**Rowan's Vow** – The war camp stood shrouded beneath stormy skies, the scent of ash and steel heavy in the wind. Rowan stood atop a windswept hill, his dark cloak billowing like the wings of a raven. From this vantage point, the battered kingdom stretched before him—crumbling, desperate. Behind him, soldiers gathered like shadows waiting for their command. Rowan's eyes stayed fixed on the horizon." Ariana… hold on. I'm coming." His voice was a low promise, a curse woven into the storm.A grizzled general stepped beside him, rain dripping from his helm."My Lord, scouts say the walls of the Shadow Kingdom have begun to crack. His magic isn't what it used to be."Rowan's gaze sharpened. "Good. Let his heart rot while he plays friend. The closer he gets, the more it'll destroy him—because she still loves me."He drew his sword, its steel hissing like fury itself, catching lightning in its edge. "By the next moon, I take her back. Or I die trying."
**Ariana's Heart in Two** – The garden, once vibrant, now wilted under cursed skies. Ariana wandered alone, her fingertips grazing the edges of thorny roses, the petals whispering to her like ghosts. Her thoughts echoed louder than the wind." I care for Lucian. That's the truth. But I don't yearn for him like I do Rowan. Rowan… he's my heart. Lucian… he's my ache. But why does the ache feel warmer with every passing day?"She paused, hand trembling above a blooming blood-rose, its red deep like her confusion.Unbeknownst to her, Lucian stood in the shadows. He watched—not as a captor, not as a king—but as a man unraveling slowly. In his eyes there was no command, no control. Only something gentler. Something sad.
**The Calm Before the Fire**– Night swallowed the cursed castle in silence. The stars vanished behind angry clouds. In her chamber, Ariana dreamt of another world—Rowan's world. His smile in sunlight. His hand in hers. The scent of fresh rain on warm stone. She turned in sleep, whispering his name.Then she woke.Lucian was there, draping a blanket over her shoulders with careful hands. No chains. No command. Just quiet."You said you loved him. And I believe you. But if ever your heart breaks… just know I'll be the one picking up the pieces. Every single time."Ariana looked up, her voice no more than a whisper. "Don't wait for something that won't come, Lucian."Lucian smiled—soft, shattered. "I already am."
**The Unfinished Touch - The cursed castle lay still, wrapped in darkness and murmuring flames. In Ariana's chamber, the fire crackled low, painting the walls in flickers of gold. She sat in bed, wrapped in thought, until the door creaked softly. Lucian entered—not with chains, but a folded silk blanket."You looked cold.""Thank you."He placed the blanket at the foot of her bed. But he didn't leave. He stepped closer, his fingers reaching gently toward her face. A lock of hair slipped free. He brushed it back, his knuckles warm against her cheek. Her breath hitched.Then he leaned in—gently, cautiously. His hand grazed her shoulder, his breath soft at her ear."Tell me to stop… and I will.""That's enough… for now."She pulled the blanket over herself, turning away. The silence that followed was louder than thunder. Lucian stepped back as if struck, his heart carved open."For now… still means hope."His whisper faded into the firelight, unanswered.