The Mad King's Heir

Seeing Yu Wen’s expression, Li Jun felt a great sense of crisis. His spine tingled as though warning him that he was in grave danger. His lips parted, thinking he should placate him, but the words died in his throat when Yu Wen gripped his jaw tightly, forcing him to look up. His grip was tight but bearable.

His breath stalled as he met Yu Wen’s gaze. His heart was pounding so hard he could hear it through his ears. Yu Wen’s jaw taut, he took a breath, obsession swirling in his dark eyes.

"Li Jun, if anyone is going to take revenge on you... it’s going to be me. Do you hear me?" he said through gritted teeth. Li Jun couldn’t move or speak. It was as though that intense gaze was locking him in place, restraining him.

Yu Wen leaned down, his intoxicating scent engulfing him. With his breath warm against Li Jun’s lips, he said, "Not Li Yu. Not Xiu Ying. No one else, but me." After making such an absurd declaration, he kissed him fiercely with a hint of desperation.

He was like a beast that had been starving for this exact moment. Li Jun was stunned at first, his eyes wide like saucers. But then he kissed him back just as fierce.

Their teeth clashed, their lips mashed and separated. They appeared as though they were competing to see who would come out on top.

The chains clanked as Li Jun grabbed his collar and yanked him down, deepening the kiss. He knew this couldn’t continue, and they should end things, but who could tell him why it felt so hot kissing his enemy? The first taste had him so addicted that if Yu Wen asked him to spread his legs right here, he would do it, no questions asked.

Yu Wen’s fingers on the man’s jaw tightened as his other hand fisted in Li Jun’s hair, pulling his head back further for a better angle. He deepened the kiss, their tongues entangled with each other. Their breaths came in rough gasps between their pressed lips.

The world beyond these walls ceased to exist. There was only Yu Wen’s lips on his, Yu Wen’s hands on his body, and Yu Wen’s heat seeping through his cold bones. When they finally separated, Li Jun’s lower lip was swollen and bruised after a certain someone bit him. He could taste the rust-like tang of his blood lingering on his tongue.

The culprit caressed his lower lip with his thumb, smearing the tiny blood. His voice hoarse and low, he said, "I am going to get you out of here. And when I do, we can settle scores then."

His lips throbbing and heart palpitating, he stared at Yu Wen in a daze. If only this man knew that they would never see each other again.

Given what he had just said to him, Li Jun knew this plan had to be pushed forward otherwise, who knows which method Yu Wen would use to get him out of here?

Otherwise his plan, which he had been working on for years, would be ruined by him.

Yu Wen looked at him one more time, something unreadable flashing in his eyes, before turning to leave.

Li Jun watched him walk towards the door. This was for the best, but why did it feel like each step he took was like a knife being twisted in his gut?

He should have been relieved. This was what he wanted after all. He wanted Yu Wen to forget about him and move on, so why did it feel so wrong?

Just as Yu Wen reached the door, he heard Li Jun calling him, "General." He halted his steps and turned to look at him, his brow raised.

Li Jun smirked, hiding the turmoil brewing within him. "Your kissing skills are shit," he said, clearly provoking him.

Yu Wen’s expression cracked, showing a subtle hint of amusement. With a teasing lilt in his voice, he said, "Wait until you are out of here. I would like to hear you repeat those words."

Li Jun chuckled softly, turning his face away, his cheeks growing hot. He was blushing, and he hated himself for it. Too bad Yu Wen didn’t see it.

The cell door clanged shut, and Li Jun listened to the footsteps retreating down the corridor until they faded completely.

Then, and only then, did he let his head fall back against the wall.

His lips were still tingling, and his skin still burned where Yu Wen had touched him. He pressed his fingers to his mouth, tracing the swollen flesh.

"Fuck," he swore, feeling lost. He should have never provoked this beast. This impossible, stubborn, and beautiful beast. He was going to be really hard to forget.

***

True to his word, Yu Wen was doing everything he could to buy Li Jun time and get him out of this situation. He was even considering drafting up a deal with Xiu Ying to give her Red Valkyrie’s support against Li Zimo’s faction.

Having seen through her mask, his perception of her had changed drastically. He didn’t think she was suitable to run Aurelia and didn’t deserve to get his support. The only reason he was willing to do this was to buy Li Jun time and get Draco to act.

This was the best option he could come up with. While he was drafting an agreement, the person he had been trying to get in contact with finally responded.

Private: Stay out of it. I am handling it.

Yu Wen gnashed his teeth, looking at the message. ’Handling it? How? By leaving him in that cell in chains? He sneered as he typed back furiously.’

YW: Stay out of it? He is in chains in that cold cell. Li Yu is using him as a punching bag.

He bit his lower lip, trying hard to restrain his emotions. He was about to curse Draco out when a response popped up on the screen.

Private: Like I said, stay out of it.

Yu Wen, "..."

He replied with the rudest message he had ever sent in his entire life, but instead of a response, he found that he had been either blacklisted or the phone had been deactivated. His mind that was always sharp, was now a chaotic mess, and he couldn’t think straight.

He knew Draco would never abandon Li Jun, and he should let it go, but his gut was telling him something was wrong.