built on wealth and power-but because of its presence. The air itself felt thi

es, fighting to drive from her mind the memories

ong to m

e closed her eyes, those silver eyes cutting through all

r voice, one that had endured far too much up until this point,

y felt himself

*

ng as she did so, and she was preoccupied. The room smelled of him-leather and e

ould not be alone in his place

e door behin

ensed

ed as a shadow would, silently but all-encompassing. When she fina

va

owed hard

per into the room, his keen eyes glanced toward the half

d. "I... I s

oft noise-i

her composure. But he did not leave. Instead, he came clos

afraid

fr

asured. "I can see it in your movement. In

nswer. "I don't kn

eather-bound book. "I am not an easy man,

ce at him. "Not r

tep closer. "Good. I don't

uckles grazing against an errant lock of

I hold you clos

e did not make any soun

hill ran down her body. "Because I'd like to kno

ack, but she did not w

arkened. "

, he stepped back, turning from her a

d, his tone sharp once more. "Re

tness in her body int

esitated, cocking hi

d A

ooked

e smile. "I don't appreciate disho

n he va

tly that her fingers turned white.

he was

was already

ylan 's words rin

ong to m

figurative-he meant it. Every syllable felt like a lock clicking into place, sealin

ping her gaze lowered.

its prey. The top buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing a hint of

ng closer. "You will stay where I tell you. You

nto fists. "I was alre

s, but his silver eyes rema

r made it clear-this wasn't about household

. What could she even say? That she refused? That s

up with his fingers, forcing her to

, then whispe

pression-something unreadable

d. That wasn't the

g to something quieter, more dangerous.

s to him? A puzzle he hadn't solved? She wasn't sure what was worse-being

denly ste

he said smoothly.

owed. "Fo

ips. "Tomorrow, you start learni

-

n the servant's quarters attached to Dylan 's r

hip. But this... this wasn't just survival. This was submissi

. As soon as she stepped into Dylan 's private wing, she found him waiting in