"What are you doing here?"
The voice rang out like steel through the hush of the ancient forest, echoing across the frost-laced leaves. Shadows curled around the towering trees, but the figure standing in the clearing remained still, breath visible in the chill.
"These are restricted grounds," he said again, stepping forward. "You shouldn't be here."
No response.
The girl stood on trembling legs, her form barely upright. Her cloak hung in tatters, soaked with blood. The moonlight illuminated her pale face and eyes filled with confusion—and desperation.
"Aren't you aware it's dangerous to roam these parts?" the prince demanded, golden irritation flickering in his voice. "This land doesn't welcome strangers."
But as he stepped closer, his voice faltered.
The shadows peeled back just enough to let her face shine through—and for the first time, he saw her clearly.
His blue eyes shifted. Slowly, unnaturally—becoming molten gold.
She tried to speak.
"I… I am…" Her voice cracked. "Lost. Please… help me."
And then she collapsed.
"No—hey," he said, kneeling instinctively.
He touched her shoulder gently, half-afraid she was already gone.
"Are you okay?" he whispered, brushing the hair from her bruised face.
Silence.
His hand moved to check her breath.
Still alive.
Barely.
But the scent hit him like a stormwind.
His heart stopped.
Human.
His body recoiled on instinct, as if struck. He stumbled backward, falling to the cold earth, eyes wide in disbelief.
"A human," he whispered. "Here? How—?"
The wind moaned between the trees. Her shallow breathing was the only sound left in the world.
His gaze returned to her—this strange, broken girl with the scent of danger and holiness all at once.
He should've left her.
He should've run.
But instead, he took her into his arms.
It was love at first sight.
He didn't even know her name.
But something deep within him whispered: You've met before.
And nothing would ever be the same.