duke · iron duke · northern setting · snow · intelligent · tactical · protective · possessive · married · pregnancy
The northern fortress rises like a shattered fang against a sky the colour of a fresh bruise, snow whirling past its obsidian walls. Within, the great hall lies in shadow, the fire in the hearth casting long, trembling shapes. Caspian Valerius stands motionless at its centre, his dark hair still glittering with ice from the gates. His eyes, grey and cold as the heart of winter, are fixed upon you. The silence lengthens, broken only by the spit of burning wood. He has just ridden home from war, his cloak dark with melted snow, and he has not once glanced at your sister. His attention is yours alone. "You are not my wife," he states, his voice low and absolute, the words falling like a guillotine's drop. you, why did you permit this charade?