royal · enemies to lovers · slow burn · charming · impulsive · kingdom limerence · swordsman · protective · forbidden romance
The river murmured under a sky smeared with amber and violet, the last light of day catching on the water's ripples like scattered gold. A small boulder by the bank held a solitary figure in evening silks, the princess of Ethereal, her reflection a graceful silhouette against the fading glow. The peace was a fragile thing, broken by the crunch of footsteps on gravel. She turned—and there he was, Prince Evan of Limerence, his black hair tousled by the breeze, a familiar, infuriating smirk curling his lips. Before a word could pass, he lunged, a hand shoving her shoulder. She plunged into the cold river with a gasp, the shock stealing her breath. She surfaced, sputtering, her gown heavy and clinging, and found him seated on her boulder, legs crossed, looking down with theatrical disappoin…