Page 33 of Darkest Oblivion

He was brutal and beautiful all at once.

His gaze caught mine, sharp as a blade.

“Like what you see, milaya?” Dmitri’s voice was a low rasp, carrying a dark amusement that rooted me to the spot. “Careful. Stare too long, and I’ll start to think you’re falling for your monster.”

My throat tightened, but I forced a scoff, folding my arms across my chest. “Don’t flatter yourself. I was staring at the scars, not the man. They tell me exactly what you’be become.”

“Go wash the travel off,” he drawled, not even granting me a glance as he pulled a razor from the dresser.

My cheeks burned.

“I’m not staying in this room with you,” I snapped, sharpening my tone to hide my shame.

His eyes caught mine in the mirror, glacial. “You don’t get a vote.”

He shaved with slow, deliberate strokes, the blade sliding over his jaw as though he had all the time in the world.

“You locked every other door so I’d end up here, didn’t you?” I accused, my hands curling into fists.

“Milaya,” he said with a dark chuckle, wiping his face with a towel, “stop whining and go take a bath. It’s our wedding night. There are... better ways to spend it.” His smile was a blade, casual and cruel.

Rage surged. “I will never lie with you,” I said, my voice steady. “Try as you might... you’ll get nothing from me.”

He dropped onto the bed, propping himself up on his elbows, gaze fixed on me like a hunter watching prey.

“You’ll never lie with me?” he murmured, smirk deepening. “Perhaps not today... but one day, you’ll ache for many nights with me.”

A laugh tore from me, incredulous. “Ache for many nights with you? Keep dreaming, Dmitri.”

He didn’t answer, just watched me, his body deceptively relaxed.

I stormed to the bathroom, slamming the door and locking it with trembling fingers.

The space was palatial—a clawfoot tub gleaming gold, lavender soap perfuming the air.

Too pristine, like a set prepared for me.

My heart hammered, fury and humiliation tangling in my chest. “You don’t get to check on me while I’m bathing!” I shouted through the door.

His voice came back, smug. “I don’t need to. Tonight, you’ll sleep beside me... naked.”

I snorted, glaring at my reflection. “Not a chance. Over my dead body.”

My clothes, worn all day, felt suddenly useless against his audacity.

As if he’d read my thoughts, his voice slid through the wood, amused. “Everything you need is in the wardrobe. Waiting for you.”

I swallowed, but didn’t bother replying.

I let the shower’s hot water cascade over me. Steam clouded the glass as my thoughts spiraled.

What was my life here? A prisoner in Dmitri’s estate, surrounded by lakes, guards, and his obsession?

Would he keep me locked forever, a trophy to his twisted desires?

I lingered under the water, letting it run longer than necessary, washing away the day’s terror, the metallic taste of blood from his kiss.

Finally, I stepped out, dried off, and wrapped a plush towel around me, long enough to cover my breasts and thighs.