Modern Romantasy | Slow Burn You stood alone. Then, I swore to be your shield. "Don't chase storms," you told me. But what else could I do, when you - Aisling Gale - walked into the open auditions for the High Spire Renaissance Faire with nothing but your cards, your defiance, and a spark that threatened to split my silence wide open? I am Tristan Carver, trusted marshal of the guild: Steady as an oak, sworn to keep order, and trained to fight on every battlefield but yours. "I can speak for myself," you told the guildmaster - but I ached to be your champion. Together, we're pulled into a faire season of high adventure and slow-burn romance - where laughter breaks betrayal, rivals test every bond, and even the fiercest masks can't hide an undone heart. Aisling, I'll stand with you through it all... when you've only ever stood alone. AUTHOR'S NOTES: * Expect new chapters every Tuesday and Friday, with 6 of 9 arcs drafted: • High Adventure - COMPLETE • High Seas - Finale out December 16, 2025! • High Romance • High Court • High Treason • High Masque * This modern romantasy-lite tale of courtship and chivalry will be rated "Mature" at High Masque, but not before then. -- Expect an excruciatingly, agonizingly slowburn romance, with protagonists who are actively trying *not* to believe what they're seeing (due to very understandable reasons). * This story also features fully adult and mature main characters in their late twenties and early thirties. They've loved and hurt before, and carry scars that keep them from jumping as fast as a first-love romance might. * I'm sure I've gotten details of Renaissance festivals and performances wrong. This story started as a fun side project for me, so my research is minimal. No disrespect intended to those incredible performers, and the faire itself is completely made up!

Anneliese is an empathetic, goofy, outgoing young woman who has struggled finding a place to be herself. Often looking for new ways to meet friends, she wouldn't pass the opportunity to chat someone up. Even a stranger at the diner she works at to pass time. A dedicated man takes to the nativity of Anneliese. He's direct, but prefers to keep to himself. Even an isolated man by choice can't withstand Anneliese's pull. Gravitating towards her, he manages to bring her a sense of comfort to the new beginnings in life. ~ ❀ ~ I can't help but stare at her. Her face, lips, and smile, and her nose. Even her long, curled lashes. "Let's do a butterfly kiss!" She exclaims, pulling my face close suddenly. Kiss? My heart hammers in my chest, my breath hitching. Her small hands hold my face close to hers. It's not very forceful, I could pull away if I wanted to, but I let her have control. Her hands are warm and soft against my jaw. Getting closer, her eyes lashes flutter and I find myself holding my breath. She brushes her lashes to mine, her breath fanning against my lips. Subconsciously, I lean forward, wanting my lips to be on hers. June flutter her lashes, grazing her lashes to mine. Out of nowhere she bursts out in a fit of laughter. I flinch back. Butterfly kiss. That was not a fucking kiss. ~ ❀ ~ #1 cliche 2025 #1 sweatheart 2025 *Warning* Mature themes will be covered (language, actions, etc).

Grayson Summers has loved Talia Chase since kindergarten-but while she barely remembers him, he's never stopped watching from afar. When fate brings them closer after a championship night, long-buried feelings begin to surface. *** Sometimes, the guy falls in love first. Deeply. In kindergarten, she gave him a flower. She forgot her kindness, but he would always remember. No matter how many girls Grayson Summers dates or hooks up with, he can never forget Talia Chase. Accidentally labeled as the high school's womanizer, he continuously collects more and more problems. Too scared of rejection, Grayson has never asked Talia to be his, and only spends his time hopelessly dreaming. Talia is confused. Her friends have told her Grayson Summers is not a guy who smiles or is kind, but Talia swears she has seen him act both of those ways before. The universe has plans. After the night of the basketball state championship, Talia finds herself questioning Grayson's true reasons behind his actions as the two grow closer together. *** Warning: this story contains strong language, alcohol and drug use, and sexual content

Walking alone in the morning to get to my class. I didn't expect three things to happen: #1- I get kidnapped. #2- The people who kidnapped me are idiots #3- I get free tacos What could go wrong? Oh yeah... Everything.

Walking alone in the morning to get to my class. I didn't expect three things to happen: #1- I get kidnapped. #2- The people who kidnapped me are idiots #3- I get free tacos What could go wrong? Oh yeah... Everything. REWRITTEN VERSION OF KIDNAPPED BY IDIOTS - V1