I had to make her realize she was free here. No, more than free—she was above freedom. I cupped her beautiful face and told her exactly what I thought, word for word. I didn't want her submission or her fawning. I wanted her. The imperfect, complete person who cried, laughed, feared, and screamed. I hoped—and believed—that one day she would trust me, love me, smile for me, and cry for me.
Elara’s answer broke my heart. She didn't know what she wanted because her father, that scum Boris, never gave her the right to "want." I remembered kicking Boris across the room backstage at the auction. The way he knelt and begged like a dog... My anger spiked. He knelt to me because he knew I had more power. But Elara? This poor woman, weaker than him, with no status, was abused just because she was h
