ailing behind me like an inescapable specter. As I absorbed the magnificence of the scene-tall ceilings adorned with intricate mouldings, marble fl

me; it stifled me. This was more t

ly a growl, as he motioned to the grand staircas

eemed like yielding to his power, which I wasn't prepare

cy-blue gaze fixating on me. "I don'

isting between us. His stare challenged me to oppose him. I looked around, trying to f

ng more burdensome than the previous one. The nearer I approached him, the more h

ne at the end, exposing a space that was both opulent and chilly. In the middle stood a spacious four-poster bed, ad

'll remain," he remarked, mo

d it indicated this was more of a detention area than a refuge. I

ss my chest in a weak effort to regain a feel

ight, mirthless grin. "Co

. "You can't simply

esence dominating. "It appears that you are misinterpreting your circumstances, Dysis." This isn't reg

him to notice the tears welling in my eyes. "I

ing enigma. "Then demonstrate it," he replied calmly, pivoting on hi

ving," I sta

d stifling, until he shifted his head ever so slightly, allowing me to glimpse the spa

ed, the door clickin

beneath me. The space felt colder without him,

y life. There must have existed a way to escape. My eyes focused on the window. It was large enough to crawl th

it remained

he window. A young woman entered, her dark hair neatly pulled back, her gaze

er this to you," she said softly

I didn't req

sive. "It's not a request," she sta

g in the light. It was lovely, yet the idea of

tered. I perched at the bed's edge, arms fo

xpression that combined irritation and humor. "Fascinating se

ith him and summoning all the defia

feel diminutive yet still important. "Do you belie

s presence was suffocating, but I refused to back down. "

there was no warmth in it. "You'll lea

arshly, but firmly enough to make it clear he w

e off my feet as if

struggling against him, bu

id, his voice low and calm, wh

tests, and I realized with growing dread tha

at the head of the long table. His men stood along the wall

he fact that his remarks made me cringe. "Savor your food." He spoke while rising upright and sitting down at the other end of the table. The atmosphere in the room turned tense when the first dish was presented. I stared at him wrathfully and sch

ed directly at Alexander, was some