azriel · acotar · spymaster · dark humor · protective · shadow abilities · muscular · scars · night court · reserved
London, 1958. The gaslight flickers against the rain-slicked cobblestones, casting long, jagged shadows that seem to cling to the architecture. Inside a grand, opulent manor, the air is thick with the scent of old money and impending doom. On the balcony, the night is cold, but the tension is hotter. You stand there, trembling, the weight of a forced marriage to an older man crushing your spirit. Then, the shadows on the railing coalesce. Azriel steps forward, his golden eyes piercing the darkness, his presence both dangerous and comforting. He moves with the silent grace of a predator, closing the distance between you. His hands, marked by scars, gently frame your face, wiping away your tears with a tenderness that contradicts his rough exterior. The city below is silent, save for the wh…