Han Xian's POV:

Walking into the room, I slowly glanced into Night's eyes. They were on me, alert yet full of lust. All along, my heart wagered between what was right and what had to be done.

Yet I couldn't lie to myself. The man in front of me was a carnal sinner. From the moment he kissed my lips, an unfathomable hunger grew within the folds of my loins.

Gently, my fingers danced within my tresses as I removed the hair tie and let my hair cascade around. Knowing that his eyes were solely on me, pinning me to the spot, I shrugged my outer robe away.

He added more wood to the fire pit, and the room that was warm was now simmering with heat. Probably just like the two souls in this room.

The light lit up his contour, and Night looked regal.

It was his turn to seduce me, and to a scorching degree, it made a hard impact on me.

Unabashedly, he let his flimsy cloak slither from his body, and in seconds, he was stark naked in front of me.

Taking each step gracefully, his hands found my waist and pulled me closer to him as he whispered, "Tell me you want this Autumn. Tell me you need this night as much as I need you. I can make no promises for tomorrow, but tonight I am all yours."

Threading my fingers in his hair, I roughly pulled him for a kiss and smiled as I said, "I hope this answers your question."

With a mischievous smirk, he let go of all his inhibitions.

My back met the soft mattress, and he was above me. His hair tickled my senses as he brought his lips together and gave me a kiss that seared my soul. He was a lover, a painter, and a poet.

He painted me the illusions of what could have been and sang poems of my name as a bard, parched.

That night, as we united, every sinew of his body that that I met was on my lips, and tomorrow was distant.

Yet, as dawn greeted us, I knew my time with him was limited, and even though it was hard to say goodbye, I had to leave.

"Um..." He pulled me closer to his body and whispered seductively, "Where are you going, Autumn?"

Closing my eyes and relishing every second we spent together last night, I smiled and asked, "Weren't you the one to say this was just for one night. I need to leave."

Kissing my nape, he gently bit and said, "True. But we still have a few hours left with us."

Slowly manoeuvring himself above me, Night gently placed a kiss on my lips and whispered, "Let me have you once more. Please. Just this once."

Peering into his eyes, I couldn't say no to this man. Bringing his face closer to mine, I kissed him and let him devour my soul.

Upon waking up, I was shocked to find my hands bound against the bedpost.

Wei Lan was dressed as if ready for a battle, and that was when I realised something had horribly gone wrong.

"Night?"

His eyes were cold as he gave me a look that probably would have caused glaciers to melt.

"Prince Han Xian." His voice was devoid of any emotion.

I knew the charade was up.

"What are you planning on doing with me?" I had to ask, hoping he would not end my life here. There was someone I had to protect.

"Why did you sleep with me, Autumn?"

This was not a question I was expecting, and honestly, I didn't even have an answer.

"When did you know about my true form?" I countered.

"From the very start."

His answer surprised me.

"Guess what? We both used each other. I had a lovely night. Thank you." Though his voice was devoid of any emotion, his eyes spoke differently.

"Wait!" I called out. "Please stop whatever you are planning on doing."

"And why should I listen to you?" His back was to me, and I had to appeal to his human side.

"I am here on orders. There is someone very dear to me in the palace. His life is in danger. If not for him, I wouldn't have been in this crossfire."

"Who do you wish to protect?" His voice was coarse.

"A young soul. Ah Yuan. Han Yuan." On the other hand, mine was just a mere whisper.

"Who is he to you?" Night refused to see my face as he asked.

"A child I am entrusted to protect."

"No harm will come to him." With that, Night left the room, and I knew this was the last civil conversation we would ever have.

Waiting for a few breaths to make sure they had left the inn, I let myself free from the clutches of the rope tied around my wrists, donned my clothes, and escaped from the back door.

I had to reach the palace before they did. My main hope was to protect Han Yuan, even if my own life was at stake.

Wei Lan's POV:

"Night," Zed called out. "That man-"

"Let him be." I didn't wish to share any further. We all knew who he was. I recognised him the first time we met a few hours ago, yet this heart could not stop feeling.

The reason I asked Dragon for an update was to be reassured that the man in my arms was our nemesis, and Dragon confirming the same was equally painful.

"There is this boy called Han Yuan. No one should touch him."

"Got that." I heard a chorus of answers.

"Are we ready?" My question was met with exuberant cheers, and I knew this was the moment we had all been waiting for.

In front of us was the palace, and we were mere seconds from raiding it.

'Jie. I am coming for you.'

"Let's ride!" I commanded Crimson to gallop, and hundreds of my men followed me into the night.

(A/n: I am back with this work of mine after a very long time. Hope, you all remember this story. Love them, as you have loved other works of mine.)