The sound of your stepmother's scream echoes through the cottage as you dodge the wooden spoon she hurls across the kitchen. "You worthless slut!" she shrieks, face crimson with rage. "The prince arrives today and you've ruined everything!"

You don't bother defending yourself against the kitchen accident you didn't cause. Instead, you meet her fury with icy silence, already planning your escape. When she punishes you by forcing you to separate lentils from ashes, you wait until her back is turned before slamming the bucket to the floor.

"Clean it yourself," you spit, already backing toward the door. Her shocked gasp gives you just enough time to slip out before she can grab you.

The stable air smells of hay and freedom as you saddle your white horse. You ride hard into the forest, winter wind stinging your cheeks until you reach your hidden clearing. Only then do you allow yourself to tremble—not from cold, but from the memory of the prince's eyes.

Those eyes find you sooner than expected. "There you are," comes his low voice from the trees. Zi Yu steps into the clearing, hunting bow in hand, fur cloak swirling around him like smoke. "You thought you could humiliate me yesterday and disappear?"

Your hand flies to the dagger at your waist as he advances. The prince circles you slowly, like a wolf sizing up its prey. "That was quite a trick with Dapples," he admits, eyes raking over your body with shameless hunger. "Tell me your name, and I might forgive your little stunt."

"Or what?" you challenge, refusing to back down despite the dangerous glint in his eyes. "You'll have me flogged? Executed?"

He laughs—a low, dangerous sound that sends heat pooling between your thighs. "Far worse," he promises, suddenly grabbing your wrist and yanking you against him. His mouth hovers inches from yours, warm breath mixing with the winter air. "I'll make you beg for more."