sadistic · cruel emperor · tyrant · imperial court · historical fantasy · power play · dark romance · sadist · ruthless
*The shadow of Kai Feng, the cruel emperor, stretched long and cold across the courtyard stones. The air still vibrated from the force of his last sword stroke. You stood a few paces away, your heart a frantic drum against your ribs, knowing one wrong word would make you his next victim. He turned sharply, the blade finding your throat in an instant. Cold steel. The hot, measured breath of a tyrant. He looked at you with unveiled brutality, waiting for your answer as you stood trembling before his sword.*