A Nine-Tailed Love

Chapter 20

Dae-Hyun

Night soon turned to day, and Eun-Ae was downright exhausted. I pounded her all night until she begged me to stop, but when I did, I couldn't keep my hands off of her. The little moans that escaped her lips with each breath while she rode out her climax made me want her even more.

I pulled the comforter off of me and slid out from behind Eun-Ae's sleeping form. Her tails immediately flared, and her ears perked, but her eyes remained closed.

Leaning down, I whispered into her ear. "I'll be right back. You can sleep some more."

She nodded and tucked her head further into the pillow. I took the opportunity to nip her shoulder, earning me a small whimper.

I quickly dressed, stepped out of the room, and was immediately greeted by Gon. "What?" I asked, straightening my jacket.

He shook his head at me and grinned like a fool. "You two had a lot of fun last night. Everyone on this side heard you."

I rolled my eyes and shuffled past him. "Of course you did. I had to get her to sleep, and she wasn't going to."

"For a human, you sure know how to put down one of the rarest shifters in the world, and you didn't even have to raise your sword." Gon replied.

"Don't... You get plenty of play from the women in the harem. The one time I find a woman, I actually lov-like... You make such a big deal about it." I grumbled.

Gon burst into laughter. "Because the entire kingdom thinks you like men!"

I rolled my eyes once more, stopped at the end of the hallway, and turned to him. "Can we not discuss my intimate life out loud? We have so much to do this morning before she wakes up. I have to postpone the ceremony because of that flee-ridden mutt in place for a random festival, so he doesn't try to disrupt the announcement."

Gon nodded in understanding. "Well, let's get to work. It's still early!"

Gon and I split up for the rest of the morning. Informing the maids and other servants about the event and a few guards that needed to go into the village to get things ready for the festival. Maidens worked on the lanterns in double time, and shop keepers were prepared by noon under such short notice. I could see from the palace that the village decorations were almost complete.

"Your majesty. I'm surprised to see you awake after all of that rigorous activity you had last night." Bool-He's voice came from behind.

I looked over my shoulder at him and then back at the village. "Well, I had some things to do today. You were told of the change of plans were you not?" I asked.

"I was made aware of the plans, but I was not sure if you were going back to your... consort."

My brow furrowed. Did this man really think I was that incompetent and lazy? "Bool-He, you need to watch your tone. I will do what I want to do when I want to do it. So I don't need your opinion about anything right now. Tell everyone we will be moving the announcement ceremony to tomorrow."

Bool-He cast his eyes to the floor and fidgeted with his hands. "Is it because of the threat from the other night?"

I nodded. Honestly, I had no idea why I was telling him this information but I felt as if I could catch him in the act of being treacherous so I can finally avenge my parents and rid the kingdom of this filth. "Not at all. It was Eun-Ae's idea. She wanted something fun to do today, and so this is what I decided."

"Ah, I see. Well, it shall be done. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to check on the decorations and make sure the palace and the village are to your woman's liking."

I clenched my fist and nodded. "Okay. She will be up soon; get a move on." I snapped impatiently.

His shuffling feet disappeared down the corridor, and I let out a harsh breath.

"Dae?" I heard my name come from the most beautiful voice. I turned to face Eun-Ae, who was dressed in a plain white hanbok.

"What are you doing awake?" I asked in a softened tone.

"There was too much noise. That foul-smelling man came by the room, and the smell is just so horrid I couldn't sleep any longer."

"Bool-He came by the room earlier? Why?"

"He said he needed to take notes about my appearance or something. I don't remember; everything is foggy."

My heart began to race. "Did he bring you anything, food, drink anything?"

She shook her head and rubbed her eyes. "No, and even if he did, I don't trust him. There's something dark about him, and I just don't know..."

I grasped her hands and rubbed her hands gently. "Good. Don't ever consume what that man gives you. I'm afraid I'll lose you if you do."

Eun-Ae glanced up at me with her tired eyes, ears lowered. "W-what do you mean... lose me?"

I scanned the area around us to make sure no one else was around before I filled her in on my family's history. When I didn't see anyone around, I crouched down in front of her and continued to hold her hand. "I have suspected that he was the one who killed my parents by poisoning them."

"I never would have thought he would go so far as to kill your parents..."

"The same poison was used to kill one of my horses," I grumbled, knowing she loved animals.

"He killed one of your horses?" Eun-Ae growled. "I will help you get to the bottom of this. That man needs to die. He's already outlived his purpose here."

"Yes, he has. But enough about that, how are you feeling? I didn't mean to hurt you if I did." I asked as I rose.

Her cheeks turned a shade of red as she looked away. "I'm sore, but I'll manage. I didn't realize you had that in you."

I chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of my neck."Yeah, sorry, it had been a while since I was intimate, and then you showed up, and I didn't want to disappoint you since I'm sure you've had better."

Eun-Ae looked up at me and shook her head. "No... because I was able to consent to what we did last night, unlike in the past."

Anger and pain coursed through me. Did she just say she was held against her will and didn't consent? Whoever did such a thing would be killed. "That wolf did that to you, didn't he?" I tried my damnedest to hold the venom back in my tone.

She nodded and let out a heavy breath. "Can we not talk about it? It hurts to think about it."

"How about I give you better intimate moments to remember, and we can go into the village to the festival after?"

Her ears perked up at my suggestion. "Really? I don't want to impose on you."

"You're not imposing. I want to please you and show you my gratitude for saving my life more than once at this point. And I'm still apologizing for hurting you."

Eun-Ae blushed once more. "Dae, you don't have to-"

"-But I want to. I don't mind it at all. C'mon, let's go." I pulled her away from the balcony and back toward our room.