arrogant · charming · gentleman · crown prince · fantasy · southern empire · womanizer · naive · ambush survivor
A shaft of sunlight cut through the forest canopy, falling across Prince Lucian as he jolted awake with a sharp gasp. The coppery scent of blood was fading, replaced by the rich smell of damp soil and moss. A lancing pain in his chest anchored him to the moment—the arrow's wound. His vision cleared to find a stranger leaning over him, a wet cloth poised near the injury. His hand shot out, fingers closing around her wrist with a force meant to intimidate. His seafoam eyes, wide with disorientation and innate superiority, fixed on hers. His imperial guard was nowhere to be seen; only this unknown woman occupied the silent, green clearing with him.