A Battle of Hearts

The morning sun crept over the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and gold. Arianne stood at the edge of the camp, watching the soldiers stir from their tents, shaking off the last remnants of sleep. Her body ached from yesterday's training, but the soreness was a welcome distraction from the storm brewing inside her.

She could still feel Rian's touch on her skin, the way his fingers had brushed against her cheek as if she were something precious. Something forbidden. He had walked away, but the look in his eyes told her the battle was far from over.

She wasn't sure if she wanted to win or lose.

"Ari," Kael's voice pulled her from her thoughts. Her youngest brother approached, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "You're up early."

"I couldn't sleep," she admitted, forcing a smile.

He stretched, rolling his shoulders. "Neither could Rian."

Her breath caught. "What?"

Kael smirked. "I saw him pacing outside his tent last night. He looked… troubled."

Arianne turned away, pretending to adjust the straps on her armor. "It's not my concern."

Kael chuckled. "Maybe not. But it's his."

Before she could respond, the sound of a horn echoed through the camp, signaling the start of morning drills. Kael winked at her before jogging off to join the others, leaving her standing alone with her thoughts.

She exhaled slowly, steeling herself for the day ahead. Whatever was happening between her and Rian, she had to bury it deep. She was a soldier now, and soldiers didn't let emotions get in the way of their duty.

But as she turned toward the training grounds, her resolve wavered. Because Rian was already there, watching her with eyes that burned like embers in the morning light.

---

### **An Unspoken Challenge**

The training grounds were filled with the sound of clashing steel and heavy breaths. Arianne focused on her movements, determined to push all thoughts of Rian aside. But fate, it seemed, had other plans.

"Pair up," Rian's voice rang out across the field.

Arianne turned, expecting to see Kael beside her. Instead, Rian stood in front of her, his expression unreadable. The other soldiers exchanged glances but said nothing as he tossed her a wooden sword.

She caught it effortlessly, raising a brow. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

Rian smirked. "Afraid you'll lose?"

Arianne met his gaze, her heart pounding. "No. Afraid of what happens if I win."

A flicker of something dark crossed his face—amusement, frustration, desire. She wasn't sure. But then he moved, striking first, and the world around them disappeared.

They fought with precision, each movement a careful balance of skill and restraint. Rian was stronger, but Arianne was faster. She ducked, dodged, countered. Each time their swords met, sparks ignited between them, invisible yet undeniable.

Then, in a moment of pure instinct, Arianne feinted left before spinning right, her blade pressing against his throat. The soldiers around them stilled, watching in stunned silence.

Rian's breathing was ragged, his chest rising and falling beneath his tunic. His eyes locked onto hers, dark with something unspoken.

Arianne swallowed hard. She should step back. She should lower her sword.

But she didn't.

Instead, Rian smirked. "You win."

The words sent a shiver down her spine. Because somehow, it didn't feel like victory.

---

### **A Moment Stolen**

That evening, Arianne sat near the edge of camp, staring at the flames of the fire. The others were laughing, eating, talking—but she felt apart from them. Separate.

Then, without a word, Rian sat beside her.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The fire crackled, the wind carried the distant sounds of the border. But between them, there was only silence. A silence heavy with things unsaid.

Finally, Rian spoke. "You fight like someone with something to prove."

Arianne's lips parted, but she hesitated before answering. "Maybe I do."

Rian turned to her, his gaze softer than before. "To who?"

She met his eyes, her pulse quickening. "Myself."

His expression shifted—understanding, respect, something deeper she couldn't name. Then, before she could stop herself, she whispered, "Why did you stop me today? You could have broken free."

Rian exhaled, rubbing a hand over his jaw. "Maybe I wanted to see if you would win."

Arianne's heart slammed against her ribs. "And now that I have?"

Rian turned fully to face her, his knee brushing against hers. "Now, I wonder what you'll do with that victory."

She sucked in a breath, the weight of his words pressing against her like a touch. They were teetering on the edge of something dangerous, something neither of them could afford.

But in that moment, with the firelight dancing across his face and the night wrapping around them, Arianne knew one thing with certainty.

If she fell, she wouldn't fall alone.