Page 9 of Savage Crown

Her laugh is bitter. “And what if I say no?”

I tighten my grip—not enough to hurt, but enough to remind her of exactly where she is.

“You won’t,” I say simply.

She stills.

She knows I’m right.

I let her go, stepping back, watching her closely. “Swear it.”

She hesitates.

I don’t move. I don’t blink. I let her savor the moment, the weight of me.

Slowly, she nods. “I swear.”

Something dark coils in my gut, satisfaction curling through my veins.

“Good,” I say, turning away. “Then let’s begin.”

5

SERAPHINA

Rylan watches me like he’s waiting for me to break.

I won’t.

I refuse.

But gods, he makes it hard.

I sit in the dim glow of his study, hands clenched at my sides, my skin still warm from where his fingers lingered on my jaw. My body betrays me in ways I can’t control—shivers racing along my spine, breath catching in my throat. It’s not fear. I know fear.

This is something else.

Something far more dangerous.

He leans against his desk, exuding quiet dominance, his emerald eyes glinting with amusement as he takes me in. The way I hold myself too stiffly. The way my fingers twitch, aching to curl around a weapon that isn’t there.

He’s testing me.

I meet his gaze, my voice steady despite the war raging beneath my skin. “What now?”

Rylan smirks. “Now, little thief, we see if you can follow orders.”

Orders. The word sits heavy inside me, a reminder of the chains I can’t see but can already feel tightening around my throat.

I’ve been a slave before. I know what it means to belong to someone else.

I fought to escape that life.

And now, I’ve thrown myself into the hands of a dark elf who is too powerful, too perceptive, too damn tempting.

He moves, slow and deliberate, circling me. I force myself to stand still, refusing to let him see how much his presence unsettles me.

“Take off your tunic.”

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