Turns out his house was on top of a hill—and it looked surprisingly big for someone like him. Just as I was admiring it, he suddenly picked me up in a bridal style, catching me completely off guard.
"What are you doing?! Put me down! I can walk on my own. You'll just get tired," I protested, squirming in his arms.
He didn't even flinch. "It's fine. I've carried my mother like this before... and you're way lighter," he said calmly, walking up the slope without breaking a sweat.
I stared at him for a moment before sighing and wrapping my arms around his neck. There wasn't much point in arguing. The sun was glaring, and I could see beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Silently, I lifted my sleeve and wiped them away.
He didn't complain. He just kept going, never letting me see a hint of strain even in this heat. Something warm stirred in my chest. I giggled softly, leaning in to plant a kiss on his cheek... and then the corner of his lips.
"Don't cause trouble. Be good," he muttered without looking at me.
"Why? You don't like it?" I teased, trailing my fingers playfully along his jawline.
He let out a quiet sigh, eyes flicking toward mine. "Wait till we get there."
I blushed instantly and nodded, hiding my grin. It took more than ten minutes to finally reach the top.
The place was stunning—lush green grass, open space, and a small wooden house right in the middle surrounded by tall trees.
The sky above was a perfect blue... but my attention was all on Kazariel. He gently set me down on my feet.
I looked up at him. "You must be tired. Is there any way I can help?" I whispered, reaching out to cradle his face and wipe the sweat from his temple. He didn't say a word. He just pulled me into his arms. I blinked, confused at first, then smiled and rested my head against his chest, patting him softly.
Later, he showed me his mother's grave, hidden just behind the wooden house. I noticed the shift in his face—the way his expression darkened with quiet sorrow. Even now, even while mourning, he was worried about me. He asked if I wanted to eat something. I had another plan in mind.
"Water," I said sweetly. He nodded and walked into the house to get it. The moment he was gone, I brought two fingers to my lips and whistled, calling the birds nearby. Two of them fluttered down to me, perching on the wooden fence. "Do any of you know the woman buried here?" I asked softly. They chirped in response, and when they nodded, I felt a chill.
They led me toward a tree near the corner of the property. There, I knelt down and started digging into the soil with my hands.
"What are you doing?" Kazariel's voice made me jolt. He had returned with the glass of water, frowning when he saw what I was doing. "Stop that. Tell me what you want to dig for—I'll do it," he said firmly. He placed the glass down and gently took my hands away.
They were already red and scraped from digging. He wiped them clean and handed me the glass.
"Dig it up," I insisted, eyes burning with urgency. "Now." He hesitated only a second before nodding and digging where I had started. He looked confused, but kept going until his hands hit something solid. A small, worn-out wooden box. His fingers trembled as he lifted it from the ground, the weight of memory and mystery pressing down on both of us.
Just as I'd suspected, the box was something his mother had hidden for him. Poor Kazariel—he hadn't even been by her side at the end. She couldn't tell him herself, but thankfully, the birds who witnessed her bury it led me to it.
Inside, there were folded papers, a few pieces of her jewelry, and a small heart-shaped locket.
As I carefully opened one of the notes, I read her words aloud softly, almost like a whisper to the wind.
"Ooh, look at this... even in her final breath, she was wishing only for your happiness," I muttered, smiling bitterly. "She wanted you to live a good life, full of joy."
Kazariel said nothing. He just quietly placed the letter back and picked up the locket. Inside it was a faded picture—his mother smiling brightly, and beside her... a much younger version of him. A teenage Kazariel with a soft, carefree smile.
"Is that you? You were adorable," I said, my voice light, trying to make him smile. He didn't. I glanced at him. He was completely silent, his fingers curled around the little locket, knuckles tight.
My heart softened. I knelt beside him and gently took the locket from his hands. "Your mother was beautiful," I said sincerely, brushing my thumb over the photo. "Do you want to wear it?"
He nodded once—small and hesitant, like a sad puppy. My heart ached. I reached forward and carefully clasped the necklace around his neck. He held the pendant in his hands, staring at it quietly.
"Don't be sad," I whispered, ruffling his hair gently. "She wouldn't want that." He nodded again, then suddenly pulled me into a tight hug. His face buried in the crook of my neck. I giggled softly, hugging him back. But my laughter faded the moment a bird swooped down and chirped a message in my ear. My smile dropped.
"What's wrong?" Kazariel asked immediately, brushing a strand of hair from my face. His touch was soft, concerned.
I swallowed hard. "The...royal guards. They found this place. They're coming."
He went still. "Why? You don't want to go with them?"
"No!" I snapped, shaking my head. "I don't want to go anywhere. I want to stay with you."
His expression changed, his hands falling to his sides. He turned his face away. "You shouldn't. I think... the King's gotten the message by now. It's time for you to go."
It felt like my soul had been ripped out. "What do you mean?" I whispered. "You don't want me with you anymore?"
He wouldn't look at me. Wouldn't meet my eyes. That hurt even more.
Anger bubbled up. I stormed toward him, grabbed his face with both hands, forcing him to look at me. "Are you kidding me right now?! You told me you wanted to keep me safe in your arms. Now you're just pushing me away?" Still nothing.
I didn't hold back. I kissed him. Hard. His eyes widened in shock, and I could feel his hands trying to gently push me away—but I didn't let go. I deepened the kiss, biting his lip slightly before pulling away, breathless.
"Don't act like you don't care," I said, my voice shaking. "I know it. You know it. Don't lie to me, Kazariel. If I leave... who the hell are you going to live for then?"
His eyes flickered—just for a moment—and I saw it. That spark. That truth he was trying so hard to bury.
He wiped the blood from his lip, trying to stay composed. "Don't overthink it. You need to go. I don't care."
"Fine," I snapped. "Say it, then. Look into my eyes and say it clearly—say you'll be fine without me."
He stared at me for a long moment... but said nothing. My hands balled into fists, tears prickling in my eyes, when we suddenly heard it—shouting, footsteps. The guards had arrived. I turned in panic, only to see them rushing in with swords drawn, surrounding us.
"No!" I shouted, jumping in front of Kazariel, arms spread wide to shield him. "Don't you dare touch him!"
They paused, confused, unsure.
"Your Highness, please come back with us," one of them said carefully. "The King is very worried about you."
I bit my lip hard, turning to glance at Kazariel. "Say something," I whispered. "Tell them you don't want me to go."
He met my eyes... and then said quietly,
"Go. I'll be fine."
Something inside me cracked.
"You're a liar, Kazariel," I choked out, hot tears spilling down my cheeks. "Such a big liar."
The guards and knights forced me to return. I didn't want to—I couldn't—but I had no choice. When I looked back, Kazariel didn't even glance my way. He didn't stop me. He just stood there, distant like I meant nothing. It shattered something inside me. Did he really abandon me? Just like that?
I returned to the palace heartbroken and numb. My parents, the King and Queen, were overjoyed to have me back. Their son, the Crown Prince, safe again after being kidnapped. Of course, they demanded punishment—severe actions against Kazariel. A commoner kidnapping a royal heir? Unforgivable. But somehow, I managed to stop them. I don't even know why. Maybe I still hoped he'd explain... or come for me.
Two nights later, under a star-filled sky, I sat in my royal bedroom. The moonlight filtered in through the tall windows and open balcony doors. I sat curled on the edge of the bed, pouting like a child, eyes red and swollen from crying. Then—I heard it. A soft sound. I froze.
Cautiously, I stood and walked to the balcony. And there he was. Kazariel.
My heart leapt at the sight of him, but my expression only grew cold.
"Why are you here?" I asked, voice tight. "I thought you abandoned me, thought you didn't care about me."
He stood cloaked in black, just as he always did, his face hidden beneath the hood. Slowly, he lowered it, meeting my gaze.
"What do you want?" I whispered, my voice trembling now. He stepped closer.
There was something wild in his eyes—something desperate. Like he was searching for air... and I was the only source.
I took a step back, refusing to meet his gaze. "Don't come near me. Don't even think of touching me." My fists trembled. "You left me. For two days, you let me believe I meant nothing. I thought... I thought you could live just fine without me."
I couldn't stop myself. The words poured out like poison, sharp and aching.
But then—he moved. Fast. He pulled me into a tight embrace, arms wrapped firm and trembling around me, as if letting go would kill him.
"What are you doing? Let me go!" I struggled, furious. "Stop—!"
But then I looked up... and stopped. His eyes—those cold, unreadable eyes—were shattered. Desperate. Pained. Like he hadn't slept or breathed since I left.
My heart cracked. I clutched at his clothes. "Why are you acting like you're the one hurt?" My voice broke. "You let me go. You didn't even try to stop me. Now you come here like I left you."
He didn't speak. He just pulled me closer again, holding me like I was the last piece of light he had left. Then I heard his voice.
Soft. Cracked.
"I'm sorry I was wrong."
His breath hitched. "I thought I could live without you. I thought I could let you go. But I can't. I can't even breathe without you. Nothing feels real. Nothing matters anymore." I had never heard him like that.
Kazariel, the cold-hearted kidnapper. The man who once made kingdoms tremble.
He sounded... broken. And suddenly, all my anger melted into tears. I wrapped my arms around him, burying my face in his chest, crying quietly. But in that pain, in that silence, there was peace.
Because this—his arms around me—this was where I wanted to be. Exactly here.
I stared at the sky, jaw clenched, chest rising with each angry breath. Who gave him the right to decide for me?
"Who said you could decide everything on your own?" I snapped, voice shaking—not from fear, but fury. "Did I ever say I wanted to return to the palace? I enjoyed every moment with you! I never lacked anything when I was with you, Kazariel—not safety, not peace... not love." My fists balled tightly. "I felt safest with you... I never felt that even in the damn palace. You know how much you mean to me, yet you still let me go. You still chose to abandon me..."
My fists rained against his chest—frustrated, aching punches that lacked real strength but overflowed with pain.
We were sitting on the ground, leaning against the edge of the bed. The moonlight bathed us from the open balcony nearby, soft and silvery, casting his black cloak in gentle glows. He didn't stop me. His arms just wrapped tighter around my waist, pulling me into him as if afraid I'd vanish again.
"I already said I was wrong..." he whispered, his breath brushing my skin.
His voice was hoarse—raw and deep, and trembling with emotion. His face buried against my neck, and I felt the sharp inhale as he took in my scent like he'd been starving for it. "Forgive me... I won't ever do that again. I'll never let you go. You're mine. You always were."
My breath hitched, cheeks burning. His words wrapped around me like a vow... no, a claim.
"Good that you realized that," I muttered, trying to sound mad, but my voice cracked at the end. I couldn't lie to myself—I wanted this, wanted him. My heart raced like a thunderstorm under my ribs.
I stilled as his long, slender fingers slid into mine—tracing my palm with a delicate slowness that made my skin erupt in goosebumps. His touch was reverent, almost trembling, as if my hand was something sacred. Then, without warning, he leaned forward and pressed his lips softly to my palm.
My body shivered.
I didn't dare look at him. My entire being burned, but I didn't pull away. I couldn't.
Because in this moment, wrapped in his arms under the moonlight, I finally felt whole again.
His breath lingered hot against my palm as he suddenly asked, voice low and serious, "Do you want to elope with me?"
It was such a sudden question—so intense, so out of place—and yet, it felt exactly like something he would do. I almost laughed, my lips twitching at the corners. "Yes," I answered immediately, eyes wide. "Yes, that sounds perfect... thrilling even. This place—it feels like a cage. I don't want to be here. I don't want to be some useless king sitting on a golden chair when I can't even control my own footsteps. How the hell am I supposed to control a kingdom?"
My words earned a soft, low chuckle from him. That sound—so warm, so real—made my heart skip. I cupped his face between my palms, smiling up at him.
"Let's run away. I want to be with you... every step into the future." I leaned in, pressing a kiss to the tip of his lips, quick and sweet.
"That's good," he whispered, voice dark with affection. "Because even if you had said no... I'd still take you away." My giggle slipped out without permission. He leaned in then, tender hands cradling my face. He kissed the corner of my eyes, still red and swollen from the tears that never seemed to stop these past two days. Then his lips brushed my lashes, my forehead, my nose, and finally, met my lips. Gentle. Soft. Home.
I kissed him back instantly, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck as he deepened the kiss. It grew desperate—hungry—as if trying to make up for all the distance, all the ache. Our lips, our tongues collided in that fiery clash of longing.
He pulled me closer, lifting me as our chests pressed together, our kiss turning wild and breathless. Finally, he broke it, only to press his lips to the sensitive spot on my neck, his hot breath ghosting across my skin.
"Let's go," he whispered. Without hesitation, I nodded. Pushing him gently aside, I grabbed a few pieces of clothing, stuffed them into a small bag, and tied it around my shoulders. I was ready.
Ready to run away with him.
Kazariel held back a smirk, his fingers tightening around mine. "Don't scream."
I blinked, confused. "Wait, wha—AH!" Before I could finish, he scooped me up in his arms and leapt straight off the balcony. The wind howled in my ears as the ground rushed up to meet us. My eyes widened, lips parted in a gasp, but I clamped a hand over my mouth and didn't scream—only stared in absolute shock. We landed soundly, like feathers touching the earth. Not a scratch. Not even a stumble.
"You... are you a magician or something?" I asked breathless, my heart still racing.
Kazariel didn't answer, only kept running—swift and sure—dodging the patrols and guards that swarmed around the palace. Despite how impossible it should have been, we made it past them all. Finally, he set me down on my feet just beyond the outer wall, his breathing calm and steady.
"We're outside," he said, eyes locked on mine. "There's no going back now."
I huffed, brushing back my wind-blown hair. "Yeah, I kinda figured. You didn't have to remind me."
I stepped closer, my voice softening.
"I want this too. I want you. This life, it's thrilling, exciting—and sweet, because you're in it."
I rose on my toes and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. He didn't say a word. Just intertwined our fingers again, firmer this time, like sealing a vow he made not just to me—but to himself.
And we began walking. No map. No plan. Just the two of us moving forward into the unknown.
But I wasn't afraid. Not when he was beside me. Because I knew—no matter where we ended up, as long as I had Kazariel, nothing in this world could harm me.
He'd love me and protect me with his life.
And I?
I'd follow him anywhere. Even to the edge of the world.