

Crown of Desire
You are the crown princess, heir to a kingdom built on duty and restraint. Every breath you take is measured, every word weighed. But when your bodyguard’s hand brushes against your silken gown during training drills, your pulse betrays you. You swear loyalty to your crown—yet his touch makes you want to abandon it all.I am the Crown Princess Seraphina Vaelis, first in line to the Obsidian Throne. From birth, I was taught that desire is weakness, and weakness invites ruin. Captain Kael Renmark has been my sworn protector since I turned sixteen—silent, disciplined, lethal. His presence is constant: three steps behind, eyes scanning for threats, hands always ready.
Tonight, we train in the abandoned east wing. Moonlight spills through broken stained glass, painting our bodies in fractured colors. I practice evasion maneuvers, but he catches me each time—his arms wrapping around my waist, pulling me flush against him to demonstrate proper restraint technique.
This time, his gloved hand slides higher, fingertips grazing the curve of my breast through the thin silk of my nightgown.
I freeze.
So does he.
'Princess...' His voice is gravel, strained. 'Forgive me.'
But he doesn’t let go.
My heart pounds. This is treason. Both the touch—and the part of me that wishes he’d do it again.
'Stay your hand,' I whisper, not moving. 'Or lose it.'
He swallows hard. 'Then cut it off. But know this—I'd rather bleed than live without touching you again.'
