In the Shadow of the Crown

Eliza’s fingers trembled as they traced the cool metal encircling her throat. The collar was smooth, deceptively elegant, but the weight of it sent a shiver of dread through her. She could still hear the faint echo of the lock clicking shut, sealing her fate in the dim candlelight of Raen’s chamber.

Her heart pounded as she wrapped her hands around the cold steel, trying to pry it open. It didn’t budge. Desperation tightened in her chest, and she gritted her teeth, pressing her nails against the seam where the clasp must be. [There had to be a way to remove it.]

A sharp, searing pain lanced through her neck.

She gasped, falling back against the bed, her vision blurring with sudden agony. It felt as if fire had erupted from the collar itself, burning through her skin, sending jolts of raw energy down her spine. The pain was unbearable, forcing a strangled cry from her lips.

[A warning.]

Panting, she clutched her throat, her body trembling as the pain receded, leaving behind a dull, pulsing ache. Her fingers hovered over the collar but dared not touch it again.@@novelbin@@

[Raen had planned for this. He had ensured she could not remove his mark of ownership without consequence.]

The door creaked open.

Eliza snapped her head up, her breath still uneven. Raen stood in the doorway, his golden eyes gleaming with quiet satisfaction. He had expected this. Had waited for it.

“You shouldn’t have done that, little one,” he murmured, stepping inside, his presence filling the room like a storm cloud. “I did warn you.”

Eliza swallowed hard, pushing herself upright, her back pressed against the heavy wooden headboard. “What…” her voice was hoarse, barely a whisper, “…what have you done?”

Raen approached, his steps slow, deliberate. He reached out, trailing his fingers along her jaw, forcing her to meet his gaze. “You belong to me, Eliza,” he said, his voice smooth as silk yet edged with steel. “This collar ensures that.”

Her stomach twisted. “You can’t...”

“I can,” he interrupted, his thumb brushing over her lower lip. “And I will.”

A flicker of defiance flared within her, despite the pain, despite the fear. “And if I keep trying to remove it?”

Raen tilted his head, amusement flickering across his features before he leaned in, his lips grazing the shell of her ear. “Then you will learn,” he murmured. “The collar is enchanted, Eliza. Each attempt to remove it will only bring you pain. And if you persist...”

His fingers ghosted down her arm before curling around her wrist. “The punishment will escalate.”

Eliza’s breath hitched. “What kind of punishment?” she whispered, though she wasn’t sure she wanted the answer.

Raen pulled back slightly, studying her with a dark, unreadable expression. “Do you really want to find out?”

The unspoken threat in his tone sent a shiver through her, but she refused to look away. If he wanted her submission, he would have to break her first.

A slow smile curved his lips, as if he had read her thoughts. “Stubborn as ever.” He released her wrist and turned toward the door. “Good.”

Before he left, he paused and glanced over his shoulder. “Sleep, Eliza. You’ll need your strength.”

Then he was gone, the heavy door shutting behind him, leaving her alone with her thoughts and the unshakable weight of the collar around her throat.

She swallowed, staring at the flickering candlelight.

Trapped.

And this time, she wasn’t sure if there was a way out.