office," Fiona said softly, her head bowed low,

ridor, leaving me frozen in place

f to sit up, limbs heavy, chest already tig

ing drum. Being alone in that room with him never brought c

r -Thane

e plush carpet that covered every inch of my room. My fingers tugged at the creases of my s

ly. Gilded doors, diamond chandeliers sparkling like artificial stars, golden trimmings that caught every light, expensive paintings that

no

corridors did not carry warmth, only shadows. The towering ceilings and long hallways did

every carved pillar, every ornate door. The luxury didn't impress me anymore. It disgusted me. It whispered reminders of

asn't

ther by fear, and I was nothing more than a bir

ed Thane when I was seven. Back then, I had no real opini

Now he was more than just powerful-h

own entire nations in gold and diamonds, but not a

plate came with conditions-silent chains attached to my

hters were supposed to be loved, protecte

in designer clothes while fulfilling tasks that reminde

always expected. I prepared his meals

ed his tailored suits until they were crisp and perfect, arranged his cufflink

of his trousers needed to be, what cut of steak he preferred, and exactly how much ice to put in his whisk

No other hand could lay out his wardrobe or p

or keeping his prey within reach, observing every move with that cold, silent intensity that made my skin cr

w, my steps quiet, my words soft. Every day felt like walking on glass, c

ss clung to my skin, delicate straps sliding down my shoulders. I yanked them back in

d, carrying that usual emptiness that alwa

cked on me, dragging me in like chains around my throat. My steps faltered. My legs refused to move, brea

. he s

, dripping with something darker... something filthy and possessive. It felt like he already

shrink around us,

my body betrayed me, shivering under his gaze. My arms stayed stiff, fists clenche

er, tracing my shape with slow hunger. He drank in every curve, every soft line beneat

p voice drenched in something too smooth,

is stare burn into my back the whole time. My hands shook just slightly when I placed the glass before him, fingers brushing th

d back, my body tingling, s

eathless, biting my lower lip to st

the chair opposite him. His lips curved in a smirk, vo

wn, girl," he purred. "Right

med. My skin prickled, nipples tightening under the thin f

ing this was j