Chapter 5 - The First Escape

The air between them was thick with tension. Selene could feel the weight of Valerian’s silver gaze, the flickering candlelight casting dark shadows across his sharp features. He was studying her—calculating, deciding whether to call her bluff.

But she held his gaze, refusing to waver.

"If you truly believe I am yours," she repeated, lowering her voice to something teasing, coaxing, "then take off the chain."

His jaw tensed, his body perfectly still, as if he were fighting an internal war.

And for the first time since she had woken up in this nightmare, Selene felt a sliver of control.

A king like him—ruthless, dominant, possessive—would never want to show weakness. And his hesitation was weakness.

"You do not trust me," she murmured, tilting her head slightly, watching him. "But you expect me to trust you?"

His silver eyes flashed—dangerous, sharp.

"You are playing a dangerous game, little one," he warned, his voice like molten steel.

Selene’s heart hammered in her chest, but she forced herself to smirk, masking her fear.

"I thought you liked dangerous things."

Something shifted in his gaze.

For a moment, she thought she had pushed too far—but then, without another word, Valerian reached for her wrist.

Selene froze as his warm fingers brushed against her skin, unhooking the delicate golden cuff that bound her.

The weight of the chain fell away, but Valerian’s touch lingered, his fingers brushing over her pulse, feeling the wild, rapid beat beneath her skin.

"You are free," he murmured.

But the way he said it made her stomach twist.

Because he didn’t believe she would leave.

He thought he had already won.

Selene didn’t hesitate.

The moment his grip loosened, she moved.

She lunged—grabbing the dagger from his belt.

Valerian’s eyes darkened, but he didn’t stop her.

She staggered back, holding the blade between them, her chest heaving.

His expression remained unreadable, though amusement flickered at the edges of his lips.

"Ah," he said, watching her closely. "There she is."

Selene ignored the way her hands trembled as she gripped the dagger.

"I’m leaving," she said, her voice low, steady.

Valerian simply tilted his head, stepping forward—slow, deliberate, like a predator cornering its prey.

"Then do it," he whispered. "Run."

Her breath hitched.

Something about the way he said it—the quiet promise in his voice—made her blood run cold.

But she didn’t give herself time to think.

Selene spun on her heels and ran.

The castle’s corridors were twisting and endless, the flickering torchlight casting ominous shadows along the stone walls.

Selene’s bare feet slapped against the cold marble, her heart pounding.

She didn’t know where she was going—only that she needed to get as far away from him as possible.

She turned corner after corner, her breath coming in sharp gasps.

But something was wrong.

No guards.

No locked doors.

No obstacles.

The castle felt… empty.

Her stomach twisted.

This wasn’t normal.

It was too easy.

And then—

A voice.

"Going somewhere, my queen?"

Selene whirled around—her blood freezing.

Valerian stood at the end of the hallway, completely at ease, his arms folded behind his back.

As if he had been waiting for her.

As if he had known she would come this way.

A slow, dangerous smirk curved his lips.

"Tell me, little one," he murmured, taking a step toward her, "did you truly believe I would make it that simple for you?"

Selene’s fingers tightened around the dagger.

Her escape—her freedom—had been an illusion.

And she had walked straight into his trap.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***