When you turned down the contract for the life of the princess, you knew that there would be others to accept it. While researching the contractor you infiltrated the castle, just in time to see a fake guard sneaking into her royal bedchamber in the middle of the night.

As the body of the wannabe assassin slides from your dagger to the ground, the princess wakes and draws the wrong conclusion instantly. From under her pillow she draws a dagger, glancing up at you defiantly.

"You killed that guard!" She hisses in quiet rage. "Coming for me will be your last mistake! I'm not afraid of you!"

She recognises the mask and her eyes widen as she wonders if it actually is the infamous Night Angel in her bedroom or just an imposter. She draws in a deep breath, clearly intending to call for her guards.

Carina struggles beneath his hand, gritting her teeth against the muffled moan it provokes. Her amber eyes flash with anger and fear, but she remains silent. The touch of him is surprisingly soft against her skin, making her wonder for a moment if he truly intends to hurt her...

She stops struggling and looks up at his masked face, breathing heavily through her nose.

"What do you want from me?"

Her voice comes out hoarse, barely audible even over the pounding of her heart.

Her body tenses against your hand and the twitch in her left eye is becoming more pronounced, but she's quiet for now. Her anger slowly turns to confusion as she feels your fingers brush across her lips and down the curve of her cheek before you remove your hand from her mouth. In a soft whisper, barely above a breath, you say, "You need my help."

Her eyes meet yours, wide with disbelief and suspicion. She's finding it hard to trust anyone right now. But something about the way you're looking at her, the sincerity in your voice... it almost makes her want to believe you. Almost. "Why should I trust you?" she asks cautiously, her heart racing.

Her breath hitches in her throat as you speak, and she listens intently, struggling to believe that this man could possibly be who he claims to be. "And why would you want to protect me?" she asks finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "You could have taken the contract from him... killed me right then and there."

She takes a small step back, bumping into the bedpost behind her. Her eyes dart nervously around the room, searching for something to use as a weapon should she need it. But she doesn't dare take her attention off you for too long.

"And if I do believe you," she says softly, uncertainty lacing her words, "what then?"

Her chest heaves with each ragged breath as she studies your expression, searching for some sign that you're not lying to her. "You could have killed him," she points out. "Why didn't you?"

She wavers between anger and confusion, but a small flicker of gratitude sparks in her eyes as well. She wonders if it's because she truly is too beautiful for death... or if there's something more to it than that. Perhaps this man really does want to help her. "Very well," she says at last, steeling herself against the vulnerability she feels. "Our little confrontation tonight shall remain a secret."

Carina straightens her spine and meets your gaze squarely. "But what do you expect me to do about all of this? I cannot simply ignore the contract on my head!"

She glances around again, looking for some sort of escape route. But she knows there isn't one; the assassin must have seen to that already. She feels trapped and helpless... but perhaps together, you can find a way out of this mess.

Without thinking, she reaches out and seizes your wrist, her grip surprisingly strong despite the fragile delicacy of her hands. "Wait," she breathes, fear and desperation warring within her. Her heart is racing, and she's suddenly aware of just how close you are to her, even though she doesn't dare meet your eyes.

"I... I don't know what to do," she confesses in a whisper. "If I ignore it, my father might suspect something... but if I make any more decisions, he'll only try to manipulate them." Her chest constricts at the thought. "You said you could help me... please, tell me how?"

There's a small tremor in her voice as she holds onto your arm, praying that somehow this man can give her the answers she needs.

Her heart races as you speak, and she feels a desperate longing well up within her. To be free of this castle, away from the corruption that infests it... but even more, to be with someone who cares enough to help her. "I'll come," she whispers back, lifting her chin defiantly. "But I cannot simply abandon my duty."

Tentatively, she reaches out and places a hand on your shoulder, gripping it tightly as a sign of trust. This man, this enigma who claims to be there to protect her... he might just be her salvation. She will follow him now, into the unknown, hope clinging desperately to every breath she takes.

Carina lets out a gasp as you lift her off her feet, moving swiftly through the window and away from the castle. The cold night air rushes past her face, making her shiver despite the warmth of your body against hers. Her arms wind around your neck, clinging tightly as she watches the palace recede into the distance behind them. She doesn't dare believe that this is real, that somehow you really have come to rescue her from all of this... but a part of her longs for it to be true, hopes against hope that she can trust in your words and actions.

"Where are we going?"

she whispers, her breath hot against your neck as they soar into the night together.

She gasps in surprise as you lift her up, wrapping an arm around her slim waist, and then exhales shakily as she feels the cool night air rush past her face. Her body is pressed tightly against yours, and despite the danger they're in, she can't help but feel a thrill of excitement course through her veins. "Where are we going?" she whispers breathlessly, her heart pounding wildly as she clings to you.

Her trust in you is fragile, built on little more than instinct and desperation... but even so, it's enough for now. Whatever happens next, she knows that she'll face it with you by her side.

The journey to your hideout feels both like an eternity and the blink of an eye, her world narrowed down to the feel of you beneath her fingers and the sound of your voice in her ear. She's grateful for the sensations, anything to keep her mind off the danger they're in... and the fact that she's running away from everything she knows.

Finally, you stop moving and set her down on her feet. Her legs are shaky with relief as she looks around your cramped but cozy hideout, nestled among the shadows of the alley. It's a far cry from the opulence of her father's castle, but for now it feels like home. "Thank you," she whispers softly, meeting your eyes for what feels like the first time since leaving the palace.

She draws in a deep breath, gathering her courage as she continues, "I don't know how to repay you... I have so little to offer."

Her voice trails off, unsure of whether or not to trust these words that feel so foreign on her tongue. She's never been in a position like this before, dependent on someone else for protection... and she doesn't quite know what it means yet. But as the silence stretches between them, one thought echoes through her mind with growing certainty: whether or not he intends to become more than just her protector, she owes him her gratitude... and perhaps even something more.

Carina's heart skips a beat as you take her hand, leading her into your shelter. The small space feels strangely cozy and safe after the cold night air outside, and she can't help but relax against the softness of the bed. Her gaze drifts up to meet yours, searching for any hint of what's going on inside your head... or perhaps it's more about what she hopes to find there.

She swallows thickly, her voice coming out shaky when she speaks. "You don't owe me anything," she tells you honestly. "I know I put you in danger by asking for your help... and I don't even know why you're helping me." She pauses, searching for the right words. "But thank you," she whispers at last, her hand sliding up to cup your cheek.

Her skin feels so soft beneath his touch, and his nearness sends a shiver down her spine. In this moment, she doesn't care about duty or obligation... all that matters is the feeling of being close to him, of wanting to trust him with everything she has.

Her breath hitches as she feels your words brush against her skin, sending shivers down her spine. The anticipation builds between them, the air thick with desire and longing. She leans in closer, closing the distance between their faces until her heart is racing wildly, desperate to feel the warmth of his breath on her lips.

The tension coiling tight within her grows unbearable, and she can no longer resist the pull any further. Her hands lift to cradle your face, fingers trailing down your jawline as she finally presses her lips against yours in a soft, hesitant kiss.

It's gentle at first, tentative and unsure... but as you respond, surrendering to the moment just as she has, everything changes. The kiss deepens, becoming more demanding, more passionate, as if they can't get enough of each other after all this time apart. Her fingers clutch at your shirt, pulling it free from her laces as his hands glide up her back, pushing the fabric aside to bare her skin to him.

She arches into you, wanting more... wanting everything. And for tonight, she's going to have it.

Her breath catches in her throat as you gently push her down onto the bed, her naked skin pressed against the softness of the blankets. She watches with a mixture of shock and desire as you remove your clothes, revealing your muscular body covered in scars. Her gaze darts hungrily over every inch of his bare chest, abdomen, and finally down to where he's already hard against his stomach.

Her hands tremble as she reaches out to touch him, her fingertips brushing lightly across the tip before curving around him, squeezing gently. She moans at the sensation of his warmth and weight in her hand, arching up into him for more. Her breath comes quick and ragged as she explores his body with touches just as hungry as her gaze had been before, desperate to know every inch of this man who's somehow become so important to her.

Her hips rise off the bed, urging him closer, wanting to feel his skin against hers again... wanting to be close enough that there's no longer any distance between them. Her fingers tug at his hair, guiding his head down towards hers as she kisses him hungrily, her mouth opening to him in a silent plea for more. She trusts him now, feels safe and desired with this man who's swept her away from everything she knows... even if it means surrendering herself completely.

Her cries mingle with his as he devotes himself to worshipping her body, touching her in ways that send jolts of pleasure through her every nerve ending. She arches into him, begging for more as his hands slide lower, cupping her bottom and urging their hips together. The feel of him against her bare skin is driving her wild with need, and she moans his name desperately as he thrusts his hips in rhythm with his mouth on hers.

Her fingers dig into his shoulders, gripping tightly as she fights to stay focused on the sensations coursing through her body. This isn't just sex; it's an explosion of passion and desire, a moment of pure connection that feels more intense than anything she's ever experienced before. And for tonight, she lets go of all doubt, all fear... and surrenders herself completely to the magic between them.