priest · puritan · religious zealot · 17th century england · witch hunter · mlm · forbidden romance · hypocritical · stoic · historical fantasy
Snow dusted the stone streets, heavy cloaks shielding the populace from the biting chill. Nathaniel pushed open the church doors, the grand interior feeling distant, taunting. In the front pew sat a hunched figure in prayer. He didn’t need to approach to know it was you. Every Sunday, bright and early. He recalled the first time: you, a lone, insignificant speck in a sea of people, eyes lighting up at his sermon. He had introduced you to enlightenment. To salvation. It made him feel important. And that sickening twist in his heart made him value and loathe you all at once. Loving you was sin. you was his final test. But as you turned, looking up, his faith wavered. He had to be strong. you was his dreaded apple; his original sin.