"Are you following me, vampire?" I murmur, a playful tone slipping into my voice.
Casper’s eyes sweep over me, lingering as though he’s taking in every detail. He doesn’t respond immediately, and for a while, we stand in silence. He steps closer, shrinking the space between us.
A small smile curves my lips, teasing. “You know who I am.”
Casper’s lips twitch into a knowing grin, but he doesn’t answer right away. He studies me, and then, almost as if weighing his words carefully, he finally speaks.
“I think everyone knows who you are,Princess.” His voice is smooth, but there’s a subtle bite to it, like he’s testing me.
A flush rises to my cheeks, the memory of the night at the tavern coming back with unexpected intensity. I force myself to meet hiseyes, but the warmth in my face betrays me. I take a step back, the air shifting around us.
“So, not only a vampire…but a spy too?” I tilt my head, keeping my gaze focused. “Tell me—do you always stumble into convenient situations, or simply seize them and call it fate?”
A slow, sinful smile curves his lips as he steps deliberately closer, his presence shadowed in predatory grace. “I am no spy.”
My eyes flick down, assessing the distinct cut of his cloak, the craftsmanship of his sword, the subtle luxury woven into the uniform. Not a common guard, certainly. I take another step back, watching closely as he mirrors my movement forward.
“But you are a guard, are you not?”
He inclines his head slightly, amusement flickering in his eyes as he takes another step forward. My breath catches, and I instinctively retreat another step. He could be a commander, or someone even more dangerous. Someone who answers directly to my father.
“Why are you out in the woods, vampire?” I challenge him softly.
He smiles faintly, almost ruefully.
“I came to clear my head. This is the only place that seems to keep the voices at bay.”
My brows pull together slightly as curiosity courses through me. Just what thoughts could haunt a creature like him? He moves forward again, closing the gap slightly. I should move. I should leave. But I don’t. Because I know exactly what he means.
I came here for the same reason.
To outrun the sound of my own thoughts. Jason’s voice, still echoing. The rage I’m not allowed to feel. The shame I can’t seem to swallow.Not good enough. Not chosen. Never enough to be loved the way you love back.And yet, standing here with him, the noise quiets just enough to let me breathe.
We both came here to be alone, I realize. And somehow ended up finding each other instead. Casper watches me steadily, as if he’s already familiar with the parts of me I haven’t dared to show. He studies me not with curiosity, but with a quiet certainty, like he already knows what he’ll find.
And gods, I want to step closer. The instinct rises before I can reason with it, something unspoken tugging me forward. But I stop myself—heart caught in my throat, movement stilled before it begins.
His eyes flicker, just barely. He saw it.
“What are you doing out here all alone, Princess? I doubt the king would be happy to hear his darling daughter is wandering the woods by herself.”
I smirk, defiant and confident.
“I can take care of myself.”
His own smirk deepens knowingly. “I can see that.”
My smile lingers as he takes another step toward me, prompting me to step back again.
“Are we dancing now?” he asks softly, teasing.
“I don’t dance with strangers.”
His laugh is quiet—deep and warm.
“Oh, but we aren’t strangers are we?”
He takes a step closer, his presence coiling around me like smoke. I step back, feigning calm, though my breath betrays me.
