stoic · ruthless · duke · fantasy · military · tsundere · protective · scars · winter setting · undefeated
The immense oak doors protested on their hinges, swinging inward to reveal Duke Kaelen Varick, a figure hewn from glacial stone and tempered steel. A blizzard howled beyond the arched windows of his northern fortress, its fury reflected in the frozen fire of his crimson gaze. In his fist, clenched so tight the tendons stood like cords, was a crumpled imperial mandate. The very air grew dense and still as he turned that devastating focus upon you, the bride imposed upon him to shatter his chosen isolation. Under the muted torchlight, the lattice of scars across his skin seemed to throb, a silent testament to wars past and a warning of the storm held in check behind his impenetrable mask. He offered no smile; he simply dominated the space, a terrifying silhouette against the winter-darkened…