CHAPTER 9

RAGNAR

She stepped back into the room like a frightened deer. Her eyes were wide, her shoulders stiff. She thought putting more distance between us would save her.

It wouldn’t.

A smile curved on the corner of my lips as I continued watching her like a predator with his prey. It wasn't a soft smile. It was the usual slow, sharp one that could make anyone freeze. And she was freezing. I could smell her fear even through the sweet perfume the maid had poured on her. Her beautiful ice blue eyes kept on widening and I feared it was going to come out of the socket. Her hands trembled beside her and I smiled liking it.

Yes be scared of me Amara because you have no idea what I'm capable of. I'm the devil after you, and I won't leave you alone till you've given me what I want.

I let the silence stretch before I spoke. “Do you know,” I said, my voice low, “what you’re carrying inside you?”

Her sweet sensuous lips pressed tight, narrowing her eyes at me as she refused to answer. This one was as I expected. She was fire and ice but I'm her worst nemesis – water. I'd douche every bit of fire in her until she was bowing to my whims. Yes, I like challenges.

I tilted my head, studying her the more. “Do you?”

Nothing.

I chuckled under my breath, amazed at her will. “You’re stubborn. And you know what, I like that.” I leaned back in my chair. “Do you know anything about your power?”

Her gaze was steady now, sharp even. She was watching me the way a wolf watches a stranger in its territory—silent, calculating. Like every move she makes counts on how she might escape.

But you won't be escaping Amara, you're mine and mine forever.

“You have no idea,” I continued ignoring the urge to deal with this little mouse until she understood what obedience is.

Still no answer.

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. My voice dropped lower. “Your bloodline,” I said slowly, “is the key to something far greater than you imagine.”

Her brow furrowed. And I knew I got her. She was going to open that silly mouth of hers now. “What does that mean?”

I smiled faintly. “So you can talk?" I taunted fixing a cool-levelled stare on her. "When it’s time, you’ll get more answers.”

She shifted her weight, her fists curling slightly. I could see the questions burning in her head, but she didn’t speak them.

I straightened up. “Until then, don’t think about escaping. My guards will be watching for you. They have one order—to bring you back if you run. And if you try to escape, they'll be on your ass. And when they do…” I paused, letting the silence do the work. “…your punishment will be terrible.”

Her eyes flickered. I needed no soothsayer to inform me she was still going to try to escape. And I'd be ready to punish her for it.

“If you value your life,” I continued, “you’ll comply. You’ll follow my orders. You’ll be an obedient girl. If you do that, we’ll get along just fine.”

She stared at me for a long moment, then asked, “What about the other girls in the cell? What will you do to them?”

Ohhh, isn't my little mouse a darling. Just one night she made friends with the other girl's, and the bond grew to the extent of her looking out for them. “Dint worry you'll get to see them more often because they’ll be working in the strip club just like you.”

Confusion flashed across her face. “Working in the strip what… just like me? What's that supposed to be?”

I feigned surprise. “Ohh… you don’t understand.” I sat back, resting one arm over the side of my chair. “Let me break it down for you. Your new life begins in my underground club… a place of darkness, submission, and seduction.”

Her eyes widened slightly.

I grinned. Not the kind of grin that comes from joy, but the one that comes from knowing you have complete control. Ah yes, I've got control over my little mouse. She was in my grasp and free to give me the death stare and rebel against me but i won't be releasing her

I stood and stepped toward her. “Walk with me,” I said, stretching out my hand.

She hesitated. Her eyes moved from my hand to my face and back again. I could see the war in her mind.

After a long moment, she placed her hand in mine. I patted the back of it slowly. “Good girl.”

I led her out of the room, my hand firm around hers. The hallway was quiet except for the echo of our steps. The guards posted at each corner straightened as we passed.

“You’ll be treated specially here,” I told her. “This is my palace. And you are mine. No one will dare touch you… unless you misbehave.”

She didn’t speak. She kept her gaze forward, her lips tight.

We stopped in front of a heavy wooden door. I opened it and guided her inside.

The room was simple but large, with a wide bed pushed against the wall, a small table, and a wardrobe. A single window lets in weak daylight.

“This is your room,” I nodded. “You’re entitled to the kitchen. Eat whatever you want. I want you healthy… and beautiful… for when you climb the stage.”

Her head snapped toward me. She didn’t say anything, but I saw her throat move as she swallowed. Does she only talk when the matter is so important? Or when she's confused and needs to clear it? Or was she doing it intentionally to step on my nerves?

I stepped closer. “Rest now. You’ll be woken later.”

I turned to leave. At the doorway, I paused. My hand moved before she could step back.

A quick, hard smack landed across her ass. She gasped, spinning to look at me. She glared at me furiously but the shocked expression was still all over her face.

I smirked over my shoulder. “Get used to it.”

Then I walked out, leaving her standing there in the silence.