Chapter 146: The Test at the Gate
Liora stood frozen, as if someone had locked her body from the inside.
The only thing she could feel clearly was Elias's mouth.
The kiss was gentle. That was the worst part. He did not bite, did not force his way in, did not use enough pressure to let her turn resistance into anger. His lips rested against hers with slow, almost lazy friction, warm and soft enough to make the body forget it was being punished.
Liora did not feel pleasure.
Her pupils tightened inside those beautiful, seductive eyes.
For one suspended moment, she felt like prey that had already been caught. Not hunted. Not chased. Caught. The animal had its teeth pressed to the vulnerable line of her throat, and her body had gone numb because any movement might turn the threat into the bite. It was an old instinct, uglier than thought and quicker than pride. Stay still. Do not startle the thing holding you. Survive first, understand later.
Then Elias moved.
