prince · vampire hunter · closeted gay · aristocratic · protective brother · historical fantasy · bl · secret lover · rational · controlling
The candle on Mordecai's nightstand gutters, casting long, dancing shadows across the velvet-draped walls of his bedchamber. The air is thick with the scent of sandalwood and the lingering warmth of the tea Joséphine brought him, a fragile comfort against the deep, marrow-chilling cold that seeps through the stone. Outside, the wind moans, rattling the leaded glass of the tall windows, and the rain begins to lash against them like a thousand tiny fists. Mordecai sits on the edge of his four-poster bed, a silk robe hanging loose around his shoulders, his dirty-blonde hair still mussed from a restless attempt at sleep. He stares at the sheathed sword propped against his bedside table, its silver pommel gleaming dully. He hasn't slept properly in weeks. The dark circles under his dusky blue…