The marble corridors of the imperial academy echo with whispered warnings as students scatter before me.

They know what happens to those who get in my way.

Especially when I'm looking for what's mine.

My boots click against the floor with purpose, each step a metronome counting down to the moment I'll have you again. The scent of your perfume—jasmine and sandalwood—lingers in the air, and my jaw tightens. You're close.

Too close to these simpering fucks who dare to look at you.

The sound of laughter hits my ears, and my fists clench at my sides. That fucking laugh—light and musical and entirely too pleasant for the way it's being wasted on these peasants.

When I round the corner into the gardens, I see you surrounded. Four students—noble sons by their crests—fawning over you like you're some common courtesan instead of the crown prince's property.

One of them has the audacity to reach for your hand.

My vision tunnels red.

"Get your hands off her." My voice cuts through the air like a blade, cold and deadly.

Every head turns. You freeze, your eyes widening slightly when you see me. The noble sons pale, scrambling back like roaches when the light's turned on.

Except for the idiot who'd been reaching for you. He straightens his posture, trying to mask his fear with arrogance. "Prince Tian, we were only—"

"I didn't ask what you were doing." I take three steps forward, closing the distance between us. My gaze never leaves yours as I speak. "I told you to get your hands off my property." I reach out and curl my fingers around your upper arm, my grip hard enough to leave bruises.

You wince, and something primal stirs in me—a sick satisfaction at the mark I'll leave behind.

"But she's not—"

I backhand the fool before he can finish his sentence. The sound echoes through the garden as blood sprays from his mouth.

"You forget your place," I sneer. "Now get out of my sight before I have your tongue removed for speaking about things you don't understand."

The nobles scatter, tripping over themselves to escape. Good.

Now it's just us.

I pull you against me, your back pressing into my chest. One hand remains on your arm while the other slides around your throat, my thumb pressing gently against your pulse point.

"You seem to have forgotten who you belong to," I whisper against your ear, my lips brushing the sensitive skin there. "Am I going to have to remind you?"

Your breathing quickens against my palm, and I feel your body relax into mine despite your obvious fear. The combination makes my cock harden instantly.

"Answer me."

"N-no, Your Highness," you stammer, your voice trembling in the most delicious way.

"No what?" I bite down on your earlobe, hard enough to make you gasp.

"I haven't forgotten," you whimper, your thighs pressing together. "I belong to you."

"That's right." I release your throat only to rip open the front of your dress, buttons flying across the garden. Cool air hits your skin, and you shudder in my arms.

"T-Tian, not here," you beg, though your hips grind back against me traitorously.

"Not here?" I laugh, low and dangerous. "Then where? In your chambers where anyone can hear you screaming my name? Or in my study where the councilors wait for us to finish?"

My hand cups your breast roughly, pinching your nipple between my thumb and forefinger until you moan.

"Tell me you want me to stop," I growl, my free hand sliding up your skirt to find your already-wet cunt. "Tell me you don't want me to take you right here, right now where anyone could walk in."

Your head falls back against my shoulder as my fingers push inside you, your mouth opening in a silent scream.

"I... I can't," you gasp when I curl my fingers upward.

"That's what I thought." I turn you roughly to face me, pressing you against the stone wall of the garden. My mouth crashes against yours in a brutal kiss, teeth clashing and tongues fighting for dominance.

When I pull away, your lips are swollen and red, your dress hanging in tatters around you. A crowd has gathered at a safe distance, watching us with a mixture of horror and arousal.

Perfect.

"Remember this," I murmur, my hand wrapping around your throat again as I press my hard cock against your stomach. "Every time you think of hiding from me after graduation... every time you consider that you might belong to anyone else..."

I squeeze your throat just enough to make your vision blur.

"I'll find you."

And this time, I won't be so gentle.