His eyes narrowed sharply. “But no. You chose this. Because evil is all you know.”
Bella’s breath hitched.
“How… how could you—”
Osborne straightened to his full height, towering.
“You are a fool,” he cut her off, voice slicing the air. “And thank the goddess I am not the one mated to you. You would’ve been six feet under long ago.”
Her lips trembled, but no words came out.
Osborne turned to Pascal next, his presence alone forcing the man’s shoulders to fold.
“You will return her to her husband,” he commanded, each word heavy enough to crush stone. “If you don’t, I will burn your entire empire to ash. You know I can.”
Pascal dropped his head instantly, submission rippling off him in waves. There wasn’t even a hint of resistance.
Osborne began to walk away, but halfway to the door
