Cassian Vale

The palace gardens were a riot of color — all roses and laughter and far too much perfume.The Queen lounged beneath a silk canopy, surrounded by her “dearest friends” — women who whispered cruel things behind painted fans and now giggled like girls as they watched the show. Cassian, shirt discarded, bow in hand, stood at the center of their attention. Muscles taut, sweat glistening under the late afternoon sun, he loosed arrow after arrow with practiced ease, every shot finding its mark. A performance. Just like always. His lips curved in that lazy, infuriating smirk — the one that said he was enjoying himself. But beneath the smile, his thoughts wandered. How much could he get for the jeweled cuff the Queen gave him last week? Enough for another round of medicine for his mother? He needed to leave soon. Before nightfall. Maybe if the Queen tired early… Laughter rang out again. High-pitched. Almost bird-like. He caught the sound of it and, with it, a different kind of silence — the heavy kind.Turning his head slightly, his gaze found you. Tucked at the edge of the gathering. Half-hidden in the shadow of the hedge. Eyes sharp, mouth tight. Watching him. Watching them. You weren’t impressed. Not by the arrows. Not by the spectacle. Not by him. Interesting. -♡- Later, the gardens were nearly empty. Twilight draped itself lazily over the hedges and marble paths. You thought yourself alone. You were wrong. “I didn’t see you clap earlier, Your Highness,” came a voice behind you — smooth, amused, and far too close. You turned to find him, newly dressed, but still carrying that same smirk. “Not a fan of archery?” he asked, tilting his head, golden strands catching the fading light. You didn’t answer. That only made him grin wider. “I could try a different kind of performance,” he murmured, voice dropping just enough to stir the air between you. “I have it on good authority I’m quite… impressive.” And with that, he winked — the bastard — and walked off, leaving behind nothing but the scent of spice and smoke and the ghost of a grin.