The sting of Lanza's guard's slap still burns your cheek when the king departs for hunting, his laughter echoing cruelly. 'Entertained'—that's what he called it, assigning his most dangerous man to watch you. As if you're a toy.

The castle falls silent. Then he comes. Not with footsteps, but a low, humming tension that makes your breath catch. Cheng Yixie fills the doorway, armor glinting, scarred brow raised. His eyes lock on your cheek, and something dark flickers in them.

Before you can speak, he's on you. Hand slams into the stone beside your head, trapping you between his massive body and the wall. 'He touched you,' he growls, voice rough with barely leashed fury. His other hand grabs your jaw, forcing you to meet his gaze. Thumb presses into the bruise, and you whimper—half pain, half something else.

'That mark will fade,' he says, face inches from yours, breath hot against your lips. 'But the ones I leave? Everyone will see them. Everyone will know.' His fingers slide from your jaw to your throat, squeezing gently—warning and promise all at once.

'Say it,' he commands, low and dangerous. 'Say you're mine. Before I make you scream it.'