CHAPTER 81: WHAT DO YOU WANT?

Aria had just woken up, but her eyelids felt so heavy that even attempting to open them felt like dragging lead across her vision. Her lashes fluttered briefly before her eyes opened halfway.

She hadn’t moved yet, but her senses were already beginning to scream. There was weight pressing down on her—something solid and warm against her back, heavy as a chain draped over her spine. She stiffened immediately, every muscle in her body going taut.

Someone was holding her.

No—he was holding her.

Her eyes widened as she became hyper-aware of her limbs, her skin, her insides. A sharp, hot pulse traveled up her spine the moment she realized there was still something lodged deep within her. Still inside her. Her stomach twisted violently as the fog in her mind cleared and the memory of the night before returned like a tidal wave crashing into her chest.

It was Zyren. His cock was still inside her.

Aria’s entire body tensed, fury and humiliation burning in her veins as she tried to shift, to pull away, to dislodge him. But it was no use. Her legs were trembling from the effort, her core aching, and her movements shallow. Unless he pulled out, she wasn’t going anywhere.

She lay still for a moment, the frustration boiling beneath her skin until it burst out in a low, scratchy growl. Her throat was dry, her voice hoarse from disuse, but she forced herself to speak.

"I know you’re not sleeping!" she snapped, her voice laced with both anger and shame.

She tried again to pull away, but the response was immediate. An arm wrapped tightly around her waist, ironclad and unyielding, locking her in place like a shackle.

As if his overwhelming presence behind her wasn’t suffocating enough, she could feel his chest shake with a low chuckle, the sound echoing right into her ears like a taunt.

"We’re not done yet," he murmured, speaking into her hair. His voice vibrated against her scalp, intimate and low, and her body jerked involuntarily when his large hands slid down to her already sore, reddened thighs.

With deliberate pressure, he pulled her back against him, pushing himself deeper inside her with one slow, possessive thrust that made her curse aloud.

"Unless you’re trying to kill me," Aria growled through gritted teeth, "then pull out!"

Her voice cracked near the end, laced with a mix of rage and sheer irritation. She hadn’t expected him to agree. She didn’t think he ever would. Why would he listen now, when he never cared about her consent before?

But he did.

To her shock, Zyren actually pulled back.

She could feel it—the twitch of his length, the resistance of her walls clenching around him as he slowly slipped free.

"There," he began with that smug drawl she hated, "clearly doesn’t want me to—"

He was referring to her, to that part of her, and she didn’t let him finish. She didn’t want to hear his filthy gloating.

Ignoring him completely, she threw the sheets off and tried to swing her legs over the bed. But the second her feet hit the cold floor, her knees buckled like she was made of paper.

She crumbled.

Her body collapsed gracelessly, her limbs trembling as pain and weakness rippled through her from within. Her hands barely caught her before she hit the ground, and she froze in a stunned haze.

From above came the sound she dreaded most. Laughter.

A deep, low rumble of amusement spilled from Zyren’s throat, and she lifted her head slowly to glare at him, hatred crackling in her eyes like a live flame.

He was still on the bed, looking like the embodiment of self-satisfaction. His dark hair fell messily across his brow, and his red eyes gleamed with dangerous amusement. He looked like a predator who had just devoured his prey.

Meanwhile, Aria felt sick. Ashamed. Violated. Like she’d betrayed everything she had ever loved by giving in to the monster who had murdered her father and brother.

She wanted to scream. Instead, she vowed to herself—never again. Never again would she let him touch her, no matter how much her body betrayed her.

"You look red all over," Zyren commented lightly, his grin widening as his gaze swept across her exposed skin.

She swore under her breath and forced herself to her feet, using the bed for support. Her fingers trembled as she brushed hair away from her eyes and glanced down at herself.

Her body was marked—her neck, her thighs, her breasts—all covered in small red bites, unmistakably his.

She refused to meet his eyes again. Instead, she bent down, gathering the torn pieces of clothing that lay scattered across the floor. She froze. Her eyes widened when she saw how shredded they were—ripped and useless.

She wouldn’t be able to wear any of it.

"You sister will be unharmed," Zyren said suddenly, his tone deeper now—more commanding. That sharp, lordly voice he used only when addressing those beneath him.

"She can be a maid, if you’d like," he offered, sounding casual.

Aria didn’t respond. She just shook her head, firm and defiant.

If her sister had the same cursed blood...then the farther away she was from Zyren’s court, the safer she’d be.

What if she also feels a need to mate with a-- a...

The terrifying thought gripped Aria like a noose around her throat. Her glare deepened as she turned her eyes on Zyren again, her fury rekindled.

"As long as you don’t run off..." Zyren continued, his voice dipping into a quieter, darker register, "I see no reason why I need to chase after her."

The unspoken threat hit her like ice. She’ll be safe... as long as you don’t run.

He was warning her. Telling her exactly what would happen if she disobeyed.

She didn’t respond—not with words. But her jaw clenched tightly as she scanned the floor and saw his long, black coat. Grateful it was still intact, she grabbed it and wrapped it tightly around her bruised and bitten body.

She had just steadied herself, preparing to finally escape this nightmare of a room, when his voice called out again.

"Aria."

It was soft. Too soft. But it froze her mid-step. Her fingers brushed the door handle, but her chest tightened.

He never called her by name. Not unless something bad was coming. Like the time he’d broken her leg.

She turned slightly, her brows furrowed in suspicion.

"You can try and kill me all you want," he said evenly, "but I won’t hurt you. Not as long as you don’t run."

His words sent another chill down her spine, and then he added, "I don’t have to tell you that sleeping with other men is off limits, do I?"

There it was. That proud, possessive tone in his voice again. As if she belonged to him—like she was just another toy in his collection.

Their gazes met, locked like two blades clashing. She knew she could leave now if she wanted. He wouldn’t stop her. Not this time.

But she didn’t.

Something still clawed at her insides. A question—one she couldn’t silence anymore.

She turned fully toward him, her voice quiet but firm.

"Sleeping with me... isn’t what you want from me. So what is it?"

Because Aria knew. Whatever carnal pleasure he got from their twisted night together... it couldn’t possibly be what the King of Vampires truly desired from her.