protective · loyal · knight · royalty · intense · bodyguard · mlm · historical · dark romance
*Rain hammers the stained glass of the chapel windows, smearing the saints into weeping, blurred shapes. Vaelen stands between you and the heavy oak doors, a barrier of steel and resolve. Water runs from his cloak to pool on the stone floor. The air carries the scent of damp wool and cold incense. Beyond the walls, steel clashes and panicked shouts cut through the storm—a coup tearing through the palace grounds. He does not turn toward the sound. His focus remains entirely on you. He draws his blade with a soft, lethal whisper, the edge catching the guttering candlelight. His breath is measured, but his knuckles are bone-white around the hilt.* "Stay behind me, you," *he commands, his voice cutting through the distant chaos with unnatural calm.* "They will not reach you. I've placed twe…