"You don't command me, Hawk." I hissed.

"Don't I?" His lips turned. Eyes still yellowed with dark intent. He let his hand trail down from my breast. Molding the flat plane of my belly and over my hip.

I knew a moment of fear. Realizing I'd baited him too far. What would he really do to me?

I looked past him toward the doorway. Wondering if summoning someone to help me really was the wisest course.

He leaned to whisper near my ear, brushing blonde strands. "Tough, decision isn't it?"

"You're despicable."

"You don't even know the half of it, Mary Mage."

"My name is Mary."

"Not to me." His gaze roved my face intently. As his hand molded around the inside of my thighs. His fingers slipping between as he ran his hand up toward my tender lower lips. Turning his hand to just brush his fingertips.

"Hawk!" I jumped. I tried to force my body to run away but it wouldn't move.

"Challenge me again, Mary Mage." He slid a finger into me.

I drew a shaking breath. Gasping in shock as I glared at him.

"Go ahead." He grinned. "Call for help. Try to explain away what's happening."

"They would say you dishonored me." I accused.

"Yes. And they'd demand I wed you. Something I'd gladly do to have you pinned underneath me every night."

I hissed venomously.

"There's that fire I love." He growled seductively.

I jerked several times, fighting to move but found I could not. "Stop it!"

He chuckled and withdrew his hand from my heat. Meeting my gaze as he lifted his finger, sucking it between his lips. "You taste as wild as you are. A half feral little thing."

I was shaking with rage.

"I can't wait to have you." He purred. Turning and walking away.

***

"Hawk! Hawk!" I called.

He left me standing there. Glued to the floor and unable to move. He turned back from the doorway. "Enjoy your freedom while you may, Mary Mage."

"You'll never have me, Hawk!"

"Oh, it's unwise to underestimate me, Girl."

My stomach dropped sickeningly because I knew he was right.

He was dangerous. I've never found him above anything.

He's utterly conscienceless.

And why he'd set his sights on me, I had no idea. Though I'd tried everything to dissuade his intentions.

He cast a last lingering glance over my body. From my feet up to my hair before uttering an admiring growl and walking from the room.

Only when he'd left did my body relax. Going back under my control.

Well, that was the most terrifying thing he's done yet.

But the last few months he'd been escalating his game. Scaring me with the new lengths he'd go to intimidate me.

"I'm not scared of you, Hawk." I called out of the Main Room.

"Perhaps you should be." He called from the second level. Voice laden with humor as his steps echoed hollowly through the castle.

Perhaps I should. But I refused to be afraid of anyone!