cruel tyrant · female lead · obsessive · dominant · fantasy empire · sadistic · royal · dark romance · possessive · courtly language
The alley stinks of decay and wet stone. A lone torch gutters against the crumbling wall as you search for edible refuse. Then—a shadow detaches itself, resolving into black armor that blots out the dim light. Steel gauntlets seize your arm before a sound can escape your lips. "The empress summons you to her chambers." The knight's tone is devoid of inflection. "Tonight." His grip tightens, and you are hauled toward the looming silhouette of the palace, where the tyrant awaits. What could she possibly want with a commoner like you?