Chap #6 The Princess & Guard
The moon was high in the sky, casting a silver glow over the palace grounds. The soft hum of the evening wind whispered through the corridors as Princess Elara slipped out of her chambers, her gown flowing silently behind her. It had been a long day—diplomatic talks with Prince Lucien, the ever-watchful eyes of the court, and the weight of expectations pressing heavily on her shoulders. All she wanted now was a few moments of peace, away from it all.
And there was only one place where she could find that: by his side.
She made her way to the secluded garden on the palace grounds, a place known only to a few. Her footsteps were light, careful not to draw attention. As she reached the stone archway leading to the garden, she saw him standing there, as he always was—silent, vigilant, and waiting.
Caden Blackthorn, Captain of the Guards, turned as soon as he sensed her presence. His eyes softened at the sight of her, though his posture remained rigid, as if trying to keep himself from crossing an invisible line. It was the same line they had been walking for years—a line between duty and desire, between what was forbidden and what their hearts longed for.
"Your Highness," Caden said quietly, bowing slightly as she approached.
"Caden," Elara whispered, her voice carrying the weariness of the day. "How many times must I remind you to call me by my name when we're alone?"
He allowed a small smile to touch his lips. "Old habits die hard."
She stepped closer, her gaze never leaving his. In the soft moonlight, she could see the tension in his jaw, the way his eyes flickered between the warrior he had trained to be and the man he kept hidden beneath the armor. For years, Caden had been her protector, her confidant, her constant companion. But somewhere along the way, the lines between them had blurred, and the affection she felt for him had grown into something deeper, something undeniable.
"I needed to see you," Elara admitted, her voice almost a whisper. "Today has been... difficult."
Caden's eyes softened further, and he stepped toward her, his voice low and full of concern. "Is it Lucien? Is he—"
"No," she interrupted gently. "Lucien is kind. He's trying to be a friend, nothing more."
Caden's jaw tensed again, though this time it wasn't from the prince. It was from something far more complicated—the knowledge that no matter how kind or understanding Lucien was, Caden would always be the one who could never have her. The unspoken truth that hung between them like a heavy fog: their love, if it could even be called that aloud, was forbidden.
Elara's fingers brushed lightly against his arm, grounding him in the present. "Caden," she whispered, "I don't know how much longer I can do this."
His eyes locked onto hers, the depth of emotion clear in his gaze. "What do you mean?"
"Pretend," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "Pretend that what we have doesn't matter. Pretend that I don't feel this—" she gestured between them, her heart in her throat, "—this bond, this connection, every time I see you. I'm tired of pretending."
Caden looked away, his heart pounding in his chest. He wanted to say the words that had been locked inside him for years. He wanted to tell her that he felt it too—that every stolen glance, every touch that lingered longer than it should have, every moment they spent together was everything to him. But he couldn't.
"You know what's at stake," he said, his voice strained. "We both do. If anyone knew—"
"I know," Elara interrupted softly, stepping closer. "But that doesn't stop me from wanting it. From wanting you."
Her confession hung in the air, heavy with the weight of unspoken promises and a love they both knew they couldn't have. Caden clenched his fists, fighting against the urge to reach for her, to pull her into his arms and forget the world outside this garden. But he couldn't. He was her guard—sworn to protect her, not love her.
But love her he did.
"Elara," he began, his voice barely more than a whisper, "if we cross that line... there's no going back."
She looked up at him, her eyes filled with longing and fear. "I don't want to go back. I want to move forward. With you."
His breath caught in his throat. For a moment, they stood there, the only sound between them the soft rustle of the leaves in the evening breeze. And then, against all his better judgment, Caden closed the distance between them. His hand came up to gently cradle her cheek, his touch tentative, as if he was afraid she might disappear.
"Elara," he whispered, his voice rough with emotion.
She closed her eyes, leaning into his touch, her heart pounding in her chest. "Caden."
It was all the permission he needed.
Slowly, as if the world around them had ceased to exist, he lowered his lips to hers. The kiss was soft at first, hesitant, as if they were both afraid of what it meant. But the moment their lips met, it was as if something broke inside both of them—a dam that had been holding back years of repressed feelings and unspoken desires.
The kiss deepened, and for a few precious moments, they allowed themselves to forget everything—their duties, the kingdom, the impossible future that lay ahead. In that moment, it was just them. Just Elara and Caden, bound together by a love that defied every rule, every expectation.
But all too soon, reality came crashing back. Caden pulled away, his breath ragged, his forehead resting against hers.
"We can't," he said, his voice pained. "We can't do this."
Elara's eyes fluttered open, and she met his gaze, tears welling up in her eyes. "I know."
They stood there for a long moment, their foreheads pressed together, their breaths mingling in the cool night air. They had crossed a line they could never uncross, and now there was no going back.
"I'll always protect you," Caden whispered, his voice full of emotion. "No matter what happens. I'll be here."
Elara nodded, her heart aching with the weight of their shared secret. "And I'll always love you."
They stood in silence, the gravity of their situation sinking in. Their love was a fragile thing, caught between duty and desire, and they both knew it couldn't last. But for now, in this moment, it was enough.
For now, they had each other.
And that, for Elara, was everything.
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