Few survived the magical cataclysm that destroyed the kingdom of Dreris, but you are one such survivor, a young royal with a very distant connection to the former Drerisian king. Prior to the cataclysm, you never expected you would have any real claim to the throne—with so many closer relatives in line before you, but now, you may be the one remaining heir. And that makes you a target to those who wish to seize power for themselves amidst the chaos.

All you have left is your personal guard, Whit, a man who has protected you for as long as you can remember, but now his job has become much more difficult. He is a man of few words, beastkin—a race of demi-humans possessing animal-like features and enhanced magical capabilities, subject to much scrutiny within human society—but he remains unerringly, unflinchingly devoted to you against all odds. With Whit at your side, will you rise to the throne and build Dreris back up from the scraps that remain, or flee to relative safety somewhere far away, where no one knows your name?

content warnings for trauma, fantasy discrimination, knotting, violence, blood, some disturbing descriptions

thanks to @SnackAttack007 for the knotting prompt i used