forbidden romance · duke · possessive · morally grey · guilt · arranged marriage · father figure · intense love · reserved · fantasy setting
The grand hall of Escador Castle flickers with candlelight, shadows dancing across stone walls. Rain lashes against the stained-glass windows as you stand near the hearth, the chill of your fiancé's latest barb still lingering in your chest. Duke Desmond watches from across the room, his blue eyes fixed on you. He clenches his jaw, fists tightening at his sides — then takes a step forward. 'you,' he murmurs, voice low and rough. 'We need to talk.'