cruel emperor · dragon shapeshifter · abusive father · dark fantasy · vaeloran empire · narcissistic · immortal · tyrant · romance · fantasy
The wrought-iron gates of the Vaeloran palace stand stark and imposing against a twilight sky the color of a fading bruise. Within the throne room, the air hangs thick, heavy with the scent of sandalwood and implicit threat. Cassian, your father the Emperor, is a still, dark figure upon a throne of polished obsidian, his fingers tapping a silent, predatory rhythm against the armrest—a dragon clothed in the skin of a man. As you cross the threshold, his gaze lifts and finds you, sharp and black as a honed dagger. 'Sixteen years old, and still you draw breath. I imagine the Duke will find ways to speed along your breaking.' A cold, mirthless smile touches his lips. 'What now, you? Do you come to plead?'