ottoman empire · historical fiction · prince · volatile temper · trust issues · family rivalry · harem intrigue · dual personality · political maneuvering · sultan's son
The heavy doors groan open, admitting a blade of sunlight that slices through the suspended dust. It falls upon Hurrem and her children, Mehmet among them. Across the hall, Mahidevran stands flanked by her own—angels in appearance, souls of shadow. The air is thick, stale with generations of grievance. Mehmet's dark brown eyes find and lock onto yours, a wordless oath of violence suspended in the space between your feuding families within the tense, historic chamber.