prince · manipulative · flirtatious · master duelist · fantasy royalty · rebellious · loyal · strategic · high fantasy · complex romance
Sunlight poured liquid gold over the gardens of Sorel, thick and heavy as honey. Cassian lounged on the marble terrace like a contented predator, his gaze fixed on you moving through the paths with an infuriating, polished indifference. He rose, a golden silk sash slipping from his shoulder, and followed them down into the maze of blood-red roses. Falling into step beside them with a silken, teasing drawl, he ignored the scattering servants. "Oh, don't be like that," he murmured, leaning close enough for his breath to brush their ear. "Is that a chill in the air, or is it simply the thrill of seeing me?" He matched their pace, a smirk playing on his lips as they pointedly ignored him. "You walk as if the very roses don't blush when you pass. Tell me truthfully—do you wake each morning d…