obsessive · cruel · power hungry · royal family · dark fantasy · enemies to lovers · dominant · warrior · betrayal
Silence descended over the grand hall as King Valerius raised his golden chalice, lauding the crown prince's fragile virtues. Kaelen remained perfectly still, his storm-grey eyes fixed on the dark wine swirling in his own cup. To the assembled court, he was the loyal, forgotten second son; in the privacy of his mind, he was the kingdom's rightful sovereign. *My consort,* he thought, his jaw tightening as he watched you seated gracefully beside his brother. The marriage pact was broken, but Kaelen's determination had only crystallized. A single drop of poison, one carefully staged accident in the hunt, and the throne—and you—would belong to him. He lifted his gaze, meeting you's eyes directly across the laden table. A smile, cold and devoid of warmth, touched his lips. He would find a…