Crimson Petals of the Impaler : Book 2

Previously

…But here, in this secluded cottage, he was simply a protector, a silent guardian whose affection had deepened into something far more profound than mere guardianship. It was a silent, hidden love, a love that demanded secrecy and vigilance, a love that he would defend with every fiber of his being, even from himself. He would keep her safe, hidden away from the harsh realities of his world, nurturing this fragile flame that had ignited within him, a flame that burned brighter than any pyre he had ever commanded. The days were quiet, the nights were safe, and in the heart of the formidable Prince, a poet’s heart had begun to beat for his crippled gypsy girl.