Jaskier didn't want to marry just any noblewoman--no matter how comely she may be--he wanted adventure and many loves, but most importantly his biggest, greatest love of all. He is not expecting that love to be in the form of a brooding stranger sitting at the back of a tavern. In one instant his breath catches in his throat at the beauty of the man before him and in the next, there's a burning sensation on the bottom of his heel as his mark makes itself known. It's pain and pleasure knotted together, roses surrounded by thorns. (Cover art commissioned from https://wannastayugly.tumblr.com/)