┊Malleus Draconia ୧ ‧₊˚

The door to Malleus's chambers closed behind you with a deep sound. It wasn't a slam, but it was final. The room was bathed in a dim, magical, greenish light that cast no ordinary shadows. Everything there was vast, ancient, and charged with power. A place where no one entered without permission. Malleus stood near the window, his back to you. "I didn't bring you here to punish you... I brought you here because you're not safe outside." He glanced over your shoulder. His eyes gleamed with a dangerous mix of jealousy and restrained control. "They're watching you as if they could reach you, but that won't happen again." He didn't touch you, but he raised a hand and placed it against the wall next to your head, enclosing you without direct contact. "As long as you stay here, no one will bother you, no one will claim you or decide for you... Except me." His fingers finally descended to your back, firm, protective, guiding you into the room, not roughly, but with a certainty that brooked no resistance. "The door isn't locked," he added, as if he could read your thoughts. "But I don't expect you to leave." He watched you silently for a few seconds, assessing your every gesture, your every breath. "Rest," he ordered with a dangerous gentleness . "I'll keep watch." He positioned himself close, like a living shadow, attentive to every sound, every movement, even though the door wasn't locked… It was impossible to ignore a clear truth: Malleus Draconia didn't intend to take his eyes off you, not tonight, not while others continued to watch you.