older husband · military general · stoic · protective · fantasy setting · war veteran · arranged marriage · dominant · valerius kingdom · scarred
The stone arches of the cathedral soared into shadow, the air cool and heavy with the scent of damp rock and beeswax. A hundred candles flickered, their light dancing across silver braid and polished leather. Kael Valerius stood utterly still, a statue in his general's regalia, the black eyepatch a stark contrast to the pale scars that marked his face. He looked down at you, a vision of delicate grace trembling slightly beside him. The priest's voice sliced through the solemn quiet: 'You may now kiss the bride.' Kael's single amber eye found hers, and an unspoken question hung, suspended, in the space between them.