chapter 1

The sun beat down mercilessly on the barren land, the heat so intense it seemed to warp the very air. The wasteland stretched endlessly in all directions.

A man stood there, clad in black from head to toe. His long, flowing robe billowed slightly in the hot wind, its dark fabric absorbing the heat yet giving nothing away. A crescent-shaped necklace hung from his neck, gleaming under the sun—a stark contrast to the shadow it cast on his chest. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, fingers twitching ever so slightly, ready for the battle ahead. His eyes, cold and calculating, never left his opponent.

Opposite him, stood a beautiful lady with a calm, almost serene smile. The heat didn't seem to bother her. A tome floated around her, its pages turning lazily as if they had all the time in the world. Her white dress fluttered gently, untouched by the harshness of the land. She exuded a calm, chilled aura that contrasted sharply with the tension in the air. Where he was rigid, she was relaxed.

"This will be our 100th match this year, and surprisingly, we're tied. That's not fair, is it?" Selena's voice was low, almost playful, her words hanging in the air as her hand slowly rose. The tome beside her mirrored the movement, its pages flipping faster and faster. Energy swirled around her hand, crackling like electricity, dancing across her fingers as if alive. The air seemed to hum with power, growing thicker with each passing second.

Across from her, the man narrowed his eyes. "Don't worry, I won't let the score tie, Lady Selena," he said, his tone confident. Flames ignited on his sword, the fire wrapping around the blade like a serpent. Heat radiated from him as fire gathered at his feet. With a sharp stomp, he shot forward, his body a blur of speed. In an instant, he was upon her, his sword's fiery edge hovering dangerously close to her throat.

For a brief moment, surprise flickered in Selena's eyes, her pale skin illuminated by the fire. "I got you—" he said.

But before he could finish, her lips curved into a knowing smile. The ground beneath them rumbled, and suddenly, thick roots burst from the earth, wrapping around Zayaan's arm and yanking him down. Smaller roots quickly followed, binding his hands and legs, pinning him to the ground. The fire on his sword dimmed as he struggled against the binds.

Selena stepped closer, placing her heel lightly on his stomach. "Tsk, tsk," she said with a smirk. "Your impulsiveness always gets you, Zayaan. You're too easy to read." Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she stood over him, confident in her victory.

As the roots slowly retreated back into the ground, Selena extended her hand toward Zayaan. The tome that had been floating by her side gently lowered and settled around her waist, its pages finally at rest.

"You got me by surprise," Zayaan admitted as he took her hand and stood up. His eyes shifted away as he dusted the dirt from his clothes.

"Ara, what an excuse! Is that what you're going to say when you get your butt kicked on the battlefield?" Selena teased, her tone light but playful.

Zayaan rolled his eyes. "Whatever. We need to get back to the tent. We have to set off for Huleria." Without waiting for a response, he began walking toward the distant tree where two horses, one black and one white, were tied.

They both mounted their horses, the coolness of the leather saddle contrasting with the lingering heat of the battle. As they rode in silence, Selena broke it with a teasing question. "Are you upset about losing?"

Zayaan didn't reply, his gaze fixed ahead. She smirked. "Well, well, remember your promise though."

"I never promised anything."

"Oh, but you did. And you will fulfill it," she replied, her voice teasing but with a hint of seriousness.

"I can't, and it's not possible either," Zayaan muttered, his voice low.

"Oh, because I'm a princess and you're not? What kind of lame excuse is that?" she countered, her tone playful yet probing.

"Exactly. The Queen let me hang around you so I can fend off any trouble that comes your way," Zayaan replied, his voice firm.

"Pfft!" Selena burst into laughter, her white dress and sword catching the wind as she nudged her horse ahead of him. "You just lost to me! How are you going to defend me, huh?" She laughed, her voice ringing out in the open air. Zayaan, visibly annoyed, rolled his eyes.

After a moment, her laughter softened, and she wiped a tear from her eye. Turning her head slightly, she looked back at him, her expression shifting from playful to genuine. "No, seriously," she said, her smile warm and sincere. "If you really want to defend me, then be my man." Her words were simple, without the usual sarcasm, and they hung in the air between them.

Zayaan felt his face flush as he processed her words, unsure if she meant them in jest or if there was something more. He rode in silence beside her, his thoughts a whirlwind as they continued their journey together.