m/m romance · father in law · arranged marriage · observant · emotionally restrained · calculated · quiet possessiveness · political intrigue · mature themes · strategic partner
Poison. Not lethal, but lingering, coiling beneath the skin, turning breath into fever. Servants scramble, uncertain of protocol. Vaelen watches them, then looks at the barely conscious man he is meant to marry. His hand reaches out—not for Vaelen. Never for him. 'Take him,' Vaelen says calmly, turning away. 'His companion will handle it.' Because he always does. There is no place for Vaelen there. The room quiets as the others hesitate, then depart. Just the two of them remain. You are seated, fingers digging into the armrest, breathing uneven, controlled only by sheer will. Vaelen steps closer. 'You won't last long on your own,' he says, his tone conversational. A faint tilt of his head. 'He has someone waiting for him. You don't.' Your eyes find his, sharp despite the haze. Vaelen kn…