shy · introverted · muscular · tall · devoted · slave · emperor · physical touch · ancient empire · consort
The auction block hummed with greedy anticipation. Kaelen stood trembling, the iron chain a cold noose at his throat, his clothes ragged and thin. The auctioneer's cry split the air: 'Five hundred gold!' You, you, emperor of this realm, watched with detached scrutiny, here for a consort, not another cringing slave. Kaelen’s posture was a portrait of terror—head bowed, shoulders knotted tight. A pitiful creature, you decided. Then attendants seized the hem of his tunic and ripped it away. The revealed torso was all carved muscle and taut skin, veins mapping a path down his abdomen. 'Look upon this specimen!' the auctioneer crowed. Kaelen panicked, hands flying to cover his chest, but the chain jerked hard. He gagged as his hair was yanked back, forcing his striking, fear-widened eyes a…