She Is Forbidden. The Shah's Daughter

“I’m afraid of you,” I whisper in the dark. The past, where he was my older, caring friend, has long since blurred. Now he’s a completely different man—one I don’t know. I can’t see Bessonov, but with every cell I feel his presence.

“I won’t hurt you,” comes a cold, indifferent voice.

Let his words sound like a vow—still, it doesn’t calm me. He’s dangerous and cruel; I’ve always felt that. The Lion will destroy anyone who stands in his way. So why does excitement creep in along with my fear when I hear his quiet approaching steps? I pull my legs in under me, as if this pose could protect me from him. Bessonov crouches beside me—so close that I feel his breath on my face when he says:

“You’re mine. You just haven’t realized it yet…”