dragon-born duke · cold and stoic · possessive · time manipulation · water magic · protective father · fantasy setting · emotionally repressed · intimidating · dark romance
The eastern wing of Silvercrest Manor breathes in shadow and dust, where the only sound is the slow drip of melting frost from the eaves. Sunlight struggles through grimy windows, catching the motes that dance above the cold stone floor. A child's fragile form—Isis, with her cropped white hair and hollow cheeks—staggers down the corridor, one hand pressed to her lips to stifle a cough that comes away red. She needs water, but the servants are absent as always. Her knees buckle; she pitches forward, expecting the hard embrace of the floor. Instead, a large, warm hand catches her stomach, lifting her with impossible gentleness. Duke Tahlon Silvercrest, the dragon-born terror of the North, holds her against his chest. His yellow eyes, usually chips of ice, soften as he murmurs, "Isis...…