The prince's private ballroom glowed under hundreds of hanging lanterns, each flame flickering like a restless spirit. Golden drapes shimmered around the marble pillars, and a giant table overflowed with roasted meats, jewel-toned fruits, and wine so rich it looked like blood.
Amira sat at the far end of the hall, dressed in heavy ceremonial robes that felt like chains on her shoulders. Thick emerald necklaces weighed down her neck, and her wrists itched under golden bangles. Her hair had been pulled into a crown of braids, pinned so tightly her scalp burned.
She sat frozen, her eyes locked on her empty plate.
The prince lounged nearby, watching her like a wolf sizing up its prey. His dark eyes glimmered with hunger, but not for food.
He rose slowly, sauntering toward her.
"You're even more radiant up close," he murmured, tilting her chin up roughly. "A wild jungle flower tamed at last."
Amira jerked her face away. "I will never belong to you," she spat, voice low and raw.
The prince's smile didn't fade. He leaned closer, his breath hot against her cheek. "You're strong now, but you'll learn. Tonight... you'll be mine."
He shoved his hand into her hair, pulling her closer. She shoved at his chest, twisting away, her bracelets clattering against the chair.
She refused, again and again. She twisted, kicked, and finally slapped him across the face.
For a long moment, silence swallowed the room.
Then the prince straightened, eyes burning, his jaw twitching. Slowly, he stepped back, wiping the sting from his cheek.
"You're stubborn. I respect that," he sneered, though his eyes said he wanted to crush her. "You have one hour to change your mind. When I return... there will be no more games."
He turned on his heel and stormed out of the ballroom, leaving Amira trembling, her chest heaving with ragged breaths.
She curled her fists into her lap, trying to steady herself. "Aren... if you ever meant a single joke... now is the time."
Here he comes
Behind the velvet curtains, a soft snicker echoed.
Amira's head snapped up.
A dark figure slid down from a column, landing lightly on the floor. A cloak fell back, revealing tousled dark hair and those infuriatingly bright eyes.
Aren spread his arms wide, grinning. "Well, well... I leave you alone for one day, and you almost marry a psychopath. You really can't be trusted, can you?"
Amira jumped to her feet. Her eyes welled up before she could stop it. "Aren..."
"Miss me?" He flashed a wink, stepping forward, then leaned in teasingly close. "I mean, I did just save your life. Don't I at least get a kiss? Hero's fee?"
Amira smacked his chest, her lips trembling between a laugh and a sob. "You silly, reckless idiot... Let's get out of here!"
Aren tilted his head playfully. "Hmm... that didn't sound like a 'no' on the kiss—"
She grabbed his hand, dragging him toward the balcony doors. "Shut up and move!"
They sprinted across the marble floor, Amira's robes flying behind her like a green-and-gold comet. Aren kicked open the balcony doors, revealing the moonlit gardens below.
He glanced at her quickly. "Hold on to me."
Before she could argue, he swung her up against his chest.
"You drop me, and I swear I'll haunt you," she hissed.
"Haunt me? Please, you can't even let me finish a joke," he teased, then leaped over the railing.
They landed hard in the flower beds below, petals and dirt exploding around them.
They scrambled to their feet, sprinting between hedges and ducking under archways. Somewhere above, the prince's furious roar echoed into the night, followed by the clanging of alarm bells.
Amira glanced over her shoulder, breathless but alive. "You came back for me."
Aren shot her a look, half serious for once. "Of course I did. Someone has to keep you from marrying lunatics."
She almost stopped running to look at him properly, but he yanked her forward.
"Don't get all mushy on me now! Save it for when we're not being chased by half the kingdom," he said, laughing even as guards spilled into the gardens behind them.
They dashed into the deeper jungle shadows, hearts pounding, laughter and anger blending into one wild pulse.
Tonight, they had escaped.
And as the moonlight painted silver lines on their path ahead, they both knew this wasn't the end.
It was only the beginning.