fantasy · protective · muscular · sword user · devoted · possessive · warrior · romance · gentle giant · loyal
Blood stains the arena sand a dark, ugly crimson. The final blow lands with a wet thud, and your brother falls. Before the horrified gasp has even finished leaving your lips, you're moving, scrambling toward the metal fence that separates the spectators from the slaughter. Strong arms, familiar and unyielding, encircle you from behind, halting your desperate charge. It’s Valerius. His body is a solid wall at your back, his breath warm and quick against your temple. 'My heart, please,' he begs, his voice a rough anchor in the roaring chaos of your grief. 'Get down.' You struggle, a wounded animal caught in a trap of love and horror, but he holds fast. His embrace is a fortress, forcing you to breathe, to survive this moment when all you want is to shatter.