"Their Queen, Their Captive"

Chapter 6: The Taste of Defiance

Morning came like a curse. I was learning that time moved differently in this place—like the mansion itself conspired to keep me trapped in its gilded walls. The bruises on my wrist from Leo's grip were a stark reminder of the rules.

Don't test them.

Don't disobey.

But no matter how much I tried to stay invisible, they always found a way to drag me back into their game.

The Rule Breaker

I was late for breakfast. Again.

By the time I walked into the dining room, Leo was already waiting, his icy-blue gaze pinning me in place like a moth under glass. Adrian smirked at the edge of the table, clearly entertained, while Nico sat quietly with his fingers tracing the edge of his coffee cup.

"You're late," Leo said.

"I'm sorry," I muttered, keeping my eyes down.

Adrian chuckled, his silver hair falling messily into his storm-gray eyes. "She's got a habit, doesn't she?"

Leo stood slowly, the sound of his chair scraping against the marble floor making me flinch. He didn't speak right away. Instead, he walked toward me, the steady click of his shoes the only sound in the room.

"Did I not tell you yesterday that breakfast is at eight?" he asked, his voice calm—too calm.

"Yes," I whispered.

"Then why are you late?"

I didn't have an answer. My heart was pounding so loudly I could hear it in my ears.

Leo's hand shot out suddenly, his fingers gripping my chin as he tilted my face up to meet his. His touch wasn't gentle. I gasped, my eyes locking onto his sharp, unreadable expression.

"You think this is a game?" he murmured, his grip tightening. "That you can come and go as you please?"

"I—I didn't mean to—"

The slap came faster than I could register. The sting of his palm against my cheek was sharp, burning hot. My head snapped to the side, and I stumbled back a step, my hand flying up to my face in shock.

Adrian whistled low, a smug grin tugging at his lips. "Well, she had that coming."

"Shut up, Adrian," Leo snapped, though his attention never left me.

I stared at the floor, my cheek throbbing, but I refused to let them see me cry.

Leo tilted his head slightly, as though considering me. "Learn your place, Sophia. Or you'll regret it."

He turned back toward his chair, his movements controlled, as if nothing had happened.

Adrian's Turn

I sat through breakfast in silence, my face burning, the metallic taste of shame sitting heavy on my tongue. When it was over, I slipped out of the room as quickly as I could, desperate to be anywhere else.

But Adrian wasn't going to let me escape that easily.

I heard him coming before I saw him—the quick, careless rhythm of his footsteps echoing through the hallway. I sped up, but it didn't matter. He caught up to me just as I reached the staircase, his hand grabbing my arm and spinning me to face him.

"Running off so soon?" he teased, his storm-gray eyes alight with amusement. "That's rude, sweetheart."

"Let me go," I said, trying to pull free, but his grip only tightened.

"Come on," Adrian said, his voice softening in a way that felt far more dangerous than Leo's cold anger. "You can't hide from us, Sophia. You're ours now."

"I'm not yours," I shot back, surprising even myself.

Adrian's grin froze, his gaze darkening. "What did you say?"

"I said I'm not yours," I repeated, my voice trembling, but I didn't back down.

His smirk returned, but it was sharper now, crueler. "Is that so?"

Before I could react, he stepped closer, his hand sliding up to cup the back of my neck. My breath caught in my throat as he tilted my chin up, forcing me to look at him.

"You should watch that mouth of yours," he murmured, his face just inches from mine. "Unless you want me to do something about it."

His lips crashed against mine without warning—hard and possessive, like he was trying to claim something that wasn't his to take. I struggled, my hands pushing against his chest, but he didn't let go. When he finally pulled back, his grin was triumphant, as if he'd won some twisted game.

"See?" he said, his voice low. "You are ours, whether you like it or not."

"You're a monster," I spat, my voice shaking.

He laughed softly, releasing me. "Maybe. But you'll get used to it, sweetheart."

He turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, my body trembling with anger and humiliation.

Nico's Words

I didn't know how long I stood there before I heard another voice.

"You shouldn't provoke him."

I turned to find Nico at the top of the staircase, his emerald eyes watching me like he could see straight through me.

"I didn't provoke him," I snapped. "He—"

"It doesn't matter," Nico interrupted. "Adrian doesn't need much of a reason."

I stared at him, my anger bubbling up to the surface. "And what about you? You just stand there and let it happen?"

Nico didn't answer right away. His gaze softened—just barely—and for a second, I thought he might say something real. Something human.

But then his mask slipped back into place. "It's easier that way," he said simply.

"Easier for who?" I demanded, but he was already walking away, leaving me alone once again.

The Mirror

When I finally returned to my room, I collapsed in front of the vanity mirror, staring at my reflection. My cheek was still red, the mark of Leo's hand stark against my pale skin. My lips felt raw where Adrian had kissed me, as if his touch had left a brand.

They wanted to break me. That much was clear.

But as I stared at the girl in the mirror—her face marked, her eyes wide and unyielding—I made a silent promise.

You will not win.

Because no matter what they did, no matter how hard they pushed, I would find a way to survive.

And when the time came, I would make them pay.