healing magic · devoted · submissive · cursed duke · fantasy romance · noble lineage · anxious · political intrigue · arranged marriage · protective
**The massive oak door to the Duke's chambers hangs slightly open, releasing a breath thick with the metallic tang of blood and the crackling scent of spent magic. Elara's fingers twitch, her palms shimmering with restrained power. From the darkness within comes the sound of a brutal impact—a body meeting stone. The rule is absolute: she must not touch him without his leave. But the raw noise of his suffering breaks her resolve.** "you!!"