Page 29 of Darkest Oblivion

“If plus-size women repel you,” I spat, voice shaking, “why the hell did you marry me?”

Dmitri’s smirk deepened, a cruel crescent that made my blood run cold.

His gaze dragged over me—slow, consuming, filled with that twisted cocktail of obsession and hatred that only he could wield.

“I married you,” he murmured, stepping closer, his presence suffocating, “because you promised.”

His voice was a venomous purr, intimacy and cruelty entwined. “And don’t you dare play the innocent, Penelope.”

He leaned in, his breath brushing my ear, his words scorching.

“You’re here to pay for your sins. And your family’s.”

For a heartbeat, I couldn’t breathe,

“What sins?” I shot back, my voice rising. “I’ve done nothing wrong! If my family betrayed you, then punish them—not me!”

Dmitri’s steps echoed across the marble, long, predatory, eating the space between us.

His voice fell to a razor-sharp whisper. “This estate is surrounded by lakes and rivers. You won’t get far. Try to escape, Penelope...” His icy eyes locked onto mine. “...and you’ll drown.”

His hand lifted toward my face, fingers poised to claim my jaw, and I flinched back as if his touch carried fire.

“Don’t touch me, you monster,” I spat, my voice trembling with defiance. “You disgust me. You cheat—you chain me here while you crawl into another woman’s bed. It’s pathetic.”

Something flickered in his gaze, fury or hunger, I couldn’t tell—but he lunged.

His hands clamped around my arms, yanking me forward, my body slamming against his chest.

His grip was bruising, suffocating, his scent crashing into me like a storm.

“Jealous already, milaya?” he taunted, his lips twisting into a cruel smile.

“The fuck?” I hissed, shoving at his chest, my palms pushing against iron. “I have no reason to be jealous. You could’ve just chained me here without dragging me into this farce of a marriage. Go fuck whoever you want—just don’t pretend this is anything but a prison!”

His eyes darkened.

His hands slid to my waist, caging me, dragging me closer until every frantic beat of my heart thudded against him.

His strength smothered me, overwhelming.

“You’re not a pawn, milaya,” he growled, voice hot against my ear. “You’re mine. My possession. My obsession. My everything.”

His lip curled, but his eyes—God, his eyes—flashed with something fleeting, before the ice slammed back in. “Seraphina exists. But I’ve never touched her. Not tonight. Not ever. Only you.”

His vow was twisted.

Obsession burned in his gaze, a hunger that terrified me more than any blade.

“Keep your excuses,” I spat, my voice trembling but loud enough to crack in the silence.

“I don’t care who you fuck.” My throat tightened. “Just don’t—” I swallowed hard, my eyes stinging. “—don’t rape me. Please.”

That word detonated in the air between us.

In a flash, his hand snapped to my jaw, squeezing until white-hot pain shot through my bones.

My cry caught in my throat. His face was inches from mine, his breath hot and furious.