Althena - POV
The first thing I felt when consciousness clawed its way back to me... was warmth.
Soft lips pressed against mine. A breath not my own. Air filling my lungs. A rhythm not mine keeping me alive.
It was strange.
Gentle.
Almost... divine.
My body screamed in agony. Every limb burned, my side throbbed with each shallow breath. But I forced my eyes open.
And that's when I saw her.
The same woman I glimpsed before I was shoved into the river-now above me, her veil gone.
And gods...
She was beautiful.
Drenched, strands of golden hair clinging to her pale skin. Eyes sharp and fierce-yet widened in concern. She looked like something painted on cathedral glass, a vision caught between light and shadow.
No... she looked like the angel from the painting.
She saved me.
She kissed me-well, not really kissed me. But... yes, kissed me.
Despite the dull roar of pain in my skull, I managed a broken breath and whispered,
"Am I in heaven? Because I see an angel."
Silence...
She blinked.
For the first time, her face faltered. Surprise flickered in her eyes. A twitch of her brows. The faintest pink bloomed on her cheeks. Whether it was from the fight-or my words-I wasn't sure.
But gods, she was even more beautiful like that.
Behind her, I heard it-snickering.
One soldier muttered under his breath, "She called Her Highness an angel?"
Another chuckled nervously. "Imagine dying, waking up, and flirting with the Princess."
A third hissed, "Shut it-unless you want your head on a pike."
Before they could say more, her head tilted ever so slightly toward them.
Her voice sliced through the air like ice through silk.
"Silence."
The forest froze. The soldiers shut their mouths so quickly it was almost comical.
I couldn't help it-a weak smile tugged at my lips, though it hurt.
I tried to sit up, pushing against the cold, muddy ground. My body screamed with every movement, blood loss dragging me down.
Her eyes sharpened instantly. She leaned forward, hand half-extended as though ready to steady me. "Careful."
"I'm alright," I rasped, though the lie trembled with every syllable. I swallowed hard, forcing the words out. "Thank you... for saving me."
"You shouldn't move," she said firmly. "You've lost too much bloo-"
I didn't hear the rest.
The world tilted violently. Pain flared white in my side, sharp and merciless. The edges of my vision went dark, the sounds of forest and battle fading into nothing.
I felt myself falling-but not to the ground.
Strong arms caught me, steady and unyielding.
Her arms.
I collapsed into her warmth, my cheek brushing against her armor. Her heartbeat thundered beneath it-steady, alive, strong.
I wanted to say something. Anything. But the darkness dragged me under before I could.
The last thing I heard was her voice, low and close to my ear.
"You're safe now."
Then-
Darkness.
Again
---
Princess Yasmin - POV

The girl-no, woman-who had been moments from death had the audacity to smile at me.
Bloodied, bruised, her body wrecked by wounds and exhaustion... and yet her lips curled in a half-smile as she whispered something utterly absurd.
"Am I in heaven? Because I see an angel."
I was not prepared for it.
Not the words.
Not the way her gaze lingered on me, even in pain.
And definitely not the way it stirred something unfamiliar in me.
Around me, my soldiers shifted uneasily. I caught their expressions-bewilderment, curiosity, even the faintest flicker of amusement at what they had witnessed.
I was still staring at her-this strange, broken survivor who dared to flirt with death... and with me.
Then, just as quickly as she returned to life, her strength faltered. Her eyes fluttered shut and her body crumpled forward.
But I was ready.
My arms caught her before she hit the ground. Her blood soaked into my armor, hot at first, then chilling as it seeped into the fabric. Far too much of it. Her breathing was shallow, weak. Her skin cold.
Still, I held her close.
For a long moment, I didn't move. I simply stood there, the weight of her pressed against me, her head resting against my chest as if she belonged there. The world felt strangely muted-the forest, my soldiers, even the ache of battle wounds I hadn't yet tended.
Only her shallow breaths anchored me to the moment.
Finally, I straightened. My voice rang clear, sharp as steel.
"She needs urgent medical help."
My voice cut through their silence like a blade.
Every man stood straighter at once. "Yes, Your Highness!"
I rose to my feet, still cradling her weight for a moment longer before handing her carefully to two soldiers. Together, we moved swiftly.
When we reached the horses, they paused, waiting for my command.
"Bring her to me," I ordered.
They obeyed at once, lifting her carefully into my arms again. I mounted my steed, settling her against me. Her head fell lightly against my shoulder, her damp hair soaking into my armor. I secured one arm firmly around her unconscious frame, holding her.
Then-without another word-
We rode.
The forest gave way to the stone roads leading back to Solmira's gates. Wind whipped past us, carrying the scent of blood and river water. The rhythm of hooves on dirt echoed like a drumbeat of urgency.
I kept my eyes fixed forward, but my grip on her never loosened. Every so often, I glanced down-just enough to see her chest still rising and falling, faint but steady.
Alive.
When the palace gates loomed into view, relief slipped through me, quiet and fleeting, but real.
The moment we dismounted, a soldier rushed forward. "Your Highness!" He reached for the woman, helping to lower her from my horse. I allowed it, though my arm lingered an instant longer before I let her go.
"She will not die in this courtyard," I said sharply. "Summon the female healer. Now."
"Already summoned, Princess," the soldier bowed quickly.
Within moments, a small group of attendants approached, carrying a stretcher. They transferred her gently, efficiently, as if handling fragile glass.
I followed with my gaze as they carried her through the archways, her blood staining the linen beneath her.
"Take her to the healer's wing," I commanded. My tone was cold, precise. Unshakeable.
But my hand, still damp from the water, trembled once at my side.
As the woman was carried away to the healer's wing, I turned to one of my captains.
"Keep me informed of her condition regularly," I ordered crisply. "And make sure every one of those looters is imprisoned immediately. I want a full investigation-how they got in, who they answer to, and what they wanted."
The captain bowed deeply. "Yes, Highness. I'll see to it personally."
I nodded and turned on my heel, cloak swaying behind me.
It was nearly time for lunch, and I was still in riding leathers, soaked with water and streaked with blood-hers, not mine.
I made my way to my private chambers. Servants rushed to prepare a bath the moment they saw me enter. Steam rose as I sank into the hot water, closing my eyes briefly, allowing myself the luxury of silence. Her face came to mind. Those dazed eyes. That maddening little smile.
"Am I in heaven?" I huffed to myself.
After bathing, I dressed in a fresh gown-deep royal blue trimmed with silver-and let my hair fall loose at my back. No crown today. Politics could wait.
I entered the dining hall precisely on time.
King Alaric sat at the head, imposing in his black and gold robes. His silver-streaked beard gave him the air of a seasoned warrior, yet the sharpness in his eyes reminded all who looked that he was far from weak.
Queen Evaline, ever graceful, offered me a warm, measured smile as I took my seat beside her. Prince Kaelen, my brother, leaned back, his posture relaxed but his gaze always assessing.
The conversation began formally, focusing on court matters and trade negotiations. Then the Queen's tone shifted.
"I heard you brought someone into the palace, Yasmin," she said gently, dabbing her lips with a silk cloth.
"Yes, Mother," I replied. "A woman. A survivor. She was being attacked by looters in the forest. Severely injured."
Father's brow furrowed. "You brought a stranger into the palace?"
His voice was measured, concern tempered with authority.
"I understand your apprehension, Father," I said calmly. "But she was dying on our land. Had I ignored her, it would have been an insult to our name. She posed no threat-barely conscious, unarmed, and bleeding out."
"And who is she?" the Queen asked, leaning forward slightly.
"I do not yet know," I admitted. "She hasn't fully regained consciousness. We found no belongings, no identifiers."
"No name? No origin?" the King pressed.
"Nothing confirmed," I said. "I've ordered the looters captured and interrogated. If they know anything about her or how she ended up in our territory, we'll have answers soon."
King Alaric gave a thoughtful nod, folding his hands. "Well done, my child. You made the right call, even if it brings complications. We'll watch the situation carefully."
I inclined my head. "Thank you, Father."
Prince Kaelen's gaze lingered on me with faint curiosity. "A stranger... found in the woods," he said quietly. "Did you learn anything more about her?"
"I'm still gathering information," I replied, my voice even but my mind alert. "There is much we do not know. Who she is, where she came from... and why she was attacked in our territory."
The King nodded approvingly. "Keep careful watch. She may prove... significant."
I said nothing further, letting the discussion move on. But beneath the polished surface of our royal lunch, my mind kept drifting.
To that stranger.
Who are you really?