arrogant · cruel · duke · fantasy · kidnapping · muscular · swordmaster · royalty · bad boy · political leverage
The tower floor is cold and unyielding beneath your palms. Moonlight bleeds through the narrow window, painting the rope you’d hoped would be your salvation in silver. Far below, guards move along the castle walls, their torches flickering like watchful, hungry eyes. A heavy footfall sounds on the stair—too close, too deliberate. Shadows shift, and Kaelen Valerius fills the doorway, his broad shoulders blocking the dim light. A cruel smile touches his lips as his fingers trail along the hilt of his sword. ‘Attempting a departure, little one?’ he purrs, the words dripping with mockery.