There was nowhere left to go.

Rosaline’s back met the firm line of the tent’s inner pole, the fabric barely shifting behind her as the faint night wind pressed against it from the outside. The soft glow of the lantern cast shadows that danced along the walls, stretching and bending as though the space itself had grown smaller....closing in, tightening around the moment that now held her completely still.

And he was still coming closer.

Each step Xandros took was unhurried, deliberate, as though he had all the time in the world and she had none at all. His presence filled the tent long before he reached her, his gaze fixed on her in a way that made it impossible to look away, no matter how much she wanted to.

Her breath faltered.

Her fingers curled slightly at her sides.

"What... are you doing?" she whispered.

The question came out softer than she intended, her voice barely carrying past the space between them, yet he heard it clearly.

He always did.

Xandros stopped just a step away from her.

Close enough that she could see the subtle shift in his expression, the faint lift at the corner of his lips....not quite a smile, but something that suggested he found her reaction... interesting.

"I want to kiss you."

The words landed without hesitation.

Without embarrassment.

Without anything to soften them.

Rosaline’s eyes widened instantly.

"What?" she breathed, the single word breaking from her before she could stop it.

But he did not repeat himself.

Instead...

He leaned in.

Slowly.

The space between them began to dissolve, inch by inch, until she could feel it...the warmth of his breath brushing against her skin, light at first, then more distinct, more present. It ghosted across her lips, her cheek, the curve of her jaw, sending an unfamiliar shiver down her spine.

Her heart began to race.

Too fast.

Too loud.

She could hear it in her ears.

Feel it in her chest.

His hand lifted.

Rosaline flinched slightly, the movement instinctive, but he did not stop. His fingers slid gently beneath her chin, firm yet controlled as he tilted her face upward, guiding her gaze back to his.

"You keep running away," he murmured softly.

"I’m not...." she started, but the words faded when his thumb brushed lightly along her jaw.

"Then stay."

Her breath caught.

There was something in the way he said it....not commanding, not forceful....but certain. As though he had already decided what would happen next, and she was only just realizing it.

Her throat tightened.

She swallowed.

The small movement did not go unnoticed.

Xandros’ gaze flickered, his eyes darkening slightly as he leaned closer still, the distance between them now so small it felt almost nonexistent.

Rosaline could feel the warmth building inside her....starting in her chest, spreading outward, settling somewhere deep in her stomach in a way that made her unsteady.

Her thoughts scattered.

Her body forgot how to react.

And then....

He closed the space.

His lips met hers.

Softly.

A brief, controlled touch...nothing like the ceremonial kiss at the altar, nothing distant or performed. This was different. Intentional. Personal.

And then....

It was gone.

Just like that.

The warmth disappeared as quickly as it came, leaving behind only the echo of it, lingering faintly against her lips.

Xandros stepped back.

As though nothing had happened.

"You should sleep," he said, his tone returning to that calm, measured cadence. "Tomorrow will be... chaotic."

And without waiting for a response....

He turned.

And left.

The silence that followed was deafening.

Rosaline remained where she stood, unmoving, her mind struggling to catch up with what had just happened.

Her fingers lifted slowly, almost hesitantly, pressing lightly against her lips as though to confirm that it had been real.

It had been.

Her breath came out uneven.

"That was..." she murmured under her breath, but the words refused to form properly.

Because she didn’t understand it.

The kiss at the altar had been formal....expected, distant, almost meaningless in its execution.

But this...

This had been something else entirely.

Something that lingered.

Something that made her chest feel tight in a way she could not explain.

And what confused her more....

Was the quiet, unsettling realization that followed.

She wanted more.

The thought struck her suddenly, sharply enough to make her inhale quickly, her eyes widening slightly as though she had caught herself doing something wrong.

"No," she whispered, shaking her head faintly.

But the feeling remained.

Unfamiliar.

Persistent.

She turned quickly, moving toward the bed as though distance might help clear her thoughts, and dropped onto it, pulling the covers up as she buried her face in the pillow.

Her hands came up immediately, covering her face.

Her skin felt warm.

Too warm.

"This is ridiculous," she muttered into the fabric.

She exhaled slowly, forcing herself to calm down.

Don’t think about it.

Just sleep.

She closed her eyes.

And pretended.

The sound of footsteps reached her ears not long after.

Soft.

Measured.

Her heart skipped.

She remained still, her breathing even, though every part of her was suddenly aware again, waiting, listening.

Is he back?

The thought came unbidden, hopeful in a way she didn’t want to acknowledge.

The footsteps drew closer.

Then....

A voice.

"Princess?"

Not his.

Rosaline’s eyes opened instantly.

Disappointment flickered across her face before she could stop it.

She sat up slowly, pushing the covers aside as she looked toward the entrance.

An attendant stood there, bowing slightly, a tray balanced carefully in her hands.

"I have brought your meal, my lady."

Rosaline nodded faintly.

"Thank you."

The attendant stepped inside, placing the tray on the low table before retreating slightly.

Rosaline moved toward it, settling down as she picked up the food, though her gaze drifted almost unconsciously toward the entrance again.

Waiting.

Hoping.

The attendant noticed.

A small, knowing look crossed her face before she spoke gently.

"His Grace is occupied at the moment."

Rosaline blinked, her attention snapping back.

"I was not...." she started, then stopped herself.

"...I see."

She lowered her gaze, focusing on her food.

The meal was simple but well-prepared, warm enough to ease the lingering chill of the night. She ate slowly, though her thoughts continued to wander, drifting back to the moment she had tried so hard to ignore.

When she finished, exhaustion finally began to settle over her properly.

This time....

Sleep came.

Morning arrived quickly.

Too quickly.

Rosaline stirred slowly, her body still heavy with sleep as she shifted slightly, her hand brushing against the space beside her.

Cool.

Completely undisturbed.

Her eyes opened.

She turned her head slightly, confirming what she had already felt.

Empty.

And not recently.

A faint crease formed between her brows.

He didn’t come back.

The thought lingered for a moment before she pushed it aside, sitting up and stretching slightly.

There was no time to dwell on it.

Not now.

She rose, stepping out of the tent where the morning air greeted her, cool and crisp against her skin.

An attendant approached immediately, carrying a basin of water.

"My lady."

Rosaline nodded, allowing her to assist with her morning routine, washing away the remnants of sleep as she prepared for the day ahead.

When she was done....

She looked up.

And saw him.

Xandros stood a short distance away, already prepared, his posture relaxed yet commanding as always.

For a brief moment....

She forgot what she was supposed to say.

Then she stepped forward.

"My lord," she greeted softly.

His gaze shifted to her immediately.

"How was your night?" he asked.

The question was simple.

But it carried weight.

Rosaline hesitated.

Just slightly.

"It was... fine," she answered.

Before he could respond....

Seth appeared.

Quick.

Urgent.

He leaned in slightly, whispering something into Xandros’ ear.

Rosaline couldn’t hear the words, but she saw the shift....the subtle tightening of his expression, the way his gaze sharpened just a fraction.

Then he looked at her.

"We need to move," he said. "We head to Dagon immediately."

Her posture straightened.

"I understand."

"You will ride with me."

There was no hesitation in his tone.

Rosaline nodded.

"Yes."

Seth stepped back, giving a small bow before moving away once more.

Breakfast was brought shortly after.

Rosaline sat quietly, eating a piece of bread, her gaze drifting occasionally toward Xandros, who stood nearby, seemingly uninterested in the meal.

After a moment, she spoke.

"You’re not eating?"

He glanced at her.

A faint smirk touched his lips.

"Are you concerned about me?"

Her expression shifted immediately.

"I was just asking."

"Mm."

He tilted his head slightly.

"How thoughtful."

Rosaline exhaled softly.

"Never mind."

"I am not hungry," he said simply. "I will eat when I need to."

She nodded.

And continued eating.

When she finished, they moved toward the horses.

Xandros mounted his with effortless ease, his movements fluid, controlled, as though it required no thought at all.

Then he extended his hand.

"Come."

Rosaline hesitated for only a second before placing her hand in his.

The next moment....

She was lifted.

Easily.

As though she weighed nothing at all.

She settled in front of him, her back pressing lightly against his chest as he adjusted their position.

A quiet chuckle escaped him.

Rosaline rolled her eyes.

"Rest," he said. "It will be easier that way."

His breath brushed lightly against her neck.

And instantly....

Her thoughts betrayed her.

The memory of the night before returned without warning, vivid and unrelenting.

Her face flushed.

Heat rising quickly.

"What is wrong?" he asked.

"Nothing," she said quickly. "It’s just the breeze."

"You are lying."

She stiffened.

"The last time you looked like this," he continued calmly, "was last night."

That—

Was enough.

Without thinking—

She jabbed her elbow backward.

Directly into his stomach.

A sharp sound escaped him.

Rosaline froze.

"...I—"

But before she could finish—

Her balance shifted.

Her body tilted forward suddenly, the movement unexpected as she slipped slightly from the saddle.

Her breath caught....

And she began to fall.