As his fingers caressed my skin that night, he woke up the sleeping beast inside me.

Wei Lan's POV:

"Will that boy survive?" I enquire as Cat wipes remnants of sweat from the young boy's body. He still bore marks of their love on his chest.

"Yes. He should, but he needs rest." Turning to face me he enquires "How is your shoulder?" This makes me smile as a warm feeling tugs my heart. "Worried for me my Autumn?" Shaking his head, he enters the room to check on Cat's lover. While Autumn was busy, Zed joins me and as he looks at his twin taking care of another soul, his eyes are solemn. Cat is a soul who easily falls in love, but knowing who we are, he never had heart to commit to someone else. This is one hard truth of our lives. It isn't easy to love someone, we were all termed as barbarians. The moment we settle down at one place, the Royal Guards would hunt us down like animals. For them we were nothing but mere uncouth burden to their soil.

"He shouldn't care for that boy." Zed's voice is coarse and I knew he was remembering his last.

"This kid will survive, Zed." I wasn't sure who my words were trying to assure. Him or me.

"Maybe today, but what about tomorrow and the day after that? Fuck" he yells as u shed tears linger in his eyes "You know what those monsters did to my..." Biting his lips, Zed walks away and I close my eyes.

How can I ever forget what they did to his wife? She was 5 months pregnant when they brutally attacked her. He lost his life that day and Cat vowed to never fall in love.

"Is he alright?" Walking towards me Cat enquires as he points out towards Zed's retreating back. Shaking my head I sigh and watch Autumn work his magic.

Turning to face him, with a heavy heart I command "You have two days to take care of that boy. Then we leave but you need to make a choice if you want to join us or stay back here with him. I won't force you but I cannot have another brother of mine go through the same pain as Zed. If you wish to stay, then take him far away from here and start a fresh life."

"Night-" I cut him off "But if you follow us, then leave him behind." With one last look I walk away from him.

Our lives are always at peril. Each one of us present here have a story that can sear a heart. The ones who were responsible to take care of us were savages who treated us like garbages, some of us were treated far worst.

Resting against the tree, taking a sip of my sweet alcohol, I was gazing at the stars in daze when his lyrical voice gently rings in my ears "Wei Lan" he calls my name for which I did not respond. He calls my name again and I shrug it away. So this time when he called me Night, I turn to look at his pretty face and acknowledge him "Autumn."

Staring back at me with his black orbs, with a soft voice he reports "The kid is alright."

"Hm" is all I could say, still mesmerized of his alluring eyes.

"I am leaving" his voice is even more softer as he informs and this pains my heart.

Won't I ever see you again? Maybe it's for the best. If so, then why can't I seem to look away? Didn't I just give Cat an ultimatum? If he leaves, Night, you won't ever hear his voice. Why does he allure me like a magician?

"Come closer" I command and his eyes widen.

"What?" He stammers, yet takes a step forward and when he is within my reach, I pull his hand and he falls on me. My arms band around his waist to keep him tethered,  his face inches apart from mine and I ask gently "Can I kiss you?"

His breathing seems to falter. His eyes glaze under the moonlight, cupping his face, blame it on the alcohol or my raging blood when I see this man, his sweet breath fans my face and very slowly, I press my lips against Autumn's. Backing away slowly, I watch his eyes flutter open and in that moment my heart knew he is as affected as I am.

Is this wrong?

Maybe he knew that I am trying to resist this temptation for the next moment, clutching my hair, he takes my lips between his and I close my eyes.

When I was young, the Royal Family had this annual tradition of bursting firecrackers. I was always at awe. That was back then. Today, the kiss between us was much more than that firecracker. The man in my arms wasn't a random passerby. He is my Autumn.
This is Autumn's kiss.

Han Xian's POV:

I shouldn't lead him. This is not right, but as I remember the command given to me, my soul knew there is no escape. This is my prison and it is only his end that can get me my freedom.

If so, why does this intimacy feel like a sacred blessing?