HIS FORBIDDEN CLAIM

CHAPTER 34 — “The Last Line She Won’t Let Him Cross”

Kaela woke to the sound of boots against concrete.

The room was dim, the single hanging bulb flickering above her.

Her wrists ached against the ropes — until she realized they were loosened.

Adrian stood in front of her.

Not a shadow anymore.

Not pretending.

A man consumed by madness.

“You look at me like I disgust you,” he said quietly, lifting her chin with two fingers.

“Adriana looked at me that way too… in the end.”

Kaela jerked her face away, refusing to give him an inch.

Her voice was hoarse but fierce.

“You killed her. You destroyed her. And now you want to do the same to me.”

He laughed — cold and broken.

“No… I want you to stay. To choose me. To see that Vionn never deserved you… just like he didn’t deserve her.”

He reached for her wrist — the contact sent a wave of panic through her —

but Kaela twisted free and slapped his hand away.

“Don’t touch me.”

Adrian froze.

His eyes — once playful — now burned with frustration.

“You think he’ll save you?”

He leaned close, his breath chilling her skin.

“That man will trade anything to protect his precious empire. Even you.”

Kaela glared back, heart pounding, voice steady:

“You don’t know him at all.”

Adrian’s smile cracked.

“Oh, but I do. I know exactly what breaks him.

First Adriana…

Now you.”

He grabbed her shoulder — firm, controlling —

but not intimate.

Kaela shoved him so hard he stumbled back.

“I am not yours.

And I never will be.”

For a moment, silence.

Then Adrian’s jaw twitched — rage simmering.

“You’re strong,” he whispered.

“But everyone breaks in the end.

Even queens.”

He signaled to the guards.

“Tie her tighter. She needs to remember her place.”

Kaela fought them, teeth gritted — refusing to scream — refusing to give Adrian the satisfaction.

As the ropes tightened again, she repeated the same words in her mind, like armor:

Vionn is coming.

He will find me.

And he will destroy you.

Adrian paused at the door, looking back once, his voice eerily calm:

“Let’s see how long your faith lasts… Princess Blackwood.”

The lock slammed.

Kaela finally let her tears fall — not from fear —

But from the fire building inside her.

She was done being prey.

Next time Adrian came near…

He would regret it.