Jae Shin started to follow In Soo but stopped himself as Yoon Shik and Sun Joon came into view. His woman was smiling and speaking excitedly to the completely enraptured Noron. His already heated blood rocketed to volcanic as he watched Sun Joon purposefully touch Yoon Shik's arm as they maneuvered past a group of students.
He was still seeing red as the pair joined him. With a deft movement, he placed himself between the two, and was rewarded with an ugly frown from Sun Joon.
"Gul Oh! There's a poetry competition in two weeks and the prize money is huge!" Yoon Shik said exuberantly. "I could buy an entire year's worth of medicine for my brother."
"That's great." Jae Shin tried to look casual as they began strolling towards the dining hall but he felt a strong urge to punch Sun Joon in the face. He moderated his tone. "How about you and I practice your fighting technique after dinner?"
Yoon Shik gave him a grateful smile but shook her head. "Sorry, but Sun Joon and I have to study for tomorrow's theory test."
Sun Joon's mouth curved into a triumphant smirk and Jae Shin's fists clenched painfully.
I have to tell her that Sun Joon knows her secret. I have to tell her tonight.
*****
Jae Shin was waiting for the study-buddies outside of the library when they exited. He noted that Yoon Shik's eyes were droopy, her steps shuffling.
"A good night's rest will prepare your body for the test tomorrow," Sun Joon lectured before catching sight of Jae Shin. "What are you doing here?"
Swallowing a nasty retort, Jae Shin merely lifted his chin at Yoon Shik. "We've got training to do before bed."
"I think Kim Yoon Shik is tired and requires sleep immediately. Your training can wait," said Sun Joon, stepping closer to her.
"No," Yoon Shik began, sleepy eyes focused on Jae Shin. "I think a nice physical workout is exactly what I need to clear my head before sleep."
Sun Joon looked like he was going to argue further so Jae Shin grabbed the books Yoon Shik was holding and shoved them into the Noron's hands. "Thanks for taking these to the room. Let's go, Daemul."
A palpable malice bored into his shoulders until Yoon Shik and he disappeared around library.
***
"This is a private spot," Jae Shin announced, closing and locking the door of the relic hall where he had seen Yoon Shik bathing.
He turned to see Yoon Shik standing in the darkness with big eyes, watching his every move. Closing the distance between them, he grasped her waist and pulled her into a hug. Her hands wrapped around his waist as she rested her head on his chest.
They stood there for many minutes, enjoying the feel of their bodies pressed together. Their scents tangled and mated, filling the stale space with the heated smell of a man and woman.
Jae Shin finally broke the silence. "Sun Joon knows."
Yoon Shik stiffened and lifted her head to look at him. "Since when?"
"Two nights ago. Yong Ha told him."
She moaned, pressing her face into his chest again. "What do I do? What if he tells someone?"
His arms tightened around her and his voice was deadly calm. "Then I'll kill him."
"You will not!" She grated, pulling out of his hold. Her eyes glittered with anger and her hands fisted at her sides. "He is a good man. Strict and conservative and bossy-but still good."
Jae Shin shook his head in exasperation, trying to keep his simmering anger from exploding. "Why are you defending him? You could die or spend the rest of your life in prison if he tells!"
She folded her arms across her chest. "You don't think I know that? Of course I do! Sun Joon is my friend." She threw a dirty look at him. "And I thought he was yours, too."
Why is she protecting him so vehemently? Could she love him? No! She kissed me!
Maybe you're just a passing interest, the nasty part of his brain hissed. Maybe she wants to hook the rich and powerful Lee Sun Joon as a husband. She would be able to support her brother and be on the king's high court.
She doesn't care about those things, he shot back. Yoon Hee cares about her family.
Exactly. She could restore her family's name and honor her late father.
The thought of her married to Sun Joon-in Sun Joon's arms-threaten to completely derail his ironclad control.
Jae Shin shook his head in an attempt to clear the bad thoughts and eliminate the rage filling his head. "I won't kill him, but neither will I risk your life for a rich boy like Sun Joon. If he seems like he's going to talk, I will silence him. The Red Messenger can destroy his family politically. If I threaten him, he will never reveal your secret."
His heart thudded painfully as Yoon Shik stared at him with disappointed eyes. Already his chest was cooling from where her head had lay. "You and Sun Joon are both students at this school. You are roommates. You are on the same team."
She marched past him and opened the door. "Next time I see you, I expect to speak to Jae Shin, not the Red Messenger."
*****
Yoon Shik lay staring at the ceiling. Despite a snoring Sun Joon sleeping next to her, the room felt depressingly empty. Jae Shin hadn't come home after their fight.
Rolling onto her side, she tried to find a comfortable position. Obviously, Jae Shin was worried about the repercussions of her secret made public, but his reaction to Sun Joon's knowledge seemed so overblown. Why was he so upset?
She rolled the other direction. Was he really that worried about Sun Joon keeping her secret? Or was there something more? The two men had a chilly relationship, sure, but certainly not a hostile one.
I'm going to have to speak to Sun Joon about my secret, she finally decided. This situation had to be fixed soon.
With a groan she buried her face in her pillow. What she wouldn't give to go back to that night in Jae Shin's secret space. To feel his hands on her skin and lips on hers. It had felt so perfect, so right.
She turned her face towards the door, willing Jae Shin to magically appear. But all she could hear were crickets and snores. With a disgusted sigh, she closed her eyes and prayed for sleep.
