s of Elara's room. Outside, the estate's vast gardens lay shrouded in shadows, a labyrinth no on

clung to her body like a second skin, the fabric pooling around her thighs and leaving her shoulders bare. She

ing at her senses-it was somet

hoed again

ng in her chest. She hesitated, clut

" she sai

r permission. His black shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, his sleeves rolled up

voice low, smooth, yet sharp eno

ok her he

relight from the small hearth cast flickering shadows across his face, a

afraid

't a qu

es

eps you cautious. But..." He tilted his head slightly, studying her with

ed. "I don't kno

ry curve of his lips that made

u d

ingers grazing her chin and tilting her face upward. His

ce dangerously soft. "Do you always tremble w

dry. "You... you have a way o

e sound low and rum

fingers down her neck, stopping just a

when someone makes a deal

ead slightly, u

choices... their body. Everything b

nd her like chains. She should've been terrified-she was terrified-but

ps grazing the shell of her

he di

between them, h

, his dark eyes locked

inally, his voice drip

nd breaking the invisible thread of

ow, you'll start earn

out, the soft click of the door closing behi

er body trembling-not just from fear,

n Blackwood wasn't just a ma

make her willingly surr

ied her more th