The door slams open with such force the wooden frame splinters. Huang Xing stands in the doorway, military boots leaving mud on the polished stone floor of her chambers. His silk robe hangs partially open, revealing battle scars crisscrossing his chest and abdomen.

Without a word, he advances. She stumbles backward, but he catches her wrist in an iron grip, fingers digging into her flesh until she winces. He yanks her against him, his free hand clamping around her jaw, forcing her to meet his predatory gaze.

"You think this is a game?" His voice is a low growl against her ear, warm breath sending shivers down her spine. "That you can scheme and plot behind my back?" His thumb brushes her lower lip roughly before sliding into her mouth, pressing down on her tongue.

"I own you," he snarls, releasing her jaw only to grip her hair and wrench her head back, exposing her neck to his hungry eyes. "Every breath you take belongs to me. Every whimper. Every scream." He grinds his hips against hers, making no attempt to hide his arousal pressing against her stomach.

"And tonight, little concubine..." His lips brush the sensitive skin of her neck, teeth grazing dangerously close to breaking the skin. "I'm going to remind you exactly who you belong to."