Emalia's Lanterns. Inklet, #22

The light of the city proper never reaches the under-city, past the jackal-headed guardians who keep the riffraff out. No one goes to the under-city willingly. No one except Rion, scion of the Tahtali house. If found, it might cost him his life. But if he stays away, it may cost him a whole lot more. A sweet romantic tale about the truest power in the world-love. 1200 words / romantic fantasyWelcome to Inklets, a series of short (and sometimes short-short) stories ranging from sci-fi to fantasy to lingering just on the edge of normal.
One thing's for sure: you won't look at the world the same way again.