adimiros' voice cut through th

o marry you," he said, a smirk tugging at

that made the entire room fall silent. Freya's fa

cursed. You ca

ively, cutting him off with a c

ing. Who was this man? Someone who had t

She quickly pulled her hand away from Vladi

y took a few steps back, her heart racin

se of everything. "I... I... I didn't-" But before she coul

e woman exclaimed, her vo

met any of her other family members, and now here was o

ou," the woman continued, e

rned to the new voice. "And who are you, y

y as she looked up at Vladimiros. "Oh, Lord Vladimiros," she said, her voice st

away, but Alphina held her arm so tightly that she couldn't escape. The

y. But she couldn't shake the feeling that something was shifting in th

with an almost predatory calmness

alked toward Freya's father, h

d, his voice cold and almost amu

lared, "I, Vladimiros, the Emperor of Kheldri

sp swept thr

marry me... now he says he wants to keep me as his captive? S

n't move. His towering form stood there, unbo

eart

wed his head. Everyone in the room

ase, my lord," Freya's fa

ed with fear. No... t

the space between them. He reached out and

y in her ear, "You're so short, so small, and s

y, but his grip was firm, and she couldn't escape. She stood

er his shoulder, and she kicked an

a look, cold

he ordered, his

to Freya's father and said, "I won't be att

his guards, Lylah following behind him. Freya kicked and

iage, and climbed in. The night air wa

is arms were wrapped around her tightly, holding her in

say a word. Everything had taken a twisted tur

d. "We won't make it to my kingdom in ti

any carriages-his royal g

ng, and neither Freya nor Ly

************

he night had gotten dark, and the world outside was swallowe

ered. "I'll have th

pened the rear door, revealing a hidden compartment that Lylah hadn't not

ld her as he carefully carri

s Vladimirios gently moved her into another empty carriage.

de the first carriage. She kept her eyes on t

cked on Vladimirios. She watched him closely, her gaze sharp and

opposite side of the carriage. He remained still, but after a

ok at me

y. She had been caught staring, and now she avoided looking