MARKED BY THE MOON

CHAPTER 10

Instead, he reached for Sihyun's wrist, guiding him toward the bed without hesitation. Sihyun let himself be pulled, but Muwon could feel the tension in his muscles—ready to strike, to push back.

But he didn't.

Not yet.

Muwon pressed his palm against Sihyun's chest, feeling the warmth of his skin through the thin fabric.

"Lie down."

Sihyun arched a brow.

"Ordering me around already?"

"You know how this works."

For a moment, they stared at each other, the silence stretching between them. Then, Sihyun huffed and lay back against the bed, arms spread lazily as if he were inviting trouble.

Muwon sat beside him, pulling at the loose fabric of Sihyun's robe, baring more of his skin. The moment he touched him, a spark of energy surged between them. Sihyun's eyes flashed red, his tattoos beginning to glow like embers beneath his skin.

"Hurry up, prince,"

Sihyun murmured, his voice lower now, rougher.

Muwon ignored the taunt, leaning in. His lips brushed against Sihyun's collarbone, a fleeting touch that sent shivers through them both. He could feel the pulse of magic beneath Sihyun's skin, the raw energy stirring between them.

Sihyun exhaled, his fingers curling into the sheets as Muwon's hand traced over the glowing tattoos along his ribs. The warmth spread, crawling up Sihyun's body like fire licking at his skin.

Muwon moved slowly, deliberately, lips and hands mapping over Sihyun's body, taking in the heat of his magic, the way his breathing changed with each movement. Sihyun never submitted easily, but tonight, there was something different in the way he reacted—like he was daring Muwon to push further, to take control.

And so Muwon did.

The room filled with heavy breaths, the glow of Sihyun's magic intensifying as the ritual continued. Muwon could feel the shift, the way the energy between them swirled and settled into his own body, feeding the mark on his chest. It ached, burned, but it also felt… intoxicating.

Sihyun arched beneath him, his fingers finding Muwon's back, nails digging in just enough to leave faint marks.

"Don't think this means I like you,"

he muttered against Muwon's ear.

Muwon smirked.

"I wouldn't dare."

The night stretched on, their bodies moving in sync, the magic binding them together in a way neither of them wanted to admit. By the time exhaustion took over, Muwon could feel the difference in his mark—the slow but steady healing.

And yet, even as he lay there afterward, Sihyun's warmth pressed against him, Muwon knew one thing for certain.

The ritual was working.

But it wasn't just his body that was changing.

It was something far more dangerous.

THE NEXT MORNING

Muwon stepped back into his quarters after his morning stroll, the cool air still clinging to his robes. The room was bathed in the soft glow of morning light, and for the first time, it was quiet—no sharp remarks, no taunts, just the sound of fabric rustling.

His gaze fell on Sihyun, who stood near the wooden divider, fastening the ties of his robe. His hair, still slightly tousled from sleep, cascaded over his shoulders, catching the light in a way that made him look almost ethereal. His back was turned, revealing the dark tattoos trailing down his spine, faintly glowing before fading back into his skin.

Muwon should have looked away. It was nothing. Just his nightly prisoner getting dressed. And yet, he didn't.

His fingers curled slightly at his side as he watched Sihyun tug his robe over his shoulder, the fluid motion strangely captivating. There was no arrogance in the way he moved now, no sharp-edged words or calculated defiance. Just the quiet, unguarded moment of a man preparing for the day.

Something unfamiliar twisted in Muwon's chest. He had seen Sihyun countless times—fighting, glaring, smirking—but never like this. Never with such effortless grace.

When Sihyun finally turned, their eyes met, and for a second, Muwon forgot to breathe.

Muwon quickly looked away, as if breaking free from a trance he hadn't realized he was in. His gaze flickered to the side, pretending he had merely been lost in thought rather than caught up in the sight of Sihyun. But the lingering warmth in his chest told him otherwise.

Sihyun, however, noticed. He scoffed softly, his fingers fixing the collar of his robe as he turned to face Muwon fully.

"What? Did you finally realize how good-looking I am?"

His voice was laced with teasing, but there was a sharp glint in his eyes, as if daring Muwon to admit it.

Muwon cleared his throat, straightening his posture.

"You think too highly of yourself."

He walked past Sihyun toward the table where his morning tea had been set, trying to suppress the strange feeling that had settled in him.

Sihyun smirked, stepping closer, hands casually tucked into his sleeves.

"Oh? Then why were you staring?"

Muwon picked up his tea, taking a sip to buy himself time.

"I was making sure you weren't planning anything foolish again."

Sihyun chuckled, leaning in just slightly, his breath warm against Muwon's shoulder.

"Mm. Keep telling yourself that, Your Highness."

Muwon didn't respond, but his grip on the cup tightened. He should have been irritated—annoyed at Sihyun's constant taunting. But instead, his mind kept replaying that brief moment when their eyes met, and for the first time, he found himself wondering what it would feel like to touch those glowing tattoos instead of chaining them down.

As Sihyun stepped out of Muwon's quarters, the cool morning air brushed against his skin. He adjusted his robe lazily, running a hand through his tousled hair, still slightly drowsy from waking up. The palace halls were quieter than usual, the golden sunlight filtering through the paper windows casting a soft glow on the polished wooden floor.

Just as he turned a corner, he collided into something—or rather, someone.

"Oof—"

A firm hand caught his wrist before he could stumble back, and Sihyun's gaze flickered up in irritation. He already knew.