"Desolate the crows surround
my barely beating heart,
you left me stranded in the dark"
Full Moon - Damazein

Lily
🫖

"No."

"Yes."

"I said no-"

"Good thing you don't have a choice."

Setareh's devious smile only widened more. Contrary to popular belief, she was the Anvari sibling most troubling to deal with.

Leila looked intimidating.

Setareh was pure evil.

"Oh don't look at me like that!" Setareh pushed at her back.

They neared the throne room and already Lily wanted to claw at her skin.

Please don't make me do this.

She covered her nerves with the attitude she was allowed to have. Her meekness had been partially true from exhaustion, and partially a mask out of self preservation.

She no longer had to hide.

Whether people liked what was underneath...

Her heart gave another unsettling pound within her chest.

"Setareh." She turned to the girl, who was wearing a burnt orange ball gown that complimented her tawny skin beautifully. If Leila were the night, her sister was the sunset. "Please. I cannot do this. I cannot face-"

Him.

Them.

When the sun returned, everything had changed.

Leila had become a god in their eyes. Celebrations only grew longer and more frequent.

But the betrayal by her brother and their blood marred the earth in which people danced.

It did not matter that Lily had found the key. It did not matter that she gave it to Leila to open the curse. It did not matter that it was she who called upon both Lunaith and Solis to bless the Lunetta Leila ingested in order to make her immortal.

No matter how many daggers and threats Leila and Taehyung sent at the people who judged her.

No, Lily could not handle the stares. The snide remarks. Nor the uncanny glances she would receive. What hurt the worse was people sucked in a breath, whispering that she looked like the ghost of the Queen.

Once ignored, she was now feared.

By everyone. Even the people who mattered most. And her brother was a thousand miles away, leaving her to take the brunt of it.

Setareh grabbed her shoulders, eyeing her sharply. "You cannot run any longer. You have no reason to. Show them that you are different than what they say." Lily shook under her grasp, but the woman leaned closer, "With the way you look right now? Make Namjoon regret running like a bitch instead of helping you."

She had a point.

Lily's dress was made of starlight and pearl. Leila had it handmade out of gratitude for breaking the curse. The bodice was boned and made of silk, clinging to her narrow waist and hips. The bottom of the dress swirled out like a tide pool in the morning. It was gorgeous, making her hair a paler white and her cornflower eyes stand out. Features she had almost forgotten she had.

Features that branded her a monster.

"He doesn't want me anyways." Lily bit out, attempting to hide the true hurt she felt.

Setareh only smirked, "He'll regret it after this."

Finally, Lily let some of Setareh's fiendish behavior infect her. She begrudgingly let out a small smile, gesturing for the guards to open the doors.

They had to listen to her now, as she had been given the title of Princess of the Immortui. Lily wished it would have demanded respect.

It didn't.

When she walked in the strings still kept their lively jaunt around the room. Immortui swayed freely under the starlight, no longer bound by the fear of night.

It did not stop the jarring stares that were sent her way.

"Fuck them." Setareh said, pretending to clear her throat. She laced her arm through Lily's, protective though she would not admit it.

"Where are our beloved King and Queen?" Lily muttered, holding her head high.

The youngest Anvari rolled her eyes, "Probably trying to make a little Taehyung or Leila at the moment."

Lily curled her lip, not being able to hide her giggle. "Ew." Girl talk with Leila had been fun. Before she found out that Taehyung was her half-brother.

Lily casually dragged her eyes over the crowd. Hoping to avoid a particular group of nobles.

Well, one noble in particular who happened to be friends with the rest. Her blood was already unsettled in her veins, despite being unable to spot his presence to avoid it.

They were found first. By a slightly less aggravating noble.

Jeongguk, her cousin,  spotted them. His hands tightening over his wine glass, eyes locked solely on Setareh. His tongue darted out to wet his lips as he stared at the woman, parched. Lily turned to see her companion already flushed.

Oh fuck me. Well, not literally, as she was always the third wheel.

Taehyung and Leila.

Setareh and Jeongguk.

Even Jimin and fucking Aera, because they were too busy snapping at each other's throats to pay attention to her. She didn't even want to know how they were fairing being alone for this long.

"Go." Lily said breezily, capturing a glass of sparkling wine from a servant.

"I can't leave you." Setareh said, convincing no one as she stared at the man like an animal in heat.

"I'm not giving you a choice." She hardened her voice, replicating her vengeful brother. "Leave or I'll show you why I hid my true self all of these years."

Setareh turned, hugging her. Lily latched onto her just as tightly, again forgetting this one was more touchy than Leila.

"I will be right back!" The beautiful girl ran away, and Lily could not help but smile. From the way Jeongguk was looking at her, she would not be back any time soon.

Lily downed the rest of her glass, sucking in her cheeks and wondering how she would suffer through the rest of this dull occasion. She helped plan it, and yet without any of her friends it would be a droning event.

It was not the first ball she had attended after being accused of treachery.

It was the first Namjoon was to attend. Therefore, she could not find her way to the only people that could provide her comfort away from the prying judgement of the court.

And, like she had said his name aloud, she made eye contact with the noble.

"Shit!" She exclaimed, accidentally dropping her glass.

That received a few more stares.

She cursed, ignoring the broken glass and walking further into the crowd. She saw the tall man, handsome as ever, wading after her. His eyes were wide, and his hair now cropped closely to his head.

He had changed.

So have I.

She did not understand why he followed her. He had made no previous attempts to reconcile the night he had abandoned her instead of bringing her to safety, as they had planned. No excuses could be made for his absence the months after either.

When she demanded Hoseok give her answers, he just told her he could not speak for the man.

Well fuck that.

Lily wanted answers two months ago. Now, she wanted him out of her mind, and out of sight.

She kept maneuvering through the crowd, until she hit a hard surface.

"My apologies-" She cut off short when she realized she had her hands spread across the person's chest. When she inhaled sharply, she scented familiar mint and sage.

Yoongi stared down at her, his dark eyes taking her in from head to toe. Her stomach dipped lightly, when his pink lips curled into a smile.
"I have been looking everywhere for you."

"You have?" Lily swallowed, his hands still resting underneath her elbows.

The man's gaze flashed behind her, before softening as they settled back on her face. "Of course. You asked me to have your first dance?"

Lily felt her jaw go slack a little, as she had not seen the man in a little over a month. His black hair had grown out, long enough half of it was parted and lifted into a bun, showing off his wide cheekbones. More jewelry littered his lobe, and glinted against the low lighting.

Yoongi and her had struck a friendship after the curse broke. With having Aera indisposed of, he was helping her treat those that were ill or injured. The sun had caused quite a few burns and temporary blindings. It had been the man's idea to post signs telling Immortui to not stare at the sun.

There had been times during their work together that...Lily felt strange. Something akin to interest. Whether it be if their hands brushed while healing someone, or she stared too long at the way he pulled pieces of broken metal from a person's body. Or maybe it was when they stayed up, exhausted that Lily thought she had caught him staring at her.

Then it all stopped. A month ago he had to return to his town on business.

Lily chalked it all up to being exhausted, and lonely. He had not written her. Nor shown her true interest or care, beyond being the sister of his friends.

The way her heart pounded right now, she wasn't so sure.

His touch felt like hot coals across her skin. His proximity was forcing her vision to tunnel.

Had his lips always been so perfect?

The man leaned in, as if he could hear every thought. She shuddered when his lips brushed over her ear, "Dance with me. At least, until he goes away."

All anticipation floated away. The woman righted herself, remembering reality. He was just trying to help her avoid Namjoon. This wasn't a romantic reunion he had planned.

"Right." She painted a genuine smile on her face as he pulled back slightly. Polite. He was just being polite. "Shall we?"

Lily let Yoongi lead her closer to the outskirts of the dance circle. She held her breath when he placed one hand on her waist, and threaded her fingers with his.

Soon, she forgot all about the man who betrayed her as Yoongi swept her across the floor.

"You surprisingly good at this." Lily commented, her cheeks flaring at how silly she sounded. He probably only saw her as the little girl he grew up with, and she was doing a good job of keeping it that way.

Yoongi shook his head, eyes glinting, "I am surprisingly good at many things."

Lily's throat went dry, and another part of her did the opposite. She wondered what the fuck had happened since he last left, and why she was so affected now.

She craned her head back, hoping to get some air on her heated flesh. Yoongi's lips parted, his eyes catching her translucent skin.

"So, how was your journey home?" Lily questioned, sounding casual. She felt anything but.

"Boring." Yoongi tsked, twirling her. Keeping her at a safe distance. Lily never understood why people thought he was quiet, he could never shut up around her, "My cousin was trying to marry me off to some duchess from a different territory."

Oh?

Lily's body burned, and not in a good way. "What happened? Did she have snakes for hair? Her breath smelled terrible?" She gazed up through her lashes, "Or did the poor girl realize you're more interested in gems than people?"

The man let out a croak of raspy laughter. A sound that trailed nails up and down her spine, as his grip on her waist tightened. She was unable to tear away from his dark eyes when he spoke, "No. I just couldn't get this one woman out of my head long enough to remember her name."

The words clung in the air between them, as soft as the strings that serenaded them. People dancing around them faded away into nothingness.

Lily realized two things.

One, that Yoongi may have been talking about her.

Two, that if he wasn't, she would make him reconsider.

Lily pressed her body tightly to his own, feigning a fall. The polite man gripped her to his body, holding her as gently as possible.

She didn't want gentle.

"Who is this woman you speak of?" Lily asked, keeping her pale blue eyes wide as she clung to him. When the music picked up in pace, it was like the gods answered her prayers. "Give me a hint."

Yoongi was unable to keep the safe distance between them. She slowly started to swivel her hips, pretending ignorance  as she wrapped her arms around his neck. It wasn't the first time she had danced with him so closely. It was the first time she had when they were both adults.

She watched hungrily as Yoongi bit his fuller bottom lip. His hand lifted from her waist, hesitant.

Thinking.

Before he placed them back on her, and pulled her closer.

He let out a curse before whispering in her ear, "Well, she's almost my height."

A curl of delight traced through her, only making her hips and body more languid. His body was all heat as he melded to her. "Mhmm. I'm going to need more."

She felt his smile against her ear, "She's got long, straight hair. An infectious smile with a dimple only on the left side, and a small scare over her right brow. So faint, I wonder if anyone even notices."

Lily's blood was pounding through her. The aching feeling in her body building more and more as they moved against each other. "Help me narrow my options down."

Yoongi took the bait, despite them both knowing who he spoke of. His hand trailed to the small of her back, pulling her impossibly closer. "She's powerful, intelligent, and resourceful. She tries to hide it, but I see it in her eyes. Her lips. Her words. She is untouchable, and still I cannot resist." Lily nearly buckled when his teeth grazed the shell of her ear, his next words a low groan, "She's making me so impossibly hard right now I can barely fucking think."

She felt the desire he spoke of, and she could no longer play coy. The heated hardness of him threatened her navel, and it almost made her moan.

"Yoongi I-" Lily gasped out, ready to be dumb. Brash. Impulsive.

I liked healing people with you. I was hurt my Namjoon, but you made me forget. I may or may not have thought about you while in bed, alone, touching myself but I never wanted to admit it because—

"Namjoon." The man gritted out, slowly pulling her body away from him.

Lily looked at him, cheeks flushed and mind lucid. "Who?"

Yoongi did his best to hide his smile, and another part of him that beckoned for her. He angled her body so that it was hidden from the man before him.

"Lily, can we please talk?"

Yoongi looked at her, waiting for her permission to tell him to fuck off.

Oh god, how badly she wanted to. The way his dark eyes tore at her dress, and threatened to tear his friend apart, she wanted more than anything to go back into his arms.

Still, she knew Namjoon wouldn't leave her alone until she heard him out. It was better now than never, despite this awful timing. If she talked with him, she could go back Yoongi.

"I'll be right back. Save a dance for me." She turned, sending him a look with her eyes that promised she would take care of undoing whatever she did to wind him up so tightly.

This isn't over yet.

Or at least, she didn't want it to be.

Yoongi didn't answer, his amusement falling from his face. His expression turned severe as he took in Lily walking away with Namjoon. Still he nodded, and it was enough for her to quickly leave the ball room.

"What?" Lily asked, impatient. She was no longer thinking about the man before her.

Not when deep arousal coursed through her body.

"It didn't take long for you to move on." Namjoon commented first, clearing his throat. His arms were crossed defiantly over his chest.

Rage threatened to burst through her chest. How dare he? Yet, she couldn't deny his accusation about her and Yoongi. She didn't want to. "That's the first thing you're going to say to me? After months?"

"I am sorry." He said more softly, his body releasing the tension. He knew he had no business being an envious dick to her.

"About what part?" Lily practically yawned, tapping her foot.

He had the nerve to look offended. "I am trying my best to make amends. I didn't mean to hurt you."

That was enough to make Lily snap. "Well you did! I watched my mother die, again! I am waiting for my brother to return in hopes that he redeems himself. Everyone here hates me, and believes me to be a traitor! And all I needed was you!"

That wasn't entirely true.

All I needed was a friend. And I had one, I left him inside the ballroom.

She had the urge to return now more than ever.

Namjoon's eyes were glassy as he answered. "I can never apologize enough. I have no excuse, no reason. I was just scared."

"Scared?"

"Of what could happen. Of the last massacre happening again. When I was supposed to pull you out of the room, I froze. All I could do was run." The man shook his head, "I do not expect you to forgive me. I just want you to know I still love you."

Lily laughed, the sound cracking. "If that is what you call love, I curse it. Let's be civil, but do not pretend to love me. Because there will come a day when you forfeit your life and tell fear to fuck itself. I hope you find someone that makes you feel that way, and I deserve it as well."

Lily turned her back on the man, feeling lighter. No regret ever reached her heart.

When she returned back to the ballroom, Yoongi was gone.

***

The wall back to her chamber was lonely.

Leila and Taehyung never made it out of their rooms, horny royals. Setareh and Jeongguk either.

Yoongi was nowhere to be found. Disappointment and unfulfilled want coiled low in her stomach.

When she finally slammed herself on her bed, she let out a loud groan, "Why is everyone getting fucked but me? I swear to god if Jimin and Aera are going at it too I'll—"

"Lilia Dragun."

A disembodied voice echoed around her room.

Using her full, true name.

The white haired star sat up, her wide eyes taking in every corner of her chamber. Her body froze with a deep fear that she hadn't felt since the night her mother reappeared as an apparition. The night that her brother was almost executed.

"Who's there! What's happening?"

Something didn't feel right. It was very possible someone was using blood magic to prank her. Of that were the case, she'd have them in the dungeons by morning.

Just when she thought she was alone again, the deep voice sunk into her skin.

"Don't you hate being the sacrifice? Your king and queen are parading around like martyrs when it is you who broke the curse. Only you are paying the price."

"Shut up." She called out to it.

Who are you?

What are you?

She refused to name it. She refused to give it a fucking name.

Setareh's voice rang through her head.

"Show them that you are different."

"Your brother used you all of your life. Your quiet quaintness to slither around others until they suffocated. He left his mess for you to clean up. All for a girl who will never give him his heart."

It does not matter who my family is. What bloodline I come from. What god's power runs through my veins.

"Leave me alone! I do not want this!"

Her body went still as the voice drew closer. She could feel its cold breath at the nape of her neck. When she went to run, she could not.

"Perhaps Lilia. But I do."

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(A/N: hey guys! Sorry for the long wait but this chapter gave much needed answers!

I can't talk about what I was working on but again if it all pans out...I will have really exciting news to share.

This story is mostly Jimin / Aera but Lily will be very integral to the plot! Thank you guy so much for the support and I should be back to posting in a weekly basis, at least for now.