With an angry growl, Kyou tried to peer into her mind to see what she was dreaming about but found a barrier keeping him from the dream. His gaze narrowed⦠a dream demonâs barrier? How dare Hyakuhei construct a bond with Kyoko using a lowly sleep demon? His lips thinned with the knowledge of how much power the dream demon had within its enchantment.
Stopping in midair, Kyou sent a banishing wave of psychic power directly into the barrier and smiled icily when he heard the faint scream of the dream master as it left her mind. He could sense the taint of Hyakuhei leave her as her dream came to an abrupt end. He could only hope Hyakuhei was now wide-awake, in a cold sweat⦠and in pain.
Kyou shifted her up closer to his face so he could watch her as he flew to the veiled barrier that hid his castle from all. Others would only see a dreary forest covered in mangled strangling vines and the rain, but he knew the illusion.
Closing his eyes, he whispered secret words and the morbid landscape shifted as a hole in the hidden barrier opened⦠allowing him to enter. The illusion closed behind him. The enchantment had once again sealed his home from the restless world of demons.
The barrier itself was a stroke of genius created by his father Tadamichi to keep unwanted enemies from attacking. In the end however, Kyou discovered the true purpose of the barrier⦠to prevent Hyakuhei from returning home. It was a fitting punishment so long ago, Kyou had witnessed his uncle standing just outside, staring in and wanting⦠no⦠needing to reach past it and grasp the power Tadamichi had left behind.
He flew over the lush grounds that surrounded his palace, entering an open window on one of the upper floors his feet silently landed on the marble floor inside. With grace, his steps made no sound as he walked to the side of the room that held a pillow large enough for a dozen people to sleep on.
Bending down, Kyou laid her gently on the soft pillow only to stare hard at her. Why had he taken her? He knew why⦠`because he wanted her'. That had been enough.
He knew when Kyoko awoke that she would hate him. Kyou did not want her to hate him. Again he wondered why he cared so much about what she thought of him. Since when had he wanted something that did not already belong to him?
He growled softly, getting annoyed with his own tangled thoughts. How could he get her to agree to stay here, with him, without having to fight her every step of the way? This was a new obstacle to the lord of the demon realm.
If it had been someone else causing these thoughts to haunt him, he would just destroy them and go on with his existence. But⦠she was their priestess⦠he was her guardian. He didn't want to kill her. He didn't want to hurt her at all. He wanted only to keep her. This notion surprised him.
He would make a deal with her. Yes, she would show him what he wanted to know. Only then would he let her go⦠If she still wanted to go and he would make sure she did not. The fact that Hyakuhei had slipped into her dreams only a few moments ago heightened his need to keep her close.
His only concern at this point was the power of the dream master⦠was it strong enough to breach the barrier that surrounded his home? Would the ancient magic be enough to protect her? She had no idea how much danger she was really in. Kyou's golden eyes shifted to her face as he sensed her pulse speed up. She was waking up.
He sat down on the pillow beside her and waited. First, he would try to calm her fears. Then and only then would he be able to move on to the next step⦠keeping her beside him regardless of the cost.
Kyoko felt like she was on a cloud and it confused her. Her hand moved across something very soft and she wondered if she was dreaming again⦠Hyakuhei had kissed her so softly. Why had he kissed her? Her eyes fluttered open only to widen when the first thing she saw was Kyou sitting beside her, looking like a frozen angel that had lost its wings.
Emotionless golden eyes were pinning her to the spot where she was lying. The similarities between her dream and her reality were disheartening to say the least.
She quickly looked around her noticing the black marble floor and stone walls. Her first thought was that this was just like the cave only nicer. It looked like what she always imagined the inside of a castle would look like. Large tapestries covered parts of the walls giving it a warmer touch along with the gold and black pillow she was laying on.
Her attention returned to Kyou noticing he had not moved a muscle. Again the remembrance of her earlier thought came back to haunt her⦠âHeâs just as dangerous as Hyakuhei. How could someone so beautiful be so evil?â The darkness of the room made his aura seem to glow disturbingly brighter as if mocking her thoughts.
Again, the same feeling of knots in her stomach returned just like in the dream. Closing her eyes tightly, she fisted her hands on the pillow and prayed this was just another dream⦠that she would wake up back at the maiden statue and Toya would be standing over her yelling about her stupidity for coming back in the middle of the night. When her eyes slid open she swallowed fearfully, comprehending that this was very real.
When he actually spoke, it startled her so much that she flinched at the melancholy voice. Her emerald eyes widened at the reaction knowing sheâd just messed up again by showing him fear⦠this was not good.
"I will not hurt you⦠if you behave." Kyou stared blankly into her eyes waiting for her reaction to his words. He then smirked inwardly when she glared at him. `Good.' He thought to himself. She was not going to scream in fear of him⦠not at least while she was still so angry.
Kyoko glared daggers at him as she remembered what he had done⦠and right there in front of Toya of all people. How could he have done such a thing? Lifting her chin Kyoko hissed, "And what makes you think I would ever behave myself?"
Kyou nearly lost himself when the demand flew from her pink lips. By the gods, she was determined to defy him to the very end. Despite his initial dislike of her, she had to know it was not his desire to end her existence. If that were the case, she would have died at his hands upon their first meeting. Her defiance was heating his blood again⦠forcing him to make a physical effort to concentrate on the task at hand.
Kyokoâs eyes suddenly dropped from his. She couldn't compete with the intensity of his gaze. Not at that moment. Not with her heart beating so hard. The strange look in his golden orbs scared her more than fighting Hyakuhei himself.
"You will behave if you want to go back to Toya and the other guardians," He said confidently as if stating a fact. He narrowed his gaze as her eyes snapped back up to his. So⦠she thought she was going to argue did she? He certainly hoped so. If he had anything to do with it⦠she would never set eyes on Toya again.
âWho do you think you are?â she demanded rising to her knees in front of him. âYou put your hands on me⦠touched me in ways that I didnât want. I donât care what you want or have to say, take me back to Toya you⦠you perverted letch!â
Kyou suddenly leaned forward making Kyoko fall back into her original position and he savored the mixed scent of her fear and excitement.
"You will stay here with me until I deem otherwise. If your so called Guardians cannot be there to protect you, then they do not deserve the responsibility." Kyouâs temper blazed as he remembered how close she had come to death from the demons he had destroyed before taking her. This was for her own good. If he had not found her in time, she would be with Hyakuhei right now instead of under his protection.
Kyoko's lips parted in confusion, "Why do you want me to stay here with you?" It was then she realized just how close he was while leaning over her. She watched the way he was breathing and she blinked⦠for a moment, it looked like his shirt went nearly transparent in the light. Mentally shaking her head, she met his gaze waiting for an answer to her question.
Before Kyou could answer, the door to the room opened and two small children ran in smiling and giggling. They looked to be around six years old. The boys had untamed blonde hair that stopped just past their shoulders. They were identical twins.
Kyou abruptly sat upright, momentarily, wearing an expression of someone with his hand caught in the cookie jar. Kyoko didnât even know that look was even in his repertoire. She knew sheâd never forget it⦠where was a camera when you really WANTED it?
She cocked her head to the side knowing they were human children and twins at that. Why were they here⦠with him?
"Kyou, you are back." They called out his name while running closer. Noticing Kyoko they stopped, their eyes widening with shy curiosity.
"Kyou, is she staying?" they turned wide clear blue eyes up to stare at Kyou.
Kyoko watched Kyou. He didn't even look at the small twins as he answered them.
"Hiroki, Hiraru," He said in a deadpan voice.
"Yes?" Came the sweet replies.
"She is staying. Now leave us for the time being." Kyou's cold calm voice didn't faze the twins as they smiled at Kyoko then suddenly ran forward, closing the distance between them.
Kyoko expected to be pounced on. Her eyes widened in surprise when they stopped short of reaching her and climbed into Kyouâs lap, hugging him for all they were worth. Again the expression on Kyouâs face was priceless making her wonder just how much she really knew about him. The twins jumped back laughing when Kyou abruptly growled deep in his chest before they turned around and skipped out of the room.
Kyoko looked back up at Kyou. "Why are they with you?" He simply stood before her, elegant and infuriatingly beautiful. She figured he wouldn't answer and was surprised when he did.
"They want to stay ⦠and I let them," he replied with the same blank stare he had given her earlier. Towering over her, Kyou noted the look of surprise that crossed her face. His gaze trailed down her cheeks to pause on her lips⦠full, almost pouty lips.
Kyoko didn't know what to think about his answer. "Why do you let them when you hate humans?"
He loved to watch her lips move. Kyou leaned closer to Kyoko, coming within inches of her face. "They are not smart enough to fear me." His voice was low and smooth. His eyes rose from her lips becoming deadlocked on hers.
Kyoko swallowed, leaning back just a little but the pillow didnât allow too much room to do so. What did he mean⦠that she was not smart enough to be scared of him? She could tell he wouldn't hurt her so she didn't flinch from him. "Then why am I here?" she cocked an eyebrow at him.
"Because you are also not smart enough to be scared of me," His voice got softer as he watched her face so close to his. It amazed him how much her emotions showed on her face.
Kyoko wanted to lean back a couple more inches trying to create space between them. "Do you want me to be scared of you?" she asked cocking an annoyed eyebrow. She inhaled when his eyes seemed to unnaturally glow even more within the shadowy room. She suddenly forgot what had led to this conversation.
"As long as you behave, you have no reason to fear me. For now," He reached his hand out to touch her cheek only to slowly lower it when she suddenly drew back out of range. The light from the window behind him reflected within her eyes. Did she realize how seductive she looked with her childlike innocence and her melancholy lips? He sat back away from her, his gaze narrowing once again.
Kyoko watched him curiously. "Kyou⦠why am I really here? I need to go back to the other guardians and continue hunting the missing talismans." She couldn't tell what was up with him and it was starting to officially freak her out. He still didn't answer her and the butterflies in her stomach where breeding as she waited.
After a minute of watching him just stare at her, Kyoko finally put her hand down on the pillow and pressed herself up to a standing position.
Kyou was oh so tempted to let her lean up into him but after treating her body so seductively earlier, he knew to do so would break any sort of trust heâd gained. He leaned back and let her rise to her feet.
Feeling a little off balance trying to stand on the oversized pillow, Kyoko put her hands out to balance herself as she glared defiantly down at him. "Okay⦠If there is no reason for me to be here then I want to go back." She went to take a step but before she knew what happened, she was on her back staring up at a very angry looking Kyou. âWell⦠at least I know his face isnât made of stone,â she thought to herself.
Kyou had grabbed Kyoko's ankles and as she landed heâd pulled her toward him. He was instantly on top of her, staring down into her face. Her hands were pressed against his chest and he could feel the crystalâs power building within her palms but she didnât release it. âGood,â he thought to himself.
"Do you think I took you for nothing? You were in danger and didnât even know it!" he informed her darkly.
âDanger,â Kyoko nearly growled at him. âI was fine until you showed up!â
He breathed hard trying to calm his temper and his rapidly beating heart. He did not want to hurt her but she would not leave yet. Someone had to keep her safe and he did not trust his brothers to do that after their negligence. âYou will not leave until I learn what I need to know from you.â
"What do you want to learn from me?" Kyoko pressed her hands against his hard chest and pushed, trying to get him to back up so she could sit up again. When she figured out he wasn't going to budge, she glared at him in frustration.
She was starting to lose her own temper with the `prince of ice' she thought to herself, causing a slight hysterical grin to cross her features. Her fingertips tingled with her power and she reined it in since he had made no real threat to her⦠yet.
Kyou again watched the emotions cross her face in amazement, though he showed no evidence of being amazed. He put his hands on her shoulders and gave her a slight shake. "That⦠I want to learn that."
Kyoko frowned at him. Now what the hell was he talking about?
He shook her again, "And that, I want to know that."
"What?" She yelled at him, getting angry. Kyoko gave him a strange look wondering silently if he had seriously lost his mind.
"Yes that, all of that and this too." He pulled her to him and slashed his lips across hers in a searing kiss.
Kyoko gasped when he took her by surprise and slipped his tongue past her lips bringing his body closer to hers, tasting her. In her panic⦠the crystalâs power faded and she pushed against him but her strength had no real will.
Kyou chose this time to release her when her struggles ceased. He had made his point even if he was the only one that understood it. His gaze never left her face as she fell back against the pillow, her cheeks flushed. The picture would forever be imprinted in his mind. Her breasts rising and falling with each deep breath. Her lips slightly parted. Her long auburn hair fanned around her in waves.
It was the look of innocent seduction⦠making his loins tighten and swell. She was already his⦠only she didnât know it.
Kyoko put the back of her hand to her lips in an attempt to bar him from doing such a thing again. Now she was angry. She didn't understand. He wanted to learn what from her? "WHAT are you talking about? WHAT do you want me to teach you?" she asked the questions with a shaky voice feeling like he was trying to drag her into his insanity.