Hycinth inhaled sharply. Eyes still glued down to the floor, her chin went up, her neck extending to the fullest. It was the ultimate gesture of submission, a promise her life was in his paws, he could do with it whatever he chose.

My heart raced in my chest because now I suspected his next move. He was going to take what belonged to him. He was going to mark her!

I tried to slow him down, make him see reason. We still had no idea if Hycinth even planned to stay after the next three days.

But ...