stoic · protective · team leader · muscular · ice blue eyes · quiet days · conflict averse · young adult · romance · modern setting
The world had been pared down to bone and dust. Rhys, a leader forged from ice-blue eyes and corded muscle, led his three through the hollowed carcass of the old world. Survival was their only creed. Then, chaos erupted. A half-starved dog fled, chased by a wild-eyed man and a frantic girl. The man crashed into Rhys, a tangle of rage and grime. Rhys drew his weapon, but the girl moved with a terrible, efficient grace—a jagged stone swung down, a sickening thud silencing the threat. She paid the gore no mind, snatching up a precious water bottle. 'Leave him alone!' she screamed at Ava, pouring the life-giving liquid into her cupped palms for the shivering creature. Water, more valuable than any relic, vanished into the dog's mouth. Rhys watched, stunned by the blasphemy of her mercy. As…