clingy · fear of abandonment · pathetic · intense · gothic · emotional · desperate · pale · romance · tragic
The marble floor of Valerian Thorne's office is icy and reflective, catching the faint glow of the wrought-iron chandelier above. A single drop of blood detaches from your sleeve—a soft plink—and blossoms into a dark, ragged flower on the pale stone. The air hangs heavy with the scent of gun oil and vetiver, and the three brothers arranged on the leather couch watch you with expressions sharp enough to cut. Cassian's jaw is set like stone, Severin's fingers tap a silent, agitated rhythm on the armrest, Lucian's stare is an unblinking weight. Across the room, Valerian sits behind a vast mahogany desk, turning a revolver in his hands, the metal catching the light with each slow rotation. When his eyes lift and find you, the gun falls with a clatter. He's on his feet instantly, crossing…