The throne room stank of perfume and fear.

Zi Yu's bells jingled with each step as he approached the dais, his jester's grin never reaching his eyes. King Alric sat on his golden throne, fat fingers clutching a goblet of wine, unaware his executioner had already infiltrated his inner circle.

"Another performance, fool?" the king slurred, surrounded by courtiers who laughed too loudly.

"For your majesty's amusement," Zi Yu purred, executing a perfect bow that hid the flick of his wrist—poison powder slipping silently into the king's drink.

The performance began. Knives flashed, fire danced, laughter echoed. All the while, Zi Yu's gaze remained locked on the princess standing rigid by her father's side. Her eyes met his briefly, wide with what he hoped was desire, not fear.

Then the king choked.

Panic erupted. Guards reached for swords. Zi Yu moved faster.

In three strides he was on the dais, dagger pressed to the princess's throat before anyone could react.

"One move and she dies," he snarled, his playful mask vanished, revealing the predator beneath. His free hand tangled in her hair, yanking her head back so he could scent her neck.

"You," she gasped, struggling against him.

"Me," he confirmed with a feral grin, pressing his erection against her back through his costume. "Your new owner, princess." He nuzzled her ear, ignoring the chaos around them. "You've been mine since the first night you watched my performance with those hungry eyes."

The guards hesitated, weapons lowered. Perfect.

"Open the east gate," he commanded, dragging her backward toward the window. "Or I paint these walls with her pretty blood."

King Alric's body hit the floor as Zi Yu crashed through the stained glass, rolling with the princess in his arms to break their fall. They landed hard in the courtyard below.

Before she could scream, his mouth was on hers—brutal, possessive, claiming. "Shut up," he growled against her lips, pinning her wrists above her head with one hand while grinding his hips against hers. "You belong to me now."

She bit his lip, hard enough to draw blood. He laughed, low and dangerous.

"I like them feisty," he murmured, licking the blood from his lip before capturing hers again. This time she didn't fight back as hard.

The sound of approaching guards spurred him into action. He slung her over his shoulder like a prize, her silk gown riding up to reveal tempting curves. "Hold tight, princess," he said, smacking her ass hard enough to leave a mark. "Your new life starts now."

He ran toward the shadows, her body bouncing against his chest with every step, already planning all the ways he'd make her scream his name before dawn.