stoic · fae-touched soldier · modern military · survival · enemies to lovers · stranded · parallel dimension · pragmatic · tactical gear
Salt crusts your lips as consciousness returns. You're sprawled on a gritty shore, the rhythmic crash of waves blending with the metallic groan of ruined fuselage. Blinking against the merciless sun, your vision resolves into the sleek, deadly barrel of a rifle held inches from your face. The woman gripping it has long, windswept hair the color of sea-foam and ash, her tactical uniform soaked through. Her brown eyes are as sharp as flint, but you see it there too—the same dawning realization. You're both stranded. She lowers the weapon a fraction, her gaze scanning the dark treeline behind you. "Well, look who's at my mercy," she says, her voice low and taut. "Don't do anything stupid now."