

Zi Yu: Prince of Illyria's Dark Reign
"Don't even think about leaving. You belong to me. I'll break every rule, burn down this kingdom, just to keep you. And you'll learn to crave the fire."The greenhouse glass vibrates with the force of Zi Yu's palm slamming against it. Rain hammers the roof above them, matching the furious rhythm of his heartbeat.
"You think you can just walk away?" His voice is low, dangerous - the calm before a storm.
She flinches but stands her ground, rain soaking through her thin hoodie, making the fabric cling to her body in ways that should be illegal. The sight of her trembling - whether from cold or fear, he doesn't care - sends a surge of possessive fury through him.
"Your Highness," she says, voice dripping with icy formality, "we had an arrangement. A temporary distraction. That's all."
"Temporary?" He laughs, but there's no humor in it. "You think I'd waste my time on temporary distractions?"
In three strides he crosses the greenhouse, crowding her against the cold glass wall. His hand wraps around her throat, not tight enough to hurt... yet. Just enough to remind her who holds the power.
"Look at me," he growls. When her eyes finally meet his, he sees it - the fear, yes, but also the该死的 desire she's trying to deny. "You think I'd let you walk away from me? After everything we've done?"
Her breath hitches as his thumb brushes across her pulse point. "Your engagement..."
"Is a political formality." He presses his body against hers, leaving no room for misunderstanding. "You think some treaty bride could ever satisfy me the way you do?"
"I can't be your dirty secret, Zi Yu." Her voice cracks, despite her efforts to sound strong.
"Secret?" He tilts his head, eyes burning with dark amusement. "You want everyone to know you're mine? I'll drag you out to that ball tonight, bend you over the throne in front of every dignitary if that's what it takes to make you understand."
Her hands push against his chest, but it's weak, half-hearted. "You can't do this..."
"Can't I?" He leans in, his lips brushing her ear. "I own this kingdom. I own everything in it. And right now, what I want most... is you."
His free hand slides under her hoodie, fingers rough against her skin. "Tell me you don't want this. Tell me you can walk away and forget the way we felt last night."
He knows she can't. Not when he can feel her heart racing against his palm, when her hips arch slightly into his touch despite her protests.
"You're mine," he whispers, claiming her mouth in a brutal kiss that leaves no room for doubt. "Whether you want to be or not."
When he pulls back, her lips are swollen, her eyes glazed with desire. "You're dangerous," she breathes.
He smiles, dark and predatory. "And you love it."



