Alone in the Dark

He woke up covered in the familiar cold sweat that seemed to follow one of the many nightmares that he had over the past month.
His old fears of the dark resurfaced, denying him a peaceful sleep despite not being alone. Having someone—anyone—with him, would have been enough to quiet the insecurities and dread that came with nightfall. Yet he was restless despite the comforting warmth of his lover's body.

Ryuuki turned around as if checking to reassure himself that he was indeed not alone. She was there resting peacefully with a content smile on her face—the same blissful look she had when he took her for the first time that night. She was all that he would have wanted...The raven hair sprawled across the golden silk of his bed; those pouty rose-colored lips; the soft, smooth cream colored thigh brushed against his legs were all so familiar. Then his eyes fell onto the contour of her generous bosom reminding him that she was not his Shuurei.

His lover stirred, slowly blinking her eyes as she tried to focus on him. He forced a smile, "Did I awake you?" he asked with a vague hint of concern.

She smiled reaching to wipe away the stray tears on his cheeks that he had not realized were there. He turned around abruptly ashamed of his momentary weakness.

"Did His Majesty have another bad dream?" She inquired softly.

He did not answer but when she reached for him again he grabbed her pushing her down onto the bed as he hovered over her.

"Don't speak." He said hoarsely. She nodded. She knew what was coming and he knew what had to be done. He would fulfill his duties as it was expected of him but once an heir was born she would no longer be welcomed in his bed.

As he drove deep inside her body he had come to the painful realization that his long futile courtship of Kou Shuurei had come to an end. If her marriage to another man was not a clear indication of this...the bond that would come from his union with the Ran Princess would decisively severe any shred of hope he may have.

In the end, he was no better off than his father had been in the cruel game that was love.