Midnight Intruder

The moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting pale silver lines across the floor of the bedroom. Eva slept curled beneath the sheets, lost in dreams—until a soft metallic click echoed through the quiet.

Her eyes flew open.

Was that the front door?

Eva sat up, heart suddenly pounding.

"That sound…" she whispered, alert.

"Kyel told me he wouldn't be back tonight… Did someone break in?"

She slipped out of bed in silence, feet barely touching the floor. Every muscle in her body tensed as she crept toward the door, then pressed her back against the wall beside it, waiting.

Footsteps approached—slow, measured, deliberate.

The bedroom door creaked open.

In one swift motion, Eva grabbed the wrist of the intruder, twisted it hard, and slammed them to the ground. Her hand went straight to their throat, pinning them with unexpected force.

A cough escaped him, hoarse and startled.

"Princess—! It's me!"

Her eyes widened.

"Kyel?!"

She released him instantly, stumbling back. "I'm so sorry—honey, are you alright?"

Kyel lay on the floor, coughing lightly, hand against his chest.

"You… really threw me, Princess."

"I—I thought someone broke in!" she rushed to him, cupping his face, brushing his hair back. "You said you weren't coming back tonight—then I heard the noise, and I panicked."

"If someone had broken in," Kyel said between coughs, "they'd be dead by now."

Eva winced. "I'm sorry. Did I hurt you?"

Kyel let out a soft laugh, though he was still catching his breath.

"You should watch your strength… you've gotten stronger, haven't you?"

She helped him up, still looking guilty. "You said you wouldn't be back tonight… what happened?"

He looked into her eyes, his voice low, sincere.

"I came because I missed you, Princess."

"You missed me?" Eva asked softly, her eyes still wide from the earlier chaos.

Kyel smiled through the fading sting in his ribs. "Yes, I missed you."

Without another word, Eva leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him tightly, resting her head on his chest.

Kyel held her close, his hand stroking the back of her head gently. Then after a pause, his voice dropped playfully.

"Princess... the book you were reading in the library that day… what was it about?"

Eva froze in his arms.

She pulled back just a little. "Why do you ask?"

"Just curious," he said, far too casually.

"Oh… it was about…" Eva turned her back to him, pretending to think. "A recipe book. Yes. How to make… cake."

Behind her, Kyel raised an amused eyebrow. "Oh really?"

He leaned in close from behind, his breath warm against her ear.

> "His calloused fingers trailed down her spine, slow and possessive, as he whispered—'Tonight, I'll claim you—'"

Eva flinched, spinning around.

"How do you know that?!" she gasped, face already burning red.

Kyel gave her an innocent smile. "I didn't know you liked those kinds of books, Princess."

Eva buried her face in her hands, mortified. "Don't look at me…"

"Princess," Kyel murmured, gently pulling her hands away from her face. "Are you feeling shy?"

She couldn't meet his eyes, her cheeks glowing.

"You don't have to be shy in front of me," he said softly, his thumb brushing her cheek. "So… do you like those kinds of books?"

Eva gave the faintest nod.

Kyel's voice lowered, growing more tender. "Did you go for training today?"

She shook her head. "No…"

"Are you still in pain?"

She looked up. "No."

Kyel's gaze darkened, his voice warm and intimate. "Then… can I have you for tonight?"

Eva's eyes widened, but slowly… she nodded.

He lifted her chin gently, tilting her face toward him—and kissed her deeply.

Eva's hands found his chest, then his shoulders, pulling him closer as she kissed him back with soft urgency.

Kyel swept her into his arms and carried her to the bed. He laid her down with care, hovering over her with eyes full of devotion and hunger.

Their lips met again.

Longer. Deeper.

---

The soft morning light streamed through the curtains, painting golden streaks across the ceiling. Eva lay still, her eyes wide open, staring blankly upward as her limbs refused to move.

Her body ached. Her legs throbbed.

She didn't regret it—but she absolutely had complaints.

Next to her, Kyel stirred. He turned over with a stretch and a groggy smile.

"Good morning, Princess."

Eva slowly turned her head to him and narrowed her eyes.

"…Don't touch me."

Kyel blinked. "What? What happened, Princess?"

Eva sat up, huffing, her tone exasperated. "What happened? Kyel, you happened. You didn't let me sleep all night. I'm in pain. My legs hurt. I can't walk."

Kyel tried to hold back a smirk. "You didn't tell me to stop."

"I did! I told you to stop. I told you to slow down. But you didn't listen!"

Kyel sat up now, raising a brow. "Princess, you didn't say that. Don't lie."

"I'm not lying!" she snapped, clutching the sheet around her.

"Yes, you are." kyel said

"What?"

Kyel reached toward the bedside drawer and pulled out a small enchanted crystal, glowing faintly in his hand.

"I have proof," he said with far too much satisfaction.

He activated it.

A soft glow shimmered over the object—and then her own voice played clearly in the room:

> Kyel (from the recording): "Should I stop?"

Eva: "Don't stop…"

Kyel: "Should I slow down?"

Eva: "No… move faster…"

Eva froze.

Her face flushed scarlet.

Then, without a word, she grabbed the blanket and threw it over her head, burying herself under it.

Kyel chuckled. "Princess… do you have anything to say?"

From under the covers: "What is that thing?"

He smiled, leaning close to her ear through the fabric.

"Oh, this? It's a little magic device that records voices."

"You recorded our voices?!"

"Yes."

"…Why?!"

Kyel's voice dropped to a whisper, soft and dangerously seductive.

"So that when you read those kinds of books… you can play it… and think about me."

Eva made a sound somewhere between a squeak and a groan, dragging the covers tighter around her face.

But a few seconds later, she sat up suddenly.

"Give me that!"

Kyel grinned. "Here."

He handed it over without hesitation.

Then stood from the bed, stretching as he pulled on his tunic. "You said you're sore—I'll go buy some medicine for you."

He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"Get some rest. You've earned it."

Kyel left the room quietly, closing the door behind him.

Eva peeked from under the bedsheet, holding the crystal in her hand.

She hesitated…

Then tapped the top.

> Kyel: "Should I stop?"

Eva: "Don't stop…"

She covered her face with one hand, then burst into quiet laughter, rolling side to side on the bed, her smile stretching wide.

"…I hate him," she whispered, giggling. "I hate him so much."

But her cheeks were still glowing.

And she played it again.

---