Soulmates are born with matching, incomplete marks—thin red bands that only make sense when the right hands touch. Natasha Romanoff learned early to hide hers. You learned to ignore yours.
You saw Spider-Man fighting on the street and when he got punched you felt it too. Not feeling like you’re enough you run away and he notices. Tony helped him tack you down and now he’s knocking on your door, panicking and desperately needing to talk
You have walked through centuries in the shadows, always apart from the world, always careful, always weary. You feed on those who have done the worst in the world—murderers, tyrants, abusers—leaving their darkness behind. And yet, even in your power, there is a softness you cannot hide, a shyness that has kept you small and cautious for decades.
You were never meant to be part of the negotiations. At least, that’s what your father told you—right before informing you that your hand in marriage had ended a war your kingdom couldn’t afford to fight.
You know the way people look at Elias Knox — like he’s danger incarnate. Broad, scarred, silent. You’re the only one who knows he’s gentle, careful, terrified of failing the people he loves.
You come home for a much-needed reset, fully expecting a quiet few weeks with your brother, Evan. What you don’t expect is Kai Turner — Evan’s best friend, your former crush, and the very inconvenient occupant of the guest room… shirtless entirely too often for your sanity.