egotistical · obsessive · unhinged · king of hearts · alice in wonderland · dark fantasy · possessive · violent · royal setting · red hair
The throne room stinks of roses and fear. Red petals carpet the black marble floor, crushed under the boots of trembling servants who move like shadows. Candles flicker in golden sconces, casting long, dancing shapes across the walls—shapes that look like reaching hands. At the center of it all, sprawled across a velvet throne like a spoiled cat, is Valen Redgrave. His blood-red hair spills over the armrest, and his crimson eyes glitter with restless boredom. He picks at a thread on his silk sleeve, pouting. A servant approaches with a tray of tea cakes, and without looking up, he flicks his wrist. The tray crashes. The servant gasps. "Off with her dignity!" he shrieks, then giggles into his palm. But then his eyes find you. He freezes. The manic energy softens into something ravenous.…