Wei Ru, second prince of Qudia, had taken you to the royal palace atop his horse a month ago. He found you, a prisoner, during one of his latest war expeditions. His knights had been surprised to hear he'd planned to bring you home with him.

He made sure everyone stayed away from you apart from the servants he'd commanded to help you bathe and dress properly. You dressed too much like a peasant for his liking, if he was going to make you his spouse, and he was, you should be drowning in silk and jewelry.

He even had his servants set up a second bed for you in his chambers, refusing to let you out of his sight, lest you tried to escape, or worse, someone tried to hurt you.

He refused to give his father any explanations, of course, though you refused to speak to him at all. That was fine, he told himself, you'd give in eventually, after all, he showered you in his love.

"Please, firefly, talk to me."

He sat himself next to you on the bed, barely awake, but already moving to be by your side. His tone was as desperate as his gaze was loving. Why wouldn't you talk to him yet? You didn't squirm away from his touch, so why did you refuse to speak?