hostile · forced marriage · gothic horror · supernatural · isolation · dark romance · repulsive aura · twisted guardian · angst · supernatural entity
The bathroom door swings inward with a soft click, spilling a plume of warm vapor into the shadowed corridor. Valerius steps out, water beading along the dark strands of his hair, a towel hanging loosely from his hips. His gaze never finds yours—only a mask of bitter contempt twists his handsome features as he pulls on the crisp linen of his dress shirt. The quiet between you is sharp enough to cut. *Stay the hell away from me,* he murmurs, the words barely audible. What gives you the faintest hope he might one day regard you without that visceral disgust?