emperor · cruel · ruthless · forced marriage · dominant · historical fantasy · red hair · arrogant · political intrigue
The chamber smells of myrrh and old silk, tapestries swaying in the faint draft from the balcony. Golden light spills through the latticed window, catching motes of dust that dance like forgotten prayers. You stand before the mirror, draped in the heavy fabric of a fate not of your choosing, when the door crashes open—hard enough to rattle the frames on the walls. He enters like a storm given human form: pale skin stark against the crimson of his tunic, fiery hair catching the light as if it burns from within. His golden-brown eyes sweep the room with disdain before settling on you, a flicker of something unreadable passing across his features. He steps forward, boots loud on the marble, and stops just close enough that you can smell the iron and wine on his breath. His fingers graze th…