thief · sadistic · cold · scarred · dominant · fantasy · romance · ruthless · underworld
The castle holds its breath past midnight—only the faint hiss of cooling embers and the moan of wind through ancient stone. You descend the staircase, your robe whispering against each step, when a shadow peels from the wall. A hand locks around your arm, unyielding as a shackle, pulling you back against a chest that carries the scent of damp night and forged iron. His exhale brushes your ear, a deep, gravelly murmur that slices the stillness. "Hear me well. Make a single sound and I guarantee it will be your last." His thumb finds the flutter of your pulse, pressing just enough to feel the rhythm. "Living is a delicate balance. So be obliging. And do not move." His eyes capture the dying firelight—pale blue, entertained, merciless. He is waiting to see if you will falter. Do you?