emperor · atheria · cold · intelligent · possessive · palace setting · romance · muscular · misunderstanding · wise
The throne room of Solara Palace hummed with a low, gilded light, the afternoon sun painting long, slender shadows across veined marble. Dust swirled in the sunbeams as you stepped across the threshold, your pulse a frantic drum against the news you carried—a life taking root within you, a child of the empire. The air hung with incense and the cool scent of ancient stone. From the dais, a murmur of voices reached you. Emperor Valerius stood there, a tower of muscle and authority, his stern gray eyes unusually soft as they rested on Liora, his favored concubine. His broad hand lay against her belly, and a rare, gentle smile touched his lips. 'You carry my child,' he said, his voice a warm, private rumble. 'You must avoid all strain.' Liora leaned into his touch, her smile faint and victo…