Burned fish

The world seemed to narrow to just the two of us, the soft crackle of the fire around us muffled as though we were submerged underwater.

Ren was on top of me. Her body pressed against mine, her dark, piercing eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made it impossible to look away. My thoughts were a chaotic mess, swirling in every direction but providing no clarity.

What in the seven hells just happened?

I could feel the warmth of her breath against my skin, her scent a mix of firewood, magic, and something distinctly her filling the space between us. My brain screamed at me to do something. Push her away, sit up, make a snarky comment anything to break this unbearable tension.

But I couldn't move.

Instead, my eyes betrayed me, flickering down to her lips. They were full and impossibly close, so close that if I leaned up just a fraction of an inch, I could—

No. Stop it, Xyra.

"Uh…" My voice came out embarrassingly weak, and my throat felt dry. "Ren, what are you—"

Her lips quirked up in a half-smirk, a dangerous spark flashing in her eyes. "Falling, apparently," she murmured, her tone teasing but her voice low enough to send a shiver down my spine.

I hated how easily she affected me, how my usual composure melted away under her gaze. I was Princess Xyra. The one who commanded attention, who dictated conversations, who people feared and revered. I wasn't supposed to feel flustered or… whatever this was.

Yet here I was, pinned beneath her, every coherent thought slipping through my fingers like water.

My fingers twitched at my sides, caught between wanting to push her away and the far more alarming urge to pull her closer. She shifted slightly, her weight pressing against me in a way that sent heat rushing through my body.

I swallowed hard, desperately trying to focus on something else anything else. But my treacherous mind offered no help.

Instead, it zeroed in on the sharp angles of her jawline, the curve of her neck, and that maddening tattoo that peeked out just above her collarbone. The faint redness around it only confirmed my suspicion: Calira had strangled her, and I should probably ask about it and how the heck did it stay there after so much time.

Later. Definitely later. When she wasn't…

Like this.

"You alright, Princess?" Ren asked, her voice softer now, almost tender. It was a startling shift from her usual teasing tone, and it caught me off guard.

My tongue felt like lead in my mouth. "I—I'm fine," I stammered, hating the way my voice wavered.

Her eyes searched mine, and for a moment, I thought I saw something in them—a hesitation, a vulnerability that she quickly masked. But her gaze dipped, and I realised she was looking at my lips.

Oh gods.

"Ren…" I started, though I wasn't sure what I was going to say.

"Xyra," she interrupted, her voice a low murmur that sent a shiver racing down my spine. Her head tilted slightly, her breath brushing against my cheek.

My heart was pounding so loudly I was sure she could hear it. I should stop this. I needed to stop this. But instead, I found myself tilting my head up, my lips parting slightly as though they had a will of their own.

And then she closed the distance.

The moment our lips met, it was like the world exploded into flames. Her kiss was searing, demanding, and every ounce of tension between us seemed to ignite at once. I gasped against her mouth, and she took the opportunity to deepen the kiss, her hand sliding to the back of my neck to hold me in place.

I'd been kissed before, of course. Levan was nothing if not persistent, and other noble suitors had tried their luck over the years.

But this… this was nothing like any of that. Ren kissed like she fought—passionately, recklessly, with a confidence that left no room for hesitation.

I felt my hands move before I could think, one tangling in her dark hair, the other gripping the fabric of her shirt as though it were the only thing anchoring me to reality.

Heat coursed through my body, a wildfire spreading from where her lips touched mine and consuming everything in its path.

I didn't even care that this was wrong. That she was my bodyguard, that I was engaged, that this could ruin everything. In that moment, all that mattered was her, her lips, her hands, the way she seemed to pour all of her intensity into this one act.

She pulled back slightly, her forehead resting against mine as we both caught our breath.

Her eyes searched mine, and for a brief moment, I thought I saw a flicker of uncertainty in her expression. But then she smirked, her usual cocky attitude slipping back into place.

"Well," she said, her voice husky and teasing. "Didn't think you'd be so—"

"Don't," I interrupted, my voice sharper than I intended. My cheeks burned with embarrassment, and I turned my head to the side, refusing to meet her gaze.

She chuckled softly, and I could feel the vibrations against my skin. "Fair enough."

Silence stretched between us, though it was far from peaceful. The weight of what had just happened hung heavy in the air, and my mind raced with a thousand conflicting thoughts. What did this mean? What would happen next? And why, despite everything, did I want to kiss her again?

But before I could spiral any further, the smell of something acrid and unpleasant reached my nose.

"Ren," I said slowly, my voice filled with dread.

"Yeah?" she replied, her tone cautious.

"The fish," I said, my eyes widening as I realised what the burning smell was.

Ren's head snapped towards the fire, and her eyes widened in horror. "Shit!"

She scrambled off me, rushing to the fire where the once-promising meal now lay charred and smoking on the skewer.

I sat up, my heart still racing and my lips still tingling from the kiss, watching as she tried—and failed—to salvage the burnt remains.

"Well," she said after a moment, holding up the blackened fish with a sheepish grin. "Looks like dinner's ruined."

I couldn't help it. Despite everything, a laugh bubbled up from my chest, and I quickly covered my mouth to stifle it. Ren shot me a look, but there was no real annoyance in her expression just that infuriating, endearing smirk.

"We're going to starve because of you," I said, shaking my head as I tried to regain my composure.

She shrugged, tossing the ruined fish aside. "I'd say it was worth it."

My laughter died in my throat, and I felt my cheeks heat up again. I glared at her, though the effect was probably ruined by the way my lips twitched with the threat of another smile.

Ren just grinned at me, looking entirely too pleased with herself.

This is going to be a long night.