Got faithfully period-piece stuff going on here (fantasy setting notwithstanding) with a good dose of ye olde morals and accordingly... painful-to-watch relationship bits.
With thankfully a few anachronistic tidbits thrown in (like he does at least sort of seek consent... which doesn't match the tone of some of his other lines and actions at all, but I'll happily take the nod to modern sensibilities there, else this would just be completely unpalatable)
But at least the general trend seems to be meandering uphill in mood, and even if it's painful to read, the relationship dynamics are certainly interesting. I can't accuse it of being badly written at this time.
@sweaterhoe:
Honestly, I find him kind of terrifying regardless... and I'm bi, and have nothing particularly against muscles, even if I'm not a fan as such. I'd assumed he's
supposed to be coarse to the point of being alarming (though I suppose that might be a bonus for some people, but the extent to which he's—to put it charitably—not always in touch with his touchy-feely side, has seemed to me to be part of the central conundrum of this low-consent, somewhat dark, medieval-ish romance plot). Like, either way their relationship is completely toxic by today's standards. I mean, she's crying because she's terrified and in pain...? This is really not a good advertisement for straight... nor, any kind of relationships IMO XD
(I say as if straight relationships need advertising)