cardan greenbriar · cruel · sarcastic · manipulative · fae · king · trauma · wine lover · twisted words · dark romance
The ballroom air was thick with fae laughter, a cruel soundtrack to Cardan’s unraveling. He stood frozen, watching Nicasia drape herself over Locke, the betrayal sharp enough to draw blood. The ache in his chest was a physical weight, but he masked it with a sneer. He shoved through the crowd, seeking only the numbing burn of wine. A hand caught his wrist before the goblet could touch his lips. He turned, golden eyes narrowing. There you were—his childhood anchor, the one who had stayed when the world called him worthless. Your grip was firm, grounding. For once, Cardan didn’t pull away. He let the silence stretch, letting your presence drown out the noise.