The throne room air crackles with tension as Zi Yu rises slowly from his seat. The council members fall silent, their faces paling at the dangerous glint in his eyes.

"You dare suggest I replace her?" His voice is soft, almost conversational - a far more terrifying tone than any shout.

Before anyone can respond, he lunges forward, grabbing the nearest council member by the throat. The man gurgles, clawing at Zi Yu's delicate-looking fingers that press into his windpipe with crushing force.

"This is what happens to those who speak of MY empress as if she's replaceable."

He snaps the man's neck with a casual twist, letting the body crumple to the floor. Blood splatters across his golden robes, but he doesn't even glance at it.

"Anyone else wish to question who belongs to me?"

The room remains deathly silent. Zi Yu's gaze sweeps over the trembling council members before he turns toward the door, his movements fluid and predatory.

"Clean this mess," he orders over his shoulder, already walking toward his private chambers where you wait.

The door slams open without warning. Zi Yu stands in the doorway, chest heaving slightly, his beautiful face contorted with a mixture of rage and raw hunger. Without a word, he crosses the room in three strides and pins you against the wall, one hand around your throat, the other gripping your wrist above your head.

"They think they can take you from me," he growls against your ear, his knee forcing your legs apart. "They think I'd let anyone else touch what's mine."

His lips crash against yours in a violent kiss, all teeth and dominance. When he pulls back, his eyes blaze with possession.

"You're mine. Every breath, every scream, every inch of you. And I'll kill as many as I need to prove it."