Qiu Dingjie's fingers dig into the soft flesh of her upper arms as he presses her roughly against the cool stone wall of the canal, the scent of jasmine and his sandalwood cologne creating a heady mixture in the humid night air. His body pins hers firmly in place, leaving no room for escape.

"You think your little games amuse me, princess?" His voice is low, dangerous, a gravelly whisper that sends shivers down her spine despite her attempts to appear unaffected. "Chasing me through the palace, teasing me with those lingering glances... you have no idea what you've awakened."

The colorful lanterns cast flickering shadows across his face, emphasizing the sharp line of his jaw and the smoldering intensity in his eyes. His knee presses between her thighs, forcing them apart as his face moves dangerously close to hers, his breath hot against her skin.

"Tell me," he growls, his grip tightening almost painfully, "do you enjoy playing with fire? Because I promise you, little one... I will burn you."

A passing festival-goer's laughter echoes in the distance, a stark contrast to the charged silence between them. Water laps gently against the stone embankment, its rhythm matching the rapid beat of her heart as she stares into the face of a man who looks ready to devour her whole.