Page 38 of Stolen Queen

"I want to be my own person. I want to make my own choices, live my own life. Not be someone's property or prize."

My smirk widens. She’s got potential, not just to be a pretty face on someone's arm, but to be a real force to be reckoned with. She just needs the right guidance.

"Sounds like you've got it all figured out," I say, my tone teasing but not dismissive. "So tell me, what would you do with that freedom if you had it?"

“I told you. Travel?—”

“With what money? How would you avoid your father hunting you down? Or his enemies?”

I hate the defeated expression on her face. It makes me feel like shit for putting it there.

My gaze is intense as I lock eyes with Ava. "Listen, Princess. I get it. You want freedom. But you have to understand something. The world is not all sunshine and roses. It's dangerous, especially for someone like you?—”

“I’m not an idiot.”

“No. You’re not. But you’re sheltered and don’t have the resources you need. I don’t want to cage you. It’s quite the opposite. I want to see you spread your wings. But if you want freedom and to be safe, you need to trust me on this. You need to let me guide you… help you. You won’t make it a day on your own out there. I don’t think you’re incapable, but you don’t know how much danger is out there or how to avoid it.”

Ava's eyes flash with defiance, but I can see the uncertainty there too. I press on, my voice low and urgent.

"I know you don't want to belong to anyone. But think of it this way. I'm offering you protection."

She’s studying me. I’m not sure if it’s to assess my proposal’s merits or my trustworthiness.

"I'm not asking you to be my property, Ava. I'm asking you to let me be your shield. To trust that when I tell you to do something, it's for your own good."

Conflict wars in her eyes.

I soften my tone, trying to reassure her, although I feel like I’m on the verge of begging. "It's not about control. It's about keeping you safe while you figure out who you are and what you want. Can you understand that?"

It takes a moment, but finally, she nods. I feel triumphant, but I tamp it down. I hold up my wine. “Then we’re in agreement.”

She clinks her glass with mine and sips.

I watch her, a smirk forming on my lips. “Since you’re putting your faith in me, you can start by telling me just how far you were willing to go when you tried to seduce me to escape.”

Ava's cheeks flush a deep red, and she averts her gaze. "I… I don't know what you mean.”

I wait, not wanting to embarrass her.

She takes a gulp of her drink. “Besides, it’s not like nothing ever happened.”

“Oh?” That’s news to me.

“That night you brought me home from the club.”

“When you kissed me?”

She arches a brow, showing irritation. “And after.”

I lean forward, resting my chin on my palm as my elbow sits on the table. “Tell me more.”

“You know. In my room… your hands…” She trails off, her face burning even brighter.

I’m confused. After that balcony kiss, I put her to bed and left. "My hands?" I prompt.

She squirms in her seat. "They were… exploring me."

I realize that her memory of that night is hazy. The alcohol must have hit her harder than I realized.

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