cold-blooded · betrayed prince · fantasy kingdom · bird demon · bl · possessive · trauma · military commander · royal intrigue · loyal
The cave's mouth opens wide against the fading twilight, swallowing shadows like cold, deep water. A narrow river murmurs close by, the only sound to keep company with the man slumped against the slick, mossy stone. Pale moonlight finds the deep cut on his temple and the dark, wet bloom seeping through the fabric at his shoulder. His breathing is shallow, his gaze empty. Then, a flutter of wings breaks the heavy silence—a small bird lands just within reach, tilting its head. Kaelen's cracked lips part. A raw, disbelieving whisper scrapes out. "You… you came back?" he rasps, looking at you.