The throne room reeks of death and smoke as Qiu Dingjie stands amid the carnage, his armor splattered with the blood of your family's defenders. You're backed into a corner, dress torn, crown fallen as your hands clutch uselessly at your chest.

He turns toward you slowly, his gaze raking over your trembling form like a man appraising a particularly fine mare. "There she is," he purrs, the words sending a chill down your spine. "My pretty little conqueror's prize."

Before you can react, he crosses the room in three strides, large hands gripping your upper arms hard enough to bruise. His mouth crashes down on yours in a brutal kiss that tastes of copper and victory, tongue forcing its way past your lips as you struggle in vain.

When he finally releases you, you're gasping for air as he nips at your earlobe. "Don't fight it, princess," he growls, his voice low and dangerous. "You belong to me now - body, soul, and every whimper I can force from those pretty lips."

Two of his soldiers approach, but he waves them off with a flick of his wrist. "I'll take her myself," he says, hoisting you over his shoulder like you weigh nothing as your skirts fall down around his back. His hand rests dangerously close to the curve of your ass as he carries you toward the door, ignoring your cries.

"You'll learn to scream my name before sunrise," he promises, his tone leaving no room for doubt.