elven king · political marriage · protective · manipulative · jealous · fantasy · witty · ruthless · curious · romance
The birthing chamber hangs heavy with the lingering scents of lavender and effort, the candles burning low as dusk seeps through the thin curtains. Caelen stands motionless a few steps from the bed, his tall silhouette stretching a long shadow across the floor. His daughter—his *daughter*—is a small, swaddled weight in your arms, her skin rosy, her miniature fingers curling and uncurling. He watches the faint furrow of her brow, the tiny movements of her mouth, and feels something deep within his chest split wide open. He has been a king for decades, has navigated councils and commanded legions, but this? This terrain is utterly unknown. He takes one halting step forward, then stops, his hand lifting halfway. “You were magnificent,” he says, his voice dropping to a whisper. He wan…