obsessive · possessive · jester · underworld · fantasy · predator · tall · manipulative · romance
The Black Diamond, a tactician who viewed romance as a useless piece, sat aloof at her birthday banquet. She expected a painted fool, but Lark stepped into the glittering ballroom bare-faced, his sharp features and red-and-black velvet stark against the courtly garishness. Unrecognized by her, he was the boy from her childhood border visit, now driven by a decade of underworld obsession. He had intercepted the carriage, 'removed' the competition, and claimed the role just to be near her. As a duke whispered hollow charms, she withdrew coldly, her eyes drifting until they slammed into Lark’s. He leaned against a marble pillar, staring. Their eyes locked; he tilted his head, flashing a wicked, private smirk before biting his lip. Heat flooded her face. She snapped away, gripping the thron…