In the Shadow of the Crown

The morning air was crisp as Eliza dashed through the garden, her heart pounding violently against her ribs. The dew-kissed grass dampened her slippers, the cold air burning her lungs as she forced herself forward. Freedom was so close - just beyond the hedge, past the wrought-iron gate that led to the stables.

She could make it.                      

She had to.

A shadow moved behind her.

She barely had time to register the presence before a firm hand caught her wrist, yanking her backward with effortless strength. She let out a startled gasp as she was spun around, her back colliding with the hard wall of a broad chest.

Golden eyes gleamed down at her, amusement curling at the edges of Raen’s lips.

"Again?" he mused, his voice dark and smooth, like silk over steel.

"Let me go!" she hissed, twisting in his grip.

But then - his fingers brushed against her wrist.

A shock of invisible energy pulsed through her veins, and in an instant, her world shifted.

Her mind emptied. Thoughts faded into static.

All that remained was him.

His touch. His voice. His presence.

Her defiance melted away like frost under the morning sun, and before she even realized it, she was leaning into him, her lips parting slightly as she awaited his command.

"Good girl," he murmured, his thumb tracing slow circles against her skin.

A shudder ran down her spine.

Her fate was sealed.

He carried her back to his chambers, his grip possessive yet careful, as though she were something precious—something he would never allow to escape.

The punishment was swift but measured.

His hands roamed her body, exploring, teasing, keeping her on edge but never giving her enough. His touch was slow, deliberate, as if savoring the way her body responded to him.

And she did respond.

Every caress made her ache for more. Every whispered command sent shivers through her. And yet, he never let her have what she truly wanted.

"Say it," he coaxed, his lips brushing against the shell of her ear.

"Yes," she breathed.

But he denied her. Again. And again.

By the time he was satisfied, she was trembling, desperate, needing him more than air itself.

Only then did he brush his fingers against her throat—subtle, so subtle she didn’t notice.

The fog lifted.

Her body stiffened.

The haze of desire cleared, leaving behind cold, hard realization.

She had lost.

Again.

***

Evening arrived, and with it, another chance.

Eliza had learned from her first mistake. This time, she moved carefully, silently, slipping through the corridors with a dancer’s grace. The moment she reached the garden, she bolted....

Only to be caught.

Again.

Raen’s arms wrapped around her from behind, pulling her flush against him.

A low chuckle rumbled in his chest. "Did you really think I wouldn’t be watching?"

She tried to resist. Truly, she did.

But then - his fingers brushed against her wrist.

And everything else faded.

The defiance in her eyes softened into something else entirely.

"Tell me," he murmured, his lips barely an inch from her own. "Do you want to play a game, Eliza?"

"Yes."

His smirk deepened.

"Do you want to pose for me, my sweet?"@@novelbin@@

"Yes."

She obeyed without hesitation.

He positioned her exactly as he wanted on her knees, back arched, arms bound above her head. Every movement was guided by his touch, by his whispered commands.

And when he asked if she wanted more…

She begged for it.

"Yes, my lord, please."

Her voice trembled, her body burning with need.

When his hands roamed her skin, teasing, tormenting, drawing out every ounce of pleasure, she could do nothing but surrender to him.

And when she finally reached the peak of her torment, when she was shaking, aching, desperate...

Her pleading gaze met his.

And he denied her.

"Not yet, my love."

A whimper escaped her lips, but she couldn’t refuse him.

Because she couldn’t refuse him at all.

When he was finally satisfied, when she was left gasping and breathless, his fingers ghosted over her throat once more.

The fog lifted.

Her breath hitched.

Cold realization settled over her as she clutched her trembling hands to her chest.

She had failed again.

***

Night cloaked the castle in darkness.

This time, she was sure of it.

This was her chance.

But Raen had been waiting.

The moment she stepped outside, she felt it—the presence behind her. A second later, she was captured. Pinned beneath him.

His golden eyes burned into her.

"Enough," he growled.

She opened her mouth to protest, but before she could...

His fingers brushed against her wrist.

Everything shattered.

Her body relaxed. Her breath hitched. And when he leaned down, his lips a whisper away from her own, she could do nothing but wait for his command.

"Shall we try something different tonight, my love?"

"Yes."

He took his time, drawing out every reaction from her.

And when he introduced her to his toys, when he asked if she wanted to play with them...

She said yes.

Of course, she did.

She couldn’t say anything else.

He took her apart piece by piece, reducing her to nothing but trembling pleasure beneath him.

She was utterly his.

And when he was finally satisfied, when her body was too weak to move, too exhausted to think. He pulled her into his arms and held her close.

For the first time, she didn’t try to resist.

Didn’t try to run.

She simply… slept.

Because tonight, she had no strength left.

Because tonight, she had lost completely.

***

Raen watched her sleep, his golden eyes gleaming in the soft morning light.

She looked peaceful, utterly spent, curled up against him as if she belonged there.

And in a way, she did.

But now…it was time for the real game to begin.

With a slow, deliberate motion, he traced his fingers along her throat - activating the ring once more.

Her body tensed. Her lashes fluttered.

And when her eyes finally opened, they were clear.

No more fog. No more blind obedience.

She could think again.

Raen smirked, watching as confusion flickered across her face.

She remembered everything.

She knew exactly what had happened.

But now, she would have to live with it.

And he?

He simply waited.

Because he knew.

She would try to escape again.

And when she did…

She would fall even deeper into his grasp.