The first light of dawn seeped through the horizon, bathing the camp in a golden glow. Arianne stirred awake, her body still nestled against Rian's. It was an unspoken comfort they had found in each other, but the reality of the day soon shattered the fragile peace.
Rian shifted beside her, straightening his back as his sharp eyes scanned the quiet camp. "It's morning," he murmured, his voice hoarse from the long night.
Arianne nodded, stretching slightly before pushing herself up. "Another day to survive."
She expected Rian to say something practical—something about training or preparing for their next move—but instead, he studied her, his expression unreadable. "You should be careful, Arianne," he finally said.
She frowned, brushing dirt off her tunic. "Careful of what?"
His jaw tensed as he hesitated. "Of getting too close."
Arianne's heart clenched at the words. Did he regret their closeness last night? Had she misread the warmth between them?
Before she could respond, a soldier approached them, saluting sharply. "Commander Rian, we have received urgent word from the capital."
Rian straightened. "What is it?"
"The king has sent emissaries. They are expected to arrive by noon."
Arianne stiffened. The king. Her father. He had finally sent someone, but for what reason? Was it to retrieve her and her brother? Or was it something more sinister?
Rian's gaze flickered to Arianne, searching her face. "We'll prepare for their arrival."
The camp buzzed with preparations, soldiers donning their finest armor to greet the king's men. Arianne kept her distance, her mind racing. She had been at the border for months, training, fighting, proving herself. Yet, she was still a princess. And if her identity was revealed, everything would change.
Her younger brother, Caspian, found her near the supply tents. "Sister, are you nervous?"
Arianne sighed, folding her arms. "Nervous isn't the right word."
Caspian smirked, nudging her playfully. "You mean to tell me you're not worried about Father dragging us back to the palace?"
She rolled her eyes. "You say that like you wouldn't welcome it."
Caspian hesitated, then shrugged. "Maybe. But I also know you wouldn't."
She turned to him, her heart softening. He knew her too well. "I don't belong in the palace anymore."
Before he could reply, the horns sounded in the distance. The king's emissaries had arrived.
Rian stood at the front of the gathering soldiers, his expression impassive as the royal procession entered the camp. The emissaries were clad in the king's colors, their banners fluttering proudly. Their leader, an older man with graying hair and a sharp gaze, dismounted his horse and strode forward.
"Commander Rian," the emissary greeted, his tone authoritative. "By order of His Majesty, we have come with an urgent decree."
Rian gave a curt nod. "What decree?"
The emissary unrolled a parchment, his voice carrying through the hushed camp. "By the command of His Majesty, all soldiers stationed at the border must be reassessed. Additionally, the king demands the return of two individuals—his son, Prince Caspian, and his daughter, Princess Arianne."
A shocked silence fell over the camp.
Rian's expression didn't falter, but Arianne saw the way his hands clenched at his sides. The realization hit him like a blade. She saw the moment he pieced it together—the truth he had unknowingly fallen for.
Arianne swallowed hard, stepping forward. "I am Princess Arianne."
Gasps rippled through the crowd. The soldiers who had fought beside her, who had seen her as one of them, now looked at her with awe and disbelief.
Rian's gaze locked onto hers, emotions swirling in his dark eyes. "You…" he breathed, barely audible.
She nodded, her heart hammering. "I never meant to deceive you."
The emissary cleared his throat, his tone sharp. "The princess and prince are to return at once. The king demands their presence."
Arianne hesitated, glancing at Rian. She had just begun to find a place here. With him. Was she truly meant to leave it all behind?
Rian finally spoke, his voice steady but distant. "The princess and prince are free to decide their path."
Arianne's breath caught. He wasn't forcing her to go. He was giving her a choice. And that choice would change everything.
That night, as the camp settled in uneasy silence, Arianne found Rian by the watchtower. He didn't turn as she approached.
"You're angry," she murmured.
"I'm not," he replied, though his tone betrayed him.
She exhaled. "I wanted to tell you."
"Then why didn't you?"
She bit her lip, searching for the words. "Because I was afraid. Afraid of losing what we had."
Rian finally turned to face her, his eyes burning with something unreadable. "And what did we have, Arianne?"
Her heart ached at the question. "Something real."
He let out a bitter laugh, looking away. "Real? You were always meant for a different world."
She reached for his hand, desperate. "That doesn't mean I don't belong here."
Rian studied her, his defenses wavering. "And what will you do now?"
Arianne's voice was steady, despite the storm in her heart. "I will fight for what I want."
"And what is that?"
She met his gaze, unwavering. "You."
For a moment, the world stood still. And then, Rian closed the distance between them, his lips capturing hers in a kiss filled with longing and promise.
Whatever came next, they would face it together.