She lit the wrong ship on fire.

Now she wakes up in my fortress, wearing my brand.

They sentenced her to die in the arena.

I overruled them.

Not to save her.

To own her.

She’s angry. Defiant. All sharp teeth and spit.

But I’ve seen defiance before.

It cracks.

She’ll eat when I say. Sleep when I allow.

Speak only when spoken to.

And when her fire dims,

I’ll light it again—on her knees, at my feet, begging for the control she swore she’d never surrender.

I branded her to protect her from the Senate.

But now?

I’ll keep her caged until she loves the lock.

Read on for: brutal warden energy, brand as collar,...

She lit the wrong ship on fire.

Now she wakes up in my fortress, wearing my brand.

They sentenced her to die in the arena.

I overruled them.

Not to save her.

To own her.

She’s angry. Defiant. All sharp teeth and spit.

But I’ve seen defiance before.

It cracks.

She’ll eat when I say. Sleep when I allow.

Speak only when spoken to.

And when her fire dims,

I’ll light it again—on her knees, at my feet, begging for the control she swore she’d never surrender.

I branded her to protect her from the Senate.

But now?

I’ll keep her caged until she loves the lock.

Read on for: brutal warden energy, brand as collar, power play dynamics, sworn enemies, and a heroine who thought death was the worst fate—until she met him. HEA guaranteed.