en laid out on the bed, her hands moving mechanic

tling encounter in the washroom when she had accidentally caught sight of him naked. The mem

he uncertainty gnawing at her. Just then, a knock sounded at the door

es to see you downstairs," the maid i

The last thing she wanted was to be late and incur Valerian's wrath. As she descended

maid excused herself once they reached the bottom of the stairs, leaving

tested her obedience, pushing her to the brink. The me

ing on Liliana. He noticed how she nervously fid

deep voice, though not loud, echoe

mained standing, knowing better than to assume she was allowed to sit without permission. Sh

ed, his tone leaving

om him. Her heart hammered in her chest, the sound almost deafening in her ears. Every instinct

overwhelming, a constant reminder of the power he held over her. Liliana dared not look up, fo

a

are t

ed, causing them both

ickly murmured, her eye

this time, his voice laced with concern as h

unfamiliar fabric against her skin. She had been dressed in a different gown, one she didn't remember putting on

her back to the present. "Last night," he began, his tone softer but still serious, "I

a doctor? He told her how much he hated her and she had to pay for the crimes her family co

surfaced, evident in the way his brow furrowed. "Why are you mute again? Speak!" he

eling something fragile inside her. Liliana's heart pounded in her chest, and

pered, her voice trembl

Valerian asked, his v

house, and even his friends." She paused, the weight of her next words pressing down on her. "You said you would torture me t

even that had been taken from her by Rowan. With nothing left to cling to, Liliana

an's jaw clenched, his eyes dar

before, the one that preceded pain. Desperately, she stammered an apology, h

evident. "And don't think you can escape this easily. You don't get

he was doing this, why he wouldn't just let her go. Her mind wa

ping me. But if you ever do that again, the consequences won't be as forgiving. You'll pay

n bed. I expect no hesitation

of her wanted to shrink away, to disappear. The tears that threatened