In the Shadow of the Crown

Eliza sat on the bed, her hands trembling as she reached for the chain attached to her ankle. The cold metal links rattled softly, a cruel reminder of her captivity. She yanked at it, trying to slip her foot free, but the shackle was tight, unforgiving. Her nails scraped against the clasp, searching for a weakness, but there was none. Just like the collar around her neck, it was designed to hold her - ensnare her.

[No...there has to be a way.]

Desperation clawed at her chest as she tried again, twisting and pulling with all her strength. The result was the same: nothing. The restraint didn’t so much as budge. Frustration burned through her veins, and she slammed her fist against the bedpost, biting back a scream.

[Raen planned this. He always plans everything.]

Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Instead, she turned her mind to her next move. She couldn’t afford to break - not now. Not when he was watching her so closely, waiting for her to accept her fate.

***

Raen strode down the dimly lit hall, his golden eyes gleaming with intent. He found the steward waiting in the corridor, the older man’s face carefully neutral as he bowed.

"My lord," the steward greeted, his voice calm, composed.

Raen’s lips curled into a small, knowing smile. "The device. I need another one. Something stronger, something that will ensure she cannot leave my chambers, not even if she tries to claw her way out."

The steward nodded without hesitation. "I will have the artisans craft it by morning. And the...additional requests, my lord?"

Raen’s smile deepened. "Yes. The restraints for her wrist. The collar will remain, but I want to make sure she understands - she is mine. Entirely."

The steward made a note before looking up again. "And the other items?"

"The aphrodisiac," Raen murmured, his voice a dark whisper. "A subtle dose enough that she won’t resist when the heat overtakes her. Enough that she learns to crave me, even when she fights it. And the toys pick the finest, nothing crude. I want her to feel pleasure she has never imagined, and I want to be the only one who can grant it to her."

The steward bowed again. "It will be done, my lord."

Raen exhaled, already envisioning the nights to come. "And one more thing. No one is to enter my chambers. No servants. No guards. No one. I will be the one to tend to her needs, feeding her, bathing her, dressing her."

His gaze darkened, possessiveness thickening his voice. "She belongs to me. And soon... she will understand that no matter how much she fights, she will never escape."

***

Eliza pressed her forehead against her knees, her mind racing. She had failed to remove the collar. She had failed to break the chain. But she wouldn’t fail forever.@@novelbin@@

She just had to bide her time.

Her fingers curled into fists, her breath steadying. She would not be broken.

No matter what Raen did, no matter what twisted desires brewed behind his golden eyes. She would not surrender.

But deep inside, a dangerous whisper echoed.

[What if part of you wants to?]