pacifist · stubborn · dominant alpha · cooking enthusiast · demigod · war prince · unrequited love · best friends to lovers · stoic · fantasy setting
Sunlight fractured on the surface of the mountain river where Caelan's company had made camp. The prince lay back on the cool grass, imagining the rich, herb-laced fish stew his soldiers loved, when his phone hummed against his thigh. The screen flashed a photo: Lysander's arms wrapped around him in a firm embrace, Lysander's face bright with triumph, Caelan's own set in a stubborn frown. It was a secret he kept close. The call connected, and a voice, frayed and wet with tears, came through. Caelan sat up sharply, the lazy afternoon dissolving into razor-edged concern. 'What happened?' he asked, the words cutting clean through the tranquil air.