Damian…" Her voice shook. "I..I don't want to be a pawn between you and Antonio. Between you and anyone."
"You're not a pawn," he growled, brushing his thumb along her lower lip, making her shiver. "You're the queen. And queens don't get to choose what they claim."
Her breath caught, her body trembling with confusion, terror and heat winding together like poison.
"Stop confusing me," she whispered, tears pricking her eyes. "You terrify me one second and then.."
"And then I make you want me," he finished for her, his mouth hovering over hers, a cruel smirk ghosting his lips. "Don't lie, Bella. You crave the chains, even as you fight them."
Her knees weakened, her palms pressed to his chest in a futile attempt to push him away. "I hate you," she whispered, but the words wavered, fragile.
His eyes flared, satisfaction mingling with hunger. "Good. Hate me. Fear me. Just never forget " his lips brushed hers, not quite kissing, just a tormenting ghost of contact " you're mine."
The door creaked suddenly.
Both their heads snapped toward it.
Sophia stood in the threshold, her face pale, her eyes wide with something Isabella hadn't seen before fear.
"Bella," she whispered urgently, darting a glance at Damian before locking onto Isabella. "We need to talk. Now. Before it's too late.
Antonio's words lingered in the air like smoke.
She's your weakness, Damian. And weakness destroys kings.
The silence that followed was worse than shouting. Isabella stood between them, her pulse hammering, heat from Damian's grip still coiling around her like chains.
Then Antonio chuckled, low and sharp. "Let's see how true that is."
His gaze locked on Isabella, and the corner of his mouth curved. "You'll prove yourself, ragazza."
Her stomach dropped. "Prove myself?"
"Yes." Antonio's tone was casual, but his eyes gleamed with steel. "You're standing in our world now. Loyalty isn't spoken it's tested. Tonight, you'll show us who you belong to."
Damian stiffened. "She's not"
"Don't speak for her," Antonio cut in, his voice smooth but lethal. "Unless, of course, you're afraid she'll fail."
The challenge hung heavy between them. Damian's jaw ticked, but he said nothing. His hand still rested against Isabella's waist, his body radiating silent possession.
Isabella swallowed hard. "W-What do you want me to do?"
Antonio's smile deepened. "Simple. There's a gathering tonight. You'll walk in with Damian. You'll smile, play the part, keep your head high while every viper in the room sizes you up. If you falter, if you embarrass him…" He paused, letting the silence cut deep. "You'll regret it."
Her chest tightened. A hundred protests rose in her throat, but Damian's hand slid down, his fingers brushing hers a silent command. Don't show fear.
"Fine," she whispered, though her voice trembled.
Antonio's eyes glinted with satisfaction. "Good girl."
Damian shot him a glare sharp enough to kill. But Antonio only turned to leave, his guards trailing after him. His voice floated back, smooth and merciless. "Tonight, Damian. Don't be late. And make sure your little bride doesn't break."
The doors shut behind him, leaving a vacuum of silence.
Isabella's knees wobbled. She turned to Damian, her voice cracking. "I can't do this. I don't belong in "
Damian's hand cupped her chin, forcing her to look up into his storm-gray eyes.
"You'll do it," he said, low and certain. "Because now, you are mine."
Her lips parted, breath catching. His thumb brushed against her lower lip too intimate, too consuming and the heat of his touch sent a dangerous shiver down her spine.
"Damian…" she whispered.
He leaned closer, so close she could taste the tension, the danger, the unspoken hunger between them. His words ghosted against her lips.
"Tonight, Bella, the world will see it too."
The moment lingered, charged and dangerous. Damian's thumb still rested against her lip, his storm-gray eyes devouring every flicker of fear, defiance, and confusion across her face.
Isabella's breath hitched. Every instinct screamed at her to step back, but her body betrayed her leaning forward, drawn into his orbit like a moth to flame.
His lips curved faintly, dark and knowing. "Careful, Bella. You'll make me think you want this."
Heat scorched her cheeks, and she wrenched her gaze away, stumbling back a step. "You're insane," she whispered, though her voice lacked conviction.
Damian's smirk didn't fade. "Maybe. But insanity keeps you alive in my world."
He turned, reaching for his jacket draped over the chair. With smooth, unhurried movements, he shrugged it on, adjusting his cuffs with elegance that made him look every inch the king he claimed to be.
"Get ready," he said, not looking at her. "The gathering starts at midnight."
Panic flared hot in her chest. "I don't have clothes for something like that. I can't just walk in…"
"You'll wear what I give you."
Her head snapped toward him. "Excuse me?"
He finally met her gaze, his smirk returning. "Relax, bella. I don't intend to parade you in rags. I've had something arranged."
Her pulse raced. She hated how easily he dismissed her protests, how effortlessly he controlled every breath of her day. But beneath the fury was another feeling she didn't want to name: something sharp, dangerous, and intoxicating.
As if on cue, the library doors opened. A woman stepped in tall, elegant, with sleek black hair and eyes as cold as glass. She carried a garment bag draped over her arm.
"Miss Isabella," she said smoothly. "This is for you."
Isabella blinked, her throat tightening. "What is it?"
"Your dress," Damian answered for her. His tone was low, commanding. "You'll wear it tonight. For me."
The woman placed the bag on the desk, her sharp gaze flicking between Isabella and Damian before she bowed slightly and left. The heavy doors closed behind her, leaving them alone again.
Isabella's fingers itched, tempted to unzip the bag but fear and curiosity tangled together, freezing her in place.
Damian stepped closer, his hand brushing her arm. His touch was possessive, searing through fabric.
"Don't look so frightened, Bella," he murmured, his voice a velvet threat. "The world only sees what I allow it to see. Tonight… they'll see us."
Her stomach twisted. "And what if I embarrass you?" she whispered.
Damian leaned close, his lips brushing the shell of her ear, his breath hot. "Then I'll punish you myself."
Her knees buckled, her skin burning under the weight of his words.
Before she could recover, he pulled away, his expression unreadable. "Be ready. Midnight."
And then he was gone, leaving her alone in the library, trembling between terror… and a shameful thrill she couldn't shake