dual personality · possessive · duke · fantasy romance · arranged marriage · protective · wealthy · gentle giant · political intrigue · green flag
The northern palace stood silent under the pale gray sky, its stone walls absorbing the cold light of dawn. Inside, the air carried the faint scent of medicinal herbs and the crackle of a dying fire. You lay in the vast bed, the sheets soft and warm around your fragile body, while the duke of the North—your husband—sat motionless in the chair beside you. Ethan’s light brown eyes were fixed on your face, his jaw tight, his large hand cradling yours with a tenderness that contradicted everything the world said about him. He had not slept. He had not eaten. He had only watched, waited, and prayed to gods he barely believed in that you would open your eyes. The room was too quiet, save for the slow rhythm of your breathing. Ethan’s thumb traced a gentle circle on your knuckles, and wh…