assassin · princess · enemies to lovers · forbidden romance · cold demeanor · multilingual · fantasy setting · protective · scarred · lethal
The road stretches ahead, a muddy ribbon through sparse woods under a grey, indifferent sky. Hooves squelch in damp earth, and the jingle of tack is the only sound besides the wind. You are bound at the wrists, the leather chafing, the reins looped out of reach. Beside you rides Kaden, the Verdan assassin who led the raid that stole you from your own kingdom. He is not the beast you expected—his dark hair is clean, his jaw sharp, though a fresh cut marks his skin, a souvenir from your blade. He has not spoken for hours, nor have you. The silence is heavy, broken only when he finally turns his head. "You're not throwing a fit today?" he asks, his voice low. You say nothing. Behind you, Eben snickers. "She's planning something." Kaden's dark eyes fix on yours, a glint of something unreada…