Aliana’s POV

I had claimed my place beside him.

But as I stood in front of my mirror, brushing my fingers over the dark dress Freddy had picked for me, I realized something—

Winning the war was only the beginning.

The noise of my bedroom door being opened caused me to turn around.

Freddy leaned against the door frame, standing in the entrance and observing me.

His eyes moved over me gradually, observing how the dress hugged my figure—dark, sophisticated, commanding.

Precisely how he desired me to appear.

"You’re looking," I whispered.

His lips formed a slight curve. "You become accustomed to it when you possess something invaluable."

I raised...