Rhea reached toward the dresser, fingers closing around a thin chain. She didn't turn. She just held it up behind her shoulder.
"Tie this," she said quietly.
Ling's eyes dropped to the chain, then to Rhea's bare neck reflected in the mirror. For a second she didn't move.
"…You're commanding again," Ling murmured.
Rhea tilted her head slightly, exposing more skin. "Are you going to complain or kneel?"
Ling exhaled a short laugh and stepped closer. She went down behind Rhea, the movement unhurried, deliberate. Her fingers brushed Rhea's nape as she lifted the chain, cool metal grazing warm skin.
"You know," Ling said softly as she worked the clasp, "this position is dangerous for me."
Rhea smirked. "Everything is dangerous for you."
Ling fastened the chain, her knuckles lingering a second too long. Then—almost absentmindedly—she pressed a brief kiss to the side of Rhea's neck. Just there.
Rhea stiffened for half a heartbeat.
Ling froze. "If I tell you something," she said quickly, "will you get angry?"
Rhea didn't answer right away. She met Ling's eyes in the mirror instead. "Say it."
Ling hesitated, then rushed it out, half-guilty, half-amused.
"Ah—okay—so—the glass wasn't exactly—"
Rhea cut in calmly. "Opaque?"
Ling blinked. "…Yeah."
A beat.
Ling frowned. "Wait. How did you—"
Rhea turned slowly on the stool, facing her fully now. "I knew."
Ling's mouth parted. "You—knew?"
Rhea nodded once. "Anyone would know."
Ling searched her face. "So you knew I was watching?"
Rhea's lips curved. "Yes."
Ling swallowed. "And you still—"
"I wanted you to," Rhea said simply.
That did it.
Before Ling could process the words, Rhea grabbed the front of Ling's collar, and pulled her in. The kiss was hard, claiming, long enough to steal the breath right out of Ling's lungs. No hesitation. No softness. Just intent.
When Rhea finally pulled back, Ling was visibly stunned—eyes dark, cheeks flushed, breath uneven.
Rhea leaned in just enough to whisper, voice low and dangerous in its confidence,
"My future spouse can see me naked."
She gave Ling a slow wink.
Ling stared at her for a full second, completely undone. Breathing hard. "…You're evil."
Rhea smiled sweetly. "I know."
Ling turned her face away, trying—and failing—to hide the color creeping up her neck. "You're going to kill me before marriage."
Rhea tapped the chain at her throat. "Then don't kneel so easily."
Ling glanced back at her, helplessly smiling now. "Too late." She covered her face with both hands.
"Ughhh," she groaned, half-laughing, half-mortified. "You're actually impossible. Do you know that?"
Rhea stood, stretching her arms like nothing just happened. Calm. Dangerous. Completely unaffected.
"I'm hungry," she said simply. "Breakfast?"
Ling peeked at her through her fingers. "That's it? You wreck my brain and now—breakfast?"
Rhea tilted her head. "Yes. Food. Humans eat it in the morning."
Ling dropped her hands, staring at her. "You're not even embarrassed."
Rhea shrugged. "Why would I be?"
Ling scoffed, standing properly now. "You knew I was watching. You let me. Then you kissed me like that. And now you want toast."
Rhea walked past her, stopping just enough to look back over her shoulder.
"I warned you," she said lightly. "I don't do things halfway."
Ling followed her instinctively. "You enjoy this. Confusing me."
Rhea smiled. "You enjoy being confused."
Ling opened her mouth to argue, then closed it. "…Annoyingly true."
They stepped into the hallway. Ling glanced both ways automatically, lowering her voice.
"My mother is already hunting. If she sees you—"
Rhea cut in. "—you'll panic?"
Ling bristled. "I do not panic."
Rhea arched an eyebrow. "You hid me in your room."
"That was strategic," Ling shot back.
Rhea laughed softly. "Sure."
They reached the stairs. Ling slowed, suddenly more aware of reality returning—family, eyes, consequences.
"You'll have to act normal," Ling muttered.
Rhea leaned closer, whispering just for her.
"I am normal."
Ling groaned again. "You're a menace."
Rhea stepped down the stairs first, confidence intact. "And you're hungry too. Don't lie."
Ling watched her for a second—this girl in her house, in her space, in her life—then followed.
"…Fine. Breakfast," she said. "But if Dadi starts teasing, I'm blaming you."
Rhea smiled without turning back.
"Deal."
Ling muttered under her breath, "You go back to room. I'll bring breakfast."
Rhea stopped walking immediately. "No."
Ling blinked. "No?"
Rhea turned to face her, eyes bright with mischief. "Do some adventure."
Ling stared at her like she'd lost her mind. Then she mimicked her tone mockingly, whispering harshly,
"Adventure. Yes. Great idea. My mother will personally teach us adventure if she sees you."
Rhea smiled wider. "You're scared."
Ling straightened. "I am not scared."
Rhea stepped closer. "Then why are you whispering?"
Ling hissed, "Because my house has ears."
They were already near the kitchen when Ling abruptly froze.
"Too late," Ling murmured.
Rhea frowned. "What?"
Ling grabbed Rhea by the wrist and yanked her sideways just as they reached the kitchen entrance.
Eliza was there.
Standing at the counter. Coffee cup in hand. Calm. Awake. Sharp eyes scanning the room like she owned it—because she did.
Ling reacted on instinct.
She pushed Rhea behind the tall pantry wall, one hand braced against the shelf, the other hovering in front of Rhea like a silent command: don't breathe.
Rhea's eyes widened—not with fear, but with disbelief.
You hid me… in the kitchen? her expression said.
Ling leaned in just enough to whisper, teeth clenched,
"If you make a sound, I swear—"
Rhea mouthed silently, you swear what?
Ling shot her a glare so intense it could kill. Rhea bit her lip to stop smiling.