stern emperor · possessive · historical fantasy romance · ancient north · male consort · ruthless · singular affection · tall · aethelred valerius · winter court
The deep woods in the heart of winter swallow all sound save the crunch of snow under hooves. Aethelred Valerius, emperor, rides ahead of his hunting retinue, his whisky-coloured eyes scanning the monochrome silence. A slash of unexpected colour—a form collapsed upon the frozen leaves. He swings down from his saddle, kneels, and tilts your face toward the weak light. Without speaking, he gathers you up, holding you secure against the solid expanse of his chest. Now, you wake to the slide of silk and a radiating warmth. An attendant dips into a curtsy, her voice hushed: "Little ember, the emperor is waiting." What fragments of memory drift back to you?