Chapter 2 #2
The story was the kind of fantasy romance that pulled me in from the first chapter and refused to let go. I’d only discovered it a week ago, but I already felt invested in the characters as if I’d known them for years.
Cassemir was a prince in disguise, concealing his identity while hunting for the lost relic of Dralia, a legendary artifact said to be able to restore both his crumbling kingdom and the magic that once thrived there.
Raelle, the heroine, was his opposite in almost every way: a fierce, unflinching fighter who had trained nearly her entire life to infiltrate the palace and end the reign of King Barion.
Her mission was clear—return power to the people, as she was convinced the royal family had hoarded the magic for themselves.
Raelle’s backstory resonated with me more than I wanted to think about. She’d left a toxic home at nine, found refuge with the Tumultuari—a ragtag band of rebels—and built a life on her own terms. No family. No close friends. Just grit, survival, and a refusal to let her past define her.
I wasn’t exactly overthrowing monarchies, but I understood her solitary resilience. Sometimes I even liked to pretend I was as unapologetically fierce as she was.
My one complaint—and it was a big one—was Cassemir himself.
Every time he and Raelle shared a scene, he managed to come off as pompous, arrogant, and utterly unappealing.
How was I supposed to root for a man who seemed allergic to humility?
I was several chapters in and still hadn’t found a single redeeming quality.
So far, the only thing he inspired in me was mild irritation.
The author, who went by TheWriteGuy, had dropped hints that there was more to Cassemir beneath the princely bravado, but the slow burn was edging toward too slow. Without Raelle’s arc maintaining my interest, I might have abandoned the story already.
So, in a moment of bold reader honesty, I’d messaged him. Told him—politely, I thought—that I wasn’t connecting with Cassemir and why. With the number of reads his story had, I doubted my note would ever be seen, let alone answered.
But then a reply had appeared in my inbox. And with it, a rush of guilt. Who was I to critique someone’s main character? Reading was subjective, and clearly plenty of other people were smitten with Cassemir if the glowing comments were anything to go by.
Still, TheWriteGuy had been gracious. Kind, even.
He’d thanked me for the feedback and said he’d consider adjusting Cassemir’s early arc to bring out more of his depth sooner.
His kindness made me feel even worse for my blunt message, but I’d doubled down with a follow-up message explaining I’d only wanted to offer a feminine perspective, because the story truly was compelling and I wanted to keep turning pages.
Since then, we’d been exchanging messages at night. It was casual, an easy back-and-forth about his characters, his plot, even a few glimpses into his writing process. I’d started checking my BookPad inbox more than I should probably admit.
Tonight, there was no notification. No waiting message. I tried not to be disappointed, but the absence left an inexplicable hollow feeling.
I clicked into the next chapter and started reading, but my attention wandered almost immediately. After rereading the same paragraph twice, I gave in. Navigating back to my messages, I opened his profile and began typing.
ReadToLiv
Fine. I take back what I said last night. You were right. On rare occasions a good-looking but arrogant guy can pique a woman’s interest.
I hit send and had barely started reading again when a notification pinged. My pulse kicked hard against my ribs—he’d already replied. It had only been a week since we’d started chatting, but I was already looking forward to these exchanges more than I’d ever confess.
TheWriteGuy
So you’re admitting that Raelle could feel chemistry with Cassemir from their first meeting? Interesting. After your messages claiming otherwise, I need to know what has caused this change of heart.
I wasn’t surprised by his cocky tone. Over the last several nights, it had become obvious he’d infused some of his own personality into Cassemir. Which, in this discussion, gave another point in his favor—and proved I was wrong. Grr.
ReadToLiv
Let’s just say that some events helped me realize my error.
TheWriteGuy
I love being right. Please expound on these events.
I rolled my eyes even though he couldn’t see me.
ReadToLiv
There will be no expounding. All you need to know is that I met a guy who was frustrating, infuriating, ridiculously handsome, who made me nervous and … excited. So I guess Raelle’s reaction to Cassemir is legit. I just hadn’t experienced it personally before.
TheWriteGuy
This must have been some guy to get you all hot and bothered.
ReadToLiv
I did not get all hot and bothered! Just a little frazzled.
TheWriteGuy
Do you think you are going to see him again?
His question felt more personal than our previous exchanges, which had stuck to books and plots. Despite that, I found myself wanting to answer anyway.
ReadToLiv
No. I doubt I’ll ever run into him again.
TheWriteGuy
Or … you’ll keep running into him, like every good romance novel.
I laughed out loud. My life was anything but a romance novel. In fact, I’d never had a boyfriend. Not even a serious crush. My romantic life was nonexistent.
ReadToLiv
Real life is not a romance novel. And I don’t care that I’ll never talk to this guy again. He’s not my type.
TheWriteGuy
I’m calling your bluff. A good-looking guy who makes your pulse race—isn’t that every woman’s type?
Maybe he had a point. But he didn’t know it was Talon we were talking about—the swimming golden boy, the guy treated like royalty. Huh. That actually sounded a lot like Cassemir. Maybe TheWriteGuy knew more than I thought.
ReadToLiv
Conceited jerk isn’t my type.
TheWriteGuy
LOL. Ouch. Does he know you think so little of him?
ReadToLiv
Trust me, he doesn’t care what I think of him. He didn’t even know I existed until our run-in, and I’m sure he’s forgotten me by now.
TheWriteGuy
I have a feeling you made a lasting impression.
ReadToLiv
Haha, you’re probably right. He isn’t used to women who don’t fawn all over him.
TheWriteGuy
Maybe he’s like Cassemir. Two sides—and you just have to get to know him.
ReadToLiv
Maybe. But I don’t think there are that many Cassemirs in real life.
TheWriteGuy
Maybe. But I think there are more than you realize.
I reread his message. Was he implying he knew from experience? Was it easy for him to write Cassemir because they had so much in common?
I hesitated. Would it be too personal to ask if he had put himself into his character? Slowly I typed out my message, my curiosity winning.
ReadToLiv
Are you a Cassemir?
Several tense moments passed. Enough time that I was worried he wasn’t ever going to respond.
Had I overstepped? This wasn’t a casual conversation anymore. But he’d been the one to ask me about seeing some guy …
Finally, he replied.
TheWriteGuy
Yes.
ReadToLiv
Sorry. That was personal. I know we’ve mostly stuck to books.
TheWriteGuy
It’s okay. Some parts of Cassemir are me, but a lot aren’t.
ReadToLiv
That makes sense.
Where did your inspiration for Raelle come from?
TheWriteGuy
I’m not sure. I like strong, feisty female characters. Makes for a more interesting story.
I tried not to compare myself to Raelle, but our similarities nagged at me. Could that be why he liked messaging with me? I shook my head at that ridiculous thought.
ReadToLiv
So far, she’s my favorite character.
TheWriteGuy
Is that because she says whatever she thinks?
… Reminds me of someone …
A grin spread across my face.
ReadToLiv
I can’t imagine who …
TheWriteGuy
We spent another few minutes talking before he said he needed to get to bed because he had to be up early in the morning.
I didn’t know much about TheWriteGuy, but a man who wasn’t afraid to read and write fantasy romance and admired bold heroines? That was the type of guy I could get on board with.
In our earlier conversations we’d both admitted we were twenty-five and single. I only hoped he’d been truthful and wasn’t a middle-aged man hiding behind a BookPad username.
I fell asleep thinking about TheWriteGuy, our conversations, and what it would be like if we ever met in person.
The only problem was, every time I tried to picture him, Talon’s face would appear.