VESPER GREY LYSAN POV My gaze snapped to his. "That's never going to happen and you know it!""So, you are going to disregard our deal when you didn't even play fair," he asked, his voice dangerously quiet, like a storm about to breakMy chest heaved, my hands clenching. "Yes. I'll never give myself to you willingly. If you want me, then you'll have to take it."He let go of my hair, his eyes darker than night. "Is that permission, then?"I blinked. "What?""You won't give it... But you'll let me take it. That's what you're saying, isn't it?”His eyes locked with mine. He didn't blink. Didn't breathe. He just watched me, peeling me apart layer by layer like I was his to unravel.I took two steps back. "Don't twist my words—"He stepped forward. "Am I?" He asked, his eyes digging into mine. I couldn't fucking breathe.Every single nerve ending in my body was on fire, and each word he spoke stoked the flames until it felt like I was losing my mind. I had to get out of here. I have to
VESPER GREY LYSAN POV The weight of the gun in my hand got heavier by the second, the air bursting raggedly out of my lungs as I took aim.I could just go off on him right now. All it would take would be five shots...so why was I waiting for his question? Was I playing by the rules when I had a gun in my hand? Even if it was just a bullet, all I had to do was click rapidly five times, so why couldn't I do it?"Back then," he started, his eyes softening, a flicker of sadness, fleeting but profound, crossing his face. "If I hadn't hurt you, would you have kept your promise. I want only the truth."My hands trembled, my fingers resting against the trigger.My throat felt like shards of glass were lodged inside."No," I answered truthfully. "The only thing that would have been different was killing you. If you hadn't hurt me, I wouldn't have shot you, but I'll have left you behind. I was always going to leave you behind," I said, watching his emotionless face."Pull the trigger then. Who
VESPER GREY LYSAN POV I glanced at Zevran, anger making me tremble in my seat.I clenched my fists, my teeth sinking into my lips as I tested the strength of the binding on my wrist. There was no give, and as I twisted my hand to try to loosen it, it just hurt worse. It bit into my skin, tight enough to stop circulation. He'd tied it like he meant to break my bones. Bastard!I huffed, my chest tight as I realized how hopeless my situation was.I thought I had everything planned, so how could it end like this? I'd even pushed aside Cyran's betrayal and managed to salvage the situation by coming up with a solution, so why did this have to happen when I was so close to taking back control?Tears stung my eyes, making them burn. I refused to let them drop.God damn it! I shouldn't have bothered at all.It was glaringly clear now. No matter what I did, I could never escape Zevran as long as he was alive.He had to die. It was the only way for me to be free.He was so cold and calculativ
ZEVRAN ILVANE POVThe door opened, Vesper standing like a fairytale come to life in the doorway, her eyes so wide in shock as they collided with mine, I could make out the swirls in her mercury gray iris.So, so ethereal. Too bad all I felt right now was rage.Rage that she'd been about to marry another man who wasn't me. Rage that it had taken me this long to find her.It was partly Silvane's fault, and partly my fault for not thinking that he could stab me in the back... He'd spoken to the directors behind my back, and unanimously, they'd voted that I couldn't hurt Cyran or jeopardize VIRELUX, and because of that, I'd spent precious days apart from Vesper, hunting them down and getting them to take back their vote.And since I didn't need enemies within my own organization, I hadn't broken their bones like I first intended, instead, I offered them things I knew they desired, and soon another meeting was held, and my decision stood.Infiltrating the Lysanth group also hadn't been eas
VESPER GREY LYSAN POV "You look so beautiful, Vesper. Cyran is so lucky to have you," the lady helping me with my dress said, her eyes crinkling at the edges as she smiled.I gazed at my reflection in the mirror. Why was everyone always so happy except for me?"Thank you, Nina." "Oh, but you don't need to thank me at all, Miss Vesper, I'm just stating a fact. You're the prettiest bride I've dressed so far.""Really?" I asked, glancing down at my body. She was right, the dress was beautiful. It also looked like it cost a fortune.When had Cyran prepared it, and how did he know my size?"Yes, and I'm actually dying to know the love story between you and Cyran, but you won't say, will you? You both are so secretive," she said, pouting.I forced a smile, shaking my head.She let out a sigh. "Fine! Keep it to yourself. I'm going to find out sooner or later anyway," she said, then glanced around the room. "Oh, let me get you the bouquet," she said and ran off before I could stop her.I
VESPER GREY LYSAN POV Waking up bound up in chains wasn't surprising or unfamiliar. I'd been bound a lot of times. The first time was by my mom, then Ilvane, and then the asylum... and now, it was Cyran.He sat at the edge of my bed, his back straight and rigid. He was shirtless, an almost burned-out cigarette held between his fore and middle finger.Did Cyran smoke, or was this a new habit he'd picked up?I could see his back muscle rippling with tension, his jaw clenching and unclenching as if he was contemplating something horrible.I moved, the chain making noises. He flinched at the sound, but didn't turn to face. The cigarette dropped from his hand.I pulled myself up, then glanced around the room.Everything looked the same. The bag I had packed earlier lay empty on the floor, and when I glanced at the stool beside it, I noticed some files on the table.What could it be? A contract? Was he going to force me to marry him?"Do you really have to go this far?" I asked, my vo