitting as if sensing something was off. Then his eyes blinked open.
His heart skipped.
The bed was cold.
Empty.
"Sihyun…?"
He shot up, looking around the room frantically. The door was still closed, the guards hadn't raised any alarm—but Sihyun was gone.
"No… no no no…"
Yuhyun muttered, throwing on a robe as panic took hold of his chest.
His eyes darted to the small drops of ash near the bed. The faint scent of something burnt still lingered in the air.
And then it clicked.
"The woods…"
he whispered, dread sinking into his stomach like a stone.
He clenched his jaw and rushed to the door, careful not to make noise. The last thing he needed was for the prince or the guards to find out Sihyun had vanished.
He slipped into the corridor, every heartbeat screaming for urgency, and disappeared into the night—running toward the only place Sihyun would go.
Back to him.
The cave was quiet—eerily quiet.
Only the soft crackling of the fire and the steady sound of breathing echoed through the dark, rocky walls. Vanyul sat nearby, his gaze fixed on the unconscious sorcerer resting on a makeshift bed of woven blankets and furs. The heat radiating from Sihyun's body had died down slightly, but a golden glow still pulsed faintly beneath his skin, especially along the lines where the 19th tattoo had begun to form.
Vanyul sighed softly, watching the boy with something between awe and longing.
"You always find a way back to me…"
he whispered, almost to himself.
A few minutes passed, and Sihyun stirred. Slowly, he sat up, eyes half-lidded and tired. Vanyul stood immediately and handed him a cup of water, the edge of concern hidden behind his calm smile.
Sihyun took it wordlessly, staring at Vanyul like he wasn't fully awake—like he wasn't sure if what he was seeing was real.
"You don't have to say anything,"
Vanyul said gently, sitting beside him.
"Just rest."
Sihyun blinked slowly, drank a few sips, then let his body fall back against the pillows, falling asleep again in silence.
Moments later—
"SIHYUN!"
A loud voice echoed from the cave's entrance.
Vanyul's eyes narrowed.
Outside, his two allies had pinned a struggling Yuhyun between them. His hair was messy from running, chest heaving, eyes wild with worry.
"Let me go! I said LET ME GO—"
Vanyul stepped out from the shadows, irritation visible on his face.
"Tch… what a noisy little rat."
Yuhyun's eyes snapped to him.
"You—! What did you do to him?! Why is he here?!"
"He came on his own,"
Vanyul said flatly.
"Or have you already forgotten that I'm the one he always finds when he's breaking apart?"
Yuhyun clenched his fists as he growled,
"He's not himself right now. He's burning from the inside! Let me take him back—!"
"You mean back to the palace where he's chained like an animal?"
Vanyul sneered.
"No, thank you. He stays here until I say otherwise."
Yuhyun thrashed against the grip of the two shapeshifters.
"I won't let you manipulate him again!"
Inside the cave, Sihyun remained asleep—his breathing slow, but shallow. The golden glow from his eyes leaked faintly beneath his lashes, signaling the painful growth of the 19th mark still taking its toll on him.
Vanyul's face darkened.
"You can scream all you want, little brother,"
he said coldly.
"But tonight, Sihyun belongs to me."
The heated voices outside the cave clawed into Sihyun's sleep like sharp talons. He stirred, eyebrows tightening as the noise grew louder. With effort, he pushed himself off the bed, each step sluggish, his body still burning and trembling under the weight of the unformed tattoo. His eyes, however, glowed brighter—golden light piercing through the shadows as he stepped out into the night.
The moment Yuhyun saw him, relief flooded his face.
"Sihyun!"
But the sight that met him wasn't the soft expression he was used to. Sihyun's eyes burned with fury.
"Let him go,"
he said coldly, his voice heavy despite its quietness.
The two shapeshifter allies hesitated, glancing at Vanyul, but Sihyun didn't need to repeat himself. Something in his presence—faint as it was—was commanding.
They released Yuhyun immediately.
Vanyul raised an eyebrow. Impressed. Curious.
Yuhyun moved a step forward, breath catching in his throat.