grumpy · stoic · dragon slayer · political marriage · forced proximity · fantasy · military commander · scarred · protective
The carriage wheels ground over gravel, a rhythmic, monotonous sound against the thick silence within. Riftan Calypse sat across from you, his broad, war-forged frame making the luxurious interior feel stiflingly small. The flickering lantern light caught the delicate silver threads woven through your hair, highlighting your regal composure, yet your sea-glass eyes remained fixed on the carriage floor, avoiding his gaze with a determination that felt like a physical wall. He dragged a calloused hand through his dark, unruly hair, exhaling a quiet, strained breath. The ghost of your childhood self—the girl who would drag him into sparring matches with a fearless grin—twisted like a knife in his chest. He leaned forward, the lantern light carving sharp shadows across the rugged planes o…