Enchanted Shadows

Chapter 35 - Forbidden Affection

**POV:** Loki

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The dimly lit room was silent save for the crackling of the fireplace. Maya sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes still wide with the raw power she had unleashed just hours ago. She was changed now, more than she realized. And it was time to show her just how irrevocably she had bound herself to me.

I approached her slowly, watching her tense at my nearness. Good. A little fear was necessary; it kept her on edge, reliant on me to guide her through this new world of chaos she had embraced.

"You did well today," I said softly, my voice carrying the warmth of approval. I reached out and brushed a lock of hair from her face, savoring the way she leaned into the touch despite the fear in her eyes.

"Did I?" she asked, her voice a whisper, uncertain and seeking validation. "I felt... I felt like I was losing control."

"Control," I murmured, sitting beside her and trailing my fingers down her arm. "It is the illusion you cling to. Power, true power, is not meant to be controlled but to be wielded without restraint. You embraced that today."

She looked up at me, her eyes searching mine. "But what if... what if I hurt someone? What if I hurt you?"

I smirked, letting my fingers curl around her wrist. "You worry too much," I said, my grip tightening just enough to make her wince. "You could never hurt me, Maya. I am the one who holds the reins. You are merely the storm that I command."

Her eyes widened at my words, a flicker of doubt crossing her face. "Loki, I..."

"Enough," I interrupted, my voice sharp. I stood up, yanking her to her feet with me. "Do you know why you are here, with me? Do you know why I chose you?"

She shook her head, her eyes pleading for something I had no intention of giving—gentleness, reassurance. "Because you love me?" she ventured hesitantly.

I laughed, the sound cold and harsh. "Love? Is that what you think this is?" I let go of her wrist, shoving her back onto the bed. "You are mine, Maya, because you are powerful. Because you are useful. And because you have nowhere else to go."

Her face paled, and she stared at me, hurt and confusion swirling in her eyes. "But you said... you said we were in this together."

"We are," I said, my voice softening into a dangerously smooth tone. I crouched down to her level, my hands cupping her face, forcing her to look at me. "But you need to understand what that means. Together, we are unstoppable. But you must never forget who holds the leash."

Tears welled in her eyes, but she nodded, swallowing hard. "I... I understand," she whispered, her voice breaking.

"Do you?" I pressed, my thumbs stroking her cheeks in mock tenderness. "Because I think you are still clinging to the idea that this is something it is not."

She closed her eyes, her breath hitching. "I just want to be with you," she said, her voice barely audible. "I want to be what you need."

I smiled, a cold satisfaction settling within me. "And you are," I said, leaning forward to press a soft kiss to her lips. She melted into it, desperate for the affection she craved. I deepened the kiss, feeling her surrender beneath me, her body yielding to mine as if it were the only thing that made sense in her world.

I pulled away abruptly, leaving her gasping for breath. "But do not mistake my desire for weakness," I warned, my eyes boring into hers. "I desire you, yes. I crave what we can become. But that does not mean I will tolerate disobedience."

Her eyes widened, and she nodded quickly. "I understand," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I won't... I won't disobey you."

"Good," I said, straightening up. I walked to the window, looking out at the dark landscape beyond. "You must embrace this life fully, Maya. There can be no hesitation, no second-guessing. You are mine, and you will do as I command."

"Yes, Loki," she said, her voice hollow, resigned.

I turned back to face her, crossing the room in two swift strides to seize her chin in my hand, tilting her head up to meet my gaze. "Say it," I demanded, my voice low and dangerous. "Say what you are."

She hesitated, her lips quivering. "I... I am yours," she whispered.

"Louder," I ordered, my grip tightening painfully.

"I am yours!" she cried, tears spilling down her cheeks.

I released her with a satisfied smile, watching as she crumpled to the floor, her sobs quiet and broken. I crouched beside her again, running my fingers through her hair. "There now," I murmured soothingly. "This is how you become powerful. By giving yourself over completely to what you fear."

She nodded weakly, clutching at my leg like a lifeline. "I just want to be enough," she sobbed.

"You are enough," I said softly, my voice like velvet. "You are exactly what I need you to be. And I will mold you into something even greater."

I pulled her to her feet once more, guiding her back to the bed. This time, my touch was gentler, coaxing her into a false sense of comfort. She lay down, and I lay beside her, my arm draped possessively over her waist.

"You will learn," I whispered into her ear, my lips brushing against her skin. "You will learn to embrace what we have, what we are. And you will find that there is freedom in this submission."

She turned her head to look at me, her eyes red-rimmed and filled with a mixture of fear and longing. "I... I will try," she said, her voice fragile but determined.

"Good," I murmured, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Because you have no other choice."

She closed her eyes, her body relaxing into mine as if seeking solace. I watched her, knowing that in this moment, she believed in the lie I had spun. She believed that this was love, that this was the way to become what she had always wanted to be.

But this was not love. This was control, domination. And as she lay in my arms, broken and pliable, I knew that she was exactly where I needed her to be.

"I love you," she whispered into the darkness, her voice filled with desperation and hope.

I smirked, leaning down to capture her lips in a searing kiss. I pulled away, resting my forehead against hers. "And I," I whispered back, my voice laced with the sweetest poison, "will make you into a queen."