Chapter 6:The Lion and the Falcon

The royal halls of Khaliri were bathed in the warm glow of lanterns as Amara walked through them, her thoughts heavy with uncertainty. A summon from Aurelia's prince? The very idea unsettled her. Cassius Aurelius was no ordinary man—he was a warrior, a conqueror, and worst of all, a man who did not forget.

She could still feel the weight of his gaze from their last encounter, sharp as a blade, burning with something unreadable.

Something dangerous.

She found her father, King Rami, seated in the throne room, deep in thought. Khamir stood beside him, his arms crossed, tension clear in his stance.

Amara stepped forward. "What does he want?"

King Rami exhaled deeply. "Prince Cassius has formally requested to visit Khaliri."

Her breath hitched. "He's coming here?"

Her father nodded. "And he is bringing an entourage of warriors and noblemen."

Khamir scoffed. "Aurelian 'diplomacy' always carries the scent of war."

Amara frowned. "Surely he wouldn't risk such an act. If he wanted war, he wouldn't ask for an audience—he would take what he wants."

King Rami studied her. "And what do you think it is that he wants, my daughter?"

She hesitated, her mind flashing back to the cold intensity in Cassius's blue eyes.

"I don't know," she admitted. "But I intend to find out."

A Prince's Arrival

Two days later, the gates of Khaliri were lined with soldiers as a grand procession rode through the desert toward the capital.

At its head, Prince Cassius Aurelius sat atop a black warhorse, his golden hair catching the sunlight, his sharp gaze taking in the foreign kingdom.

Khaliri was unlike Aurelia—where his homeland was built on power and conquest, Khaliri breathed history. Its streets were filled with music and color, its air rich with the scent of spices and incense.

It was beautiful. She was beautiful.

Cassius's lips curled into a smirk as he thought of Amara.

She would be waiting for him in the palace, ready to meet him with that same fire in her hazel eyes.

He looked forward to it.