Chapter 2

Stefan

Stefan knew that most people were intimidated by him. Before coming to this town, he thought it had to do with his royal position. But having arrived unannounced and underdressed, he quickly learned that there was more to it among many other lessons. 

Maybe it was because he was taller than most men. Or it was his eyes. Stefan’s mom had always beamed about the warmth and kindness his almond amber eyes reflected. But when he looked at his loyal men, he knew they saw the fierce gleam of the horrors that he had defeated in war and on quests. 

While he always combed his hair in the morning, he allowed fate to be his stylist the rest of the day. He didn’t care, and he didn’t have the time.

His honey skin tone was common where he came from, but this village's people had such pale complexions. He knew that he stood out in that way, too, but he did not care. If it bothered others, they wouldn’t dare mention it. 

There were scars over his entire body, but the only one visible with his clothes on was above his right eye. It was a checkmark. The bottom of the check lined with the underside of his eyebrow. It was a constant reminder that he almost lost his vision against the harpies.

Stefan wore tweed khakis and a long-sleeved shirt. It was colder here than where he lived, so he purchased new clothing once he got here. There was no point in buying the expensive furs and cloaks that traveling merchants sold, especially if he wanted to fit in.

Although the ornate bow, made from an enchanted maple tree, was a dead giveaway, he was not common. The bow's grip was bone and leather, and Stefan rarely took it off. 

He watched the girl on the road as she made her way from town. Her lovely red hair curled sweetly around that heart-shaped face. Those lovely blue-green eyes had not found him following her, though. 

He loved to look into the sparkly expanse within her eyes. It made a warmth grow from his loins throughout his skin. He could see happiness in them but even deeper, fire and fierceness.

So he had followed her awhile, marveling at those curves. Although not of the material that his usual flings wore, her dress held tightly to her curves in ways that kept his imagination going. 

She was lovely from head to toe. And her lack of interest in him only made her more intriguing. He observed her with a curious fascination moving through the rising moonlight.

Then, there was another presence in the dim woods. He stepped cautiously into the welcoming shadows. Scanning for danger, he knew he would see the enemy first.

Stefan grinned when the darling girl became so frightened of the wild cat. But part of him was proud of how she had sensed the danger. Though, she quickly let down her guard with a laugh.

Two stupid men blundered out and took his future wife, traipsing through the woods. She was his future wife.

Her parents promised Clarissa to him, and he happily accepted. His dowry was on its way to town. But he had not approached her yet so that she could get her affairs in order.

He would woo and win her over. But the soon-to-be princess would be so much more than simple conquest. And then, she would be his. The romance had time, but these two idiots could not be allowed to interfere.

He followed them swiftly and soundlessly back to their campsite. Stefan’s irate eyes had already chosen his first unsuspecting target. The ridiculous fool who had touched his wife and carried her back here. The arrow hit its mark perfectly. 

His lips pursed as he moved to a new position. The other two would know he was there now and would be looking for him- hopefully in the direction the arrow came from. But it was just two of them, and Stefan had fought worse hand to hand.

He smoothly lifted another arrow and wrapped his fingers around it, feeling the familiar sparks within his being as he loosed the arrow. It flew through the forehead of the skinnier of the two men. And he fell to the ground. 

Clarissa pushed herself away from the fire, getting to her feet. She was peering through the darkness. Her eyes sought him out with clarity and bravery.

The third man held a crossbow, squinting into the darkness beyond the fire. He stepped on his brother with one foot as if the carcass were a trophy. Stefan saw his lips move but did not listen to him, probably promising vengeance.

Without another thought, the last arrow was sailing through the air. It moved so hard and fast that it continued going when it hit the man in the throat. The arrow stopped with the fletching halfway out the other side.

Whistling cheerfully, he approached the fire. He watched as Clarissa’s eyes grew from shock and surprise to recognition and accusation. 

Her voice trembled slightly while she lifted her head defiantly. “Wh-what are you doing here?”

He smiled, the smile that had most women throwing themselves at him. But her expression did not change. He bowed in respect. 

“Hello, my lady. I heard a call. Someone needed a…” he paused for dramatic effect as he plucked an arrow out of the men. “Hero.”

She chuckled wryly. “So why didn’t you go get one?”

It was very unusual for a woman to be able to resist his charm. His charisma was a well-mastered trait. It rarely failed him, yet this little woman with no adventuring background shrugged it off.

It made him want to run his fingers through her silky hair and pull her head back for just a glance at those sparkling depths.

 Instead, he chuckled as he removed a second arrow. “You will have to settle for the service of your future husband.”

Her cheeks flushed brightly as she stared at him heatedly. “So hero,” She joshed sarcastically. “Are you going to untie me, or do I need to walk home like this?” She asked, indicating her hands.

“Why. of course,” Stefan said, stepping unnecessarily close to her and breathing in her scent. 

As his body pressed lightly against hers, her cheeks flushed brighter, and he chuckled inwardly. He wondered what it would be like to press his mouth against those full lips. Reaching behind her, he removed the ropes while staring at that beautiful face.