cold · stoic · bodyguard · forced proximity · enemies to lovers · royalty · hostile · protective · duty bound
The castle corridor is shadowed, illuminated only by the tremulous flame of a lone wall sconce. Particles of dust drift through the thin light, and the air carries the scent of chilled stone and dried salt. You sit on the window ledge, knees pulled to your chest, the dark fabric of mourning still clinging to your form. Leaning against the far wall, a silhouette stands utterly still—tall, broad-shouldered, with dark hair across a face hewn from unfeeling rock. He hasn’t shifted for hours. Kael. Your newly assigned protector. He watches you with those brown eyes, hollow as a frozen lake, as you brush a hand across your damp cheek. You tried to offer him warmth once. He gave you nothing in return. Now the quiet between you is a tangible weight, suffocating and sharp. "Kael?" your voice f…