Clink... Clink...
The dark chains rattled softly as Astrid shifted against the cold, cracked floor of the nursery. Her breath came in ragged, panicked gasps, her eyes darting frantically.
Kael walked toward her slowly as he sheathed shadow slayers keeping them back in the system's storage.
"This will only take a while, Your Majesty," Kael said, his voice smooth and chillingly polite.
Astrid swallowed hard, her pride warring with her terror. She lifted her chin, refusing to cower entirely. "What do you want to do to me?" she demanded, her voice trembling despite her best efforts. "Are you one of those men who enjoys tying up women? Do you get your sick pleasure from conquering queens and humiliating them in their own homes? If you think I will beg, you are sorely mistaken."
Kael paused, tilting his head as if genuinely amused by her assumption. A soft, dark chuckle escaped his lips. "Tempting as that sounds, Your Majesty, I have far more pressing matters than your dignity."
