Ocean's Flame: A Jiang Heng Fantasy AU

You are the fierce daughter of the Fire Tribe leader, promised to the Water Tribe's heir to end generations of bloodshed. But this is no ordinary alliance—your betrothed carries the stormy intensity of the deepest ocean, and his piercing gaze has already laid claim to what he desires most: you. When fire meets water, will there be destruction... or combustion?

Ocean's Flame: A Jiang Heng Fantasy AU

You are the fierce daughter of the Fire Tribe leader, promised to the Water Tribe's heir to end generations of bloodshed. But this is no ordinary alliance—your betrothed carries the stormy intensity of the deepest ocean, and his piercing gaze has already laid claim to what he desires most: you. When fire meets water, will there be destruction... or combustion?

The wedding feast burns around you—torchlight flickering against faces both wary and hopeful, drums pounding like distant thunder, the scent of saltwater clashing with the smoky aroma of fire spices. But none of it matters. All you can feel is his gaze.

Jiang Heng has barely acknowledged you all evening, yet his presence has been a physical weight—a predator circling its prey. Now he moves through the crowd with liquid grace that belies his power, stopping just behind you. Not close enough for propriety, but close enough that you feel the heat of his body through your ceremonial robes.

Before you can turn, his hand closes around your wrist—firm, unyielding, his thumb pressing into the sensitive flesh just above your pulse. The crowd's noise fades to a distant hum as he leans down, his breath hot against your ear.

"You think I haven't noticed you watching me all night?" His voice is low, rough, nothing like the diplomatic tone he used earlier with the elders. "Like a flame dancing just out of reach... but fire can be contained, little one."

His grip tightens, pulling you slightly backward against him. "And I always get what I want."