Do I bow first, then walk?Walk first, then bow?Fall to my knees and crawl the entire way?
My feet seemed to move on their accord, carrying me across the vast expanse between us.I reached the base of the steps and froze.
His power thrummed in the air, sinking into every nerve until I could taste it on my tongue.His lips curled in disdain, but I could’ve sworn for the briefest moment, something else flickered behind his expression.Something that made my blood run hot and cold simultaneously.
Amusement.
He wasenjoyingthis—my fear.My confusion.My utter helplessness.
Dalkhan leaned back against his throne, one finger tracing the outline of his lower lip as he angled his head, studying me like a predator toying with its prey.The movement exposed the strong column of his throat, the pulse of immortal blood visible beneath his bronze skin.
A low rumble sounded from his chest, startling me from my trance.
Stupid.Stupid.STUPID.
I hadn’t realised I was still staring, completely transfixed.
I dropped my head into a bow so quickly my vision swam—hoping, praying that it would be enough.My hair fell forward, the dark strands providing a barrier between us.
How long am I supposed to stay like this?Should I speak?Apologise?Beg?
Terror climbed up my throat like a physical thing with sharp claws.
“Look at me.”
The command was quiet but left no room for disobedience.His voice was deeper than I expected, textured like rough velvet dragging across bare skin.
Slowly I lifted my gaze, tracing the path from the floor, up the steps, past his powerful legs and broad chest, until finally meeting his eyes.Each inch felt like climbing a mountain.
His face was carved from stone, perfect in every way yet betraying nothing of the thoughts behind it.But his eyes—Heavens, his eyes—gleamed with something dangerous, ancient, and unmistakablyhungry.One eyebrow arched slightly, the only indication that he found something about me curious.
“Your ignorance will be the death of you, mortal.”
That word.Mortal.Spat like a curse.Like I was less than nothing.
My fingers twitched at my sides, an involuntary movement that his eyes tracked.When I tried to speak, my lips parted but no words came.Nothing.Just the sound of my shallow breathing and my thundering heart that I knew he could hear perfectly.
My silence only seemed to amuse him further.A flash of something cruel tugged at the corner of his mouth, enough to make my stomach knot with dread.
From behind his throne something emerged—a shadow moving against shadow.Though I was trying to maintain eye contact with him, I couldn’t help but glance at the shape forming behind him.
My eyes widened.A snake slithered over the back of the throne, its movement hypnotic and graceful.It wrapped its long body along the ornate edges, moving over Dalkhan with obvious familiarity.The serpent’s black scales shimmered like polished stone in the sunlight before, impossibly, flames ignited along its entire length—not consuming it but becoming part of it.Its eyes seemed to glow from within, molten gold with slits that expanded and thinned as it set its sight on me.
I snapped my attention back to Dalkhan, his face an impassive mask that revealed nothing while observing everything.
I was not afraid of snakes.Theo, on the other hand, was terrified of them.I’d always found them beautiful.Their scales, their movements, their patient stillness.But this wasn’t just any snake, this was a creature born of flames.As deadly as the man before me.
It glided over his body with obvious affection, leaving trails of ethereal fire that dissipated in the air.It made its way down the steps, a low hiss sounding from the serpent before it circled me, its heat radiating against my legs.
Dalkhan was trying to scare me.
Oddly, I wasn’t frightened—at least, not of the snake.
I stood still as it moved closer—muscles locked in place.
The snake wrapped around my leg, the warmth of its flames more comfort than pain.I looked back to Dalkhan whose eyes had widened slightly before his brows furrowed—surprise quickly masked by irritation.
The snake writhed up my body, substantial yet weightless.It circled my waist before bringing its face up close to my own.Its tongue flicked out in licks of flame, the slits of its eyes widening in curious assessment before it moved to rest its head on my shoulder.Draped around me like the world’s most dangerous scarf.
