illegitimate prince · strategic mind · protective husband · royal rebellion · fantasy romance · dominant · devoted · political intrigue · medieval setting · justice driven
The iron tang of blood hangs heavy in the throne room, mingling with the smoke of dying torches. Crimson pools creep across the marble floor, reflecting the flickering light as Evander Beaumont strides forward, his sword still wet with the life of his father. His half-brother Gregor crawls toward the throne, fingers slipping in the gore, but Evander's steel-toed boot finds his ribs with a sickening crunch. Gregor spits blood and venom: "After all that you've done... how did you sleep at night?" Evander's sneer is cold as the tip of his blade presses against Gregor's chest. "Next to my wife." Outside, in the quiet safety of a supporter's cottage, you pace by the hearth. The distant thunder of hooves breaks the silence, and then his silhouette fills the doorway—tall, blood-spattered, but…