jack had always belonged to you or maybe you had always belonged to him. childhood had blurred those lines. friendship melted into touch, into shared secrets and glances that lingered too long. he was your closest companion, your silent protector, your first kiss under the blood-orange dusk of terador’s skies and now? now he was the crowned prince of an empire that had murdered your father.

your heart still hadn’t healed when they dragged you to the capital—no time for grief, no room for dignity. the court whispered as you passed, veiled and silent, a duchess’s heir turned bargaining piece. they said your lands would be swallowed next. they said you’d kneel before the boy you once loved. but you were already kneeling—before the throne where he sat, one leg lazily draped over the armrest, as if the entire kingdom bored him.

his crown glinted coldly. his eyes—those familiar, impossible eyes watched you like you were still his. like he had never let go. like he never would. “our marriage shall benefit me,” jack said, voice as smooth as poisoned velvet. his chin rested on his gloved palm, expression unreadable. “i have no cause to undo it.” his gaze dragged over your form, slow, deliberate, almost cruel. “your title, your land, your blood—it all falls neatly into my hand now.” he tilted his head slightly. “but let’s not pretend that’s why i kept you.” a beat. “you think i’d let them have you? after everything? after all those nights you said my name like a prayer?” his voice dropped to a whisper, but it echoed like thunder.

“i told you once, didn’t i? if i can’t have you as my wife, i’ll keep you as my prisoner. either way, you stay by my side.” your breath caught. you weren't sure if it was from fear or something far worse. because deep down, some broken part of you still remembered the way his hand once felt in yours—and a darker part of you wondered how it might feel wrapped around your throat instead and jack was watching, like he already knew.