The palace was quieter than Sera expected.
Not a peaceful quiet. No, it was controlled.
Stone corridors stretched endlessly as guards escorted her forward, their boots echoing softly against perfectly polished floors. No one spoke to her. Servants lowered their eyes as she passed, as if they already knew what she was meant to be.
She was led into a high-ceilinged chamber lined with tall windows and heavy drapes. A long table stood at its center, scattered with huge platters of food and goblets of untouched wine.
Someone stood near the windows, his back to her.
The King.
He was young. Older than her but much younger than she had imagined. Broad-shouldered, dark-haired, dressed in layers of black and deep blue that spoke of power worn easily.
He did not turn at first.
The Duke moved to stand beside him, arms folded. His honey-blonde hair caught in the light. He whispered something quick to the King, yet his eyes remained on Sera, cool and assessing.
"Leave us," the King said.
The guards behind her withdrew.
The King turned. His dark eyes settled on Sera with a sharp interest. Not hunger, yet not kindness. It was ownership.
"So," he said, his voice low and deep, "this is what Rowan Silverton offered instead of his life. Cowardly."
She agreed with that. Her father was a coward, and she would make sure he knew that when they met again.
Sera straightened, not wanting to seem fearful. "My father gave me away without my consent."
The Duke's lips curved faintly, and he glanced at the King.
The King stepped closer. Slowly. Sera took a shaky breath as he circled her once, not touching, but close enough that she felt the heat of his presence. When he stopped in front of her, he reached out and lifted her chin with two fingers.
The contact was brief.
Still, a shiver ran through her.
She could not tell if it was hatred or something far more dangerous.
"Look at me," the King said quietly.
She did.
His gaze lingered, dark and intent, as if committing her face to memory. His thumb brushed lightly against her jaw before he withdrew his hand.
"She is calmer than I expected," he said to the Duke.
"I learn quickly," Sera replied, not wanting anyone to speak for her. The King stepped back toward the window.
"I don't usually take payments in the form of... women," he said, staring at the town just outside the castle gates. "But I suppose an exception can be made this once."
Her breath hitched. So that was it. She now belonged to the King. She didn't know what that meant yet, but she knew that fighting would be useless. All she could do now was remain calm and be strategic. Be smart about this.
The King turned slightly toward the Duke. "You chose well, Rylan."
The Duke inclined his head. "You will find her useful, King Kael."
Useful.
Sera narrowed her eyes at the word.
King Kael stepped closer again, this time stopping directly in front of her. He reached for her wrist, turning her hand palm-up briefly, as if testing warmth, pulse, life.
"You will remain in this palace," he said sternly. "You will be discreet. Attentive. You will learn when to speak and when silence is required."
She understood. Her place here would not be written down. It would not be announced. She would exist between walls and doors that closed quietly. A presence meant to be felt, not acknowledged.
His fingers released her.
"And what am I in return?" Sera couldn't help but ask.
The Duke answered first. "Fed. Clothed. Protected."
The King's mouth curved slightly. "And indulged. When it suits us."
Indulged. Sera inhaled slowly. Her fear was still there, coiled tight in her chest, but beneath it something else stirred. Curiosity. An undeniable pull she had not expected.
Kael was dangerous. Prideful. Used to obedience.
And that was enough to underestimate her.
"I understand," she said sweetly, bowing her head slightly. He studied her, as if searching for hesitation. Finding none.
She would play along with whatever he had planned. Until she could take her power back. Until she could find her family and make them regret what they had done to her.
Sera met his gaze steadily. "I will stay and please you. Allow you to... indulge."
The Duke's silver eyes sharpened, and his body tensed at her willingness.
The King smiled, this time openly. "Good."
He turned away, already dismissing her. "See that she is settled properly. Not lavishly. I want her comfortable, not spoiled."
Rylan inclined his head. "As you wish."
As guards returned to escort her out, Sera felt Kael's gaze linger on her back. She smirked.
For the first time since that moment at the dinner table, she allowed herself a single, dangerous thought.
This young king, with his pride and his hunger for control, was not her captor.
He was her way in.
And if she played this correctly, he would be the first step toward everything she intended to take back.