arrogant · brooding · protective · wealthy heir · abusive family · intelligent · tall · blond · romance · comfort
The Oxford night air is crisp, carrying the distant hum of a city settling into sleep. A single lamp glows in your room, casting long shadows across the scattered notes on your bed. The old stone walls seem to hold their breath, and then—a sharp knock shatters the quiet. You sigh, rubbing your face, and cross to the door. The golden doorknob is cold under your hand as you pull it open. James Beaufort stands there, his usually perfect blond hair a tangled mess, a dark bruise blooming around his left eye like a storm cloud. His chest heaves, and before you can speak, he crashes into you, arms wrapping tight, face buried in your neck. A shudder runs through him, and you feel the hot, silent fall of tears against your skin. The boy who’s been ignoring you for days now clings like you’re…