the hunt

[Kaelith]

His ice-blue eyes snap toward her immediately. He had caught it — the subtle shift in the air, the commander’s uncharacteristic reaction. Kael’s hand tightens on the reins, the black stallion tossing its head as if sensing his tension.

He rides closer, voice low so only she hears:

“...What did you just do?”

His tone is calm, but his stare burns cold, cutting through her with suspicion. For the first time, the composed crown prince sounds unsettled.

The hunting horn blasts again, breaking the moment. Riders surge into the misty forest, leaving no time for questions. Kael straightens in his saddle, but his gaze flicks to her more often than before.

[Kaelith, after a few moments deeper in the woods]

He reins his horse beside hers, his voice carrying the weight of a veiled warning.

“Be careful where you point that smile, Seraphina. Not all men will recover from it.”

And then, with a sharp whistle, he spurs his horse forward as a massive shadow moves in the trees ahead — the first beast of the hunt stirring.

Rides off well your highness I'll be off then. You see i don't plan on losing. Don't miss me too much 😘👋✨ gallops off

[Kaelith]

His horse stamps once, muscles bunching as Kaelith watches her gallop ahead through the mist. For a second, the corner of his mouth twitches — not quite a smile, but the shadow of one.

Under his breath:

> “…She really has changed.”

Then, louder, his voice cutting across the pounding hooves:

> “Don’t stray too far, Seraphina!”

But she’s already weaving between trees, her hair a silver streak in the pale dawn light.

---

[Forest Interior]

The enchanted woods swallow her quickly. Frost-laced ferns brush against her boots. The further she rides, the thicker the mist becomes, threaded with faint glimmers of magic. Somewhere ahead, something roars — low and guttural, making her horse’s ears flick back.

Behind her, Kaelith spurs his stallion hard, the black beast lunging forward. His dark cloak whips out behind him as he closes the distance, eyes scanning the trees for movement.

---

[Kaelith]

When he catches up enough to be heard, his voice carries, low and sharp over the gallop:

> “You’re bold, little princess.”

A beat, his eyes flicking over her as she rides.

“But boldness won’t save you from claws.”

And just as he says it — the mist parts ahead — revealing a hulking shape crouched in the undergrowth. Its eyes glow like molten gold, antlers curling high like spears, a creature of legend: a dire stag, twice the size of a warhorse, muscles rippling, frost steaming from its nostrils.

It stamps the earth once, the ground trembling.

---

Kaelith pulls his spear from his back in one fluid motion, ice-blue eyes narrowing.

> “First blood decides our wager,” he calls to her. “Show me what you can do, Seraphina.”

He sits back in his saddle, not charging yet — giving her the first move.

Tries using her magic secretly on the beasts secretly to see if it works only on humans or other living things as well and to get more efficient at using it

...****************...

[The Dire Stag]

Its massive head lowers, steam rolling from its nostrils. The golden eyes flash — and then… soften. The great beast’s front hoof falters mid-step, its muscles trembling, as if some unseen thread has tangled around its heart.

For the briefest moment, Seraphina feels it — a pulse of desire not human but primal. Hunger, dominance, the will to guard its territory. Her magic brushes against it like fingers across taut strings. The stag staggers, shaking its antlers violently as if to clear its head, a guttural bellow tearing from its chest.

It doesn’t bow like the commander… but it hesitates. Its aggression dulls, just enough to shift the tide.

[Kaelith]

From his saddle, Kaelith’s icy gaze narrows. He noticed. He always notices. His hand tightens on the spear shaft.

“...What did you do?”

The words are low, carried to her even through the pounding of hooves. His tone isn’t angry—yet. More like… unnerved.

The stag roars again, shaking its great head. This time it charges, the ground trembling under its weight.

[Kaelith]

He leans forward in the saddle, spear ready, his cloak snapping behind him.

“Seraphina—either strike now or get out of my way!”

The dire beast barrels straight toward her, antlers lowered like a storm made flesh.

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