The Ball

The grandest ball of the century was nothing more than a gilded cage.

Princess Anastasia Swan stood at the edge of the ballroom, her spine rigid, her gloved fingers clenched around her champagne flute like a lifeline. The air smelled of rose oil and sin, the chandeliers dripping gold light onto the sea of Europe’s most powerful royals.

And yet, she had never felt more alone.

"I shouldn’t have come."

But Isabella,king Ivander’s younger sister and her only true friend in this viper’s nest of crowns and daggers had begged her. "One night, Ana. Just one night. For me."

So here she was"Trapped."

Across the room, he watched.

King Ivander Harrison lounged on his throne like chair, a goblet of wine dangling carelessly from his fingers as he entertained a circle of princes. But his gaze dark, ravenous, possessive was fixed solely on her.

Ana’s breath hitched.

She had hoped he wouldn’t notice her. That for once, his obsession would falter.

But no.

His lips curled into a smirk as their eyes met a silent challenge. "You can’t ignore me forever."

She quickly looked away, her heart pounding.

Because the worst part wasn’t his obsession.It was the way her body burned under his stare.

The music swelled, a waltz meant for lovers.

Ana kept her eyes locked on the marble floor, counting the seconds until she could escape. But then a shadow fell over her.

The scent of dark spice and sin wrapped around her before his voice did.

"Princess."

Her stomach twisted.

King Ivander stood before her, his broad frame blocking her from the crowd. His black royal coat hugged his shoulders like a second skin, the gold embroidery glinting under the chandeliers,a king dressed as a conqueror.

And she was his intended prey.

Ana lifted her chin, forcing ice into her voice. "get lost."

Ivander smirk deepened. He leaned in, his breath a hot whisper against her ear.

"Make me."

The challenge sent a traitorous shiver down her spine.

Before she could react, his hand seized hers, his grip firm enough to bruise. The crowd gasped as he yanked her against his chest, his other hand settling possessively on her lower back.

"Don’t touch me your majesty ," she hissed, but the orchestra began playing a waltz.

Ivander eyes burned. "You’d embarrass Spain by refusing your host?"

A threat. A game.

Ana had no choice.

As he spun her across the floor, his fingers dug into her waist, his voice a velvet growl "You ignored my letters."

*"I burn them."*

His laugh was dark. *"Liar. You read every one."*

Her pulse betrayed her, racing where their bodies touched.

"I hate you,"she whispered.

Ivander’s thumb brushed the bare skin above her chest,a caress that felt like a possession.

"Then why,"he murmured, "do you tremble when I touch you?"

Suddenly the final note of the waltz shuddered into silence.

Ana tore herself from Ivander’s grasp, her chest heaving. Without meeting his eyes, she dipped into a swift curtsy,a hollow act of respect then turned on her heel running away from the monster that she calls him.

Her slippers barely touched the marble as she wove through the crowd, ignoring the murmurs of shocked nobles. The terrace doors beckoned freedom, cold air, escape from his suffocating presence.

Outside, on the moonlit terrace, she gripped the stone railing, gasping. London’s skyline blurred below her.

"Stupid. So stupid to come here"

A hand clamped over her mouth.

"Leather,Spice,Fury"

Ivander spun her around, slamming her back against the balcony’s edge. His body caged hers, his other hand gripping her throat not to hurt, but to claim.

"You bow to me,"he snarled, "then flee like a thief?"

Ana shoved against his chest."Let me go, you monster!"

His thumb stroked her pulse point, feeling her racing heartbeat. "Liar. You want me to chase you."

The truth burned her cheeks.

Somewhere inside, the orchestra began a new song.

Ivander’s lips hovered over hers, his breath hot."Tell me to stop."

But then his mouth crashed down on hers.

And the princess of Spain forgot how to breathe.

Ana's hands flew up, fingers tangling in Ivander's hair to pull him away, she told herself. Not to keep him there. Not to feel those ruthless lips devour her like she was his last prayer.

She bit down hard on his lip.

Ivander jerked back, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. His eyes burned wild in the moonlight, chest heaving. For the first time, the untouchable king looked shaken.

"You dare"

"I dare."Ana's voice shook, but she stood taller. "You may be a king, but I am no subject to be claimed."

A muscle ticked in his jaw. He stepped closer, backing her against the balcony rail. "Every breath you take is by my mercy, Princess. That crown on your head?" A gloved finger tapped her tiara. "It's a pretty leash. And I hold the other end."

Her palm connected with his cheek a crack that echoed across the terrace.

Silence.

Ivander turned his face back slowly, a slow, terrifying smile spreading. "Again."

Her hand trembled.

He caught her wrist, pressing her palm to his reddened skin. "If violence is how you need to feel alive, animate me." His voice dropped to a whisper. "But we both know you'd rather use those hands to"

"Enough!" Isabella's voice cut through the door.

They turned.

Ivander's sister stood in the doorway, her gown fluttering in the wind, face pale. "Ana,go inside.i need to teach some manners to my older brother."

Ana wrenched free, fleeing past her friend but not before hearing Ivander's vow:

"See you later"

Isabella slammed the door behind her.

"What in God’s name was that?"

Ivander didn’t look up from his desk, his fingers steepled under his chin. The firelight carved shadows under his eyes, making him look more fallen angel than king.

Isabella stormed forward and slapped both hands on the desk. "You humiliated her. You humiliated Spain."

A muscle twitched in his jaw. "She humiliated me first."

"By existing? By breathing too beautifully for your liking?" Isabella’s voice cracked."She’s my best friend, Ivander. Not your conquest."

For the first time, his gaze flickered to hers icy, impenetrable."You overstep, little sister."

"Someone has to!"She yanked the chair opposite him and sat, leaning in."You’ve been in love with her since we were children. I know. But this?"She gestured wildly toward the terrace. "This isn’t love. It’s madness."

Ivander’s fingers tightened around his quill, ink bleeding onto the parchment. His silence was answer enough.

Isabella sighed, softening."She fears you now. Is that what you want?"

He stared past her, his eyes unfocused. "She wore blue tonight."

Isabella froze.

"The same shade as the ribbons she used to tie in her hair when we were young,"he murmured, more to himself than to her."And when I spun her in the waltz, she… she trembled."His thumb brushed his lower lip, where Ana’s teeth had drawn blood."Like she used to when we’d race our horses and she’d nearly fall, and I’d"

"Ivander."Isabella’s voice was gentle now. "That girl is gone. The Ana you love wouldn’t recognize the man you’ve become."

The clock ticked. The fire spat.

Finally, Ivander pushed back his chair and stood."I’m retiring."

Isabella caught his wrist. "Will you at least try to behave like a gentleman?"

He pulled free with a hollow smile."I’m a king, little sister. I behave as I please."

As the door clicked shut behind him, Isabella whispered to the empty room.

"Then you’ll die a tyrant, not a lover."

Ivander walk inside his bed chamber and shrugged off his coat, letting it pool on the floor like a shadow.

The room smelled of bergamot and gunpowder—**his scent, his chaos.**

He poured himself a drink, then another, until the edges of his vision blurred.

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