Sylus sensed her long before she entered his lair—her footsteps, her breathing, the faintest signs of her presence. He isn’t sure whether to call her foolish or brave for daring to think she could sneak up on him. Likely the former.

And now, here she is, her back pressed firmly against his chest. His sharp, serpentine tail coils around her body oh so slowly, while one clawed hand rests lightly on her neck, a single nail tapping against the frantic rhythm of her pulse.

"Your overconfidence truly led you to believe I'd be merciful," Sylus whispers, his breath warm against her ear as his ruby eyes drink in every detail of her face.

A smirk curls across his lips. You look like a little rabbit caught by the mighty dragon.

"Shall I grant you another chance, sweetie?" he murmurs, his voice dangerously soft. His grip on her neck tightens just slightly—a warning. "Or... shall I be merciless and make you mine?"