air fresh and crisp, with an und

efore I even o

the sheets too sleek, and

ke a drum. I scanned the room, realizing the gra

me. No

ing, lavish prison w

sheets tangled around me. A chandelier cast a warm glow, highlighting the absurd opulence of my surroundings marble f

ost unset

on the opposite

gainst my bare feet. My gala dress was gone, replaced by a softer, silkier black

llowe

nt

y came ru

he way his voice had coiled

n yo

rasped the handle, and p

ck

e, it wa

s that were already unraveling. A window? No heavy drapes obscured

t the door made

ng voice slithered t

little

ined s

and moments late

here

ite shirt, with his sleeves rolled up to reveal inked forearms, he appeared effortlessly comp

ips, along with a sl

seem please

m n

grew wider

ng to hide my trembling

esta

ers surrounded its reputation, sugge

me

er inside as the door clicked shut behin

n

e spoke it gav

a drink as if we were discussing routine ma

taying here

n you

r prisoner,"

ver the rim of his

ised how calm he was, how

ating in your twi

glass down with a soft clink befo

need to

e alone was

le dove," he said, his voice cal

p back. "The

ehind my ear. His touch was light, almost t

real

ran down

. "I don't be

mmed sof

chin defia

ed, sharper this

nce sent more waves of

ront his gaze. "Why are

lready decoded. "Because your father was

what? You marry me? Sho

tly. "You're not

gripped

my pro

fore I could thi

and my palm stun

nt, there

h

e la

rk, and

he casually brushed his thumb over

he said, almost as

ulp

ld react, he gripped my chin firm yet

l demeanor

e whispered. "And yo

refusing to show the

tightened

ing," he

yed s

sobedi

red a

o betr

in from his gr

ring. Then, he leaned closer

l find

berate

than you

allow against the

smirk returning lik

ur," he said smooth

at, he

shut behind him,

t a shak

ap

s tr

o idea how

thing wa

d not