Sera's POV:

  "I won't wear this!" I screamed, throwing the terrible silk wedding dress off the bed. It slid to the marble floor like a useless puddle. Two women, they were maids I guessed, though they looked as trapped as I felt. They both flashed each other a look of pure fear.

  "Miss Hale," the older one said, her voice shaking, "Mr. Damien needs you ready before the sun rises."

  "I am not marrying him," my voice cracks. "I absolutely refuse."

  "You can scream later," the younger one whispered, her eyes fixed on the dress. "Please, just get dressed."

  I held the robe tighter around my body. My heart hadn't stopped pounding since he spoke the word marry. "Don't come near me."

  "We won't," the older woman promised. "We just have orders to help you... prepare."

  Prepare. The word made me want to vomit. Prepare for a cage or prepare for my life taken from me. My legs felt weak. I stumbled into the bathroom and grabbed the edge of the sink until my fingers started hurting. My face stared back at me, I looked wild, my face was smeared with old tears, with a stain of my father's blood on my cheek from where I brushed against his shirt earlier.

  I looked utterly ruined.

  "Miss?" A maid stood at the doorway. "The bath is ready. If you don't hurry, the guards will have to..."

  "I said back away!" I shouted.

  She instantly disappeared.

  I sank into the hot water, trying to stop the endless shaking, but the heat didn't help. Dad gave me away. He promised me to this monster. The betrayal was a physical pain in my throat. I dipped my head under the water just to drown the sound of my own despair.

  *****

  The maids left me alone to dress. It was a small mercy. I quickly forced myself into the clothes-the soft silk underthings, the fitted dress, the slippers. Each layer felt less like clothing and more like a chain locking around my chest.

  When the women returned, they just gasped softly, then bowed their heads."You look perfect," the younger one murmured. No I don't . I look like a prisoner dressed for execution.

  Four men stood outside the door, they were all armed and looked massive. They watched me like I was a valuable object.

  "Where are we going?" I demanded.. but they all kept quiet.

  I took a step forward and two guards moved in front of me and two behind me. I panicked and asked again . "I asked you... where are we going?

  Yet no one answered me. They just kept moving.

  "Stop!" My voice rises. "STOP!"

  They didn't. I screamed the word, then jumped at the nearest guard. He instantly stepped back, his massive hands raised in surrender.

  "We can't touch you, Miss," he said quickly. "Those are the Boss's orders."

  "Then let me go!"

  "We can't do that either."

  My breath hitched. I started hitting him tiny, useless slaps against his hard chest. "Let. Me. GO!" He just stood there, letting me hit him, refusing to hold me, refusing to push me, letting me crumble into my own desperate rage.My vision got blurred with fresh tears. I couldn't stand straight anymore.

  "Sera."

  The sound of his voice, Damien's voice stopped the air in my lungs. I turned around and saw him standing at the end of the hall, hands behind his back, looking impossibly controlled in his black suit. His face looked unreadable. But I saw it. It was a tiny, painful flicker of something in his dark eyes. Something like hesitation or maybe regret.

  "Why are you doing this?" I whispered, suddenly exhausted.

  "Because you must be protected." His voice was low and firm. "And because your father made this your destiny a long time ago."

  "That is not protection," I whispered. "That's stealing my life."

  He took a slow step closer. The four guards instantly left, leaving space around us.

  "I will not touch you," he said, his hands still behind him. "Not unless you ask me to. Not unless you want me to."

  The words were cold and honest. They confused me more than anything he'd done so far.

  "You think that makes it okay?" I asked.

  "No." His jaw tightened. "But it gives you back the choice your father took."

  The air between us felt too thick to breathe. He stopped a few feet away, his gaze dropping to my violently shaking hands.

  "You're shaking," he stated.

  "No thanks to you."

  His expression hardened... and then softened.

  "Come here."

  "No."

  His brows lifted, a slow challenge. "You truly believe I am the danger right now?"

  "You are the danger!"

  He stepped closer slowly, watching me. I stumbled back, terrified. My slipper caught the edge of the rug. I gasped and lost my balance, he stretched his hands towards me. I thought he was going to catch me.

  But he stopped and his fingers stopped very close to my waist. He didn't make contact. He took his hand back with the effort of holding back.

  I managed to balance myself awkwardly with my heart beating very fast.

  "Why didn't you catch me?" I whispered, ashamed.

  His eyes were dark. "Because you don't want my hands on you."

  His honesty was painful and I couldn't look at him.

  "Turn around," he said gently.

  "Why?"

  "You have something stuck in your hair."

  "I don't.. "

  He moved before I could finish, slowly and carefully, raising his hand toward me but not touching me.

  "May I?" he asked.

  The simple request, after all the commands, was devastating. I gave a single, small nod. He carefully brushed a loose strand of hair from my cheek.. and paused. His palm was so close to my skin, warm, making me shiver. Then he leaned in, his breath soft against my ear.

  And then... his forehead touched mine. It was barely a touch, just the slightest pressure of skin against skin. I could feel the spark between us. My breath stopped and his' stopped too.

  "Breathe," he murmured, his voice rougher now. "I am not going to hurt you, Sera."

  My chest rose shakily.

  "That's it," he whispered.

  His hand lifted and moved down... and this time, he took my wrist. Not hard or forcefully, but to steady me. His thumb pressed lightly against my pulse point.

  "Do you feel that?" he asked.

  I swallowed, "My heartbeat?"

  "No." His forehead remained against mine, warm and solid. "You're still alive."

  He was telling me he was the shelter, not the storm.

  "I'm safe here?" I whispered, the feeling of his hand on my wrist strangely anchoring. "Why does it feel like I'm not?"

  He finally pulled back, just enough to look into my eyes.

  "Because," he said quietly, the warmth leaving me cold, "the people who want you dead haven't finished their job yet."

  The hallway grew colder and I felt a new kind of fear.

  "What do you mean?"

  He released my wrist, and I regret the sudden loss of his touch.

  "Your father woke up again," he said. "And he gave me a name."

  "A name?" I could barely form the word.

  Damien nodded once.

  "The person who tried to murder him," he said. "The person who told them where you were."

  My blood ran cold.

  "Who?" I whispered.

  Damien met my eyes, his voice was soft and controlling.

  "Your aunt."

Damien's POV:

  Just before Sera could answer, the big doors of the ceremonial hall are swung open. The priest walked in, he was dressed in black. He is one of the few men I still trust. He looked calm, but he was worried. He looked at Sera and his face softened with concern.

  Then he looked at me and gave me a nod that said; "I see the mess you've created."

  "Ready?" he asked softly.

  Sera jumped and grabbed her dress.

  "No," she whispered.

  "Yes," I said at the same time.

  She snapped her head up, furious and scared. She breathed fast and stepped far away from me, she looked heartbroken. And God it destroys me. Her fear cuts deeper than any knife and it hurts me so much.

  "I don't want this," she whispered.

  "I know."

  "Stop it then."

  "I can't."

  Her eyes narrowed. "You mean you won't."

  She was right. I won't stop not because I want to trap her, not even because of the debt or my empire but because if I do..., I'll lose her again.

  The priest moved closer. "Please, come here."

  Sera shook her head hard. "No.. wait.."

  "Sera," I said, taking a step.

  She gasped and stepped back, her breathing was getting too fast and shallow.

  "It ends soon," I told her.

  "That doesn't help," she snapped.

  "I didn't mean it to."

  Her chest rises and falls in panic. She sucks in air too fast. She looks so scared and helpless. Every thought and instinct in me wants to pull her into my arms, but I don't. I can't. I've wanted her for twelve years, and wanting her is the most dangerous part of this.

  "Walk over here," I said quietly.

  She didn't move. I held out my hand, but I didn't touch her. She looked at my hand like it was a blade, then she looked at my face slowly. Her voice was small but sharp. "I hate you."

  It cut me deep but I didn't flinch.

  "You can hate me later," I replied. "Just stand by me now."

  Her lips trembled. Then bravely, stupidly and beautifully she steps closer. She refuses my hands but she comes to my side.

  Good girl.

  _____

  The priest started speaking the wedding words fast. Sera was trembling, looking at the floor. But I couldn't stop looking at her. Every swallow, every shaky breath... I watched it all, like a man starving.

  "...to take this woman as your lawful wife"

  "I do," I said before he finished.

  Sera jumped, shocked.

  The priest looked nervous. "And do you, Sera Hale..."

  "No."

  Her voice shakes like she's barely holding herself up. "I won't say yes. I refuse."

  The priest looked between us, confused. "Mr. Vescari-"

  "Give her a second," I said.

  I turned to her and lowered my head to look her in the eye. "Sera," I whispered, "your answer changes nothing tonight."

  She was shaking. "Why make me say it then?"

  "Because...." My voice becomes lower "I want you to hear my vow. And I want you to hear yourself bind me to you." I said softly.

  "And I want to hear you tie me to you."

  Tears ran down her cheeks.

  "Why?" she whispered. "Why do you care so much?"

  My chest tightened painfully.

  "Because twelve years ago, you disappeared," I said, my voice rough. "And losing you destroyed me."

  Her eyes got wide. "I didn't know you then."

  "You knew enough," I said. "And I knew everything I needed to know."

  She trembled. "I don't get it."

  "You will," I whispered. "Later."

  She shook her head. "I can't marry you."

  "Yes, you can."

  I lowered my voice again.

  "And you will. Because the second you say the words, no one can touch you."

  She froze.

  "Your aunt planned to kidnap you," I told her quietly. "Your dad was almost killed. Someone gave away your location. Someone wants you dead."

  Her face went completely white.

  "If you walk out of here not married," I continued, "you will die before you can hate me properly."

  Her legs almost gave out. I made myself not reach for her. Not until she chose me.

  "Sera," I said gently, "Say it."

  Her voice was almost nothing.

  "I... do."

  It was enough.

  The priest let out a breath. "Good. With these promises-"

  "Wait," Sera whispered, turning to me. "Your promises? You said you wanted me to hear them."

  The room went silent again. I stepped closer. Closer still, until I could feel her shaking.

  "My vow is simple," I say, my voice low, obsessive and unbreakable.

  "I will protect you with my life."

  "I will find who wants you dead."

  "And I will destroy anyone who touches you, even if it's someone you love."

  She swayed slightly.

  "And Sera..." I leaned in so close my breath touched her ear.

  "I will never let you disappear again."

  The priest quickly finished the words.

  "...you are now husband and wife."

  Sera's eyes blinked slowly, then they rolled back. Her whole body fell. I caught her before she hit the floor and lifted her into my arms. Her skin was cold and her breath was tiny.

  "Sera." I shook her gently. "Sera."

  She didn't wake up. Luca swore, the priest panicked and the guards tensed up.

  And in the cold silence, a sharp, terrible fear hit me... My wife had just passed out in my arms.

Sera's POV:

  I woke up with a sharp choke, like someone had thrown me in ice water. I didn't know where I was. For a moment I thought I was still in the chapel... the promises, Damien's voice, the world turning black. My chest hurt.

  When I finally woke clearly, I was in a huge, soft bedroom. The bed was dark and warm. A fire crackled in the corner. The air was too soft, too calm. Then I saw him.

  Damien sat across the room. He was staring at me, hard. He looked like he hadn't moved at all. My heart started running in my chest.

  "Easy," he said quietly.

  "Don't talk to me," I snapped, crawling backward until the wall hit my back.

  He kept staring. He just studies me calm, controlled like he can see the panic through me. "You passed out."

  I swallowed, trying to think. My wedding dress was gone. I was now wearing a silk nightgown I didn't know. Panic hit me.

  "Who touched me?" I asked sharply.

  "I did," Damien replied, calm but solid. "You couldn't breathe. Your dress was too tight."

  I grabbed my chest, covering myself as if it would make a difference. "You should not have touched me."

  "I only touched what I had to," he said. "You were barely awake. I had no choice."

  I looked down, burning with shame and anger. "You could have left the room."

  "I am not leaving you alone tonight," he answered, simple and final.

  My throat tightened. "Why not? Haven't you taken enough from me?"

  I saw a flash of pain in his eyes.. looked like anger or maybe guilt, but he locked it away fast.

  "You were cold," he said. "You needed warmth."

  "What happens now?" My voice shook. "Are you going to force me into this bed? Is that why you won't leave?"

  His jaw clenched. His voice suddenly got deep and serious.

  "No," he said. "I won't touch you tonight. Not until you stop looking at me like I'm the monster under your bed."

  I let out a gasp of air. His answer was the last thing I expected. It knocked me off balance.

  "You want me to sleep while you sit there and watch me?" I asked.

  "Yes."

  The simple word chilled me to the bone.

  "That is crazy."

  "That is protection," he corrected. "Someone in this house sold you out. The people who took you might still be looking. Until you are safe, I stay here."

  The thought of those awful people finding me made my skin crawl. I fought the fear and made my voice steady. "Get out."

  "No."

  I glared at him. "Damien..."

  "You fainted right into my arms, Sera," he said, his voice dropping low. "I am not leaving you."

  Something inside me trembled, but I wouldn't show it. I threw the blanket off and stood up.

  His eyes narrowed. "Don't."

  But I took a step toward the door. Fear was my fuel. If I reached the door, I could scream. Run. I ran for it. My fingers touched the doorknob... His hand locked around my wrist and pulled me back. I crashed hard against his chest, the air punched out of me.

  "Let go!" I fought, pulling and twisting, but his grip was tight. He was so much stronger.

  "Sera," he whispered, soft but final, "you cannot run."

  "Let me go!"

  He turned me gently to face him. His grip on my wrist was firm, not hurting me, as his other hand slowly moved up toward my face. I stopped breathing. He paused right before he touched me, letting me move away if I could. But I was frozen, I was hurt, scared and confused.

  Then he pressed his forehead against mine. My breath hitched. It wasn't a claim or a kiss, but a connection, it was warm, steady, and terrifyingly gentle.

  "I am not trying to hurt you," he said quietly. "I am trying to keep you alive."

  I shook my head, tears burning my eyes. "I don't want this. I don't want you. I hate all of this."

  "I know," he whispered. "And I'm not asking you to want me. Not tonight."

  Another tear fell, and he felt it. His jaw tightened, but he didn't pull back.

  "I will not touch you," he said gently. "I won't force anything. But I am staying in this room because I would rather have you hate me than lose you again."

  My throat closed. "Again?" I whispered.

  He didn't answer. He guided me back to the bed slowly, gently, never forcing me, never tightening his hold. When I reached the edge, he let go right away.

  He stepped back several feet, creating space.

  "You can rest," he said. "You don't have to sleep."

  "I don't trust you."

  "I know," he answered quietly. "I will earn it. Not tonight. Not tomorrow. But I will."

  I sat on the bed because my legs were too weak. I wrapped the blanket tight around me and stared at the fire, trying to slow my shaking body.

  Damien went back to the chair, sitting straight, watching me. Not angry, not selfish, just watching and protecting. Minutes dragged on. My eyes grew heavy, even though I fought to keep them open.

  "You can rest," he whispered again. "I'm here."

  "That is the problem," I whispered tiredly.

  A faint, sad sound escaped him- half a laugh, half a sigh of pain. "Then hate me when the sun comes up."

  My vision blurred. The room swayed. I blinked hard, but the dizzy feeling got worse.

  "Sera?" Damien's voice became sharp.

  I tried to speak, but the words wouldn't come out.

  The world spun... then everything went black. The last thing I felt was Damien catching my body before I fell.

  AGAIN.