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Embers of War: A Neanderthal's Heart and Eldoria's Promise

🇵🇭StarletBunny
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Synopsis
Warning! R-18 Neanderthal Empire, ruled by the fearsome and enigmatic Emperor Kael, has long been a thorn in the side of the Eldorian Kingdom. For centuries, their lands have been divided by a vast, treacherous forest, an impenetrable barrier guarded by vicious creatures of the night. But when Elara, the Princess of Eldoria, is captured and brought to the Neanderthal capital, a forbidden romance blossoms. Kael, hardened by years of war and bloodshed, finds himself drawn to Elara's grace and resilience. Elara, on the other hand, is torn between her duty to her kingdom and the undeniable passion she feels for the Emperor. p.s: this is my first time so please be mindful in your feedbacks. pics not mine.
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Chapter 1 - Chapter 1: The Prisoner Princess

In the heart of the Eldorian Kingdom, where the sun kissed the rolling hills and the fragrance of wildflowers danced in the air, Princess Elara was a beloved and radiant figure. Her laughter echoed through the castle halls, enveloping all who heard it in warmth and joy. The people adored her not just for her beauty but for her kind heart and sharp mind. She spent her days in the company of scholars and artists, dreaming of a kingdom where peace reigned eternal, where the arts flourished, and where her people thrived in harmony. But little did she know that her idyllic life was precariously perched on the precipice of disaster.Elara stood at the edge of the royal courtyard, the distant sounds of laughter and music echoing from below. Her heart swelled with pride as she watched villagers adorned in their finest garments gathering by the castle gates. But in a heartbeat, that joyful atmosphere shattered when a plume of black smoke loomed on the horizon, followed by the thundering of hooves."Princess!" one of the guards called out, urgency seeping into his voice. "You must come inside! They're—"Before he could finish, a cacophony erupted as the raiders broke through the gates, their battle cries piercing the air. Elara's blue eyes widened, and she felt an instinctual urge to protect her people."I will not hide!" Elara declared, clutching the elegant fabric of her gown. With the sheer will to defend her home, she raced towards the chaos."Stay back!" shouted a guard, desperation coloring his tone, but Elara was undeterred. The next moment, she was seized from behind, caught off guard by the rough grip of a raider. In a fever of chaos, she was thrust onto a horse and swept away, the castle disappearing from her sight. ᘛ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------⊰The clangor of metal and the rumble of marching feet surrounded me like a storm, each sound sending fresh shivers through my spine. I had always imagined the life of a princess filled with festivities and warm, golden moments in the sunshine. I had not pictured the grim walls of a Neanderthal fortress looming over me—a twisted reflection of a life once filled with dreams."Bring her here!" a deep voice commanded. It rippled through the hall, sending echoes that seemed to bounce off every wall, enveloping me in a shroud of dread.I gasped as I felt the air whisk past me; the wind was cold against my skin. I couldn't believe it. Where are they taking me? Panic surged through my veins as I glanced at the raiders, their faces shrouded in tattoos and scars, eyes glimmering with a mixture of excitement and greed. Everything I loved was left behind – my family, my home, and the people I vowed to protect."Keep your mouth shut, princess," one raider sneered behind me, his breath foul and menacing. "You're coming with us straight to the Neanderthal Empire. It's best you don't scream."I clenched my fists, igniting a fire within me. "I will never surrender!" I shouted defiantly, hoping to embody the strength my people believed I possessed.As we galloped through the wilderness, I fixed my gaze ahead, even as my heart raced in fear. I would not let them see me broken. I was Princess Elara, and I would be brave—for the Eldorian Kingdom.ᘛ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------⊰As I was thrust into the dimly lit hall, I squinted against the flickering firelight, my senses heightened. The cold stone floor sent shockwaves through my bare feet, and I gritted my teeth against the rising tide of despair. This was no fairy tale; this was a nightmare spun from the darkest threads of reality.I was shoved forward, stumbling and catching myself on one of the guard's large, muscular arms. My gaze jerked up to meet the figure seated on the throne—a man whose very presence dripped with authority. Emperor Kael. The scar that ran across his weathered face appeared to tell tales of countless battles fought and an unyielding past. My heart raced as I felt the weight of his piercing gaze."You are a long way from home, Princess," he said, his voice gravelly yet layered with an unexpected intrigue."I'm not afraid of you," I managed to reply, trying to project an air of fearless resilience. "You will pay for this—mark my words."The Emperor leaned forward, intrigued by the defiance radiating from the captive princess before him. He could sense the struggle within her, the balance between fear and strength palpable in the air like a taut string. The guards flanking him exchanged glances—most expected him to relish breaking her spirit, yet something about Elara was different."Defiance can be dangerous, Princess Elara," he remarked, his tone slightly more measured, like a predator toying with its prey. "What gives you the courage to speak to me in such a manner?"Despite the terrifying atmosphere, a flicker of determination surged within me. "You think you can intimidate me? I've faced greater horrors than your throne room." My mind raced to the whirlwind of events that had led me here—a series of mistaken beliefs and the whispers of luck that had left me at the mercy of this man.Kael observed me, his eyes narrowing. "Greater horrors? The Eldorian court? The power of your father's crown?" His laughter rang hollow in the chamber, yet it felt as if he wasn't entirely mocking me. "You may be brave, but this is a world far removed from your delicate kingdom.""I will find a way to escape you," I stated fiercely, willing my voice to remain steady. "And when I do, it will be the dawn of your reckoning." Kael watched her with a mix of irritation and intrigue. Most captives wilted under his scrutiny, their bravado stripped bare like armor in battle. Yet Elara remained defiant, an ember in the face of extinguishing wind. Her defiance struck a chord within him, something unfamiliar and unwelcome."Many have tried before you," he replied, his voice losing some of its harshness. "Most failed. What makes you believe you will succeed where they could not?""Because I am not like them!" she exclaimed, her voice rising. "I have fought for my freedom already, and I will fight until my last breath."Kael studied her, a contemplative silence hanging in the air. There was no denying his fascination with this woman who dared to stand tall before an emperor. "And what if I told you that perhaps your freedom is not the only option on the table?"My heart sank. What could he possibly offer? I had been brought here to be a bargaining chip, a prisoner in the game of power. "What do you mean?" I asked, glancing around at the stone walls that felt like a cage—a gilded cage, perhaps, but a cage nonetheless."Join me," he stated simply, his gaze unwavering. "You could have power at your fingertips if you chose to ally with me. The Eldorian Kingdom is beginning to crumble. We could be stronger together."