Chapter 12:
After a long, heavy sleep, I woke to a soft, unfamiliar glow filling the house. For the first time, I truly saw the magic of the night stone—living up to its name as it shone gently, like a pale blue lantern.
I stared at the light, calm and even, casting no harsh shadows. Kai had placed four of them in each corner of the room, just for me. A small gesture, but it tugged at something deep inside.
The pain had dulled, no longer sharp, just a lingering ache. Through the window, I saw the first hints of dawn approaching. I must have slept all the way through the night.
I needed to bathe. The cotton I'd been using was soaked—it needed changing. If not, it would stain and make me more uncomfortable. Quietly, I picked up the glowing stone. It was cold against my skin, a comforting chill. It helped me see as I stepped outside and headed for the waterfall.
Still, I hadn't seen Kai. Where was he?
That's when I noticed smoke curling into the morning air, rising from beside the cave. Curious, I followed the scent, my footsteps silent.
There he was—Kai—crouched near a small fire, roasting meat. The scene made me pause.
Scattered around him were burned pieces of meat, discarded like the ones he'd made during his first attempt for me. Yet this time, he was determined. I watched him lower the flame, sprinkle salt just as I had, and gently turn the meat over without burning it. He smiled—just a little—when he got it right.
My heart swelled.
A real, unfiltered smile formed on my face. It came from somewhere deep and untouched.
You're making me fall for you, Kai.
That's the scary part.
I don't want to love anymore. I just want to live. But here you are, leading me on... and I'm following. Will you grow tired of me like Tony did? Will I become boring to you? Will you start to despise my presence and one day erase me from your life like I never mattered?
I didn't even hate Tony after what he did. I blamed myself. But if you betray me, Kai... I will hate you with everything I have left. I will seek revenge.
So please—don't lead me on if you're not ready to see this through. I can't survive another betrayal.
With those thoughts weighing heavily, I turned away and walked silently to the waterfall without letting him know I was there.
While bathing, I found myself drifting back to my past life again. I didn't want to think of him—he wasn't worth remembering—but the images came anyway. I could almost hear the joy in their voices, the victory in their laughter when my death would be announced.
Then I realized—I never had a single good memory with him. I was the one giving. I was the one clinging to the illusion that we were something real. It was always one-sided. Always just me.
But with Kai... it feels different.
He sees me. He notices everything. He cares.
Maybe, just maybe... if I let go of all the bitterness and stop trying to find reasons to be afraid—maybe this second life, this second chance at love, will go differently.
Relationships break because of distrust, betrayal, and the agony of unreciprocated love. Maybe if I trust, truly trust… things could be better.
By the time I finished bathing and changed into fresh cotton and animal-skin clothes, I felt lighter. Better.
When I returned, Kai was waiting for me at the dining table. The night stones still glowed softly, and his face—his perfect, sculpted face—looked almost otherworldly in the gentle light. I could never get enough of looking at him.
My eyes fell to the meat he had prepared. The warmth in my chest spread further. I sat down quietly and began eating, noticing him watching me with careful eyes, desperate for my reaction.
To my surprise, it tasted even better than the rabbit I'd roasted before.
"It's so sweet," I said, eyes sparkling. I couldn't hide my delight.
He smiled, relieved. I saw how much it meant to him—to know I liked it. That small success filled him with quiet pride.
After our heartfelt breakfast, I looked out and saw the sky lightening. The sun was beginning to rise, slowly painting the world gold. If I had to guess, it was just after seven, maybe nearing eight.
"I want to show you something," Kai said suddenly, voice low but eager.
He led me into the kitchen, and what I saw stopped me in my tracks.
There, in the middle of the spacious room, was the largest bag of rice I had ever seen. It nearly made the whole kitchen feel small in comparison.
"I bought the sack from the human world," he said, uncertain. "Do you like it?"
He looked nervous—hopeful but unsure. I could tell he was afraid I wouldn't be impressed, but he still bore the hope that it might win my heart, even a little more.
I couldn't speak. I just stared, overwhelmed. Rice—real rice—in this world? Even in the chief's household back in the human world, it was a luxury.
This sack could last a lifetime.
His expression faltered as my silence stretched on. Disappointment flickered in his eyes.
My body moved on its own.
I jumped into his arms.
Kai stumbled, surprised, before regaining balance and wrapping his arms around my waist. I couldn't stop smiling. Words wouldn't come, but my body knew what to do.
I leaned forward and kissed him.
It was impulsive. Messy. I hadn't kissed many people—barely had any experience—but I poured everything I felt into it. I wanted him to know. To feel it.
He froze.
I panicked, thinking I had crossed a line.
But then—his lips claimed mine.
Possessive. Deep. Natural.
His kiss took my breath, replacing it with fire. I trembled. When I tried to pull away, his tongue teased mine, claiming more.
My knees went weak.
He was beastly in the way he kissed—wild, hungry, dominant—and I loved every second of it.
When I thought I might pass out from lack of air, he finally released me. I gasped, breathless, while he stood there, unfazed. His breathing was calm.
I looked up at him, shaken.
Was this normal?
His stamina?
"I'm in danger!!
He was terrifying... and utterly irresistible.