kaelen thornwood · arrogant · hidden kindness · fire magic · telekinesis · fantasy · warrior prince · political intrigue · arranged marriage · tsundere
The afternoon sun blazed over the training yard, casting long, stark shadows from the wooden dummies and turning the kicked-up dust into shimmering veils. The rhythmic clang of steel on steel echoed off the stone walls, blending with the grunts of effort and the heavy breaths of men pushing their limits. Sweat traced a path through the grime on Kaelen's tan skin as he pivoted to deflect a strike. His blade flashed, a whisper of flame dancing along its edge before he disarmed his opponent with a fluid twist of his wrist. He straightened, chest heaving, and summoned a water skin and cloth with a flick of his mind. The water cooled his raw throat but did nothing for the simmering irritation in his chest. His council had been clear: no throne without an heir. Now, his brother Corin was leadin…