MARKED BY THE MOON

CHAPTER 3

"How did your conservation with the

Prince went?..hope you were not

Impertinent to the prince?"

Sihyun looked at Yuhyun as he chew

"I only told him..I will not do as

he pleases"

"That is not so pleasant..was it?

Here..you need energy for tonight"

"What is happening for tonight?"

Yuhyun stare at Sihyun confusing but shake it off

"Just eat"

Night arrived.The maids arrange Muwon's bed and placed a jar of wine on the low table,the maids now and walked out

Muwon stare out the window putting on a night robe as the night candles burn gently

"Drink but do not get drunk"

The shamans back voice rings on Muwon's head

"The sorcerer chain must be remove while

spending the night together unless magic

cannot come forth"

The door slides open removing Muwon from his thoughts,Dohyun and Taejin hurried up to him

"Do you know what you must do?"

Muwon turns to answer Taejin

"The shamans taught me what to do"

"How do you spend the night with a man?"

Muwon went silent unable to answer then Taejin smack Dohyun on the head

"Some privacy will you?"

"Your highness..it is time"

The shamans announced outside the door

"I hope the first ritual goes well"

Taejin said smiling as they both bow and walk out

"I am afraid there won't be some privacy

as we shamans will be here behind the door

to monitor the ritual..is that okay with

you your highness?"

Sihyun and Yuhyun lay together on the floor mattress facing upwards as the night crickets chirps

"What would mother do if she was here?"

Yuhyun asked

"She would have burn the palace down a

long time ago"

Yuhyun chuckles and smile

"No she wouldn't..she is not like that"

Silent fell,then a loud bang was heard on the door, Sihyun and Yuhyun got up quickly

"Open up..by the king's order..the demon

must be taken at once"

The guards bark

Yuhyun looks at Sihyun

"They have come for you..it is time"

Yuhyun suddenly hug Sihyun tightly and releases him

Sihyun stood up at once,finding a way to escape,he notices the window was surrounded by guards,the door bang again

"What are you doing?"

"We are getting out of here"

"We can't"

Then the door burst open as guards walked in to take Sihyun

"You are to come with us"

"Hey..get off..I'm warning you"

Sihyun voice fades as they drag him along,Yuhyun sigh as the cold night air seep through the gap

Door slide close as Sihyun found himself in the prince quarter,the place was nearly arranged with lit candles,he saw the prince standing with a small brass cup on his right hand containing wine

Muwon smiled

"We meet again demon"

Sihyun composed himself and force a smile

"It is finally a pleasure to

meet you again"

Sihyun paused and forcibly let out the word

"Your..highness"

Muwon stretch out his hand towards Sihyun offering the small brass cup of wine

"How would I know it is not poisoned?"

Muwon scoff and gulp down the wine,he stare at Sihyun,Sihyun watched him for five minutes,then boldly walk and sat on the cushion in front of the low table

Muwon sat down too facing each other with the low table in the middle of them,Muwon pour Sihyun a drink,Sihyun took and sip from it

"Now let us get down to business"

Muwon leans closer to Sihyun but Sihyun pour the wine on his face

The shamans gasp outside

Muwon wipe his face gently

"I suppose we must take the rough path"

Suddenly Muwon smash Sihyun's face flat on the table,the shamans look surprised

He grab Sihyun's hair up,Sihyun gave him a dead stare

"I should probably take your head"

Sihyun throw a fist but Muwon held him back,kicked the low table out of the way and pinned Sihyun down to the floor

"You are weak and powerless without

magic after all"

Sihyun struggles and suddenly headbutt Muwon,Muwon head his head groaning

"You were saying?"

Sihyun smirk and immediately hit Muwon's balls with his leg,Muwon let go of Sihyun,groaning hard

Sihyun got up,curving a smile,his fingers curled around the cold iron base of the candle holder,lifting it from the wooden table

The flickering flames cast long shadows across the room but he put it off and knocked out Muwon with it

He bend over Muwon who was past out on the floor and took off his robe,his dark eyes scanned the prince cursed mark which was on the side stomach spreading upwards to his chest gradually

Loudly,the door burst open as guards hurried in,they drag Sihyun out and was sent back to his room

"The ritual was not successful"

The shamans explained to the king

This continued night after night with Sihyun been sent back to his room

The room was dimly lit,Sihyun stood near the door,his dark eyes burning with resentment,he had spent days dodging,resenting,refusing to submit to the ritual's demand but tonight Muwon had had enough

"You will stay"

Muwon's voice was low and commanding as he stood near the wooden bed frame

Sihyun let out a scoff

"And if I don't?"

Muwon exhaled,slow and deliberate

"Then I will make you"

Before Sihyun could react,guards barged in and seized Sihyun by the arms dragging him towards the bed.He struggled, kicking at their shins,but they held firm

"You bastard"

Sihyun spat,his breath coming in sharp pants

"Let go of me"

They chained his right arm to the wooden bed frame with the sorcerer chain and took off the sorcerer chain on his ankle

Muwon stepped closer, looking down at him with an unsettling calmness, with a nod he dismissed the guards

Sihyun grit his teeth in anger as Muwon was already on top him, Muwon move closer,their faces only inches apart

"Stop fighting me"

Muwon murmured

"We both know what needs to be done"

He wanted to push Muwon away, to curse him,to run but the truth is he had nowhere left to go

Muwon's hand reached up, brushing against the collar of Sihyun's robe