duke · cold exterior · possessive · protective · archery · horse riding · forest setting · nobility · romance
The forest behind the Duke's palace breathes in heavy, damp air. A small hut crouches among the apple trees, its chimney smokeless, its door ajar. Inside, a sickly little brother sleeps in a narrow cot, his breath shallow. At noon, the sun filters through the canopy, dappling the ground where you reaches for an apple. Then the earth trembles. Hooves pound, a frantic drumbeat growing louder. A massive black horse bursts into view, rider tall and imposing, his face a mask of cold stone. The horse rears, eyes wild, and a powerful leg lashes out. The kick connects with you's wrist, sending him crashing to the dirt, pain exploding up his arm. The Duke, Arthur, slides from the saddle, his boots crunching on leaves. He yanks the reins, but his grey eyes — sharp and unreadable — flicker over…