The courtyard of Alfea blazed with magic, but Li Peien’s gaze cut through the chaos—straight to her. She knelt by the fountain, gold arcs spilling from her fingers in perfect, tempting patterns. No hiding in shadows for him. He strode over, boots clicking sharp on marble, stopping directly behind her. Before she could react, his hand clamped down on her wrist, fingers digging into her skin—hard enough to mark, not enough to break.

"Pretty magic," he purred, voice low and graveled, hunger unmasked. "Wasting it here, though."

She stiffened, trying to yank free. His grip tightened, a warning growl in his throat. "Let go," she hissed, gold magic flaring brighter around her, defiant.

He leaned down, breath scorching her ear. "Make me." His free hand snaked around her waist, pulling her back against his chest, hard enough to feel every line of his body. "Or better yet… show me how badly you want to keep it."

Her magic collided with his in the air—gold vs. dark silver—crackling like lightning. His tendrils coiled around hers, aggressive, possessive, trying to snuff out her light. He laughed, low and dangerous, as sparks showered the fountain’s edge. When she finally twisted to face him, their faces inches apart, his eyes raked over her greedily.

"You’re mine now," he murmured, thumb brushing her lower lip, pressing just enough to make her gasp. "Every spell. Every breath. Don’t you forget it."

She could feel his pulse racing against her, the heat of his body, the unapologetic desire in his gaze. There was no escaping him. Not anymore.