The Arrow's Flight 7/?
Title: The Arrow's Flight 7/?
Pairing: Changmin/Junsu (Jaejoong/fc, Yunho/Heechul, Yoochun/Yoohwan [incest], Junho/fc)
Rating: R
Disclaimer: Here is another world that I wish existed in a place other than my mind, but it doesn't and I don't own them and I can only place them into this delusion.
Summary: Greed and corruption rule two neighboring kingdoms: The Kingdom of Mountains and the Kingdom of Trees. Two princes are planning a coup. Their success or failure depends on the shadow in the woods, the rogue of the forests, the arrow in the sky.
A/N: Totally inspired by Robin Hood. Can you blame me?
Warning: het
Part 7:
The Aim
The aim is the concentrated effort to direct an arrow to its target.
“This was Junho’s idea,” Junsu started carefully.
“So it’s reckless, insane, and we all might die.” Changmin smiled. When they were all younger, most of Junho’s ideas ended up with them in loads of trouble.
Junsu scoffed. “Exactly. The Festival of Stones is next month, and the king always makes an appearance and judges the best crystals.”
“By the Queen--”
“What did I say about my mother?” Junsu almost shouted.
Changmin huffed. “Su-yah, this is ...”
Junsu nodded. “I don’t ... I don’t want to involve you, but well, Junho and I have been talking about strategy and how to do this. The Festival is always held on the Stone Plateau in the gorge. Big enough for carts and tents, but also a good vantage point for a well-aimed arrow.”
“I’d never get out of that gorge alive.”
Junsu nodded again. “That’s why I don’t want to ask you. You’d be caught, killed, and ... tortured, and I just ...”
Changmin leaned over him to give him a short kiss to comfort him, but Junsu still made a pained noise in the back of his throat and clutched at his tunic.
“It’s ... just that ...” Junsu bit his lip. “We have been thinking of having me be sick and shoot him, or ... Well, Chanyeol was supposed to do it, a few of my guards and Junho’s guards, but we cannot trust them anymore. The main problems is that Junho and I have to be right next to the king, through the entire Festival, so neither of us can do it. And there is no one else I trust not to accidentally miss.”
“I don’t think I could shoot that close to you. I have been known to miss.”
Someone snorted from the doorway. Yoochun.
Changmin lifted an eyebrow.
“You have never missed, and there are caves out of that gorge,” he whispered. “A lot of them. Just a matter of knowing where you are going.”
“You know?” Junsu said.
Yoochun nodded. “It is a very good plan, and honestly, one we already thought of, but then we went into the woods instead of into the mountains.”
Changmin stared at him for a moment. “You were planning on killing the king?”
“Not necessarily, but enough soldiers to feel vindicated.”
“Dare I ask?” Junsu said.
Changmin shook his head. “No, it’s fine. Okay. So-”
“Our bows are wherever you need them,” Yoochun said and then nodded his head and went back outside. He whistled, a ridiculous tune, meant to warn of impending visitors.
“Then that’s the plan,” Changmin said.
“Wait, what? But I--”
Changmin nodded. “It needs to be done. We’ll do it.”
Junsu opened his mouth to protest and then Yunho walked through the door, matching Yoochun’s whistles.
“What am I interrupting?” Yunho asked.
Changmin met Junsu’s eyes.
“Please don’t,” Junsu begged. “Please. I ... we can do it without you.”
“You can’t.”
“We can!”
“How? And trust who? A guard?”
Junsu started gasping, clutching his side.
Changmin cursed and turned to Yunho. “Go get Siwon!”
Yunho nodded and spun around to do so.
Changmin moved closer to Junsu and cupped his cheeks. “Look at me. Breathe, come on. Deep breaths. Just ... breathe.”
Tears fell down his cheeks. “I cannot lose you, I can’t.”
“And I can lose you? This makes the most sense.”
“But how ... we ...”
“Use Taemin if you need to discuss things with us. He’ll be our messenger, but honestly, as of this moment, it’s out of your hands. You and Junho have nothing to do with it. No more planning. You two will not endanger yourselves. Someone in your castle is aware of this plot, so you already have to be very careful.”
Junsu shook his head. “I don’t want to lose you.”
“I don’t want to lose you either, especially not to someone else’s wobbly arrow.”
Junsu nodded, sniffling back more tears.
Yoochun whistled twice, a short warning, and a moment later, Siwon entered the room, followed by Yunho.
Changmin got up from the bed as Siwon bent over Junsu on the other side. He moved over to Yunho, stood close with lips against his ear. “Have Yoochun tell you. Completely secret. You tell Heechul. Only the five of us, you understand?”
Yunho nodded. “Sounds fun.”
“We all might die.”
Yunho smirked. “Exactly.”
<|---------<<<
Taemin staggered down the hallways. His legs were tired, cramping, and he had a hard time breathing. He needed to faceplant in a bed and not get up for hours.
But first.
“Taeminnie!” Minho whisper-shouted, and a moment later, he and Jonghyun were helping him, arms around him, supporting him down the hall.
“Junho, need to talk to Junho.”
MInho nodded. “We’re going there right now.”
With the sudden support, Taemin’s legs decided they had enough, and Minho had to hike him up onto his back and carry him into Junho’s room.
Jinki’s eyes widened, and he hurried into Junho’s private rooms, barely knocking.
Minho settled Taemin into a chair. In the fog of his tiredness, Taemin heard Minho tell Key to get some water.
Junho came first, kneeling beside him, hands gripping his fingers. “Taeminnie,” Junho said. “Oh god, Taemin. Are you injured? What happened?”
“Don’t worry,” Taemin said and blinked. “Just ... tired. Junsu, okay. He was injured. He ... his guards.”
“Sh,” Junho said. “Here.”
The edge of a glass pressed against his lips, and Taemin took a much needed drink.
“Guards,” he said. “Junsu’s guards. Kidnapped Seohyun. Tried to kill Junsu.”
“What?” more than one of them shouted.
“He fought them off. Max and his men helped him. He’s alive. For now.”
“Those vile, worthless, arrogant--”
Junho hushed Key. “Jonghyun, Jinki, go get Baekhyun, Jongin and Lay, right now. Actually. All of you go. If they fight you, kill them.”
Taemin gasped.
Junho sighed. “I know it’s harsh, but if they are conspiring against my brother, well, my brother is way more important than they are. Now, go!”
They all went, even if Jinki wanted to protest leaving the prince alone. Taemin was almost asleep when fingers touched his face and he opened his eyes and smiled at the princess.
“Taeyeonnie,” Taemin whispered. “I”m sorry to interrupt your time with your prince.”
Taeyeon chuckled. “It’s okay. I think I’m actually wearing him out. He’s going to get sick of my mouth soon.”
“Never,” Junho whispered and kissed her cheek.
Taemin smiled. “Love. Silly love. Your brother too.”
“Huh?”
“Max,” Taemin said. “In love. They’re in love. Max wouldn’t even let me get near Junsu.”
“But he’s okay?”
Taemin shrugged. “Still sleeping when I was there, but Max said that he was better.”
“Wait? What? In love? My brother ... he’s ...”
Taemin took a deep breath and nodded. “Totally in love.”
“That is really sweet,” Taeyeon said, “and no where near as important as Junsu being okay.”
Taemin watched them bicker about it for a moment, and decided it was way too easy to picture Junsu and Changmin doing the exact same thing. His vision blurred and his eyes closed. But he was smiling.
<|---------<<<
Jaejoong sat in his office, not actually working, just breaking quills and destroying parchment. It was so hard to concentrate with his wife someplace else, in someone else’s protection, and was she? Was she already dead? How did he know that Maurdering Max could be trusted? How did he know that Junsu could be trusted?
Daesung sat a cup of tea on his desk. He looked at it and then up at Daesung. Could Daesung be trusted?
Daesung smiled at him, like he knew just what Jaejoong was thinking.
With a growl, Jaejoong snagged the cup of tea and then spun around in his chair, back to the room. He trusted Daesung and Seungri.
He stared out the picture window and watched the sun rise on the sixth day of Seohyun being gone. No smiles, no laughter, no kisses stolen under the blankets like they were still teenagers. The tightness in his chest threatened to turn to tears. His hands shook, the teacup rattling on its saucer.
Three knocks sounded on the door, and Seungri opened it just as Jaejoong spun back around.
Taeyang entered, followed by a man Jaejoong had only met once, but corresponded with enough to know that he could be trusted. He stood up quickly, too quickly with a shout of “Micky!” and Micky smiled, a smirk really.
He was wearing a Palace of the Trees guard uniform, and his long hair was pulled up in the way all Jaejoong’s guards wore their hair. It was a bit daunting how easily this man could slip into his city dressed that way.
Jaejoong strode across the room and did not pause until they embraced.
Micky thumped his back and then laughed. He pulled back and kissed him shortly, but firmly, right on the lips. “From your wife.”
Jaejoong made a face and shoved him away.
Micky laughed. “I had her direct permission to give that to you personally.”
Jaejoong curled his lip. “Did she kiss you?”
“Had to transfer it somehow!”
He glared at his guards who were smiling at him, Seungri outright laughing, though wary of the sudden appearance of someone they did not know. “What is going on?” Jaejoong asked.
Micky glanced around at the guards.
Jaejoong glared at him. “They stay.”
With a shrug, Micky said, “Your wife is in good health and good spirits. We have lots of infants and children that she is playing with and cooing over. She is very glad that Minzy is okay, and when she gets back to you, she will repay you all your heartache in scandalous ways, those are her exact words.”
“And Junsu?” he whispered, almost too afraid to ask.
Micky frowned. “He was injured badly. We caught up to him fighting off two of his guards. He took a wound to his right side and to his left arm. Our doctor was not even sure if he’d live because he lost so much blood, but he woke up two days ago and he’s on his way to being well. We have to send him home soon. Max is gathering up supplies and putting together a carriage for him today.”
“He is not staying to recover?”
“Not anymore. Plans change.”
“What plans?”
Micky glanced around the room again. “Secret plans.”
Jaejoong sighed. “I’m just going to tell them when you leave.”
“Maybe not.”
Jaejoong waved his fingers. “Wait outside.”
“Your highness,” Jiyong said in protest.
Jaejoong glared. “Micky has saved my life in the past, Ji. He’s one of my most trusted informants.”
“That makes it sound like I work for you,” Micky said with a smirk.
“You give me information. I give you information. An informant. I know you don’t work for me. You don’t even work for Max.”
Micky chuckled. “Too true. The only one who can order me around is Ricky.”
“Leave us alone, for ... two minutes?” Jaejoong said.
Micky nodded. “Plenty of time.”
Grumbling, Jiyong led the others out of the office and into the hall.
As soon as the door shut, Micky said, “We’re killing the King of Mountains during the Festival of Stones.”
“By the trees,” Jaejoong muttered. “It’s too soon!”
“We have to do it then. It’s the only time the king will be in public, and as soon as Seohyun gives birth, the soldiers on both sides will be too prepared for an attack. They are expecting it now, remember? We do not know who was behind Seohyun’s kidnapping. It has to be now. Junsu is being sent home to recover there. He’ll tell everyone that he was attacked by Max, who killed all of his guards, and he barely got away with his life. He stayed with an outlying village until he had enough energy to come home. He and his brother will carry on as they have always done. They are not part of our plans at all. Basically, Max, Ricky and I are going to shoot the king from the cliffs around the gorge and hopefully slip away.”
Jaejoong nodded. “And Seohyun?”
“She will be returned to you on that same day, escorted by EunHae and Teuk who are Tree Dwellers, or they were Tree Dwellers. There is no way that we can risk traveling after that day. The Mountains Kingdom will want immediate revenge.”
“That is a month away, what if the baby comes before then?”
“The first sign of labor, and she’ll be on her way here. We have a doctor that knows some techniques on delaying birth. He’ll travel with her if that happens.”
“This is going to cause my father to increase his security and make it difficult for me to carry out my plans.”
Micky smirked. “We have faith in you. A messenger named Taemin may bring you information.”
The door opened.
“It’s been two minutes,” Jiyong said and crossed his arms.
Jaejoong leaned against his desktop and nodded. “I understand, but please tell Max and Junsu that I think they are crazy.”
“That is part of the reason why this is going to work.” Micky smirked. “Do you want to give me anything for your wife in return? A kiss? Maybe a blow--”
“Get out,” Jaejoong growled.
He laughed and turned toward the door. He blew Jaejoong a kiss. “See you later, JaeJae. Boys, I’ll see myself out of the city.”
Jiyong glared at his back. “Arrogant snake.”
Jaejoong scoffed. “Indeed. But he did save my life before you became my guards.”
Jiyong lifted an eyebrow.
Jaejoong took a deep breath. “I was barely eighteen. I was traveling alone, visiting some of the farther villages, and a group of Mountain Soldiers caught me. They did not know who I was, but it was pretty amazing how I was outnumbered, and then Micky and his brother Ricky were suddenly there. They killed all the soldiers, helped stitch up the wound in my side, and let me go on my way.”
“What did he want now? What is Max planning?”
Jaejoong sighed. Could his guards be trusted? He rubbed his face. He had to trust them. If he started seeing traitors in those he considered himself closest to, then he was going to go crazy.
“Shut the door. This changes everything.”
Part 8: The Sight Window
Part 6: The Bracer
Part 5: The Fletching
Part 4: The Limbs
Part 3: The Anchor
Part 2: The Grip
Part 1: The Shaft
.
Pairing: Changmin/Junsu (Jaejoong/fc, Yunho/Heechul, Yoochun/Yoohwan [incest], Junho/fc)
Rating: R
Disclaimer: Here is another world that I wish existed in a place other than my mind, but it doesn't and I don't own them and I can only place them into this delusion.
Summary: Greed and corruption rule two neighboring kingdoms: The Kingdom of Mountains and the Kingdom of Trees. Two princes are planning a coup. Their success or failure depends on the shadow in the woods, the rogue of the forests, the arrow in the sky.
A/N: Totally inspired by Robin Hood. Can you blame me?
Warning: het
Part 7:
The Aim
The aim is the concentrated effort to direct an arrow to its target.
“This was Junho’s idea,” Junsu started carefully.
“So it’s reckless, insane, and we all might die.” Changmin smiled. When they were all younger, most of Junho’s ideas ended up with them in loads of trouble.
Junsu scoffed. “Exactly. The Festival of Stones is next month, and the king always makes an appearance and judges the best crystals.”
“By the Queen--”
“What did I say about my mother?” Junsu almost shouted.
Changmin huffed. “Su-yah, this is ...”
Junsu nodded. “I don’t ... I don’t want to involve you, but well, Junho and I have been talking about strategy and how to do this. The Festival is always held on the Stone Plateau in the gorge. Big enough for carts and tents, but also a good vantage point for a well-aimed arrow.”
“I’d never get out of that gorge alive.”
Junsu nodded again. “That’s why I don’t want to ask you. You’d be caught, killed, and ... tortured, and I just ...”
Changmin leaned over him to give him a short kiss to comfort him, but Junsu still made a pained noise in the back of his throat and clutched at his tunic.
“It’s ... just that ...” Junsu bit his lip. “We have been thinking of having me be sick and shoot him, or ... Well, Chanyeol was supposed to do it, a few of my guards and Junho’s guards, but we cannot trust them anymore. The main problems is that Junho and I have to be right next to the king, through the entire Festival, so neither of us can do it. And there is no one else I trust not to accidentally miss.”
“I don’t think I could shoot that close to you. I have been known to miss.”
Someone snorted from the doorway. Yoochun.
Changmin lifted an eyebrow.
“You have never missed, and there are caves out of that gorge,” he whispered. “A lot of them. Just a matter of knowing where you are going.”
“You know?” Junsu said.
Yoochun nodded. “It is a very good plan, and honestly, one we already thought of, but then we went into the woods instead of into the mountains.”
Changmin stared at him for a moment. “You were planning on killing the king?”
“Not necessarily, but enough soldiers to feel vindicated.”
“Dare I ask?” Junsu said.
Changmin shook his head. “No, it’s fine. Okay. So-”
“Our bows are wherever you need them,” Yoochun said and then nodded his head and went back outside. He whistled, a ridiculous tune, meant to warn of impending visitors.
“Then that’s the plan,” Changmin said.
“Wait, what? But I--”
Changmin nodded. “It needs to be done. We’ll do it.”
Junsu opened his mouth to protest and then Yunho walked through the door, matching Yoochun’s whistles.
“What am I interrupting?” Yunho asked.
Changmin met Junsu’s eyes.
“Please don’t,” Junsu begged. “Please. I ... we can do it without you.”
“You can’t.”
“We can!”
“How? And trust who? A guard?”
Junsu started gasping, clutching his side.
Changmin cursed and turned to Yunho. “Go get Siwon!”
Yunho nodded and spun around to do so.
Changmin moved closer to Junsu and cupped his cheeks. “Look at me. Breathe, come on. Deep breaths. Just ... breathe.”
Tears fell down his cheeks. “I cannot lose you, I can’t.”
“And I can lose you? This makes the most sense.”
“But how ... we ...”
“Use Taemin if you need to discuss things with us. He’ll be our messenger, but honestly, as of this moment, it’s out of your hands. You and Junho have nothing to do with it. No more planning. You two will not endanger yourselves. Someone in your castle is aware of this plot, so you already have to be very careful.”
Junsu shook his head. “I don’t want to lose you.”
“I don’t want to lose you either, especially not to someone else’s wobbly arrow.”
Junsu nodded, sniffling back more tears.
Yoochun whistled twice, a short warning, and a moment later, Siwon entered the room, followed by Yunho.
Changmin got up from the bed as Siwon bent over Junsu on the other side. He moved over to Yunho, stood close with lips against his ear. “Have Yoochun tell you. Completely secret. You tell Heechul. Only the five of us, you understand?”
Yunho nodded. “Sounds fun.”
“We all might die.”
Yunho smirked. “Exactly.”
<|---------<<<
Taemin staggered down the hallways. His legs were tired, cramping, and he had a hard time breathing. He needed to faceplant in a bed and not get up for hours.
But first.
“Taeminnie!” Minho whisper-shouted, and a moment later, he and Jonghyun were helping him, arms around him, supporting him down the hall.
“Junho, need to talk to Junho.”
MInho nodded. “We’re going there right now.”
With the sudden support, Taemin’s legs decided they had enough, and Minho had to hike him up onto his back and carry him into Junho’s room.
Jinki’s eyes widened, and he hurried into Junho’s private rooms, barely knocking.
Minho settled Taemin into a chair. In the fog of his tiredness, Taemin heard Minho tell Key to get some water.
Junho came first, kneeling beside him, hands gripping his fingers. “Taeminnie,” Junho said. “Oh god, Taemin. Are you injured? What happened?”
“Don’t worry,” Taemin said and blinked. “Just ... tired. Junsu, okay. He was injured. He ... his guards.”
“Sh,” Junho said. “Here.”
The edge of a glass pressed against his lips, and Taemin took a much needed drink.
“Guards,” he said. “Junsu’s guards. Kidnapped Seohyun. Tried to kill Junsu.”
“What?” more than one of them shouted.
“He fought them off. Max and his men helped him. He’s alive. For now.”
“Those vile, worthless, arrogant--”
Junho hushed Key. “Jonghyun, Jinki, go get Baekhyun, Jongin and Lay, right now. Actually. All of you go. If they fight you, kill them.”
Taemin gasped.
Junho sighed. “I know it’s harsh, but if they are conspiring against my brother, well, my brother is way more important than they are. Now, go!”
They all went, even if Jinki wanted to protest leaving the prince alone. Taemin was almost asleep when fingers touched his face and he opened his eyes and smiled at the princess.
“Taeyeonnie,” Taemin whispered. “I”m sorry to interrupt your time with your prince.”
Taeyeon chuckled. “It’s okay. I think I’m actually wearing him out. He’s going to get sick of my mouth soon.”
“Never,” Junho whispered and kissed her cheek.
Taemin smiled. “Love. Silly love. Your brother too.”
“Huh?”
“Max,” Taemin said. “In love. They’re in love. Max wouldn’t even let me get near Junsu.”
“But he’s okay?”
Taemin shrugged. “Still sleeping when I was there, but Max said that he was better.”
“Wait? What? In love? My brother ... he’s ...”
Taemin took a deep breath and nodded. “Totally in love.”
“That is really sweet,” Taeyeon said, “and no where near as important as Junsu being okay.”
Taemin watched them bicker about it for a moment, and decided it was way too easy to picture Junsu and Changmin doing the exact same thing. His vision blurred and his eyes closed. But he was smiling.
<|---------<<<
Jaejoong sat in his office, not actually working, just breaking quills and destroying parchment. It was so hard to concentrate with his wife someplace else, in someone else’s protection, and was she? Was she already dead? How did he know that Maurdering Max could be trusted? How did he know that Junsu could be trusted?
Daesung sat a cup of tea on his desk. He looked at it and then up at Daesung. Could Daesung be trusted?
Daesung smiled at him, like he knew just what Jaejoong was thinking.
With a growl, Jaejoong snagged the cup of tea and then spun around in his chair, back to the room. He trusted Daesung and Seungri.
He stared out the picture window and watched the sun rise on the sixth day of Seohyun being gone. No smiles, no laughter, no kisses stolen under the blankets like they were still teenagers. The tightness in his chest threatened to turn to tears. His hands shook, the teacup rattling on its saucer.
Three knocks sounded on the door, and Seungri opened it just as Jaejoong spun back around.
Taeyang entered, followed by a man Jaejoong had only met once, but corresponded with enough to know that he could be trusted. He stood up quickly, too quickly with a shout of “Micky!” and Micky smiled, a smirk really.
He was wearing a Palace of the Trees guard uniform, and his long hair was pulled up in the way all Jaejoong’s guards wore their hair. It was a bit daunting how easily this man could slip into his city dressed that way.
Jaejoong strode across the room and did not pause until they embraced.
Micky thumped his back and then laughed. He pulled back and kissed him shortly, but firmly, right on the lips. “From your wife.”
Jaejoong made a face and shoved him away.
Micky laughed. “I had her direct permission to give that to you personally.”
Jaejoong curled his lip. “Did she kiss you?”
“Had to transfer it somehow!”
He glared at his guards who were smiling at him, Seungri outright laughing, though wary of the sudden appearance of someone they did not know. “What is going on?” Jaejoong asked.
Micky glanced around at the guards.
Jaejoong glared at him. “They stay.”
With a shrug, Micky said, “Your wife is in good health and good spirits. We have lots of infants and children that she is playing with and cooing over. She is very glad that Minzy is okay, and when she gets back to you, she will repay you all your heartache in scandalous ways, those are her exact words.”
“And Junsu?” he whispered, almost too afraid to ask.
Micky frowned. “He was injured badly. We caught up to him fighting off two of his guards. He took a wound to his right side and to his left arm. Our doctor was not even sure if he’d live because he lost so much blood, but he woke up two days ago and he’s on his way to being well. We have to send him home soon. Max is gathering up supplies and putting together a carriage for him today.”
“He is not staying to recover?”
“Not anymore. Plans change.”
“What plans?”
Micky glanced around the room again. “Secret plans.”
Jaejoong sighed. “I’m just going to tell them when you leave.”
“Maybe not.”
Jaejoong waved his fingers. “Wait outside.”
“Your highness,” Jiyong said in protest.
Jaejoong glared. “Micky has saved my life in the past, Ji. He’s one of my most trusted informants.”
“That makes it sound like I work for you,” Micky said with a smirk.
“You give me information. I give you information. An informant. I know you don’t work for me. You don’t even work for Max.”
Micky chuckled. “Too true. The only one who can order me around is Ricky.”
“Leave us alone, for ... two minutes?” Jaejoong said.
Micky nodded. “Plenty of time.”
Grumbling, Jiyong led the others out of the office and into the hall.
As soon as the door shut, Micky said, “We’re killing the King of Mountains during the Festival of Stones.”
“By the trees,” Jaejoong muttered. “It’s too soon!”
“We have to do it then. It’s the only time the king will be in public, and as soon as Seohyun gives birth, the soldiers on both sides will be too prepared for an attack. They are expecting it now, remember? We do not know who was behind Seohyun’s kidnapping. It has to be now. Junsu is being sent home to recover there. He’ll tell everyone that he was attacked by Max, who killed all of his guards, and he barely got away with his life. He stayed with an outlying village until he had enough energy to come home. He and his brother will carry on as they have always done. They are not part of our plans at all. Basically, Max, Ricky and I are going to shoot the king from the cliffs around the gorge and hopefully slip away.”
Jaejoong nodded. “And Seohyun?”
“She will be returned to you on that same day, escorted by EunHae and Teuk who are Tree Dwellers, or they were Tree Dwellers. There is no way that we can risk traveling after that day. The Mountains Kingdom will want immediate revenge.”
“That is a month away, what if the baby comes before then?”
“The first sign of labor, and she’ll be on her way here. We have a doctor that knows some techniques on delaying birth. He’ll travel with her if that happens.”
“This is going to cause my father to increase his security and make it difficult for me to carry out my plans.”
Micky smirked. “We have faith in you. A messenger named Taemin may bring you information.”
The door opened.
“It’s been two minutes,” Jiyong said and crossed his arms.
Jaejoong leaned against his desktop and nodded. “I understand, but please tell Max and Junsu that I think they are crazy.”
“That is part of the reason why this is going to work.” Micky smirked. “Do you want to give me anything for your wife in return? A kiss? Maybe a blow--”
“Get out,” Jaejoong growled.
He laughed and turned toward the door. He blew Jaejoong a kiss. “See you later, JaeJae. Boys, I’ll see myself out of the city.”
Jiyong glared at his back. “Arrogant snake.”
Jaejoong scoffed. “Indeed. But he did save my life before you became my guards.”
Jiyong lifted an eyebrow.
Jaejoong took a deep breath. “I was barely eighteen. I was traveling alone, visiting some of the farther villages, and a group of Mountain Soldiers caught me. They did not know who I was, but it was pretty amazing how I was outnumbered, and then Micky and his brother Ricky were suddenly there. They killed all the soldiers, helped stitch up the wound in my side, and let me go on my way.”
“What did he want now? What is Max planning?”
Jaejoong sighed. Could his guards be trusted? He rubbed his face. He had to trust them. If he started seeing traitors in those he considered himself closest to, then he was going to go crazy.
“Shut the door. This changes everything.”
Part 8: The Sight Window
Part 6: The Bracer
Part 5: The Fletching
Part 4: The Limbs
Part 3: The Anchor
Part 2: The Grip
Part 1: The Shaft
.