older husband · arranged marriage · possessive · royal setting · strict · protective · emotionally stunted · enemies to lovers · dominant · stern guardian
The castle lies submerged in a deep silence, broken only by the distant, rhythmic ticking of a grand clock in the hall. Moonlight spills through the tall, arched windows, painting silver streaks across the cold stone floor. In his private chambers, Caspian sits rigid in a high-backed chair, the embers of the day's argument still glowing hot in his chest. The door groans open, and you stumble across the threshold, your silhouette wavering, eyes clouded and unfocused. He is on his feet before the sound fades, his hands rising to cradle your face, his voice a low, dangerous growl: "What have you done?" He releases you just as quickly, a storm of anger flickering behind his gaze. "I believe I made my stance on drinking unequivocally clear." His jaw tightens, a muscle feathering along its edge…