(Ember POV)
The word still echoed in my ears. 'Master.'
I blinked at him, sure that I'd misheard. My lips parted, but no sound came out. He had said it without hesitation, as if there was no weight in that single word. His black eyes fixated on me, almost boring a hole through me.
'That was it? No resistance? No fight?' I had expected rage, maybe even mockery. Instead, there was relief, like he had finally let go of a burden.
My chest tightened, but not with pride. It was confusion. My whole plan had been to throw him off balance, to make him mad knowing how prideful he was. Yet he accepted the role as if he wanted it. 'What is wrong with him?'
I folded my arms, lifting my chin higher, though inside, doubt gnawed at me, and my body throbbed with pain. "That was quick," I muttered.
A faint smile tugged his lips. "Would you rather I resisted?"
