Emily’s POV:

Everything aches. My body feels like it's been wrung dry, my limbs weak and trembling from exhaustion. After last night, after him, I barely managed to eat lunch and dinner in bed. My thighs quiver when I move, and every inch of me feels like it belongs to him—marked, ruined, owned.

When I woke up, I was alone. A strange mix of disappointment and relief settled in my stomach. I showered, letting the steaming water soothe my sore muscles, before wrapping myself in a towel. My eyes fell on the walk-in closet, filled with designer clothes, all new, tags still attached.

Of course. This man has money. But what unsettled me wasn’t the luxury—it was how perfectly everything fit me. Like he had planned this long before I even stepped into his world.

Dressing in a simple silk blouse and black jeans, I went downstairs, finding Salley in the living room.

"Are you going somewhere?" I asked, my brows furrowing at the sight of her luggage.

She glanced at me, then rolled her eyes. "Yeah. I was gonna tell you earlier, but your fiancé said you were unavailable." Her voice dripped with sarcasm. "Anyway, something urgent came up, and I have to head back."

Something about her sudden departure didn’t sit right. I studied her face, trying to find a hint of a lie, but she just gave me a forced smile.

I sighed. "I'll miss you, Salley." And I meant it. She was the closest thing to a sister I had.

"I know, Em. But I'll see you soon, okay?" She pulled me into a tight hug, kissed my cheek, then turned to leave. The guards took her luggage as she rushed out.

A strange emptiness settled in my chest as I watched her go.

I turned toward the couch and found Storm sprawled across Xavier’s lap, his fluffy tail lazily thumping against the cushion.

"Hey," Xavier greeted, looking up from his phone.

"Hey," I said back.

He grinned. "Muffins, you look good today."

My cheeks burned, unused to compliments. "Thanks," I muttered before glancing around. "Do you know where Alex is?"

"He'll be here any minute," Xavier replied, stretching his arms.

As if summoned by our conversation, I heard approaching footsteps. The air changed, thickened. My heart did an involuntary leap.

And there he was—Alexander Nikolai, standing in his untouchable glory. A force of nature. A man carved from steel and danger.

I swallowed hard, watching as he closed the distance between us in long, purposeful strides. Before I could speak, he wrapped his arms around me, his face burying into my neck as he inhaled deeply. A low, satisfied sigh escaped his lips.

"You smell good, kotenok," he murmured against my skin.

A shiver ran through me. "Th-Thanks. You smell nice too."

He smirked, and I swear I could feel it on my neck.

"Good girl," he whispered, pressing a kiss just beneath my jaw. Then, pulling away slightly, he brushed my hair back, his fingers lingering against my throat. "We're leaving. Pack a few of your things. And mine."

I blinked. "Right now?"

"Yes," he said, his voice final. "We'll be gone for a while. You have thirty minutes."

He pressed a kiss to my forehead before motioning for me to go.

Xavier, still lounging with Storm, arched a brow. "Where are you two going?"

Alex’s gaze flicked to him, unreadable. "Diavolicia."

That was all he said before turning back to me.

I didn't ask any more questions. I simply nodded and hurried upstairs.

The drive took five hours.

I had fallen asleep somewhere along the way, lulled by the rhythmic hum of the car and the soft, possessive strokes of Alex's fingers along my wrist.

"Wake up, little one," his voice coiled into my dreams, dragging me out.

I blinked, groggy, and sat up just as we passed through massive iron gates, the kind you'd see in horror movies. The metal spikes at the top gleamed under the moonlight, warning trespassers to keep out—or die trying.

Armed men lined the perimeter, their eyes sharp, their postures rigid.

A cold chill crept up my spine.

This place was haunting.

Alex parked the car in front of what looked like an ancient castle—dark stone, towering walls, and windows that stretched high like soulless eyes. My breath caught.

"What is this place?" I whispered.

Alex only smirked, opening the door for me.

"Home," he said.

Whose home? I wanted to ask, but the weight of his hand on my lower back silenced me.

He led me inside, where the air smelled of burning wood and something darker. Something metallic.

Blood?

I shook off the thought as we entered a grand bedroom. A fire crackled in the hearth, casting eerie shadows on the walls.

A knock at the door broke the silence, and Alex moved to answer.

I took out my ponytail, massaging my scalp, when I felt his presence behind me. His fingers replaced mine, kneading gently. I moaned, leaning into his touch.

His lips brushed my ear. "Tired?"

I nodded.

A man entered, pushing a serving cart.

"This is Pablo," Alex introduced.

I managed a small smile. Pablo nodded respectfully, then set the food down before leaving.

We ate in silence.

When we finished, Alex stood, his expression darkening. "I'll be back, little one." He tilted my chin up, his grip firm. "But do not leave this room."

I frowned. "Why not?"

His fingers curled around my throat, just enough to send my pulse racing.

"Because I said so, kotenok," he murmured. His lips brushed my ear, his voice a sinister promise. "And if you disobey me, I'll discipline you."

I swallowed.

"Words," he commanded.

"Y-Yes. I understand," I whispered.

"Good girl."

Then he was gone.

But curiosity gnawed at me. The way he warned me made it impossible not to disobey.

And so, I left.

I wandered through endless hallways, my heart hammering at every shadow.

This place was both beautiful and terrifying. Like a kingdom built on ghosts.

I didn’t know where I was going until I heard it.

A scream. Muffled. Raw.

My stomach twisted as I followed the sound, my feet moving before my mind could stop them.

I took a staircase down. Then another. And another.

Then I saw it.

A woman—tied to a chair, naked from the waist down, her mouth gagged.

She wasn’t just screaming. She was pleading.

A man stepped forward, his knife gleaming under the dim light.

And then, he cut off her finger.

I choked back a gasp, my hands flying to my mouth.

The metallic scent of burning flesh filled the air as another man pressed a red-hot iron to her thigh.

I lurched forward, my stomach threatening to spill. My eyes burned with unshed tears.

I had to run.

I had to get out.

But then, a voice slithered through the darkness.

"Look what we have here."

I froze.

An older man stared at me, his lips curling into something cruel.

"A pathetic myshka," he sneered. "Little mouse."

I barely registered the sound of a door opening before I felt his presence.

I turned my head.

Alex stood there, his cold, dead eyes locking onto mine.

And I knew, in that moment—

I had made a terrible mistake.

Author’s Note:

This isn’t a fairytale—it’s obsession, power, and a love so dark it consumes. If you’ve made it this far, welcome to the chaos. Things are only getting darker from here.

You’ve been warned.