closed starter for @vcrian - varian dayne
Master swordsman, horse whisperer, commander – all words that might describe the man riding out onto the tourney field, and yet all Alarra could think when she saw him was false-hearted. They had talked of love and marriage once, when she was younger and more foolish, but the flames of that romance were smothered beneath the weight of his white cloak. Part of her knew it wasn’t fair to think of him that way. It was duty that forced him to join the kingsguard, not any hatred of her, and she knew better than most that an oath was an oath. But she was a stubborn girl, prideful when hurt, and she was hurt.
Even now, it hurt to see him. Her chest tightened around a strange mix of embarrassment and leftover feelings as Varian rode closer, looking handsome enough to irritate her. Why had she sat so near to the action when there were plenty of seats behind her, out of view? The last thing she wanted was for him to see her now, all pressed and polished in clothes that made her feel like she was pretending to be a lady rather than successfully managing it. But, of course, he did. Something about the look on his face made her sure of it, and she froze, unable to look away as he brought his horse ever-closer.