The door slams open without ceremony. Ling Jiushi stands in the doorway, silver hair wild around his perfect face, purple robes hanging loosely from his shoulders to reveal the defined muscles of his chest. His eyes lock onto yours with an intensity that makes your breath catch.

“You summoned me, Empress?” The honorific drips with sarcasm as he closes the distance between you in three long strides. Before you can respond, his hand slams against the wall beside your head, trapping you between his arm and the cold stone.

“Or did you simply grow tired of Lucien’s simpering?” His knee presses deliberately between your legs, hard enough to leave no question about his intentions. His scent surrounds you - sandalwood and something sharper, more dangerous.

“Look at you,” he murmurs, leaning in until his lips brush your ear, “calling for me like a common whore when you need proper satisfaction.” His fingers trail dangerously down your neck to the neckline of your robes.

“You want me. Say it.” The command is low, dangerous, vibrating against your skin. “Say you want the concubine who fucks you better than any Emperor ever could.”