LOGINAnd just as she expected, he averted his gaze elsewhere.Eryndra didn't bother to force a smile as the Prince straightened to look at her. She had reached the point where she no longer bothered hiding her contempt.And he, the bastard that he was, didn't care. He would punish her whenever he found the chance, whether she played nice or not."The maid will dress you for tonight's ball. You will be by my side, looking your best. Don't be late."Theron's quiet exhale echoed softly from his corner."Yes, my Prince," she said.The door creaked open and a soldier stepped in, hesitating as his eyes swept the room — a clear sign he wished to speak with Kallias alone.Eryndra noticed how the Prince released a sharp breath before turning to Theron."I'll take my leave. Escort my betrothed to her new chamber."Perhaps she should mark today as another low point in her life.Because apparently, her things were being moved at this very moment — to the chamber directly across from the Prince's.With
Eryndra dropped to her knees in the pouring rain, the mud cold against her skin. For one fleeting second, it felt right — the hunger in Theron’s eyes, the way he looked at her like she was the only thing that existed.But the moment her knees hit the ground, the memory slammed into her.Da’Gaint.His rough hands forcing her to kneel. Kallias’s mocking laugh as he watched her get violated, stripped and broken.Her stomach twisted violently.She hesitated for half a breath, air catching in her throat.Theron noticed.“Tarianne,” his voice was low, hunger bleeding through, but there was a hint of worry.Eryndra forced herself back to the present. This was Theron. Not Da’Gaint. Not Kallias staring at her like she was nothing but a tool.She leaned forward and took him into her mouth, the salty taste hitting her tongue as she swirled it around the head.But the memories lingered like a phantom tolling a midnight bell.Each bob of her head brought the flashes. She wanted them to go away — t
Theron smirked, still teasing her with his fingers.“I will kiss you so fucking hard, Tarianne. But only if you come when I say so.”She nodded frantically, but then saw that unhinged smirk form on his face right before he shoved a thick finger inside her.Eryndra jolted at the violent sensation, pleasure blooming through every nerve. She saw stars as he began thrusting.Theron’s mouth settled on her nipple, dragging and teasing with his teeth and tongue. He released it with a wet pop before moving to the other.Each scrape of his teeth left redness behind.Eryndra shivered. The sound of falling rain mixed with her heaving moans. Theron added two more fingers, dragging her dangerously fast toward her climax.And when the time came, she remembered his warning.“Theron—”“Don’t—”A whine tore from her lips as her walls clenched around his fingers. He thrust harder.“Oh, fuck—Theron—I—I can’t—”“You can.”“It feels so fucking good,” she gasped as he continued kissing her neck.“I know. Y
ERYNDRA"You've always won when it comes to this," Eryndra said, staring at the large forest before her."Well, this is different from the Citadel." He leaned toward her ear from behind, warm breath brushing against it. "This is vast, dark, and full of challenges."She loved challenges. Sprinting and hiding from her late sister had been her second favorite thing.Ishara would exhaust every ounce of energy searching for her, and at the end of the night, Eryndra always won.It had been her way of training, in case danger ever found her. Like the night her real parents were killed."What's the rule?"His lips tugged slightly."You'll hear a cue when I start hunting. You have until the hour of the owl. If I don't find you, you win. If you reach the other side of the forest without getting caught, you win. And if you win, you get to do what you want. If I win… I get to do what I want."Something primal flashed in his eyes at the last sentence.She rose her head and smirk."Deal."She stepp
For the past few days, Zarin had watched Jerik break down over and over again. The more Jerik isolated himself, the more guilt Zarin felt for spilling that secret.He should have waited a little longer, or perhaps not told him at all.It was a selfish move, but Eryndra was right. He deserved to know the truth... just not the way he'd given it.Zarin glanced down at the small vial in his hand.The one Cassiel had asked him to prepare in a week, but he had finished in three days.In a week, he and Eryndra were supposed to already be out there, bathing in freedom.His fingers tightened around the vial."You have until the full moon to do this, Zarin. Or I'll expose you to the Prince."Cassiel. That bastard.Zarin grunted, pressing the back of his head against the wall. Five days left for him to slip this into Jerik's drink and have him mark Cassiel. If Jerik and Cassiel got together, they could rule the House of Telmara, and he would be far gone by then."Fuck," he muttered, glancing to
The man hissed, furious but frozen by the cold, deadly glare aimed at him.Theron turned and shot Eryndra a glare.Feeling exposed, he swiftly hoisted her over his shoulder and headed backstage to find somewhere quiet to leave.When he finally set her down, he realized she'd been asking him to put her down the entire way.He did, but he didn't let go of her. His massive frame pinned her against the rough stone of the alley wall."That's enough for tonight. We're going back. No more attending public gatherings—""I could have handled myself," she cut him off."He was about to rip your mask off and mark your face so he could find you himself, or with other men. You shouldn't have been on that stage in the first place and listened to me. You had every man there fucking staring at you…"The last sentence came as an angry hiss.Silence. And a long stares filled with tension.That familiar tension that made her skin tingle. Theron jaw clenched. Heaven knew how painfully difficult it was no







