Chapter 65: Get Messed Up
The cold bite of metal against his skin, the way the chains held him in place—he should have been furious. He should have resisted.
But instead... He shivered in anticipation.
The room was silent except for the faint sound of the metal chains shifting as Riven tested his restraints. The weight of them was not unfamiliar to him, but the way they now bound him—wrapping around his wrists and anchoring him to the grand bed—felt entirely different. He could move, just barely, but escape was impossible.
The dim glow of the sconces cast long shadows across the lavish room, accentuating the deep crimson of the heavy drapes and the ornate carvings on the walls. Despite the darkness, it was easy to tell that the space was fit for a ruler.
Everything screamed luxury, the silk sheets beneath him, the plush pillows he half-sank into, and the faint scent of spiced incense that lingered in the air. And yet, the most striking thing in the room was the man who had chained him here.
Soren stood at the foot of the bed, his expression unreadable. His pale fingers moved deliberately as he loosened his tie, pulling it from his collar with agonising slowness. His sharp eyes flickered with something dark, something unreadable, as if testing Riven’s patience.
Riven’s tail flicked despite himself, betraying his anticipation. He was restrained, yes, but the thrill of the unknown sent an excited shiver down his spine. His ears twitched at the whisper of silk sliding against Soren’s skin, and when the man stepped forward, closer, Riven’s breath hitched.
The tie was warm when it brushed against his face. He stilled as Soren leaned in, close enough that Riven could feel the heat radiating from him. With a practiced motion, Soren looped the fabric around Riven’s eyes, tying it firmly at the back of his head.
Darkness.