Shackled in Sweet Poison

The weight of my thoughts pressed heavily against my chest as I sat on the edge of the bed, my hands resting on my stomach. The reality of my situation felt like a tidal wave, drowning me in emotions I couldn't control. My fingers hovered over my abdomen, trembling slightly. Was there really something growing inside me? Something I hadn't asked for, hadn't consented to?

My thoughts were interrupted by the cool, rough touch of a hand on mine. The gesture seemed almost tender, almost comforting, but I knew better. These were the hands that had claimed me, forced me into a bond I hadn't wanted, and left me shackled to a man I feared.

I flinched, my body instinctively recoiling. Turning my head, I met Julls' piercing gaze. His eyes had a way of cutting through me, as though he could see the storm raging inside. His lips curled into a faint, knowing smirk, and before I could react, he pulled me closer.

"Julls," I began, my voice trembling. But he didn't let me finish. His arms wrapped around me, drawing me into his lap as if I belonged there. The strength in his hold was unyielding, a stark contrast to the venomous sweetness in his voice.

"Why so tense, my treasure?" he whispered against my ear, his breath warm against my skin.

I swallowed hard, trying to steady myself. "Please," I managed, my voice barely above a whisper. "Can you… give me proper clothes?"

The translucent fabric clinging to my body made me feel vulnerable, exposed. Every movement reminded me that I was bare underneath, a fact I couldn't ignore in Julls' presence.

His smirk deepened, and he tilted his head, as though amused by my request. "You look perfect as you are," he said, his tone dripping with mockery. His hand traced the fabric lightly, making my skin crawl. "Why would I cover something so beautiful?"

"Julls…" I pleaded, my voice breaking slightly.

Instead of answering, he leaned in and pressed a lingering kiss to my cheek, his lips warm against my flushed skin. My body stiffened, the humiliation of his touch amplifying the shame already weighing me down.

As I sat there, my mind began to spiral. Where was Nathan? Was he out there looking for me? Did he even care? What if he had forgotten me altogether? My heart raced as the possibilities crowded my thoughts, each more horrifying than the last.

Julls must have noticed my distraction because his demeanor shifted. His grip on me tightened, and I felt a dark energy radiate from him. "You're thinking of him, aren't you?" he said, his voice low and menacing.

Before I could deny it, he grabbed my chin, forcing me to face him. His eyes bore into mine, their intensity leaving no room for escape. Without warning, he crushed his lips against mine, the force of the kiss stealing my breath.

I froze, caught off guard by the sudden assault. His lips were demanding, claiming, and I felt myself sinking into the poison they offered. My hands pushed weakly against his chest, but it was futile. I didn't have the strength to fight him—not physically, and certainly not emotionally.

"Julls, stop," I mumbled against his mouth, but my words were swallowed by his persistence.

Somewhere in the chaos, the paranoid thoughts that had been consuming me began to fade, replaced by the overwhelming reality of the moment. His kiss was intoxicating, a blend of sweetness and venom that made it impossible to think clearly. My resistance wavered, and slowly, unwillingly, I began to succumb.

Julls pulled back slightly, his lips still hovering close to mine. "See? You can't fight me," he murmured, his tone both triumphant and possessive. "You belong to me, Cael. No one else."

A tear slipped down my cheek, the weight of his words crushing what little resolve I had left. I hated this—I hated him—but I couldn't find the strength to fight back.

He brushed the tear away with his thumb, his expression softening just enough to make me question everything. "Don't cry, my treasure," he said, his voice laced with a twisted kind of affection. "I'll take care of you, I promise. You'll see… this is where you're meant to be."

His words wrapped around me like chains, binding me tighter to a fate I couldn't escape. In his arms, I felt like a prisoner—not just of him, but of my own helplessness. And as his lips found mine once more, I realized that no amount of fighting would free me from the sweet, poisonous love that was slowly consuming me whole.