Chapter 23: CHAPTER 20: QUEEN FOR NOW

Adolph

The clinking of metal echoes in the damp basement as I unlock the chains binding her wrists. Her skin is red and raw where the cuffs have bitten into her, and for a moment, I let my fingers linger on the marks. She flinches, trying to pull away, but I grip her wrist firmly, keeping her close.

“You should thank me,” I say, my voice low, the faintest hint of amusement curling my lips. “I could leave you here to rot, bella mia, but I have other plans.”

My beautiful one.

Her fiery glare shoots daggers into me, but I welcome it. That fire in her eyes has always been my favorite thing about her. “I didn’t ask for your mercy,” she spits, her Spanish accent sharpening each word.

I chuckle softly, ignoring her venom. “No, you didn’t. But you’ll learn to appreciate it.”

Reaching behind me, I pull out the handcuffs I’d prepared. The cold steel glints in the dim light, and when she sees them, her eyes widen. “What now?” she snaps, yanking her arm, but I hold her in place.

I snap the cuffs around her delicate wrists, ensuring they’re tight enough to restrain her but not enough to hurt. “A queen doesn’t belong in chains,” I murmur, leaning close enough to feel the heat of her breath against my cheek. “But she does need a reminder of who holds the crown.”

Mi reina. My queen.

Her sharp intake of breath fuels my satisfaction, and I ignore the hissed stream of Spanish curses she throws my way.

“Watch your tongue, mi reina,” I warn darkly, lifting her cuffed wrists to press a kiss to her knuckles. “Unless you’d like me to teach you some respect right here.”

My queen.

Her lips part, but no words come out. I smirk, scooping her up in one fluid motion before she can protest. She freezes, stunned, her body stiff against mine as I cradle her close in my arms.

“Put me down!” she demands, wriggling in my grip, but I tighten my hold, relishing the feel of her warmth against me.

“Shh,” I murmur, my lips brushing her temple as I carry her toward the staircase. “You’ll only hurt yourself struggling. And besides,” I pause, my voice dipping into a teasing lilt, “you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.”

Shh.

Her silence is almost as satisfying as her protests. Almost.

The door to her new room swings open as I nudge it with my foot, and I step inside, letting her take in the sight. The room is massive, far larger than the basement and nothing like the cold, unwelcoming space she’s been trapped in.

Golden chandeliers cast a soft, warm glow over the room, their crystals glimmering like stars. The walls are a creamy white with intricate gold accents, and the marble floor reflects the soft light. In the center of the room is a sprawling canopy bed, its frame carved from dark mahogany and draped with sheer silk curtains. The bedding is luxurious—rich crimson and gold, inviting and decadent.

A seating area sits by the grand windows, which are framed by heavy velvet curtains. Beyond the glass, the view of the sprawling estate stretches for miles, the Italian countryside bathed in moonlight.

“Welcome to your new room,” I say, my voice calm, steady. “Much better than the basement, wouldn’t you agree? My room is even better but it's a matter of week till we'll be sharing it”

She glares at me, refusing to answer, but her wide eyes betray her surprise. I lower her onto the bed, her body sinking into the soft mattress. She sits stiffly, her cuffed hands resting in her lap as she scans the room.

“Why are you doing this?” she finally whispers, her voice barely audible.

I crouch in front of her, resting my elbows on my knees as I gaze up at her. “Because you’re mine,” I say simply, my voice low but firm. “And I take care of what belongs to me.”

Her lips tremble, but she presses them together, refusing to show weakness. I tilt my head, studying her with a small smile. “You don’t have to fight me every step of the way, piccola. You might even enjoy this, if you let yourself.”

Little one.

“Never,” she whispers, her voice trembling with fury.

I lean closer, so close our noses nearly touch. “Never is a dangerous word, Neti,” I murmur, my tone soft but laced with warning. “I always get what I want. And right now, what I want is you. Completely.”

Her breath hitches, and I grin, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Rest, bella. You’ll need your strength for the days ahead.”

Beautiful one.

I rise to my feet, my eyes lingering on her one last time before I turn toward the door. “Sweet dreams, mi reina.” I pause, looking over my shoulder with a smirk. “And don’t worry. I’ll always be just a room away.”

My queen.

As I step out of the room, her curses follow me, but I can’t help the satisfied smile that spreads across my face. She’ll fight, of course. But she’ll learn.

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"You're marrying her" his legs were wrapped around my waist and his arms around my neck,I can't breathe

"Get down" I demanded,"Pranav".

I didn't know that I was going to marry her,I was going to torture her and I'll do it now too but buying her would just break any connections from her family she suppose to love

I know her past,she wasn't loved and now I think she deserved it. Her father, anyways, just sold her to me

But I want the whole world is to know who she belongs to...

"I knew you would marry her" he said bouncing like a puppy,"You love her?"

"No,in fact,it's a complete contrast and she's cursing you,so don't go to meet her yet"

"Why she's cursing me? What did I do?",he whines

"Well,I got the idea of marrying because of you calling her sister in law so.."

I earned a swat on my arm and it was worth it though

"I'll never talk to you" he turned his back dramatically like he caught me cheating and we broke up

"Aliya is coming on our wedding..."before I could finish,he was hugging me like that again

It's a surprise for me too but for my life's sake,she's coming too now

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Author

Hey girlys

This is for all the the confused souls out there

Neti=Spanish

Adolph=Italian