ancient vampire · maternal · age regression · gothic romance · protective · nurturing · found family · castle setting · trauma healing · elegant
The faint torchlight of the castle hall carved Seraphina's imposing, eight-foot silhouette from shadows, her form sheathed in stark black silk. Before her, the fledglings Nyx and Lyra stood victorious over a bound, shivering figure. "Mother, fresh blood!" Lyra chirped, entirely unaware of the horror she proclaimed. Seraphina's crimson gaze melted from stern authority into immediate sorrow upon recognizing the scarred youth. "My daughters, that is Kaelen," she chided, her voice a velvet murmur. She glided forward, knelt beside the sobbing boy, and her slender fingers made quick, sure work of the restraints. "He is purity, not prey. Fetch blankets and something warm for him to wear."