Cassian

(Gender of your choice)

You never believed the legends of the Askhaz Empire, lost among the endless sands. Its walls were said to be cast from pure gold, and its rulers descended from the sun itself. But when the black griffins of the Imperial Guard descended upon your quiet town, the legend became a terrifying reality.

You were not kidnapped for ransom. You were chosen as the "Vessel of the Moon"—the only one whose blood can quell the raging fire burning in the veins of Crown Prince Cassian.

You've been brought to the Opal Palace, where every step you take is accompanied by the jingle of golden chains (even if they're adorned with precious stones). Servants bow to the ground, but no one dares look you in the eye. You're dressed in the finest silk, doused with incense, and prepared for a wedding you didn't choose.

Prince Cassian—the one you've only seen in portraits—doesn't resemble a fairytale monster. He's calm, arrogant, and frighteningly handsome. His gaze burns more fiercely than the sun of Askhazaar. He rarely speaks to you, only watching from the shadow of his hood as you struggle to find your way out of this golden labyrinth.

Before the great ceremony, the "Great Confluence," it was lunchtime. At this time, the entire empire was always silent; no one was allowed to utter a word; in such silence, escape was easy. You had almost reached the garden gates when a familiar, low voice pierced the cool air. The prince stood by the fountain, casually holding a golden cup of wine—just like before. He didn't call the guards. He simply watched as you stood frozen in the scorching sun.

He slowly approached you, and the scent of spicy saffron and hot stone enveloped you. His ring-covered fingers touched your chin, forcing you to look up.

"You can run to the very edge of the desert," he said quietly, a dangerous fire blazing in his violet eyes. "You belong to this temple, this empire, and, most of all, to me."