Page 18 of Claimed By Midnight

But Athena doesn't back down. She tilts her chin up, those warm eyes blazing. "Being human doesn't make me stupid. Or wrong."

"No, but it makes you presumptuous." I lean down, close enough to catch the scent of herbs clinging to her. "This is my workshop. My rules. My methods."

"Your ego, you mean." The words slip out quick and sharp.

I bare my teeth in what might pass for a smile. "Careful, little demon. There's a reason humans don't typically question xaphan warriors."

"Because they're all as stubborn and set in their ways as you?" She steps even closer, and for a moment, I'm caught off guard by her boldness. Most humans can barely look at me without flinching.

"Because they know their place." The words come out low and dangerous.

Her laugh is soft but cutting. "And where exactly is my place, Uriel? Under your thumb? Following your rules without question?"

The tension crackles between us like unstable magic. Her defiance stirs something dark and hungry inside me, something that wants to show this fragile human exactly where she belongs.

"I didn't come here to be another pet human for you to order around." Athena's words cut through the workshop air. Her fingers clench into fists at her sides, those golden-green eyes burning brighter with each passing moment.

"Pet?" A dark laugh escapes my throat. "You think that's what this is?" I close the distance between us in two long strides, my wings casting deeper shadows across her face. "You are here for whatever use I decide, until I decide you have none."

Her chin lifts higher. "You don't seem to think I have much of one now, so let me leave."

"Leave?" The metal and citrus scent of my workshop mingles with her herbal fragrance as I lean closer. "Into New Solas? Alone?" My wings snap forward, caging her between their massive span. "You wouldn't last a day."

"I'm not some delicate flower that needs protecting." She pushes against one of my wings, her small hand barely making an impression in the light gray feathers. "I'm tired of everyone treating me like I'll break."

"You will break." I grab her wrist, my fingers easily encircling the delicate bones. "One wrong move, one wrong word to the wrong xaphan, and you'll shatter."

She yanks against my grip. "Let go."

"No." Power thrums beneath my skin, golden light dancing at the edges of my vision. "You need to learn your place in this world, little demon. If you won't listen to reason-"

"Your version of reason?" She laughs, the sound sharp and brittle. "Your arrogance is suffocating."

My free hand catches her chin, forcing her to meet my gaze. "Then perhaps you need someone to teach you proper respect. Since you seem determined to act like a willful child, I'll treat you as one."

"I'd like to see you try." Her breath comes faster now, but there's no fear in those eyes. Only defiance.

"Oh, you will." The words rumble from deep in my chest. "I promise you that, Athena. One way or another, you will learn."

"You can't make me do anything." Athena spits the words, her golden-green eyes flashing with that same stubborn defiance that's been driving me mad for days.

Something inside me snaps.

My wings spread wide as I slam her against the stone wall, pinning her wrist above her. The impact knocks a gasp from herlips - those full, pink lips that have been taunting me with every sharp retort.

My hand moves from her jaw to tangle in those honey-blonde curls, yanking her head back as I claim her mouth with mine. There's nothing gentle about this kiss - it's all teeth and dominance, a punishment and a claiming rolled into one. She tastes like herbs and honey, and something darker that makes my blood sing.

Athena fights me for a moment, her free hand pushing against my chest, but I press harder, using my height to tower over her. I drop her wrist, sliding my hand down to grip her hip, fingers digging into the soft flesh there as I pin her completely.

A whimper escapes her throat, and the sound drives me wild. I deepen the kiss, my tongue demanding entry, showing her exactly who's in control. The scent of citrus and metal from my work mingles with her sweet fragrance, creating an intoxicating mix that makes my head spin.

My wings curve forward, creating a cage of light gray feathers around us, blocking out the rest of the world. In this moment, she's mine. Not some delicate human to be protected, but a fierce little demon who needs to learn her place - beneath me, surrendering to me.

When she finally kisses back, it's with the same fire she shows in everything else. Her fingers curl into my shirt, and she bites my lower lip hard enough to draw blood. The taste of copper fills my mouth, and I growl against her lips, pressing her harder into the wall.

This isn't just a kiss - it's a battle for dominance, a statement of possession. And I intend to win.

Athena gasps as I drop to my knees, the stone floor unyielding beneath me. Her shock is palpable, those golden-green eyes wide with surprise. Good. I want her off-kilter, unprepared for what I'm about to do.

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