Jin stepped out of the shattered training hall, his strides calm and measured as he made his way through the dimly lit corridors of the Rotschy estate. The echoes of their battle still lingered faintly in the cracked stone beneath his feet, but his demeanor was cool, composed—as if the storm of flames and clashing steel behind him was nothing more than a distant memory.
Rena followed silently, her long silver-white hair trailing behind her like a ghostly veil, the fading crimson tips flickering in the soft light of the corridor. Her gaze was fixed on Jin's broad back, her deep crimson eyes shimmering with a hint of mischief and unspoken challenge.
"Honey," she finally broke the silence, her voice low and teasing as she caught up beside him. "You didn't fight with your full power, did you?"
Jin glanced sideways, an amused smirk curling at his lips as his piercing red eyes met hers. His tone was sharp, dripping with playful sarcasm. "And you did? Because it sure didn't look like you were giving it your all either."
Rena laughed softly, the sound dark and sultry, her confidence sparking in every syllable. "Well, then, I suppose we're at a draw."
They walked in sync now, the soft tap of their footsteps blending into a rhythmic echo down the hallway. Jin's expression remained unreadable, but the glint in his eyes betrayed his enjoyment of their banter.
"I'm heading to shower," he said abruptly, breaking the comfortable silence.
Rena's gaze locked on him, her red eyes suddenly gleaming with a playful glow. "Want to shower together?" she asked, the words dripping with teasing warmth.
Jin chuckled, his laughter deep and genuine. "No, definitely not."
A wicked smile spread across Rena's lips, and she tilted her head slightly to the left, her silvery hair cascading over her shoulder like molten light. Her red eyes shone brightly against the dimness of the corridor, framed by thick black lashes. A small pair of sharp fangs peeked out as she grinned.
"What's the matter, darling? Afraid you'll faint when you see how stunning I look?"
Jin's crimson eyes sparkled with amusement. "No, of course not. But you should be the one worried—you might get pregnant. Last I checked, you're not taking birth control."
For a brief second, Rena's eyes widened, the glow dimming as a delicate blush stained her cheeks. Without a word, she spun around, her long black heels clicking sharply against the stone floor as she made her way toward her chamber.
Jin watched her retreating figure, a slow smile creeping onto his face. "So, she's started dressing in black, just like the Rotschy," he murmured to himself.
The soft sound of her footsteps faded as Rina disappeared behind the door, the echo of her heels lingering in the air like a promise.
---
Inside her room, Rena tossed her black royal gown onto the velvet chair, the fabric still warm from the battle's heat. She ran her fingers through her silver-white hair, tips glowing faintly with a soft red hue, and allowed herself a quiet chuckle.
"He's impossible," she murmured to herself, a flush still burning her cheeks from Jin's teasing words.
Her mind replayed the moment Jin warned her about pregnancy, and despite the seriousness behind the comment, it had stirred a spark of reckless delight deep within her. Half-dragon, half-woman... and all fire, she thought, a wicked grin spreading over her lips.
Her eyes gleamed with daring and newfound boldness, the daring of one who has tasted power and craves more—not just in battle, but in the tangled dance of desire and dominance that was her life with Jin.
---
Back in the corridor, Jin continued his slow walk, the faint scent of sweat and mana water clinging to him. His dark clothes were still damp, clinging to the hard lines of his frame. He allowed himself a moment to enjoy the strange intimacy of their teasing—the way Rina's sharp wit matched his own, the way their shared glances held secret promises beyond words.
He muttered softly, half to himself, half to the shadows, "This marriage just keeps getting more interesting."
---
(After an hour)
Later, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows through the estate, Jin found Rena waiting by the grand staircase, her black gown flowing like liquid night around her lithe figure.
Their eyes met, and without a word, the silent conversation of love, challenge, and possession passed between them.
Jin smirked and whispered, "You know, if you keep dressing like this, I might just have to keep you locked away in my chambers."
Rena laughed, the sound rich and free. "I'd like that," she said, stepping closer, her hand brushing against his. "After all, what's a king without his queen?"
Their fingers intertwined, the night wrapping around them like a velvet cloak—a promise of battles, passion, and endless games yet to come.
Jin thought to himself, "Well, everything is going according to plan."
---
heat: Thank you very much for reading.