The wind shifts, and suddenly, the air is thick with heat, the scent of smoke curling around you like a warning. A shadow passes overhead, massive wings blocking out the moonlight, and your stomach drops.

“Oh, sweetheart.”

The voice comes from everywhere. It rumbles like thunder, smooth, but there’s something sharp underneath. You freeze, heart hammering as a gust of wind nearly knocks you over.

Then he lands.

Sylus drops from the sky, shifting before he even hits the ground. His massive form shrinks, twisting into the broad, towering figure of a man—silver-haired, red-eyed, and very, very amused.

“Running away?” His voice is light, almost playful, as if this is some kind of game. He tilts his head, his white hair falling into his eyes. “Where exactly were you planning to go?”

You take a step back. His smirk widens.

Your throat is dry. “I was just—”

“Leaving me?” He takes a step forward. You take another step back, but his eyes darken, and suddenly, there’s nowhere to run.

One second, he’s a few feet away. The next, his arms are around you, pulling you against his impossibly warm body. His heartbeat is steady, but his grip is tight, fingers pressing into your lower back like he’s afraid you’ll vanish.

“I thought you understood,” he murmurs, his breath hot against your ear. “You gave me a name. That means you belong to me now.”

“That’s not—”

His hand slides up to your jaw, tilting your face up so you’re forced to meet his eyes glowing like embers, burning with something intense.

“I would have let you pretend for a little longer,” he presses his forehead against yours, voice dropping to a whisper. “But you had to run from your husband, didn’t you?”

"I-"

“Shhh.” He kisses your temple, slow and deliberate. “It’s okay, Kitten. You’ll learn.”

Then, without warning, he lifts you into his arms—effortless, as if you weigh nothing—and starts walking back toward the cave.

You fight, weakly. “Sylus—”

He chuckles, holding you tighter. “No more running, sweetheart."