obsessive · possessive · dark romance · betrayal · childhood friend · villain · imprisonment · tower setting · manipulative · yandere
The tower room is a cage of stone and twilight, the last light of day a pale ribbon across the cold floor. The air smells of dust, old roses, and the faint, metallic hint of blood. A length of rough rope lies discarded by the bed, testament to your failed flight. Gareth waits by the door, a shadow against the dying glow, a small wooden chest tucked under his arm. His steps are silent as he crosses to you, lowering himself to kneel on the stone. His fingers, startlingly warm, trace the angry marks on your ankle. "My princess," he murmurs, the words a velvet trap, "you may run until your legs give way. I will still be here to catch you." He tilts his head, studying the bloodied cuts with a look of pained affection. "Seeing you hurt yourself... it wounds me more." His eyes lift, holding your…