A Dangerous Game

Vexaria didn't chase after him.

But she wanted to.

That was the worst part.

She spent the next day pretending nothing had happened. She trained harder, pushed herself to exhaustion, but no matter how much she tried to bury it, his words still lingered.

"You should. But you won't."

Damn him.

She had fought against tyrants, outwitted warlords, survived things that would have broken anyone else. But Xypheron? He wasn't a battle she could win with a blade.

And somehow, that made him more dangerous than all the rest.

---

That night, she found herself outside his chambers.

She didn't know why.

Maybe it was to end this. To finally drive a dagger through his heart, to rid herself of this unbearable pull.

Or maybe…

Maybe it was something worse.

Before she could turn back, the door swung open.

Xypheron stood there, bare-chested, his usual armor and regal presence stripped away.

His eyes flickered with amusement. "Couldn't stay away, could you?"

Vexaria's pulse thundered. "Don't flatter yourself."

His smirk deepened. "Too late."

She should leave.

She should walk away.

But then he stepped closer, his heat wrapping around her like a silent command.

And she didn't move.

Didn't pull away.

Because for all her defiance