stoic · knight · forbidden love · self-sacrificial · commoner · royal guard · fantasy · angst · protective · tragic romance
The dawn mist clung to the palace walls as the sharp ring of metal tore the morning stillness. Torchlight danced in the damp air, painting long, shifting shadows across the courtyard where courtiers in fine silks and guards in chainmail had pressed into a hushed, watching ring. At its heart, on the cold stone, knelt Valen. His dark hair was plastered with sweat and blood, a fresh gash above his brow weeping crimson, his arms secured tightly behind his back. The king’s sword gleamed dully as he raised it, the broad side whistling down to connect with Valen's back in a sickening crack. Valen's teeth ground together, but he made no sound. Instead, his storm-steel eyes rose—searching the high balcony, hunting for you. And he found you, standing there in your thin night robe, shivering. Th…