Captured Without Bonds

Green eyes peered down at the territory of the humans as a low growl sounded. A group of humans rode by on horses, moving slowly as they passed. Sungmin growled as he zeroed in on the man in the center. The king. Crouching down on the rock he stood on, Sungmin tensed his muscles, ready to pounce.

………….

The royal guards conversed lightly as they lead the king back to his castle from a meeting with a neighboring clan. They were worried about his methods that were restricting the lands of the lion pride, a group of men and women who could turn into lions. The tension was high and fear of an attack, even higher. As if proving their point, the men looked up at the sound of a roar and then blood was everywhere.

There was a moment of chaos as the guards tried to get their wits about them but one by one they fell to angry roars and sharp canines. Sungmin looked up, fur drenched in blood, as a call reached his ears. Leaving the corpses in the road, he answered the call, heading home where he belonged.

…………..

Cho Kyuhyun awoke with a start in the midst of the night. He sat up in his large king bed and rested his face in his hands. Sweat trickled down his spine and neck and he shivered. “Who was that man with the green eyes?” He whispered.

A knock on the door followed and Kyuhyun grumbled a ‘come in’. A petite boy he recognized as his servant entered and bowed. “Prince Kyuhyun I have some bad news…. I regret to inform that scouts have confirmed it. King Siwon is dead. An attack from the lion pride. I’ve been requested to as your course of action.” He spoke, never rising from his bow.

Kyuhyun looked up at the boy and sighed, not really feeling anything upon hearing about his father’s death. “I had a dream about it. I guess that would make sense now… Come in Ryeowook and draw my bath. As for now I will not take action. I need a bit to process this.” He spoke.

Ryeowook bowed and walked to the, now king’s, private chambers to draw his bath. He got it to the proper temperature and exited the room. “Sire I have your water drawn and your robe ready for you. If you’d like I can return to bathe you after I relay your message.” He spoke.

“Hm… Thank you Ryeowook. I’d like that. Make haste.” Kyuhyun said before standing and pressing a grateful kiss to his servant’s hand. “Quickly. Ah, and have all lion pride members with green eyes brought to the castle.” He said, leaving the room to his personal bathroom.

…………….

Entering the steam laden room, Kyuhyun let his robes fall to the floor before stepping into the bath. He sighed, feeling much better as the hot water caressed his skin, cleaning it of the sweat induced by his dream.

~So… my father is dead. I guess that was to be expected. The lion pride nearly has nothing left. So I take the throne soon… That ought to go well. I don’t see the point of restricting their territory so I will barter with them I guess… see if I can get the culprit of my father’s murder.~ He thought.

The door opening brought him back to reality and he looked over, seeing Ryeowook walk into the room with special oils and soaps for his bath. He seemed winded. “Jaejoong giving you problems again?” Kyuhyun guessed as the smaller man kneeled on the rug and applied a scented soap to a bath sponge before looking up. “I keep telling you he’s in love with you sire… to the point it’s beginning to scare me.” Ryeowook murmured, using slightly informal language to his long-time friend.

“If he ever threatens you just let me know and I’ll have him executed. I don’t care if he’s the best cook we have, aside from you but I can’t have you slaving away for the entire castle.” Kyuhyun spoke and Ryeowook blushed, rubbing the sponge over his master’s back and shoulders before rinsing it so that he could move on, careful to clean his chest. “Prince Kyuhyun. Even as your best friend I don’t know how you got these…” Ryeowook murmured, indicating the scars littering the new King’s chest.

“My advisor did it before he was replaced by you when you became of age. Don’t worry about it.” The prince spoke and the matter was dropped. Ryeowook set to work cleaning the prince, never missing a single spot. When ready, he stood and prepared a towel for the prince, drying him. Face to face with the scars that littered the prince’s chest, he paused, glancing up to see his eyes closed. He took the moment and pressed a soft, caring kiss to the center of his collar bone.

Kyuhyun’s eyes snapped open and he looked down at Ryeowook but the smaller man was getting his robe prepared so he felt as if he’d imagined it. Ryeowook had just tied the sash around the prince’s waist when there came a knock on the door. “The lions are lined up in the foyer.” A voice called. “Thank you Donghae.” Kyuhyun called and dismissed him. “Ryeowook prepare my bed for later and then join me in the foyer.” “Yes sir.”

………..

Kyuhyun walked into the main foyer of his large home and into the presence of eight fully grown, very dangerous lion formphasers. They stood with heads bowed in respect for the new King, having no qualms with him. All except one.

The boy had blonde hair and round, yet fiery, eyes that shone a bright emerald. His ears and tail were a beautiful white blonde and claws gleamed in the light of the room, showing the onyx coating. Kyuhyun frowned and walked to the center of the room. “You have been summoned here because of a murder. The murder of my father which witnesses confirm a lion was responsible for.” He began.

The women in the room didn’t lift their heads, tails swaying nervously. “I have reason to believe that the culprit has green eyes. If one of you provides me with the one responsible, your clan will get their lands back. If you withhold him or her from me all eight of you will be executed.” Kyuhyun said matter-of-factly.

One stepped forward. “It was…” She was cut off as the one next to the boy shouted. “It was me! Give my family their land and let them go.” She shouted, worry shaking her voice. The boy looked shocked. “M-mother… you don’t have to…” He was silenced as his mother stepped forwards and allowed herself to be shackled. “Take your place Sungmin. Saranghaeyo.” She said as she was taken away.

Kyuhyun watched the boy as he seethed and turned his gaze to Ryeowook. “Bring the boy to me and dismiss the others.” He spoke. Ryeowook nodded and shoed the others away, pulling Sungmin to the front, holding his hair to reveal his face to the prince. “Your mother will not be killed. I know she stepped forward to protect you. I want you both out of my castle but don’t think this is the end of this.” Kyuhyun spoke, turning and leaving the room.

……………

That night, Kyuhyun watched as both Sungmin and his mother left the castle. Turning away from his window, he beckoned a servant closer. “Heechul… I did your clan a service today. Tomorrow I wish you to pay them a visit and submit my request, alright?” Kyuhyun spoke and the elder nodded, tail swaying as a blue eye and a green eye shimmered in the light. “Yes, your highness. Are you needed my services for tonight then?” He asked quietly.

Kyuhyun shook his head no. “You know that I am untouched. I’d like if you danced for me though, former prince.” He spoke, walking back and sitting on the end of his canopy bed.

The feline purred and began his dance, hips swaying to an unheard beat. The red see through veil on his hips swayed behind him as he turned, opening his eyes to fix them on the prince. Though captured, Heechul never wanted to leave. The prince had a kind heart and Heechul himself didn’t want to rule the lion pride. He was always taken care of… That’s why he had no qualms in doing as Kyuhyun asked and ripping his brother from the clan as well.

…………..

Sunlight and chirping birds woke Sungmin from his slumber in the den. Stretching, he shook out his fur. Being very light colored had its advantages. Slinking down from the den, he shifted to his skin and walked out into the lake, leaving his robes on the bank.

Cupping his hands, he brought water to his lips and drank before repeating the action and wetting his hair. He was in the midst of bathing, when a familiar scent wafted up his nose and he stilled in the water. There, swimming towards him, was a black lion with two different colored eyes.

Upon reaching the shallows, the lion shifted its form and Sungmin gasped. “Hyung!” He said, shocked. Heechul stood in the waist deep water, outfit wet but he didn’t seem to care. He welcomed the hug that Sungmin enveloped him in and sighed. “Brother. Cho Kyuhyun wishes me to remove you from the clan.” He said straightforwardly.

Sungmin took a step back, hand going to the royal ‘crown’ on his forehead. It was a marking that was blessed into his skin upon Heechul’s disappearance. “I thought he said we’d be free.” He said defensively causing Heechul to laugh. “He did…. But he wants you back. You DID kill his father after all. Do not worry you Heechul spoke, not joking in the slightest.

Sungmin swallowed, not believing this was happening to him. After he’d gotten home the night before he’d believed that he was scot free. “…. I don’t want to go Heechul…” Sungmin admitted and his brother stepped forward. “I know. It’s alright to be scared. I’ve been there all this time though and I can promise you that you won’t be hurt. I’ll see to it… now come on. We have to get back.” Heechul spoke, casting his hand over Sungmin’s forehead and lifting the mark from the boy’s skin before it disappeared into the mist of the waterfall.

Minutes later, Sungmin announced to his people that he renounced his place as Prince and bid his goodbyes to his mother. He didn’t say why he had to leave, just that he had to in order to protect them. All in all, he left with a heavy heart and a wet face, fingers linked with his brother’s.