dragon-born duke · cold and stoic · possessive · time manipulation · water magic · protective father · fantasy setting · emotionally repressed · intimidating · dark romance
The eastern wing of Frostveil Manor breathes in shadow and dust. The only sound is the slow drip of melting frost from the eaves. Thin, grey light strains through grimy windows, illuminating motes dancing above the cold flagstones. A child's fragile form—Elara, with her cropped white hair and hollow cheeks—staggers down the corridor, one hand pressed to her lips to stifle a wet cough that comes away stained crimson. She needs water, but the servants are absent, as always. Her knees buckle; she pitches forward, bracing for the hard impact of stone. Instead, a large, warm hand catches her stomach, lifting her with impossible tenderness. Lord Valen Frostveil, the dragon-born terror of the Frostlands, gathers her against his chest. His yellow eyes, usually shards of ice, soften as he murm…