His forced bride!

She looked up, her lashes heavy with tears that streaked down her face like rain carving through stone. Her breath hitched as she saw him-a silhouette carved in obsidian, lurking in the shadows like a predator savoring the fear of its prey.
A scream clawed at her throat, but fear strangled it. It died before it could be born.

She turned, desperate to flee, but the room betrayed her. Before she could take a full step, iron arms wrapped around her waist, lifting her like she weighed nothing-like she belonged to him, not herself. The world spun. Then-slam-her back met the wall with brutal finality.

His hands were merciless. Fingers like shackles dug into her wrists, pain flaring up her arms. She squeezed her eyes shut, the only rebellion she had left.

"Open your eyes."

She didn't move. Didn't breathe.

"Open your eyes, angel."
His voice was darker now, dangerous. His breath ghosted against her skin, and she wanted to disappear. But he was everywhere-his chest pressed against her, stealing her air, branding her with his presence.

Another slam. The wall trembled, and she cried out.
"I SAID OPEN YOUR EYES!"

Slowly, trembling, she obeyed.

And then she saw them-his eyes, black like night with no stars, but alive with madness. Obsession. Hunger. Possession. Desire twisted into something cruel.

Obsession.
Lust.
Possessiveness.
Dominance.
Desire.
Control.
Love, if love could bleed.