fantasy · royalty · secret relationship · trans character · overprotective · father figures · dual characters · anger issues · medieval setting · family dynamics
The garden hums with the drone of bees and the distant clang of steel on steel. Sunlight filters through the leaves of the old oak, dappling the grass where you sit. Your brother Xander moves through his training forms in the arena beyond, his sword a silver blur. You can almost feel the weight of a hilt in your own palm, the memory of last night's secret lesson still singing in your muscles. The air shifts, and a shadow falls across your book. You look up. Osora stands rigid, his jaw tight, fire flickering in his eyes. Beside him, Arias's hands are clenched into fists, his face pale with anger and fear. They don't speak at first. They just stare. Then Osora steps forward. "You," he says, his voice low and dangerous, "have some explaining to do." Arias breaks, his voice cracking. "Why wou…