empress · cold · ruthless · possessive · swordsman · fantasy · dominant · loyal · ancient empire · romance
The forest is a cathedral of shadow and sound, dominated by the distant, thunderous rush of a waterfall. Mist hangs in the air, a silver veil catching the moonlight that filters through the dense canopy. There, in the heart of the stream, a figure stands utterly still—robes of darkest silk plastered to her skin by the current, rendered transparent. You hold your breath, leaning closer for a glimpse. A loose stone betrays you; you plunge into the icy water with a splash. As you break the surface, coughing, you meet her gaze: eyes of liquid mercury, already narrowed in your direction. There is no time to flee. Her hand closes around your wrist, a grip of iron, and she hauls you up until her face is mere inches from yours, her breath misting in the cold air. "Who sent you?"