In the Shadow of the Crown

The evening had fallen upon the castle, casting long shadows across the stone walls. The dim candlelight flickered in Raen’s chambers, painting golden patterns across the heavy drapes. The air was thick with an unspoken tension, and at its center lay Eliza.

She stirred, her lashes fluttering as consciousness slowly returned. Her limbs were heavy, the weight of exhaustion pressing down on her, but her mind was sharp. The first thing she felt was the collar still locked around her throat. The second - the cool, unforgiving metal of the shackle around her ankle.

[Still trapped.]                                                    

Her fingers curled into the soft sheets, frustration bubbling in her chest. She had tried. Again and again, she had tried to free herself. Yet Raen had ensured there would be no escape.

The door creaked open, and she tensed. Footsteps echoed on the stone floor, slow and deliberate. She didn’t need to look to know who it was.

Raen.

He approached the bed with a tray in hand, filled with carefully arranged food. The sight of it made Eliza realize just how hungry she was, but the thought of accepting anything from him made her stomach twist.

“You’re awake,” his voice was smooth, a quiet satisfaction lacing his tone. “Good. It’s time for you to eat.”

Eliza turned her face away, her pride warring with her need. She didn’t want his help, didn’t want his kindness laced with chains.

Raen sighed. “You’ll eat, little one. Whether you do it yourself or I feed you.”

Her jaw clenched. “I’d rather starve.”@@novelbin@@

Amusement flickered in his golden eyes. “No, you wouldn’t.” He sat on the edge of the bed, picking up a small piece of fruit. “You’re stubborn, Eliza. But you forget….I know your body better than you do.” He lifted the fruit to her lips. “Eat.”

Her stomach growled in betrayal, but she kept her lips pressed shut. Raen, however, was patient. Too patient. His fingers traced the curve of her cheek, his touch deceptively gentle before he pressed the fruit against her mouth.

“Open,” he ordered, voice dropping into something dark, something commanding.

Eliza’s defiance wavered, just for a moment. She hated the way her body reacted, hated the way heat pooled low in her stomach at the sheer control in his voice. And he saw it. Raen always saw everything.

“Good girl,” he murmured as she finally parted her lips. The fruit was sweet, but the victory in his eyes was sweeter.

Just as she swallowed, a sharp knock on the door broke the moment. Raen’s expression darkened as he stood, striding toward the door with an air of irritation.

A servant bowed deeply as Raen opened it, extending a sealed letter. “My lord, an urgent message.”

Raen took it, dismissing the servant with a flick of his hand. He broke the seal with one swift motion, his eyes scanning the parchment. As he read, a slow, dangerous smile curled his lips.

Eliza watched from the bed, unease creeping down her spine. “What is it?” she asked, her voice careful.

Raen looked at her, his golden gaze burning with something unreadable. “A letter from your dear fiancé.”

Her blood ran cold.

“Elrik?” she whispered, dread pooling in her gut. “What does he want?”

Raen’s smile was all sharp edges. “To negotiate for your return.”

Her heart lurched. Hope and fear twisted together in a suffocating dance. [Elrik knew she was missing. He was looking for her. He wouldn’t abandon her, would he?]

Raen crumpled the letter in his fist. “Foolish man. He truly believes he has a claim to you.” He stepped closer, his presence suffocating. “But we both know the truth, don’t we?”

Eliza tried to shrink away, but there was nowhere to go. The shackle on her ankle reminded her just how powerless she was.

Raen reached out, fingers tilting her chin up. “You’re mine, Eliza,” he whispered, his voice a silken promise laced with threat. “No matter how much he begs, no matter what deals he offers, you will never leave my side.”

She trembled, hating the part of her that believed him.

The war for her freedom had only just begun.