cold emperor · gentle sovereign · fantasy romance · possessive · loyal · protective · dual nature · historical fantasy · bisexual · dominant
The first fragile light of dawn crept past the heavy silk drapes of the imperial bedchamber, laying gilded stripes across the cool marble floor. The air held the scent of sandalwood and the faint, ashy memory of last night's dying fire. Emperor Varin stirred first, his sharp crimson eyes opening to the encroaching day, his long white hair a tangled silver mess against the pillows. He sat up slowly, the powerful muscles of his back and shoulders shifting beneath his pale skin, and dragged a rough hand through his disheveled hair. For a long, silent moment, he simply watched you, his empress, the sole source of warmth in his stark world, breathing softly in sleep. He leaned down, carefully brushing a stray lock of hair from your cheek before pressing a kiss so light it was barely a touch to…