(Tana's POV)
"Hey Smokey, I'm so grateful for what you did for Tana, but I need you to leave for the day. She and I have an... appointment," Vetro said casually.
I was glad V announced his presence instead of acting out in rage as soon as Insinz said he missed me.
"Did you not miss me too?" Insinz murmured, ignoring V completely and stepping toward me. Can't he read the room?! What am I supposed to say right now? Of course I missed him, but...
"She didn't, and I told you to leave," Vetro said, this time angrily grabbing Insinz by the shoulder. My heart ached, and I cringed, but Vetro's hand harmlessly phased through Insinz's body as if it were smoke. V stumbled forward and lost his balance slightly. He tried to grab Insinz from different angles, but all he got was a handful of black mist.
"Sorry, but... you're not allowed to touch me," Insinz stated, finally turning to look at V, whose face was red with rage.
"Oh, there's no need to thank me, your majesty. I was glad I could help her," Insinz paused for a moment before adding, "You know... I had to remove the poison in her veins, too, along with that curse. She almost died." His last statement sounded accusatory, and V laughed bitterly.
"The heck? If she died, it would've been her own fault... plus I called for you immediately. She wasn't in any danger." V reasoned.
Insinz... cured my poison, too? Why didn't he tell me?
"...Thank you for that," Insinz said with a smile, which caused V to frown deeply. "Truth be told, I could always see the curse on her... though it took me a while to find the source. I'm glad I was finally able to free her. Actually, all curses are visible to me, like the one on you," Insinz muttered, meeting Vetro's eyes. V stood stunned.
"What?"
"Yes... You have a curse on your mind... have you never noticed it before?" Insinz delivered a convincing puzzled look, and V felt at his head frantically.
"You should go," Insinz commanded, and in that instant, Vetro froze in place, his pupils dilated, and he walked down the hall, dragging his feet and muttering something about needing to go.
"Now... are you happy to see me or not?" Insinz asked, turning back to me.
My jaw dropped in shock.
"What did you do to him?" I asked frantically.
Am I dreaming right now?
He began stepping in my direction while speaking at the same time.
"A curse... well, actually, it's just a fungus that he inhaled by attempting to grab me." Insinz hugged me as soon as he was close enough and buried his face in my breasts. "I missed you again," he muttered.
This whole time, I never thought I could rely on Insinz, even when I felt myself falling for him.
But if he can manipulate even V... then it's possible my feelings have been distorted as well.
"Did you do that to me?" I asked. He looked up at me curiously, so I clarified, "Did you use some kind of mind control on me, too?" He frowned, looking offended.
"Why? No... of course not. Do you think I had to use poison on you to make you be with me?" He paused, then released me.
"If that's what you think, I should go."
As he got to his feet, I grabbed his hand and screamed,
"Wait!" I squeezed tightly. "I'm sorry... I just never felt this way before! It's confusing, and then you sent V away so easily! I was in shock, but I shouldn't have said that!" I choked back tears as I continued, "I missed you too... so much... I just saw you yesterday, but it's the truth. I missed you. I think I might be going insane."
He pulled away from me and walked toward the exit.
I guess an apology can't fix everything. Even so, I won't give up. If one isn't enough, I'll keep trying until he understands.
Insinz stopped to shut and lock the door, activating my privacy barrier.
"I almost forgot the lock," he said, turning to me with a sweet smile. He ran back and tackled-hugged me onto the bed. I giggled, hugging him back.
Insinz looked down at me and brushed my cheek.
"It would be annoying if someone interrupted us again..." he murmured.
"You worried me... I thought you were leaving."
I felt afraid while admitting this, but he rested his forehead against mine and then replied in a soothing voice,
"If that was enough to scare me away, I never would have fallen for you in the first place." My heart fluttered, and then he mischievously added, "Your heart is racing."
"O-oh..." I stuttered. His pointing it out only made it worse. His eyes sank into mine, and the silence stretched.
"When did you fall for me?" I whispered.
Insinz held my chin and smiled as if that's what he expected me to say.
"From the moment I saw you... I could always see the curse and how it afflicted you... And when you weren't yourself, the energy around you changed..." he explained sweetly, " I found you deeply intriguing," he kissed me tenderly, "When I first met you, you were you... this you. You treated me gently and took good care of me, and you have always been so lovely to me. I wanted to heal you, so you would stop losing yourself. While observing you to find a cure... I fell for you, and I couldn't wait to grow up so I could hold you like this," he admitted while lightly grinding against me.
My body warmed instantly.
"That long?" I asked.
"Oh yes... even when I was young, I wanted to do this with you," he murmured while kissing down the center of my breasts.
"That's gross! Don't say that!" I shouted, pushing him away. My response made him laugh.
"Is that a problem? I kept looking for chances to be alone with you so I could—"
"Stop polluting my precious memories!" I shouted, covering my ears. I preferred thinking he was just an innocent young man who enjoyed my company. Insinz kissed the back of my hands twice, then gently moved them away.
"I'm just messing with you... You're just so adorable, I couldn't resist teasing you."
"Please do resist in the future!" I scolded.
He laughed again when I said this, then cuddled me.
"I feel like... I don't know enough about you... But I still fell in love with you... How is that possible?" I confessed, causing him to grin widely.
"Oh wow... you're being so honest... in love with me, huh?" he said playfully.
I covered my face with my hands.
"I told you to stop teasing me!"
"If you're curious... I'll tell you whatever you want to know about me... I was looking forward to passing the time in a more physically active way, BUT if you want to talk, I'll oblige," he conceded.
I peeked out at him, then turned my head to the side to gather the courage to say,
"We... can talk after... the physical activity."
He sat up and stroked my cheek.
"No pretenses this time?" he mumbled quietly.
I could tell Insinz desired clarity, but I squeezed my eyes shut, too shy to utter another word.
"Even if you don't tell me, I can see it. Ever since last night, emotions and thoughts appear to me as colors wafting off of you... I can clearly see that you want me, but it'll still be nice to hear you say it out loud." His voice sounded soft yet urgent.
He can?! I was wondering what six marks would cause... I knew, at the very least, he'd be able to read my thoughts, and the range of his powers would grow, but I didn't think even the barriers I put up over my mind would become useless against him.
"I... want to... be intimate with you... With no pretenses... I just want you." I admitted hesitantly. Then I looked up into his eyes, and I saw how my words flustered him greatly. His cool facade was shattered completely.
We kissed and then became lost in each other. I thought that after this war ended, and my brother was dethroned, I would never let anyone be with me again. I'd leave this planet, or die... never hope for romance.
"You're so lovely..." he whispered between kisses, "and your thoughts are more beautiful... God, Tana... how are you so freaking adorable?" Being complimented by him while we were connected was too much for my heart to process, so I put my hands over my face.
"Please... don't hide from me. I want to see you." Reluctantly, I spread my fingers to reveal my face.
Insinz smiled in response, then he pressed his lips to mine again. I wrapped my arms over his shoulders, and he held my thighs against his hips. So I focused on keeping my voice down.
It felt so intense that my brain went blank and all my worries disappeared.
When we both expended most of our energy, we lay curled up together on my bed, with him stroking my head as he started his story...