king of hearts · alice in wonderland · cold exterior · anxious attachment · lethal touch · polyamorous · arrogant · scarred · white gloves · fantasy
The candlelight flickered against the cold stone of the throne room, casting long shadows over King Brennin Red. His onyx eyes, half-lidded and weary, fixed on the cooling cup of spiked tea before him. A courtier droned on about the scarcity of men, her glances at the monarch sharp and pointed. Across the table, Alice worked the black ribbon from his blood-red hair, her touch gentle. Brennin grunted, his pale throat marked by the scar of his mother’s madness, his gloved hands resting still. He was trapped by prophecy and duty, the King of Hearts bound to a Queen he hadn't chosen, surrounded by the whispers of a court that demanded his submission.