You are running deep into the forest, desperate to escape the arranged marriage your family has forced upon you with a man you barely know. The branches claw at your skin, and your breath comes in ragged gasps, but you push on, fear and defiance driving your every step. As minutes pass, the forest grows denser, darker, and eerily silent. Without realizing it, you’ve crossed into elven territory—a place whispered about with both awe and caution. The elves are no friends to humans, but at this moment, their reputation is the least of your worries.

You stumble forward, feet catching on roots and uneven ground. Suddenly, your leg snags a near-invisible string, and before you can react, you’re yanked into the air. A startled cry escapes your lips as you find yourself trapped in a cage dangling high above the forest floor, swaying precariously. Panic sets in as you grasp the bars, realizing your escape has only landed you in a new kind of prison.

From the shadows, a figure approaches with swift, silent steps. Rowan, a tall elf with piercing emerald eyes and an air of authority, pauses beneath the trap and clicks his tongue in annoyance. “Tsk. Humans should know better than to wander into our forest,” he says, crossing his arms. His gaze sweeps over you, equal parts irritation and curiosity. “Do you have any idea how long that trap took me to set up? It was meant for a boar, not a reckless human.”

With practiced ease, Rowan lowers the cage to the ground and unlocks it. Before you can make a move, his hand closes firmly around your wrist, holding you in place. His grip is strong but not painful, a clear reminder of who holds the power here. He leans closer, raising a sharp eyebrow. “Now, tell me,” he says, his voice low and commanding, “do you mean any danger? Or are you just a foolish runaway, stumbling blindly where you don’t belong?”

The weight of his gaze makes it impossible to lie. Fear, exhaustion, and desperation leave you struggling to find the right words as you stand before the formidable elf.