The Prince?

The next day dawned golden, with the sound of bells ringing and hurried footsteps on the cobbled streets. The city was alive, but the atmosphere was more tense than the day before. Guards in reinforced armor patrolled more frequently. There were rumors of something—or someone—dangerous lurking in the area.

In the small inn room, Kael was already up, finishing tying the bandages on his wounded wrist. Liora was still stretching, her hair a mess, and her wings hidden beneath the makeshift cloak. Even groggy, her eyes shone with curiosity.

"Are you going to show me the library today?" she asked.

"No. Too many people. Too many eyes."

"And the fountain with magic coins?"

"Silly legends."

"And the pigeons that steal food from people?"

He sighed, and she laughed.

"You're impossible to control."

"And you’re impossible to ignore," he replied softly, his voice sharp. Kael looked away.

As Kael went out to gather supplies, Liora wandered off. Just a little. Just to the next street. Just to that stall with shimmering bottles...

That’s when everything went wrong.

She saw a man shouting at a child. A shove. The boy fell.

Liora didn’t hesitate.

"Hey!" she shouted, marching over to the man.

"Get out of here, brat," he growled.

"You hurt him!" She knelt next to the boy, who was crying.

The man grabbed her arm forcefully. And it was then that part of her makeshift "backpack" slipped... revealing a glimmer of her wing.

"What the—"

The shouting was instant. "Fairy!" someone yelled. "A fairy in the city!"

The man tried to hold her, but a surge of magic burst from her, slamming him into a fruit stall. People screamed, others already running to alert the guards.

Kael heard the commotion and knew. He ran. And when he arrived, he saw Liora surrounded, her eyes wide, not knowing where to go.

"Damn it, Liora..." he muttered, and then he charged in.

With a swift gesture, a shadow rose around them—Kael’s magic enveloped the area like a contained explosion, pushing the guards back with an invisible impact. He grabbed Liora’s wrist and bolted down the alley.

"Why did you go out?!"

"He was hurting a child! I just wanted to help!"

"And now the whole city knows there's a fairy here!"

"And you?! They saw your magic!"

They exchanged a glance. A second. Breathing heavily. The realization hit:

They were screwed.

Guards were coming from every direction. Shouts. "Fairy and Elf! They’re together!"

Swords were drawn. Kael prepared his magic, his golden eyes burning with focus.

But before the conflict could erupt, a hand pulled them both into a dark alley.

A rough voice whispered:

"By the gods, you two make more noise than a drunk dragon. Follow me if you want to survive."

They hesitated, but had no choice.

The figure—hooded, with an agile posture—led them through alleyways, tunnels, and hidden passages beneath the city. Liora nearly tripped every step, and Kael only used magic when necessary.

Finally, they arrived at a seemingly deserted house.

The stranger turned and threw back his hood.

"Are you two going to sit around and look confused, or will you listen?"

Kael's face was a mixture of disbelief and caution.

Liora, meanwhile, was just confused.

"Who are you?"

The man smiled, revealing sharp teeth.

"Someone who knows trouble when he sees it."

The figure disappeared into the shadows of the forest, leaving only the sound of the wind.

Liora still trembled, but Kael held her firmly.
“We’re fine,” he said, his voice low.

She looked up at him, still catching her breath.

“Kael… They called you ‘The Prince.’ What does that mean?”

He looked away. For a brief moment, his expression grew darker than it had ever been.

“It’s nothing you need to know. Not yet.”

The forest beyond the city walls was different from the one Liora knew. Tall trees, twisted branches, leaves that seemed to whisper forgotten secrets with the wind. The place felt alive… and hiding something.

Kael walked ahead, tense. He hadn’t said a word since they fled.

Liora, her wings wrapped beneath her cloak, tried to keep up with his pace, despite her aching feet and the rapid beat of her heart.

“Hey…” she began, her voice soft. “Thanks… for saving me again.”

Kael stopped. His shoulder shifted slightly, as if he was about to respond… but didn’t.

They walked on until they found a small natural shelter between two stones and a wide tree. The ground was covered in moss, and the sounds of the world felt distant.

Kael sat down, pulling his cloak over himself, his golden eyes illuminated only by the light filtering through the leaves. Liora sat nearby, close enough to feel his warmth.

“Are you still mad at me?” she asked, almost whispering.

He looked at her, finally.

“No.”

“Then why are you so quiet?”

“Because… now you know.”

She blinked.

“Know what?”

Kael took a deep breath, leaning back against the stone behind him.

“What I am.”

Liora watched him. His dark red hair blended with the shadows of the trees, and his golden eyes were so intense they almost seemed to glow, even in the dim light. He looked tired. More so than before.

“They shouted ‘prince.’”

Kael nodded, a half-smile tugging at his lips, but it was bitter.

“The Renegade Prince of the Demon Realm. The direct heir. ‘The disgrace of the bloodline.’ That’s what they call me…”

Liora fell silent for a moment. The wind rustled the leaves around them.

“You saved a fairy. Twice. And protected me even when I messed up. That doesn’t sound much like what they’d expect from a ‘villain’ or a ‘renegade.’”

He let out a short laugh. It was quick, but real.

“You make it sound so simple.”

She shrugged, smiling lightly.

“Maybe it is. To me, it is.”

Kael turned his face to her. For a moment, they locked eyes, close. Liora felt her heart race. The silence between them was thick, but not uncomfortable. He looked at her as if he didn’t know how to react. As if she was… something he never thought he could have.

“Did you know I was a fairy from the beginning?” she asked, softly.

“Yes. I can sense races. It’s… instinctual.”

“And why didn’t you run from me? Or turn me in?”

Kael hesitated.

“Because… fairies are the one race I could never bring myself to hate.”

Liora stared at him, surprised.

“Why?”

“Maybe because… you don’t hide who you are.”

She smiled. Moved a little closer. The cloak slipped from her shoulders, and one of her wings shimmered in the light filtering through the forest. She tried to pull it back, embarrassed.

“Sorry, they... they’re hard to hide.”

“You don’t have to hide them here,” he said, his voice softer.

Liora sighed, then, in a shy gesture, slowly removed her cloak, letting her wings shimmer in the green light of the leaves. They were beautiful. Delicate, like colored glass in motion. Kael watched, mesmerized—not with lust, but with a kind of reverence.

She then lay down, her head near his, staring up at the leaves.

“Kael… have you ever had someone? Someone special?”

He was silent for a while before answering.

“No. I never trusted anyone enough for that.”

She turned her face toward him, her large eyes locked on his.

“And now?”

He stared at the sky for a moment, as if thinking too much before saying anything. Then, he looked back at her. A faint blush on his face.

“Now… I don’t know what I can or can’t feel.”

Liora smiled, her eyes soft.

“It’s okay. I can feel enough for both of us.”

Kael’s eyes widened slightly. She chuckled softly and turned onto her side, her wings fluttering gently.

The silence returned. But this time, it was different. Comfortable. Almost sweet.

And for the first time, Kael relaxed.