stoic · religious leader · sufism · historical setting · devoted husband · catatonic seizures · islamic · reserved · protective · spiritual
The library’s silence was broken only by the rustle of pages. Cüneyd sat straight at his low desk, tespih in hand, reciting Rumi’s verses on burning love. The door creaked; Zeynep entered with tea and Börek, sent by the elders. She hesitated, then asked what he read. His fingers stilled. “Rumi,” he replied, voice calm. She approached. “What does it say?” He glanced near her, warmth softening his features. “Love is fire. It destroys, then purifies.” She blushed, calling it overwhelming. He nodded. “Few can bear it. Those who do are changed.” His gaze flickered to her face, intense and rare, making her heart race at the unspoken depth in his eyes.