Yun Lan stirred beneath heavy covers, her body aching in ways she couldn't describe. Her throat burned, and her limbs throbbed with every breath. Slowly, her lashes fluttered open, taking in the soft golden light pouring through sheer curtains. The scent of sandalwood lingered in the room—foreign, expensive.
She blinked.
Where… am I?
She tried to sit up, but her body protested immediately. A sharp pain shot through her legs, reminding her of the fall from the rooftop, the desperate ride into the forest, and—
Leon.
Memories surged like waves crashing in a storm: his hands grabbing her mid-gallop, the force of him pulling her off the horse, the way he kissed her without permission. Her cheeks flamed at the memory. And then… the fever.
She remembered the warmth of someone's arms. The sound of a voice murmuring orders. A man holding her like she mattered.
She pushed herself upright slowly and scanned the room.
The chamber was spacious—marble floors, silk drapes, and tall windows with a view of a manicured garden. Everything screamed money. Power. Danger.
The door creaked open. She turned her head sharply.
Leon entered, dressed in a crisp black shirt and slacks. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing strong forearms. There was no tie, no jacket—just him, in all his untouchable authority.
Their eyes locked.
"You're awake," he said simply, stepping closer. "You had a fever. The doctor came. He said it was from exhaustion and untreated wounds."
She clenched her jaw. "I didn't ask you to care."
His brow twitched. "You could barely stand. What did you expect me to do? Leave you to die in the woods?"
"That would've been kinder than forcing me to live here with you like your property."
Leon's eyes darkened. "You don't get to say that, Yun Lan. Not after you saved me. Not after I—"
He cut himself off.
After I what?
She narrowed her eyes. "You're still a monster."
"I never said I wasn't."
There was a long pause.
Yun Lan looked away first, unable to hold his gaze. Her body still felt too weak for another argument.
"You kissed me," she whispered, her voice strained.
His jaw clenched. "Yes."
His calm admission took her off guard. The man who had tied her to him with a forced marriage contract wasn't supposed to admit guilt. Wasn't supposed to show signs of regret—or anything remotely human.
She looked back at him, confused. "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be out killing someone or running your empire?"
"I have people for that," he said. "I only leave when something matters."
She hated the way her heart stuttered. She hated the heat crawling up her neck even more.
Leon walked to the side table and poured her a glass of warm water. He sat beside her, holding it out.
Yun Lan stared at it warily. "What did you put in it?"
"Nothing," he said, tired. "Drink it or throw it at me. Either way, I won't stop you."
She took the glass, her fingers brushing against his. The contact made her pulse skip.
She sipped the water slowly.
"I should've run farther," she muttered.
Leon's eyes softened. "You would've broken your legs if you tried. And in that dress?" His gaze dropped briefly to the bandages wrapped around her knee. "Stubborn, reckless girl."
"I had no choice."
"You always have a choice. But you chose to run. And I chased you."
Leon leaned back in the chair, studying her. His voice dropped to something more dangerous. "You still don't understand what kind of man I am, do you?"
"I understand enough to know you're the kind who doesn't take no for an answer."
He didn't deny it. "You saved me once. I've been trying to return the favor ever since."
"I didn't save you so you could imprison me."
"No. But you did save me. And that makes you mine."
Yun Lan nearly dropped the glass.
"Yours?" she repeated, incredulous. "Like an object?"
"No. Like a debt I'll never let go of."
There was a deep growl in his tone, a possessive hunger that made her skin crawl—and tingle.
"You don't even know me," she whispered.
"I know enough." He leaned in slightly, his hand brushing her cheek. "I know the way you flinch when someone gets too close. I know the way you ride a horse like you've lived your whole life free. And I know you look at me like you hate me—but your lips trembled when I kissed you."
She slapped his hand away. "Don't touch me."
Leon didn't move. "Then stop looking at me like that."
She blinked. "Like what?"
"Like you're scared to want me."
Yun Lan's breath caught in her throat.
He stood suddenly and walked to the window, tension radiating off him.
"I didn't want this to be forced," he said quietly. "But you keep running. And every time you run, I chase. One day you'll run, and I might not find you in time."
She stared at his back, shaken. The devil she thought she knew was cracking, just enough to let something more vulnerable peek through.
"Then stop chasing," she said. "Let me go."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
Leon turned around, his eyes burning. "Because I'd rather burn the world than lose you."
Yun Lan couldn't breathe.
She should've been afraid. Furious. But instead, she felt something deeper: confusion, panic, and… warmth.
She lay back against the pillows, suddenly too tired to argue again. Her body ached, but her mind ached worse. He wasn't just a devil. He was a man drowning in his own obsessions.
And maybe—just maybe—that was more dangerous.
Leon stood by the door, watching her.
"You'll be moved to the master bedroom tomorrow," he said. "You'll recover faster there."
"I'm fine here."
He arched a brow. "Not a suggestion."
She narrowed her eyes. "And if I refuse?"
Leon stepped closer again, crouched by her side, and whispered against her ear, "Then I'll carry you there. Like I carried you through the woods. And this time, you won't be wearing that hospital nightgown."
Yun Lan's cheeks flushed hotly.
"Goodnight, my wife," he added with a smirk.
He turned and left, the door closing softly behind him.
Yun Lan stared at the ceiling, heart pounding.
What the hell just happened?