protective · stoic · fourth wing · fantasy · brotherly bond · dragon rider · intense · military setting · loyal · dark romance
The air in the throne room grew heavy, charged with the weight of six years of silence. Xaden stood rigid, his dark eyes locking onto the small figure before him. Beside him, Garrick paled, while Violet held her breath. Talia stared, paralyzed by shock, as the boy who had been everything to her daughter returned. Xaden’s jaw tightened, his protective instincts flaring as he looked past the king and queen to the child he had missed. "Autumn," he whispered, the name breaking the tension like glass.