A/N: Next part of Embers of Sacrifice is in the works but until then, here's a little AU that's been bouncing around in my head!

She was fire.

Every movement and every word was fast, scorching, unstoppable.

Those eyes, ringed with the brightest gold lit from the inside as she prowled and stalked.

He wished he could talk to her, that some of that fire could be directed at him. Everything about her screamed perfect and those ears. He wished he could take his lips and lick –

Stop. It would never happen; she was so out of his league.

A princess, the next in line for the throne of Terrasen. And what was he? A hunkering guy that was bound to serve in the army. Sure, he was a prince technically, but it was just for show. So he kept his head down as she walked in front of him with his older cousin, laughing at something he said, placing an arm on his shoulder. The wind started to pick up as he saw her leaning into him.

The single raised eyebrow and wicked smirk she threw back at him, told him that she he was the source.

Rowan's eyes widened and he was pretty sure his ears turned a startling pink as he blushed.

Those eyes, he could get lost in them.

And now they were locked on him.

Oh gods.

She slowed down so that she could walk next to him, "Are we boringg you, Hawk boy?" She drawled out that word, making it rife with sarcasm.

His heartbeat started to pick up. Her growing smirk told him she could hear it too.

Oh gods, oh gods.

He was mortified. And he was pretty sure that his entire face was bright red.

Deep breath, Rowan. One sentence and then she'll lose interest and go back to talking to Erlin.

Trying to control his breathing, his tongue felt like cotton in his mouth. "No, Princess."

Good, he did it. Now –

Oh gods, now she was talking to him.

"Ah, so he does speak!" She laughed as she continued, hands raised up to the heavens as if they'd answered her prayers, her lips a tantalizing shade of red. So full, so beautiful. Rowan just wanted to kiss them –

She was still speaking, shit, to him. Right, need to pay attention. But those lips, he wondered if they'd taste like the cherries they looked like, "…part of Dornelle?"

Oh gods, he missed what she said. His ears were definitely bright red by now, "Sorry, what?" He choked out, it came out a lot quieter than Rowan hoped. Internally, he winced.

Eyebrows still high, her smile became predatory, "I said, buzzard, what is your favorite part of Dornelle?"

Oh, okay he could answer that. Clearing his throat again, he answered, "The docks, Princess."

Good, he couldn't help the mental pat on the back he gave himself. That almost sounded normal!

She just stood there, arms crossed, amusement shining in her eyes in answer. "Hmmm…" Then she looked him up and down, eyes pausing on the sword he always carried at his side. Rowan really, really tried not to look down at where her crossed arms pushed up her breasts.

Don't look, don't look.

His eyes moved down out of their own volition. He could feel himself starting to get hard at those perfect –

Oh Gods.

Think of something gross! Dead puppies, old mortal women, anything.

He quickly looked back up and – no, no – Rowan realized that Aelin had seen him look, if that smirk was any indication.

She seemed to come to a decision then and said with those sultry, scandalous lips, "Well, I guess you'll just have to show me them later then, won't you?"

Wait, what? His eyes grew wide at that.

She just stood there, daring him to say no. Unable to get passed the random frog that had somehow jumped into his mouth and was relaxing in his throat now, Rowan nodded in answer.

Her answering smile was blinding. So filled with fire, intensity, beauty and satisfaction. He was also pretty sure he saw flames flicker in her eyes but that was probably just his imagination. Then with one last look at him, she spun around, heels clicking on the stone path of the market road, and wrapped an arm through his cousin's waiting elbow.

He knew, just knew then, he was in for a worlds of trouble.

A/N: Review please!