Chapter 11

As Athasia stepped through the iron gates, the whispers around her ceased, leaving an eerie silence that pressed heavily against her ears. Her footsteps slowed as the mansion loomed closer, its aura almost suffocating. Before she could reach the grand doors, a sudden wave of dizziness overtook her.

Her blurred, the dark world around her spinning uncontrollably. She staggered, reaching out for support, but the ground beneath her feet seemed to collapse. A fleeting thought crossed her mind—this wasn't natural. Something, or someone, had forced this upon her.

And then, nothing.

When Athasia woke, her body was immobilized, bound tightly to what felt like a cold, unyielding surface. Her senses slowly returned, and she realized she was lying on a bed—an ornate, ancient one draped with dark silks that brushed against her skin. Her wrists and ankles were tied with crimson ribbons that glowed faintly, humming with an otherworldly energy.

Her gaze shot upward, meeting the piercing grey eyes of a figure standing at the foot of the bed. He was tall, his presence commanding and suffused with a raw, dark energy that made the air feel heavier. His hair was black with streaks of crimson that shimmered faintly in the dim light. His features were sharp and regal, exuding an otherworldly beauty that seemed almost unreal.

Athasia's breath hitched, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, her heart raced. It wasn't fear—she knew fear well and had conquered it long ago. This was something else entirely, something unfamiliar and disconcerting.

Her instincts screamed at her to fight, to break free, but the bindings held her in place, sapping her strength. She hated it—hated this feeling of helplessness that clawed at her. She had spent her entire life honing her skills to ensure she was never vulnerable, and now, here she was, unable to move, under the gaze of a stranger who exuded power.

He tilted his head slightly, his lips curling into a smirk as though he could read her thoughts. Without warning, he leaned forward, his movements deliberate and unhurried, until his face was mere inches from hers. Athasia's sharp green eyes met his stormy grey ones, and for a moment, the air between them seemed to crackle with tension.

And then, he moved closer. His lips brushed against hers, a fleeting touch that sent a shiver down her spine despite herself. His hand followed, slipping beneath the fabric of her clothes and trailing over her skin with a deliberate slowness that sent waves of sensation through her body. She clenched her teeth, trying to suppress the involuntary reactions, but her body betrayed her.

A low growl escaped her as annoyance bubbled to the surface. She hated this—hated how her body responded to his touch despite her mind's protests. It wasn't just the vulnerability; it was the control he seemed to have, the ease with which he unraveled her composure.

He leaned back slightly, his smirk deepening as though he could see the war raging within her. His voice, deep and laced with amusement, broke the silence.

"I didn't think you'd come," he said, his tone a mix of mockery and intrigue. "But here you are, walking straight into my domain. Curious, reckless, or perhaps... fate?"

Athasia glared at him, her voice sharp despite her position. "Who are you? What do you want?"

His smirk widened, and he straightened, his hands retreating but leaving behind a lingering warmth. "You'll find out soon enough, Athasia," he said, her name rolling off his tongue with an intimacy that sent another shiver through her.

For now, she could only watch him, her mind racing with possibilities and strategies. Whoever this man was, he had the upper hand—for now. But Athasia had never been one to stay down for long.

Suddenly she felt his lips on her neck, kissing her slowly almost delibrately, his hands soon found its place on her chest as he slowly kneaded her, desire clouded her mind and she let out low moans, then....she let out a please.

The figure slowly chuckled,"never knew the great Athasia would beg, but I would prefer to hear you beg as I ravage you".

Slowly he grinded against her, making her feel things she never knew she would feel, and as much as she hated this feeling of helplessness, she didn't want him to stop.