Chapter 21 Who Let The Dogs Out?

• My heart pounded against my ribcage as I watched from the window as the armored Rolls-Royce crashed through the once-impressive iron gates of Falcon Manor, past midnight. Only hours had passed since I'd been sealed within Xandros's dark empire, and now I was returning to this hellish place where I'd taken root, this time as queen. This was the cursed house where I'd once been auctioned off, sold like an object to settle debts, ruled by my father's cold and merciless authority. Now it was the showcase for Xandros's most ruthless revenge.
• My breath caught in my throat as the carriage stopped in the mansion's vast gravel courtyard. Xandros stroked my cheek, adjusting his impeccably black coat; the hard ring on his finger dug into my skin but didn't hurt. On the contrary, it made me feel the dark power coursing through my veins.
• "Welcome, new bride," Xandros whispered, that dangerous, mocking grin on his lips. "I thought you'd be unhappy when you got home, so I had some... entertainment prepared for you."