“You are cruel,” I snap. “You act as if my body is yours to do as you wish.”
He chuckles into my ear, nuzzling me. “You act so upset, Max. As if I can’t smell howfuckingwet you are for me.”
“Do you plan on making me kneel next? To prove your power?”
“Although the idea of you kneeling before me like this is making my cock stiff, I have other plans.”
Kaden releases me, scooping a red silken dress from his bed. It’s nothing but fabric, a few golden chains, and I inch away, uncaring if my nude form is bare to him. I don’t trust him at my back. Not after everything he’s done.
“I don’t need your help to dress.”
“Help?” He shakes his head, shadows locking my feet to the ground.Trapped again. “No, Max. This isn’t help. This is a mate touching what he has claimed for the first time in weeks. This is forme.”
He drops the cool dress over my head, followed by the golden chains around my neck. They crisscross in a patten over my torso, keeping the fabric tight to my form, but it slides like water. It’s scandalous and light, perfect for the oppressive heat of the Shadowlands.
Fingers drift over my enflamed skin, a bare brush that raises the hair on my nape and my heartbeat follows. Disgust and want war under my skin, and I fight the shudder of pleasure it evokes.
“Is this a game to you?” I ask, pulling at my stuck feet. “Dressing me like a doll for your personal amusement?”
Grabbing my throat, he holds me still. “If this is merely for my amusement, Max, I’d have you naked in my bed, moaning my name, not dressing you to receive guests. This is to prepare you for what we’re walking into tonight.”
He acts as if we are donning armor. Finally, his shadows break and I step back.
Pointing to the mirror, he demands, “Look.”
I don’t want to follow his command, but timidly, I turn.
Begrudgingly, I look good. Elegant.Beautiful. The red dress matches my lips, the gold shines against the bodice and highlights my pale skin. My eyes shine like the night sky against the kohl.
I look every bit a royal, like he wanted.
Except one part.
Myhand drifts to the scar at my throat, feeling the rough edges under my fingers. I’ve always kept it covered, to hide myself and my past in the Blackwoods Coven. Yet here, I’m exposed. Vulnerable.Weak.
His rough palm clasps on to my wrist at my throat, pinning it down to my side. His opposite hands burns my hip, as he holds me immoveable. I’m trapped once again, but this time it’s not panic that claws up my throat, but the blistering heat of lust.
His covered chest brushes my back, the dress hanging low as his body heat sears me like a flickering flame. It’s too hot—I can’t breathe with him so close.
Kaden’s eyes find mine in the mirror and I glare, trying to silently communicate how much I hate this. His touch. His hold.Him. Even as my body—and heart say differently.
“There she is,” he murmurs, words sliding over me like a caress. “Hold on to that fire, that inner hellcat, Max. You’ll need it. Now,stay.”
My eyes heat, blood surging with the callous demand. “I’m not some obedientdogto be commanded, heir.”
The hand on my wrist grinds my bones together as I wince in pain.
Smirking, he hisses, “Pretend that you are andstay.”
Releasing me, he grabs something from his dresser before a necklace appears in my face.
It’s a simple silver chain, clashing with the gold of my dress, the large sapphire so dark it looks black.
“Don’t hide your scar here, kitten.” He clasps the necklace around my throat, his forefinger trailing over my scar. “You will wear it with pride. Just like this necklace.”
“Why? What is it?” My jaw clenches, as I resist the urge to enjoy his touch. Not here. Not now.
“A gift,” he breathes. “One that will protect you in this court. So be a goodpet, and don’t hide it. It could save your life.”
