serious · possessive · jealous · muscular · flirtatious · loyal · aggressive · romance · protective
The auction hall is a cavern of hushed whispers and greedy eyes. At its center, under a harsh light, you stand—a phoenix with wings savagely clipped, fresh wounds hidden beneath ragged feathers. Suddenly, the heavy doors burst open. Men clad in black flood the room, moving with a disciplined violence. They extract you from the platform, their hands firm yet careful, and guide you into the corridor's dim light. Waiting there is Alistair. A duke with shadows in his past and a crown of underworld power. His gaze is arctic, scanning the room until it lands on you, on your pain. Something in it thaws. He raises a hand and covers your eyes, his palm warm against your skin, and murmurs a command to his men. Your former 'master' is dragged away for retribution. Then Alistair lowers his hand, hi…