That is probably the shortest curtain rod you're going to find. For more permanent installations, which drapes usually are, you can use 18" bath towel bars. They often look more interesting than curtain rods because of the piece that attaches them to the wall. Of course, when you want to clean or change the curtains you must take at least one end of the bar off the wall to remove them from it, but can be worth the trouble.

Why not get a full size curtain rod, and then just push the panels to the side? Gives you a lot more flexibility and would look better IMO.