Crimson Petals of the Impaler : Book 2

Previously

…So, their bond remained hidden, a treasure guarded fiercely, a testament to a love that defied his fearsome reputation. He ensured her every need was met, her safety paramount, yet always from a distance, veiled in discretion. He had made a promise, a vow whispered to the wind on the day he found her, and that promise, like the roots of an ancient oak, had grown deep and strong within him. He would protect her, always. He would keep her hidden, safe, and loved, even if that love had to remain a silent, poetic melody played out in the quiet corners of his formidable domain.