Ava’s POV

I returned to the dungeon three nights later with my body still remembering every mark from the cross. The collar felt heavier around my throat now, a constant reminder that I had already given him pieces of myself I could never take back.

My hands shook as I removed my coat and knelt in the center of the room, completely naked, waiting for Master Damien. The air felt thicker tonight. Charged with something darker. I knew he planned to test me harder, and the terrifying part was how much I craved it.

He entered silently and studied me for a long moment. “Look at you. Already dripping on...