Chapter 19:A Cage of Gold
890 Words
Alina sat in the middle of the massive bed, her body rigid, every muscle in her tensed as if ready to spring into action at the slightest movement. The air in the dimly lit room was thick with Viktor’s presence, even though he was no longer there.
Her pulse pounded in her ears as she replayed the last few moments. The way he had held her down. The way his lips had hovered over hers, teasing, threatening. The way his voice had curled around her like a noose, tightening with every whispered word.
"You already belong to me."
Alina exhaled sharply, shaking her head. No. No, she didn’t.
She would never belong to him.
Her eyes darted around the room, searching for a way out. The room was grand, luxurious in a way that felt suffocating rather than comforting. The bed was enormous, the silk sheets beneath her soft and cool. The walls were a deep shade of midnight blue, the curtains thick enough to block out any light. A massive chandelier hung from the ceiling, its crystals reflecting the dim glow of the sconces lining the walls.
Everything about the room screamed wealth, power. A golden cage.
Alina swallowed hard, forcing herself to think.
Viktor had left. That meant she had time.
She threw her legs over the side of the bed, her bare feet sinking into the plush carpet. Slowly, carefully, she padded toward the door, her breath caught in her throat.
She reached for the handle, her fingers curling around the cold metal.
It didn’t budge.
Locked.
Of course it was locked.
Alina clenched her teeth, frustration burning in her chest.
She spun around, scanning the room for something—anything—that could help her escape. Her eyes landed on the windows.
Without hesitation, she rushed toward them, yanking back the heavy curtains. Her stomach dropped.
Steel bars.
A bitter laugh escaped her lips.
Of course.
Viktor hadn’t just locked her in a room. He had locked her in a fortress.
A shiver ran down her spine as she stepped away from the window, hugging herself.
How long had he been planning this? How long had he been watching her, waiting for the moment to snatch her from her life and trap her in his world?
Her fingers tightened around the thin fabric of her dress.
She couldn’t stay here. She wouldn’t.
Her mind raced with possibilities. If she couldn’t break the door, and she couldn’t break the window, then…
The vents.
She turned toward the wall, her eyes landing on the vent near the ceiling. It was small, but maybe—just maybe—she could fit through it.
Heart pounding, she climbed onto the dresser, reaching up and gripping the edges of the vent cover. She yanked, but it didn’t move.
"Come on," she hissed, straining against it.
Nothing.
A loud click echoed through the room.
The door.
Her blood turned to ice as she scrambled down, her heart hammering against her ribs.
Viktor stepped inside, his broad frame filling the doorway. His sharp blue eyes swept over her, taking in her disheveled appearance, the open curtains, the way she stood far from the bed.
A slow, knowing smirk curled his lips.
"Trying to escape, printsessa?"
Alina lifted her chin, forcing steel into her voice. "Let me go, Viktor."
His smirk widened as he stepped inside, closing the door behind him with a quiet click.
"Where would you go?" he murmured, taking slow, measured steps toward her. "Out there? Where men far worse than me would tear you apart?"
Alina’s hands curled into fists. "I’d rather take my chances than stay here with you."
Viktor chuckled, deep and dark. "You say that now."
He reached her in two steps, his fingers curling around her wrist.
Alina gasped as he pulled her forward, until her body was flush against his. His grip wasn’t bruising, but it was firm, inescapable.
His free hand brushed over her cheek, his thumb tracing the line of her jaw.
"You think you’re trapped," he murmured. "But, Alina, I’m the one who’s been trapped all these years."
Her breath hitched.
Viktor’s eyes burned into hers, his voice softer now, but no less dangerous.
"I’ve watched you from the shadows. Waited. Wanted." His thumb pressed lightly against her chin. "And now that I have you, do you really think I’d ever let you go?"
Alina’s heart pounded against her ribs.
She tried to pull away, but he held her in place.
"You’ll never break me," she whispered.
Viktor’s lips curled. "I don’t need to break you, printsessa."
His fingers trailed down her arm, slow, deliberate.
"I only need to make you crave the cage."
Alina’s breath caught.
His grip loosened—just enough for her to feel the heat of his body, the temptation of his closeness.
Then, just as suddenly, he let go.
She stumbled back, her pulse racing.
Viktor took a step toward the door, his expression unreadable.
"Sleep," he ordered. "We have a long night ahead of us."
Then he was gone, the door locking behind him.
Alina stood in the center of the room, her chest rising and falling rapidly.
She didn’t know what terrified her more—his words, his touch…
Or the way a part of her almost wanted to believe him.
To be continued…
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- Writer
