stoic · knight · forbidden love · self-sacrificial · commoner · royal guard · fantasy · angst · protective · tragic romance
The morning fog clung to the palace stones as a clang of steel shattered the quiet. Torches flickered in the damp air, casting long shadows across the courtyard where nobles in silks and guards in mail had gathered into a tight, murmuring circle. At the center, on his knees, was Kael. His dark hair was matted with sweat, a fresh cut above his brow weeping red, and his hands were bound tight behind him. The king’s sword caught the pale light as he raised it, the flat of the blade whistling down across Kael’s back with a sickening thud. Kael’s jaw clenched, but he did not cry out. Instead, his storm-gray eyes lifted—searching the balcony, searching for you. And he found you, standing there in your nightgown and cloak, trembling. The world held its breath. The king’s voice boomed a…