My dear followers and lurkers with a thirst for sleeping beauty x insomniac!King Xavier~
I have now pieced together the plot and written something that feels like a draft (I had some pacing issues but I think I’ve figured them out… hopefully lol). There will be a few changes from my initial vision of you as a “forever” captive… just enough to amp up the drama and steep everything in a richer…. sharper direction (read desperation huhu yum)
This will only make the story darker.
Here’s some wip/draft/food/there might still be changes but I like the tone of noble Xav (maybe more informal in the bedchamber iykwim huhuhu):
“The vows must be spoken tonight,” Xavier says. “A man—let alone a king—cannot linger in a woman’s bedchamber without marriage… not unless it is to kill her.”
“If you truly can sleep,” Xavier says, his hands still holding yours, “and if you can give me the gift of sleeping, I will release you willingly. No harm shall come to you, and I have no desire to keep a lowborn wife. Consider this… my gift to you. My reward for your success.”
His eyes hold yours for a beat too long.
“But… If you cannot sleep… or if you refuse to give me this gift…” His voice doesn’t waver. “…I will have you beheaded. Quickly. Cleanly. As I said… I have no desire to keep a lowborn wife.”
His grip tightens, thumb brushing the pulse at your wrist. “And if you can sleep, but fail to teach me…” He pauses, gaze fixed on yours, a faint smile ghosting his lips. “…then you will have doomed the kingdom.”
His voice drops lower. “And me with it.”
“These are our vows, my lowborn bride.” He releases one of your hands only to sink to one knee before you. His head bows, and his lips brush the back of your hand in a kiss that feels like the vows has been written into your skin.
Three slumbering stars, aligning.
One king who has never closed his eyes.
