Chapter 10: The First Night – Bound by Lust

The decision hung in the air, thick and suffocating.

Seraphina stood before them, bare, trembling, her body still thrumming with the aftershocks of the ritual.

The ritual had awakened her power, but it had also awakened a need so primal, so consuming, she felt like she might come undone if she didn't satisfy it.

The hunger burned, deep and insatiable. And she wasn't the only one feeling it.

She could feel the weight of their gazes— Kier, Rael, Orin. Three predators watching her, each one waiting for the moment she would decide.

Waiting to claim her.

Kier's golden eyes burned with the promise of punishment, of teaching her exactly what it meant to surrender. His wings flexed behind him, power rolling off him in waves, an unspoken challenge in the way he stood, tall and unwavering.

Rael leaned against a pillar, the very picture of relaxed amusement—but his eyes, those deep pools of violet, held a glint of something dangerous. Lust dripped from his very presence, saturating the air around him, thick enough to make her lightheaded.

Orin. The dragon lord. A force of fire and fury barely restrained. His fists clenched at his sides, his breath uneven, his control hanging by a single, frayed thread. He was the closest to breaking. And gods, she wanted to be the one to do it.

But not tonight. Her choice had already been made.

Slowly, deliberately, she met Kier's gaze.

His smirk was slow, knowing. "Oh, little queen," he murmured, his voice like molten gold. "You have no idea what you've just done."

A shiver raced down her spine.

And then he moved. One second he was standing across the room, the next, he was in front of her, his heat searing against her bare skin. He didn't touch her—not yet—but the power rolling off him was enough to make her stomach clench, her thighs press together.

His fingers ghosted over her throat, the barest tease of contact. "Do you understand what you've chosen?"

She swallowed, pulse hammering against her ribs.

Rael chuckled from behind them, shaking his head. "I should've known she'd pick the cruel one first."

Orin didn't speak, but his growl was low and warning. A promise.

They would have their turn. But tonight—

Tonight belonged to Kier.

She turned her attention back to Kier, her heart pounding against her ribs. "I made my choice," she said, her voice surprisingly steady. "And it's not about power."

Kier's smirk widened, a slow, predatory curve of his lips. "Isn't it? You crave control, little queen. And I intend to give you exactly that."

He stepped closer, his scent—a mix of ozone and something darkly intoxicating—filling her senses. "But first, you'll learn what it means to obey."

His fingers a feather-light caress, his fingers traced the delicate line of her throat, each touch a spark igniting shivers that danced down her spine. 'You feel it,' he murmured, a question and a command woven together, 'the pull?'"

She nodded, unable to speak, her breath catching in her throat.

Rael chuckled, a low, throaty sound that sent a wave of heat through her. "Enjoy the show, Orin. You might learn a thing or two."

Orin's response was a low growl, a warning that promised retribution.

Kier's gaze never left hers. "Kneel," he repeated, his voice a command that brooked no argument.

The word echoed in the silence, a stark, undeniable order. Her body moved before she could think, her knees hitting the cold obsidian floor with a soft thud. The sudden submission, the feeling of vulnerability, sent a jolt of something electric through her.

"Good girl," Kier murmured, his voice a low, husky whisper. "You learn quickly."

His words, meant to humiliate, ignited a fire within her. She hated the way her body responded, the way her skin tingled with anticipation.

"You think this is a game, Kier?" she whispered, her voice laced with a hint of defiance.

"Oh, it's a game," he replied, his eyes gleaming. "But I always play to win."

He reached for his belt, the leather creaking softly as he unbuckled it. The sound, so mundane, sent a wave of tension through the room. The air crackled with anticipation.

"Tell me, little queen," he said, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous whisper. "What do you crave?"

Her breath hitched. "Control," she managed, her voice barely audible.

"Then you'll have it," he promised, his eyes burning into hers. "But not the way you expect."

He let the belt drop to the floor, the soft thud echoing in the silence. His fingers moved to the buttons of his shirt, slowly, deliberately undoing them one by one. The sight of his bare chest, the sculpted muscles rippling beneath his skin, sent a wave of heat through her.

Rael watched with amusement, his eyes dancing with mischief. "Looks like someone's getting impatient."

"Silence, Rael," Kier growled, his attention never leaving Seraphina. "This is between her and me."

He stepped closer, his body radiating heat, his scent filling her senses. "Look at me, Seraphina," he commanded.

She raised her gaze, her eyes meeting his. The intensity of his stare, the raw hunger in his eyes, sent a shiver down her spine.

"Tell me," he whispered, his lips brushing her ear. "Do you want this?"

Her breath caught in her throat. "Yes," she whispered, the word a raw, honest admission.

"Good," he murmured, his voice thick with desire. "Because I intend to give you everything you crave."

He reached down, his fingers tracing the curve of her hip, sending a jolt of electricity through her. His touch was both gentle and possessive, a promise of what was to come.

He pulled her closer, his body pressing against hers, the heat radiating from him igniting a fire within her. His lips found hers, his kiss deep and demanding, a claim that sent a wave of possessiveness through her.

The kiss deepened, becoming more urgent, more demanding. His hands moved over her body, exploring, claiming, igniting a fire that burned brighter with every touch.

She moaned softly, her hands finding their way to his hair, pulling him closer. The world around them faded away, leaving only the heat of their bodies, the urgency of their desires.

Rael watched, a smirk playing on his lips. "Well, well, well," he murmured. "Looks like someone's finally getting what they wanted."

Orin remained silent, his gaze dark and brooding, his fists clenched at his sides. He watched as Kier claimed Seraphina, his desire a raw, untamed thing that threatened to consume him.

Kier pulled back slightly, his eyes burning into hers. "Tonight, little queen," he whispered, his voice thick with desire. "You belong to me."

He lifted her into his arms, carrying her towards the waiting bed, his gaze never leaving hers. The promise in his eyes, the raw hunger, sent a wave of anticipation through her.

Tonight, she would learn what it meant to surrender. Tonight, she would be bound by lust.

END OF CHAPTER 10