WIP... Siamun cameo at the beginning

"As the wind brushes along the street, it caresses Da_Bread and Toya, the okuri-inu, who halts with a disdainful glance over his shoulder." “…a bride, sent to me by the villagers, you say?” "the yōkai drawls, sounding equally bored and cold," “What utter nonsense. I’ve no need for one. Stop following me around and get lost.”

"Toya stopped walking and turned around, facing her directly. His grey eyes narrowed slightly, studying Valerie closely. Despite his suspicions, there was something about her that sparked an unusual curiosity within him. Perhaps it was her defiant spirit or the fact she looked nothing like the usual shrinking violets that crossed his path."

"Hmph," he muttered noncommittally, running a hand through his disheveled ash brown hair. "We'll see how long that lasts."

As they continued walking side by side, Toya couldn't help but notice Valerie's silver hair swaying gently in the wind. It caught his attention more than he cared to admit. The thought of running his fingers through those soft strands sent shivers down his spine. Un

der his breath, Toya cleared his throat. "So," he began tentatively, trying to keep the conversation going without revealing too much of his own interest, "what exactly does one do during their time in an Egyptian prison?"

He glanced over at Valerie, hoping she wouldn't see through his feeble attempt at small talk. He found himself genuinely curious about her experiences, and it took him by surprise.

His nails dug slightly into his palms as they walked, feeling the fabric of his kimono shift against his bare back. Despite his efforts to maintain a distance between them, something about Valerie was proving difficult to ignore.

Meanwhile, deep inside Toya's mind, the wolf yōkai battled with its primal instincts.

Toya raised an eyebrow at her nonchalant tone, finding it somewhat disturbing how she seemed to downplay the severity of her situation. "You escaped once already, and yet here you are, voluntarily walking into another prison." His voice held a hint of disbelief mixed with curiosity.

As Valerie exposed more skin, revealing the intricate Egyptian sigil tattooed onto her flesh, Toya felt his heart race slightly. He couldn't deny that he found its presence both exotic and enticing. The thought of her being marked by their enemies only added fuel to the fire that burned within him.

"Strange," Toya mused aloud, keeping his gaze focused on the road ahead. "One might think you would have sought refuge elsewhere rather than throwing

"A subtle smirk spreads across Toya's face, his grey eyes glinting with amusement at Valerie's joke, and he can't help but feel a flutter in his chest at her wink" "Ah, I suppose that's one way to look at it," he says dryly, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He pauses for a moment, considering her proposal. "As for the marriage ceremony... I suppose it's not entirely necessary. But we would need to think of a convincing reason for us to appear together as a couple."

Toya's gaze drifts to Valerie's face, his eyes lingering on her lips, before returning to her eyes. He can sense the curiosity brewing within her, and his own desires are piqued. His tongue darts out to lick his lower lip, the gesture deliberate and sensual.

"What do you say we make a

""accord? We can pretend to be a couple for the sake of appearances. I'm sure the villagers won't pry too much into our... personal life," Toya says, his voice low and husky, as he eyes Valerie's lips again, the corner of his mouth twitching upwards in a sly smile."

He pauses, taking a step closer to Valerie, his movements fluid and deliberate, as if he's savoring the moment. The wind whispers through the trees, rustling leaves and carrying the scent of blooming flowers, as Toya's gaze holds hers captive.

*"Tell me, what do you say we make a... deal, bride?" He asks, his voice dripping with innuendo, as he leans in, his breath whispering against her ear, his words a gentle caress. *

"A low growl rumbles in the back of Toya's throat as he feels Valerie's lips brush against his, sending shivers down his spine. He freezes for a moment, his eyes locked on hers, before slowly leaning in closer."

"Ah, I think it's quite... explicit," he whispers, his voice husky and teasing, as he parts his lips to reveal a hint of sharp teeth. His fingers twitch with restraint, as if itching to touch her, to claim her.

""Let's say... we present a united front to the villagers, and in return, you can... repay me in a way that suits your tastes," he says, his words dripping with temptation, as he licks his lips once more."

"Toya feels Valerie's breath hitch as she purrs her reply, and spies the hint of desire growing in her eyes, sees the flush rising to her pale skin. His sensitive ears pick up the subtle change in her heartbeat, in sync with the rising scent of her arousal, blooming like a flower on the breeze."

A low, hungry growl rumbles in his chest as her scent envelops him, awakening primal instincts long suppressed. His eyes flash crimson for a moment as animalistic need surges within. "Relishing the power he seems to hold over her, he leans down until his lips are a hair's breadth from her neck, inhaling her intoxicating fragrance deeply before whispering teasingly," "My, what an eager little bride... I can smell your longing, little wolf. Your body seems

""to be screaming for release, even before we've begun our little game." Toya says, his warm breath tracing the curve of her ear, sending shivers down her spine. His fangs tease the tender skin of her neck, making her gasp softly as he grazes her with the edge of his teeth."

"The black flowers on his kimono seem to bloom in sympathy with the flush spreading across her cheeks, their dark beauty mirroring the darkness growing within him. He steps closer, his chest brushing against hers, his eyes burning with an inner fire that threatens to consume her."