Over the next few days, San would take turns having Wooyoung and Kita ride with him in his carriage. He didn't trust them enough to have the two of them together, but he liked torturing them anyway, so it just made it more fun.

Kita had closed herself off, only giving him short answers and would curl up in her seat. At night she would keep her head down and refuse food.

It was starting to piss him off. So, he decided to switch tactics. On the fifth night, he untied her when he entered the tent, "Come." He said, bringing her to a table that had been set up with food. "Eat."

When she just sat there, he sighed and ran his hand over his face. "Kita, you need to eat. I will not have my queen dying from starvation. Please." He added, a little softer.

She glanced at him, then picked at the grapes in front of her. San smiled when she actually ate something. They spent the meal in silence, but he never took his eyes off her.

When she was done, she went back to her pole and started to sit down again. "Stop. You'll sleep with me tonight." He said suddenly. She froze and turned to him, a look of fear on her face. "Just sleep. We will get to that point eventually, though." He smirked then walked over to her and took her hand.

He did his best to keep the motion slow and gently. Even though he liked control, he knew he couldn't completely break her, not if he wanted her power to work for his kingdom.

She followed him obediently and lowered herself onto the bedroll on the floor that was piled high in furs. When she was laying on her side, San nestled in next to her, wrapping his arm around her waist. Pushing the limits, he placed a few kisses on her shoulders. "One day, you will love me." He whispered.

He felt her tense, but she didn't answer, instead pretending to already be asleep.

.

.

.

.

Kita couldn't believe what was happening. He touches had been so gentle tonight, as if he was actually worried about her health. But sleeping with him like this made her want to throw up.

She felt him drift off to sleep behind her, but every time she shifted, his arm would tighten around her and pull her into him, as if it was a reflex.

Eventually though, she could feel the exhaustion taking over her, and she too fell asleep.

.

.

.

.

When morning came, San smiled into the back of Kita's neck. It had been a long time since he had slept through the night with anyone. He liked the feeling. When she let out a soft moan, he lifted his head to look at her. She really was beautiful, especially when she was lost in dreams.

San reached over and took her hand in his. The instant relief that came to him was amazing. He closed his eyes again and felt himself dozing off again, her healing power relaxing him.

.

.

.

.

Kita could feel that he was still there. She could also feel that he was holding her hand. She cringed internally, trying to figure out how to worm her way out of his grasp. But again, when she shifted, his grip on her tightened.

So, she waited until he got up on his own. But that also came with soft kisses against her skin. It was strange, this sudden change in him. She didn't trust it.

"Good morning, Kita." He said, his voice still husky with sleep.

"Good morning." She said, quietly. He hummed into her back, then rolled over to get out of bed. She watched him walk out of the tent, leaving her there alone.

If it wasn't for the fact that she was surrounded by his guards, and she had no idea where he was keeping Wooyoung, she might have chanced running. But she couldn't leave him, not after finding out what San had done to him.

She shuddered at the thought, knowing he was planning on doing the same thing to her too.

Jongho entered the tent and bowed his head to her. "Princess, the carriage is ready. We need to pack up the tent and get ready to leave."

"Thank you, Jongho." She said quietly and followed him out of the tent. He led her to the second carriage and helped her inside.

It didn't take long for the camp to be packed up. When it sounded like everyone was ready to leave, the door opened one more time and before she could even turn to look, she felt arms wrapping around her.

"Kita." Wooyoung breathed into her neck.

"H-how?" She said, waiting for San to come in.

"I don't know, but I'm not going to question it." His voice shook as he moved to sit next to her. "Are you ok? He hasn't hurt you, has he?" He brushed his fingers against her cheek.

"No, he hasn't. Are you ok?" She brought her fingers up to move the collar of his shirt aside. He turned his head away from her. There were several dark marks all over his chest and shoulder. It disgusted her. She traced each one of them, letting her power flow through her fingers, healing each one she found.

She glanced up at Wooyoung and saw his eyelids flutter, a small smile crossing his face.

The wagon lurched forward, jostling them a little, but she continued her work. When she finished, she bit her lip slightly and let her fingers still trace over his chest. He brought one hand up to play with the end of her braid.

"Everything's going to be ok." He said. "As long as we stay strong and stay true ourselves."

"How do we do that?"

"By not forgetting what's important to us." Kita looked up at him. "No matter what happens, just know that you are always on my mind, Kita."

He leaned forward and kissed her, taking advantage of this rare moment of alone time. Kita melted immediately, wrapping her arms around his neck. Her stomach fluttered when the kiss deepened.

"I love you." He whispered against her lips. "And I always will. Even if I have to watch you be with another man, even if the thought of that kills me inside, my heart will always belong to you." He kissed her again, not giving her a chance to answer.

When they broke apart again, he shifted and guided her down so she could lay her head in his lap. She nuzzled her nose into his stomach and wrapped her arms around his waist while he let his fingers dance over her arm and back.

"Wooyoung?"

He hummed.

"I love you, too."

---

"No. No, I can't risk it. We've lost enough men already." Hongjoong growled at Yunho.

"Please, Captain. They said they would protect us. Maybe they can help us get what you want from King San too." Yunho pleaded. His captain's head shot up in surprise. "I'm not stupid, Captain. I know there is something you are hiding from me."

"How do you know they will keep their word?"

"Here, you can ask them yourself." Yunho reached into a small pack he had brought with him and pulled out the mirror. He moved to stand next to Hongjoong and held it up, staring at their reflections.

It took a little longer than last time, but eventually the image blurred and Yeosang was staring back at them.

Hongjoong stumbled back a couple steps in surprise, Yunho just smiled brightly.

"Yunho? What's wrong?" The wizard sounded concerned.

"Nothing, yet. I, uh... was filling in my captain on our plan, but he needs a little reassurance."

Yeosang's eyes flicked to Hongjoong's, and a flash of recognition crossed his face. But he nodded, "Don't go anywhere, I need to grab the prince."

The image faded and the pirates were staring at themselves again.

"M-Magic?" Hongjoong said, staring at the mirror.

"I guess he had made it for Princess Lakita so she could keep them updated on her position when she had tried to run away." Yunho bit his lip and kept his eyes on the mirror.

Yeosang appeared in the mirror with Prince Seonghwa after a few minutes. The prince immediately scowled at Hongjoong, also recognizing him from the attack on the castle, but Yeosang placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Your Highness," Yunho bowed his head and gave a look to Hongjoong, who did the same.

"What's the matter, Yunho? Are you coming here or not?"

"Well," he looked back at his captain, who scowled at him, but then sighed.

"It's my fault we haven't come yet, Your Highness. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little skeptical about coming back there." Hongjoong said, then quickly added, "For what it's worth, I am sorry we attacked your palace. The deal on our end didn't exactly go as I had planned."

"And what was the deal on your end?" Seonghwa's voice was harsh.

Hongjoong hesitated, looking away from the mirror. "Besides the money, King San... He has my wife."