Callan

I stood with my minister, discussing the latest developments for the kingdom. My words flowed automatically, the political intricacies second nature to me by now. But then my eyes caught her-Lily-in that green dress.

It was like the world tilted.

She didn't know, couldn't possibly know, how beautiful she looked. The way the dress hugged her figure, the silver threads glinting under the festival lights like starlight woven into fabric. My breath hitched. She was a goddess, untouched by the weight of this world, yet somehow at the very center of mine.

I tried to focus on the minister, nodding at the right moments, but my thoughts betrayed me, pulling back to her. She was laughing, her face alight with a joy so pure it made my chest ache. She was eating something one of the village women had given her, her free hand gesturing animatedly as she spoke. She was fitting in. More than fitting in-she was thriving.

And then man approached her.

A man. Tall, broad-shouldered, the kind who wouldn't have looked out of place as a warrior in my guard. He bowed slightly, a gesture of respect, before asking her for a dance.

My stomach twisted.

The feeling hit me like a blow to the chest-hot, sharp, and foreign. Possessiveness. Jealousy.

I excused myself from the minister without a second thought, my voice calm, even, though inside I was already striding toward her like a man with purpose. The man stepped back as soon as I reached them, my title and presence enough to command respect.

"She's dancing with me," I said, my tone firm but not unkind, not giving either of them a chance to protest.

The man hesitated, then nodded, stepping away with a murmured, "Of course, my leader."

I turned to Lily, her expression a mix of confusion and something else I couldn't quite place. Was it surprise? Amusement? I didn't know. I didn't care.

The truth was, I had no idea what I was doing either. This was new, uncharted. But with her, I was finding myself reacting in ways I never had before. Protective. Possessive. Hers.

As the music began,I took her hand, leading her to the open space where couples were already swaying to the soft melody of the village's traditional dance. She fit perfectly against me, closer than we'd ever been. I could feel the warmth of her breath, the soft rise and fall of her chest against mine. I noticed details I hadn't allowed myself to take in before--the faint scent of wildflowers and something uniquely her wrapping around me. My senses sharpened, zeroing in on every detail-the way her lips parted slightly as she tried to match my steps, the nervous bite of her lower lip, the quiet giggle when her foot accidentally nudged mine.With every passing second, I was more aware of her. Only her.

"You're a terrible dancer," I teased, my voice low, a thread of humor cutting through the tension that had been building between us.

She laughed softly, her cheeks coloring. "Maybe it's your teaching that's the problem."

I couldn't stop the smile that tugged at my lips, the sound of her laughter curling around my heart.

After the dance ended, I found myself reluctant to let her go. "There's something I want to show you," I said, my voice quieter now, more deliberate. "A cave, not far from here. It's... special. I think you'll like it."

She hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "Alright."

*********************************

The cave was vast, the walls adorned with glowing pink and green plants that shimmered like they were alive. In the center, a pond stretched wide, its water glowing a soft, ethereal blue that cast rippling light across the ceiling. It was the heart of the cave, alive and breathing with its own quiet magic.

Lily's eyes widened, the childlike wonder in her expression making me forget the weight of my responsibilities, my title. She wandered freely, her steps light, her voice a breathless whisper as she marveled at the glow.

"Callan, this is... incredible," she said, spinning to face me, her excitement infectious.

I didn't respond, too busy watching her, taking in the way the light reflected in her eyes, the way her hair framed her face.

She approached the edge of the pond, leaning forward to get a closer look. The ground beneath her shifted-a slope she hadn't noticed-and before either of us could react, she slipped, falling into the water with a loud splash.

"Lily!" I moved without thinking, reaching for her, but her hand caught mine and pulled me in after her.

The cold water shocked me, but her laughter warmed me instantly. She was giggling, her head thrown back, her hair plastered to her face, and for a moment, I forgot the world outside this cave.

"You're clumsy," I said, my voice laced with amusement, though I couldn't stop my own laughter from spilling out.

"So are you!" she shot back, splashing water in my direction.

We were soaked, our laughter echoing through the cave. But as the laughter faded, the space between us shifted. Became heavier. She was close-so close I could see the droplets of water clinging to her eyelashes, the flush of her cheeks, the curve of her lips.

I reached out, brushing the water from her face, my thumb tracing the line of her jaw. Her breath hitched, and in that moment, nothing else existed.

"You don't belong here," I murmured, my voice rough, my hand trembling slightly as it cupped her cheek. "But somehow, I don't want you anywhere else."

Her gaze locked with mine, wide and uncertain, but she didn't pull away. My eyes flicked to her lips, and I leaned closer, my voice barely a whisper.

"I'm going to kiss you, Stop me if you don't want."

She didn't stop me.

The kiss was soft, tentative, her lips warmer and sweeter than I had imagined. It wasn't enough. My hand slid into her hair, deepening the kiss, savoring the way she melted against me.

When we broke apart, her lips parted as if to speak, but before she could, the sound of voices echoed through the cave.

I pulled away, frustration flickering through me as I helped her to her feet.

By the time we reached the mansion, we were both soaked, our hair dripping and clothes clinging to us. She looked exhausted but radiant, her face glowing with something I couldn't quite place.

She murmured a soft goodnight and retreated to her room. I stood there for a long moment, watching the door close behind her.

I loved her.

The realization hit me like a wave, unrelenting and undeniable.And I knew, in that moment, that I was lost to her. Truly, deeply, in every way that mattered.