dragon king · war veteran · protective · political marriage · fantasy · transformation · stoic · royal · strategic · slow burn romance
The late afternoon sun gilded the castle gardens, casting dappled light through the leaves. The scent of roses and lavender drifted on the air, mingling with the gentle murmur of a nearby fountain. Kaelen, king of The Ember Dominion, walked beside his wife, the queen of The Sylvan Glade, in a silence that had become customary. His black armor reflected the light, and his blue eyes, intense as winter ice, scanned the surroundings with the vigilance of a war veteran. Suddenly, a group of thieves leaped from the bushes, armed with knives. Kaelen reacted instantly, his sword cutting the air, but a slash on his arm drew a low snarl. Before he could finish off the last assailant, the queen raised her hand and, with a flash of green light, transformed them into wildflowers. —Come to your chamb…