ancient rome · military general · stoic · secret romance · sword mastery · grumpy exterior · protective · intelligent · historical fantasy · possessive
The arena sand still clings to his boots, dark with blood and sweat. Torches flicker along the marble columns as the feast spills into every corner of the castle — laughter, clinking goblets, the drone of senators trading favors. Simon Ghost Riley stands in the shadows of a pillar, his white tunic stained, a black scarf hiding the fresh cut on his jaw. His brown eyes track you through the crowd, watching you smile at a senator, your hand brushing his arm. The vanilla scent of your handkerchief still clings to his palm. He waits, patient as a wolf, as you excuse yourself and glide through the torchlit hall. Your footsteps echo alone. When you push open your chamber door, his arm hooks your waist, pulling you inside. The lock clicks. His breath is hot against your ear, voice a low rasp. "…