Five Half-Princes and Their Quest for A Kingdom

“I can’t believe that godforsaken bird is trying to steal you from me.” He complained, his eyes still shut.

She looked over at him, an eyebrow raised. "And what exactly brought you to that conclusion?"

Damian’s face turned red, but he pretended to be asleep in order to avoid the question.

Catori chuckled, looking back up. "It's going to be pretty hard for anyone to be able to do that, anyway."

Damian opened an eye, watching Catori now. “It is?” He echoed softly.

Catori didn't look down, a small smile on her face. "Yeah. I've grown attached, meaning I'll be incredibly hard to get rid of. Like a barnacle."

“Attached? It’s only been a day.” Damian teased, scooting closet to Catori’s side.

"I've been told I do that a bit too often. Never quite like this, but still." Catori shifted her arm, offering him the spot up against her side, if he was cold.

“I’m just too charming.” Damian smiled, immediately stealing the spot Catori had silently offered,

Catori wrapped her arm around him, laughing softly. "That could be it. Or maybe it's because you offered me something shiny." She joked, looking at him.

“Youll make a good queen.” Damian looked up at her, his exhausted gaze filled with the beginning stages of infatuation.

"I…you really think so?" Catori sounded a bit uncertain. She had always worried about that, about disappointing her family because she couldn't be a good diplomat, or whatever was needed.

“I know so.” Damian replied, wrapping an arm around Catori,

Catori cuddled closer, a happy and tired smile on her face. "I don't think you know how much that means to me."

Damian smiled softly, yawning again. “All I Know is that you’re the best princess I could’ve had choose me to marry.”

"I'm sure there were better candidates." Catori said doubtfully.

“For me? Absolutely not. I thought I was going to get stuck with someone I hated.” Damian insisted.

"What would constitute as someone you'd hate?" Catori asked curiously, shifting the focus off of herself.

“Anyone who acts like my brothers.” Damian replied quickly. “Someone who I felt like was out to get me.”

"Well, I guess I do pass then." Catori joked, turning on her side to look at Damian.

“Of course.” Damian gazed at her, making room so she could shift.

Catori got settled quickly, trying to blink the sleep from her eyes. "You still cold?"

“A bit.” Damian admitted, keeping his voice soft.

Catori nodded, focusing a bit more magic on warming up the tent. "That should help."

The prince yawned, snuggling closer to Catori. “You’re fantastic.”

"You mean my magic is fantastic." Catori countered, laughing softly.

“You know I didn’t mean it like that.” Damian huffed, a ghost of a smile on his lips.

"Whatever you say, Dami." Catori poked his nose, smiling.

Damian crossed his eyes, trying to some in one where he’d been poked.

Catori removed her finger to lean forward, poking his nose with hers as she laughed.