The Forbidden Light [BL] Chapter 18: The First Night Together

Halfway along the path, Shion ca up to Haru. His parents let go of him, and the prince took Haru by the arm.

"How are you feeling?" he whispered.

"G-good, thank you," Haru answered, blushing with shyness.

Happy, but still feeling a little strange. I can’t tell him right now, I don’t want to ruin the mont.

Strange, because... I just feel like part of isn’t ready yet, even though I really want this.

But... everything will be fine, right?

I’ll marry him, and together we’ll work on breaking his curse.

We’ll finally be closer than ever before.

As they walked, ministers and courtiers tossed bouquets of flowers at their feet.

"Sh-Shion, where are we going?" Haru asked quietly.

"You’ll see," he replied with a smile. "Tradition says we must circle the palace first, but then we’ll return to a certain place."

"I see."

Haru’s heart beat faster.

What place does he an? What has Shion prepared for ?

The group slowly followed behind them: Haru’s parents right after the couple, then the ministers and servants. Everyone cheered, celebrated, and sang.

Outside, just in front of the entrance, the priest and an orchestra were waiting.

Haru couldn’t get over the scale of the ceremony. It felt like a pleasant dream, one too beautiful to be described in words. Happiness, embarrassnt, a touch of nerves, and a wave of wonder flowed through him.

After the ceremonial walk, they headed straight toward the royal gardens.

Shion smiled at Haru.

They now stood by the bench where they had their first kiss not long ago.

The priest stepped forward, recited a long prayer, and then gave a speech about love, which Haru only half-heard. He gazed at Shion with love and affection – at his strong, masculine jawline, at his handso and noble profile beneath the purple veil, at the eyes he had fallen for at first sight...

...he didn’t even rember the exact mont when they kissed.

The prince swept him up into his arms and carried him into the throne hall.

Haru blushed even deeper.

"Now it’s ti for the official banquet, and then the coronation," Shion whispered, feeling the soft, light body of Haru pressed against his own, breathing in Haru’s delicate, floral scent.

"Y-you’re sure I’m not too heavy?" Haru asked, burning with shyness.

The prince laughed. For the first ti, Haru caught him smiling so genuinely.

"I told you already, you’re very small."

"R-right."

What the hell am I always so nervous about?! This day is ours!

"Shion..." Haru softly, warmly whispered his na.

When Shion turned his head toward him, Haru kissed him on the lips while still in his arms.

So ti later they reached the throne hall.

The banquet was just as grand as the wedding.

Ti flew by too quickly...

*

Late evening...

Haru stepped out of the bath, wearing only two pink towels: one wrapped around his torso from chest to knees, and another wrapped around his hair.

Shion was sitting facing the ancestral tree, from which another leaf had fallen. He glanced at Aya’s note with a hint of sadness, but it didn’t occupy his mind for long.

"Shion, are y-you really okay with staying in your room tonight? I an, not that I don’t want to be here – if it weren’t for my parents, then..."

"Haru, from today on this is your room too," The prince said, standing up and turning to him.

Wait...

...there’s only one bed in this room, isn’t there?

Haru realized Shion was dangerously close.

I-I’m only wearing a t-towel! I’ve never done anything like this before!

My god, Shion is so hot! His shoulders, his strong build, and that strong masculine scent...

Shion began kissing Haru – long, deep, with tongue.

"Sh-Shion..." Haru gasped between kisses, flushed. "I didn’t know you could be this wild."

"Haru, we’re alone here, and I don’t have to pretend. If I could, I would’ve shown you my feelings sooner. Your touch makes forget pain and makes want to feel it over and over. To always be near you, to feel the warmth of your soft body."

"Shion..." Haru whispered.

The prince pushed him onto the bed. Haru’s breathing quickened with a thrill. He noticed Shion’s kimono had co slightly open, revealing his bare, muscular chest.

Shion held Haru’s hand softly. Leaning in, one arm on the bed for balance, he looked down at him with tender intensity.

Haru’s smooth, nearly bare legs, exposed as the towel slipped, wrapped around the prince’s still-clothed thighs.

"Shion..." Haru whispered, his voice soft. "Please... be gentle. It’s my first ti."

*

Haru woke in the morning, spooned against Shion. Both lay beneath a silken blanket. The prince was still asleep. Haru gazed with his honey-colored eyes into the distance.

Part of still doesn’t want to believe this is real.

And part of just feels... so good.

He felt the prince unconsciously draw him closer in his sleep.

His hands... they feel so much bigger now than they did at first, especially when they’re hugging this tight...

When he holds like this, I feel so safe.

You’ll protect from the evils of this world, won’t you, Shion?

And I’ll protect you from your curse. I promise you that.

With a smile on his lips, Haru closed his eyes and drifted back to sleep beside his newly-wed husband.

*

Aya had set out on her own journey.

A journey she herself could not be sure she would return from in one piece.

She now walked across marshy ground near the shore. A faint mist lingered over the water. In the shallows stood an older man beside a simple wooden boat.

"Are you sure about this, Lady Aya?"

"Yes. Please, do as I’ve asked. I’ll give you half my savings, just take safely there, to the Forbidden Library."

"Very well, if that’s what you wish."

One of Aya’s eyes twitched. At the sound of the word ’wish’, sothing soothing yet unsettling quivered in her soul.

Aya pulled out a decine she had bought along the way – a small vial for dry eyes.

She hadn’t blinked in hours. Every ti she blinked, closed her eyes, or fell asleep, she saw that woman’s face – her gaping maws for shoulders, and the monster that devoured her among the clouds.

Her savings were vanishing fast on elixirs and dicines just to keep her going.

Aya felt her mind breaking with each step.

Even so, she knew she had to get through it. For her younger brother, for Haru, for their shared future, and for the future of their family line.

Her own life no longer mattered to her.