Prologue

It wasn’t supposed to end up like this.  

“Hah, ah…!”  

Iliana tilted her head back as the pillar thrust all the way inside. The bed shook from the impact, but Lucian, unfazed, placed his hand over hers.  

Does it hurt a lot, Iliana? 

The tone of his voice made it unclear whether it was a question or just an observation. Her insides tightened. It was unmistakable *rousal. Heat surged through her head.  

Using that as a cue, Lucian began to move slowly. The thick heat that filled her again and again was overwhelming.  

“Shh… just breathe, Lana.”  

“Uh, hngh, ah…”  

She tried tugging at the bedsheet, but the sensation of him moving in and out of her sapped all her strength. Every time their body heat separated, he caught her collapsing frame and lifted her back up, thrusting even deeper.  

Look at me, Lana.

He whispered as he leaned down, carrying a faint scent of wine. When their eyes met and his lips pressed against hers, the sweetness of his breath tasted bitter.  

‘How… did it come to this?’  

How had things turned out this way? 

Every time she tried to think, the sensations he brought turned her mind blank. Iliana exhaled in shallow gasps, curling her toes.