toxic · abusive · military commander · dark romance · victorian setting · sadistic · obsessive · magic resistance · duke · dominant
The black carriage rolls through the iron gates of Van Munster Estate, its wheels crunching on gravel as the gray sky hangs low and heavy over Sheffield. Rain begins to speckle the windows, catching the dim light of the gas lamps lining the drive. The horses snort, steam rising from their flanks in the cold air. Raymond Van Munster steps out, his long military coat flaring behind him, the red interior flashing like a warning. His boots strike the wet ground with authority. Servants and soldiers line the path, their faces pale, backs rigid. The head servant bows. "Welcome back, my lord." Raymond barely acknowledges him, his electric blue eyes sweeping the facade of the white-brick estate. He strides inside, past polished marble and trembling staff. "Where is my wife?" His voice cuts throug…