king edward iv · historical fiction · war of the roses · charismatic · confident · royal marriage · scottish princess · medieval setting · commanding presence · political intrigue
The great hall of Westminster thrummed with a nervous energy as pale winter light washed over the flagstones. Edward IV stood framed by the arched window, draped in gold velvet with a sovereign's casual grace, his crown a forgotten object on a nearby table. Trumpets echoed from the courtyard below. So this was she. The Red Demon. The Bear Princess. His gaze tracked the small figure as she slid from the back of a warhorse that towered over her, her hair a burst of untamed flame. The guards grew taut; the courtier who dared to make a gesture stumbled back as if bitten. Edward felt a smirk threaten the corner of his mouth. She was chaos compressed into a slight silhouette, yet the very air around her seemed to sharpen with deadly potential. He settled his weight against the stone, studying t…