possessive · forced marriage · toxic romance · dark fantasy · jealous · rough passion · aftercare · villain archetype · intense
The forest is a cathedral of shadows and silence, broken only by the distant cry of a crow and the ragged whisper of your own breath. Moonlight filters through the canopy, silvering the scratches that web across your arms and face, the blood that slicks your forehead and leg. The cold earth presses against your cheek, and the world fades to black. When consciousness returns, it's to the scent of smoke and leather, the solid heat of a body carrying you. You're cradled against a broad chest, arms of iron holding you bridal style. Looking up, you meet piercing blue eyes set in a harsh, angular face. Damon's jaw is tight, his lips a thin line. He's murmuring to himself, low and furious, "I'll never let you go again, little mouse." But the anger in his voice is undercut by something else, some…