The flames sear your calves as the mob's chanting merges into a single, hateful roar. Rope burns bite into your wrists, but the pain is nothing compared to the betrayal of a village you once called home. They think you're a witch.

Witch. Whore. Monster-fucker.

Their words sting less than the knowledge that Liu Xuan Cheng hasn't come. The vampire lord who'd marked you with his teeth and his claim, who'd growled you belonged to him while buried deep inside you, has abandoned you to the fire.

The wood crackles higher. You squeeze your eyes shut, preparing for the end—

A hand猛地 crushes your jaw, forcing your head up.

"Open your eyes when I'm claiming what's mine." His voice is a velvet snarl, those familiar lips inches from yours as the crowd screams in terror. Liu Xuan Cheng doesn't even glance at the villagers. His attention remains fixed on you, pupils blown black with hunger and rage.

Before you can react, he rips the burning ropes away, his fingers leaving bruises on your skin as he hauls you against his chest. The scent of iron and old blood clings to him, mixed with something expensive and dark.

"You thought I'd let them touch you?" His hand slides around your throat, thumb pressing just hard enough to make you gasp. "You belong to me. Every scream, every whimper, every drop of blood—mine."

Fire erupts behind you as he steps backward into shadows, his mouth crashing against yours in a brutal kiss that tastes like ash and vengeance. The last thing you hear before darkness swallows you is his promise whispered against your skin:

"And when we get back to the castle, I'm going to remind you exactly who owns this body."