Interrupted Fire

Akihiko gently took Aiko’s hand and softly pulled her out of the royal dining hall, past the curious gazes of Ren, Naoru, and their parents. Their steps were light, but every touch of hand against hand sent waves of longing through them.

When they reached one of the secluded castle corridors, Akihiko stopped and looked deeply into Aiko’s eyes. “Here, where no one can disturb us, we can finally enjoy ourselves… just the two of us.” His voice was quiet, yet full of strength and unspoken emotion.

Aiko shivered slightly, but did not pull away—longing and love were stronger than shyness. She leaned slightly against him and whispered, “I’m here with you… always.”

Akihiko gently embraced her, holding her so tightly that he could feel every breath, every movement. Their closeness was filled with longing, passion, and tenderness all at once.

In that moment, time seemed to nearly stop—just the two of them, alone in a quiet corner of the castle corridor, connected by the energy that had drawn them together through all dangers and leaps of time.

Akihiko pulled her slightly closer, their faces barely inches apart. Their breaths mingled, and he felt her longing, her warmth, and softness. His voice was quiet, but firm: “Aiko… every moment without you feels like an eternity. I can’t wait any longer.”

Aiko paused slightly, but did not move away. Her hand wrapped around his neck as she leaned against his chest, listening to the beat of his heart. “Akihiko… I’m yours too. Every moment, every thought, every desire… it all leads to you.”

Their closeness was now intense, yet still gentle—as if both were craving the next touch, wanting their bodies to meld even more, without anyone disturbing this intimate moment. Their gazes intertwined, eyes full of passion and tenderness simultaneously, as every inhale and exhale sent waves of warmth and desire.

Akihiko took her hand and almost imperceptibly guided her to a quiet corner of the balcony, where the morning light softly enveloped them. In the distance, voices of servants and footsteps of guards could be heard, but here, hidden among the stone pillars, there was only the two of them.

He leaned her against the cold wall. Aiko smiled slightly, trembling, sensing the contrast between the chill of the stone and the warmth of his body enveloping her. Akihiko placed his palm on her face and looked straight into her eyes.

“Here… on this balcony, in front of the whole world, I’d want to kiss you so everyone would know you’re mine,” he whispered, his voice almost a low growl of restrained passion.

Aiko blushed, her heart racing. Shyly but determined, she leaned toward him, their lips barely touching. That short, quiet kiss quickly deepened—Akihiko pulled her to himself with one hand, the other sliding to her hip to feel her closer.

Their bodies had experienced everything just yesterday, but now, in these quiet morning moments, the passion grew again—dangerous, sweetly forbidden, because anyone could catch them.

A guard’s footsteps echoed down the hall, metal armor glinting slightly in the sunlight as he passed the balcony entrance. Aiko felt her breath catch in her throat, her heart pounding so fast she was sure the guard would hear it.

Akihiko pressed her tighter against the wall, his chest pressing against hers to hide every movement. His lips almost touched her ear as he breathed softly:

“Don’t move…”

Aiko tried to restrain herself, but with his voice so close, the warmth of his body, and the scent of his skin, her knees nearly gave out. For a moment, she felt as if she would lose her breath—but surrendered completely to the moment, pressed between cold stone and the heat of his closeness.

The guard paused, as if sensing something, then continued on. Once the footsteps faded into the distance, Aiko barely released a held breath.

Akihiko pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, a spark of mischief and satisfaction in his gaze. “Princess,” he whispered with a slight smile, “now you’re really playing a dangerous game.”

Aiko barely audibly, almost teasingly whispered:

“And you, Prince… are playing a dangerous game too. You don’t know what I’m capable of…”

At her words, Akihiko paused for a moment, his blue eyes flashing, a dangerously playful gleam dancing within them. Slowly, the corners of his lips lifted into a smile that was both teasing and hotly dangerous.

“Oh, Princess…” he murmured deeply, his voice flowing into a whisper that sent shivers down her spine. “Now you’re really asking for trouble.”

He closed his eyes briefly and looked at her with an expression as if he wanted to read her every secret. Yet his smile remained—that one that revealed he was ready to go further, to show her she couldn’t just tease him without consequences.

Aiko felt herself twist with tension, unsure if he would kiss her, lift her, or press her closer against the cold stone. Her heart raced wildly—not with fear, but with that sweet mixture of anticipation and desire.

Akihiko leaned even closer, his palm gently but firmly holding her wrist against the balcony wall. His lips pressed against hers with hunger, almost ravenous—the kiss was wild, filled with all the longing he had held since they had been alone. Aiko surrendered, her breath uneven, fingers digging into his shoulder as if she would never let him go.

And then—

Kohana’s AI voice cut through the intimacy. “Incoming call. Caller: Naoru.”

The sound cut through the tension like a blade. Akihiko gasped in the kiss, forehead pressed to hers, closing his eyes and taking a shaky breath. “No… not now,” he murmured with a bitter smile, voice hoarse from desire.

Aiko, still trapped between him and the wall, gasped softly, barely finding her voice: “Akihiko… maybe it’s important…”

He replied with a slightly dangerous, clouded gaze: “Whatever it is… it will never be more important than you.” His lips returned to hers—but the ringing persisted, sharp and relentless.

Akihiko, face still close to hers, took a deep breath and reconsidered. His hand, which had held her wrist against the wall, loosened slightly. There was fire in his eyes, but also a shadow of responsibility.

With a heavy sigh, he pressed his forehead against hers and whispered:

“Even though I’d rather not… duty calls.”

He looked at her once more, his lips brushing hers in a quick, hot kiss—almost a promise they would continue later. Then he answered the call, and Naoru’s hologram appeared:

“Naoru, speak…”

Aiko, still against the wall, slightly flushed and breathless, adjusted her hair with her fingers to hide how much his touch had warmed her. In her heart, she only wished the call would be over soon…

Naoru, waiting for him in the hall: “Hmm… maybe you forgot we were supposed to spar? I know you’re full of duties,” a slight cough sounded, “but I’m waiting… you won’t leave a friend hanging, right?” Akihiko had completely forgotten. Aiko barely suppressed a laugh and nodded to him.

“I had something I needed to handle,” Akihiko said, his voice perfectly serious, though his eyes never left Aiko’s.

“Handle, huh?” Naoru’s voice came through, full of doubt and hidden amusement. “Alright. But just so you know, if you’re not here in fifteen minutes, I’ll count myself the winner—without even raising my sword.”

Aiko pressed a hand to her mouth to stifle her laughter. When Akihiko ended the connection, he leaned slightly toward her, his low, almost dangerously seductive voice close to her ear:

“I really will have to teach that friend a lesson. But first…” He paused by her ear, her face warmed by his proximity. “First, I’ll remember exactly where we left off.”

Aiko whispered back, still smiling, eyes glowing with longing:

“Don’t worry, Prince. I will too.”

She gently pushed him so he would head toward the hall, knowing well that otherwise Naoru would make sure the whole palace knew exactly where the prince had been and what had delayed him.