The blue expanse of the sea and the scorching midday sun created a strange, haunting silence. Adrik had forcibly brought Soha to this deserted dock. She sat there completely exposed, her long, wet hair cascading over her back in a desperate attempt to cover herself.
Moments ago, Adrik had practically forced her into the salt water for a bath. Soha's fair skin now glistened under the sun, decorated with droplets of seawater. She sat huddled on the sand, trying to shield her modesty. Adrik stood before her, holding a large towel, his eyes devouring her helpless yet mesmerizing form.
Flushed with a mixture of rage and humiliation, Soha looked up at him and spoke in a sharp, trembling voice:
Soha: "This is pathetic! Does anyone actually do this? Are you even human, or something else? To drag me away like this in front of everyone... and leave me in this state what kind of twisted obsession is this?"
Adrik tossed the towel aside and knelt in the sand before her. His eyes held that familiar, predatory glint. He traced a burning finger over her damp, cold shoulder.
Adrik (in an extremely low voice): "It's not just a whim, Soha. It's a right. On this island, even the wind needs permission to touch you; imagine what that makes me. I've wanted to see you like this—unveiled in the heart of nature—for a long time. Today, that wish is fulfilled."
When Soha tried to recoil, Adrik wrapped his arm firmly around her waist, pulling her flush against his chest. At that moment, the thundering of Soha's heart was louder than the roar of the ocean waves.
Soha: "You hate me, Adrik. So why this drama? Why are you killing me bit by bit like this?"
Adrik leaned in, whispering against her ear, his breath hot against the sea breeze.
Adrik: "Hate and obsession—the wall between them is very thin, Soha. Don't you understand? The more I hurt you, the more my thirst for you grows."
Soha pushed against his chest with both hands, but her strength was nothing compared to his rock-hard frame. Adrik tangled his fingers into her wet hair, forcing her face upward to meet his gaze.
Adrik: "Last night, you said you'd find a way to escape the cage. Tell me now—in the middle of this vast ocean, where is your path to freedom? Tonight belongs only to us. No children, no servants. Just me and my defiant Soha."
A single tear rolled down the corner of Soha's eye. She realized then that Adrik didn't just want her body; he wanted to systematically break her spirit until there was nothing left. As Adrik twisted his fingers into Soha's damp hair and yanked her face toward his, her entire body burned with humiliation. Under the scorching sun and before the vast, endless sea, she sat completely exposed—a helpless prey before the intense lust in Adrik's eyes.
He slid his other hand slowly down the wet skin of her back. Her body, slick from the salt water, shivered violently at his touch.
Adrik (in a cryptic, haunting tone):
"You know, Soha... this salt water mixed with the scent of your skin has created a strange intoxication. When your face—the one that calls me 'pathetic'—contorts in pain and shame, it makes me want to claim you even more."
Soha couldn't restrain herself any longer. She lunged forward, attempting to sink her teeth into Adrik's hand, but he was too fast. He lunged at her, pinning her down. He pressed his face against her neck, right where the dark bruise from the previous night remained visible.
Soha (crying out in pain):
"Ahhh! Adrik... stop! Let me go! Someone will see us... please..."
Adrik (letting out a dark, mocking laugh):
"Who will see? The trees of this island? Or the fish in that sea? I told you before, Soha—today, there is no soul here but me to witness you. Every single one of your screams will reach only my ears."
With a sudden movement, he scooped her up in his arms. The contact of Soha's wet, bare skin against Adrik's warm shirt sent a jolt of dark electricity through both of them. He didn't carry her across the sand toward the palace; instead, he headed for the small wooden cabin standing by the dock.
Inside, the room was dimly lit, a sharp contrast to the blinding glare outside. He hoisted Soha up and sat her on a large wooden table. Standing firmly between her thighs, his pupils glowed with a predatory, animalistic light.
Adrik:
"You were asking what kind of obsession this is? Look... this is my obsession."
He sank his teeth into the skin of her throat, like a tiger subduing its kill. Soha gripped the edge of the table so hard her knuckles turned white. In that moment, she realized this man didn't just want to love her; he wanted to consume her.
Outside, the waves crashed violently against the shore, while inside, the sound of Soha's muffled sobs merged with Adrik's primal, ruthless pleasure. Today, Adrik was following no rules. He was making it cruelly clear—on this island, she was nothing more than his prisoner. At that exact moment, a loud, heavy banging erupted on the wooden door of the cabin. Adrik's madness paused for a split second. From outside, the maid's panicked and loud screams could be heard.
Maid (screaming from outside):
"Master! Oh, Master! Is the mistress inside? The little baby is crying uncontrollably! We can't stop him. It looks like he has stomach pain or something else—his face has turned completely red! He won't be calm without his mother, Master, please open the door!"
The sound of the baby's crying was now clearly audible. Carried by the wind over the roar of the sea, that faint but pitiful sound crashed into Soha's ears. In an instant, the pull of motherhood washed away the stain of her humiliation.
Soha's body stiffened. She pushed against Adrik's chest with all her might, trying to free herself, and cried out in desperation.
Soha (distraught):
"Adrik, listen! My baby is crying! He never cries like this... something must be wrong. Let me go, Adrik, for God's sake! Stop this filth right now and let me go to my baby!"
Adrik's jaw tightened. The haze of intoxication and lust had not yet left his eyes. He pressed her wrists even harder against the table. His heavy breath fanned across her face.
Adrik (through gritted teeth):
"The maid is there to look after him! No one comes between us now, not even that child."
Soha (screaming):
"Are you heartless? Do you feel no pity hearing your own child cry? Is he nothing to you? Let me go! If anything happens to my baby, I will take my own life, but I will never forgive you!"
Outside, the intensity of the baby's crying increased. The maid continued to pound on the door. Adrik realized that keeping Soha captive in this state would only make her more rebellious. He abruptly let go of her hands and stepped away from the table.
He picked up the towel from the side and threw it at her. His eyes still burned with a strange fire of vendetta.
Adrik (in a savage voice):
"Go! Today, that child of yours saved you. But remember, Soha—there is no way out of this island. Tonight, when everyone is asleep, this sea and I will answer your cries. Go now!"
Soha didn't say a word. Shivering, she wrapped her body in the towel and rushed toward the door. She emerged with disheveled hair, her face flushed and her body trembling. The maid, seeing Soha in this state, lowered her eyes in fear.
Without looking at anyone, Soha hurried to snatch her precious child from the maid's arms. The baby was flailing in pain, but the moment he caught the scent of his mother, the crying softened. Soha bolted into her room inside the palace and locked the door from the inside.
Her heart was still pounding. Sitting on the bed with her back against the headboard, she adjusted the loose towel. With deep tenderness, she pulled her hungry child close to her chest.
Soha (whispering with tears in her eyes):
"Don't be afraid, my love... I'm here. I will never leave you alone again."
The baby nuzzled against her breast and began to nurse with total contentment. Finding warmth and nourishment from his mother, his cries gradually faded into silence. A strange stillness filled the room—the peace of motherhood on one side, and the sound of Adrik's heavy boots on the balcony outside on the other.
Adrik stood outside the door. He didn't enter, but Soha could feel his presence clearly. From the other side of the door, his grave voice echoed.
Adrik:
"Is he calm now? Remember, Soha, today you hid behind him. But what started yesterday... I am the one who will finish it."
Soha gave no reply. She only stared at the peaceful face of her child. The baby's tiny fingers gripped Soha's hand tightly—as if telling her she was his only protector.
After finishing his meal, the baby fell asleep against her chest. But in Soha's mind, the image of the scorching beach and Adrik's predatory eyes still flickered. She knew this peace was temporary. As soon as night fell, Adrik's dark reign over the island would begin once again.Night had fallen. A cold, salty breeze swept across the island. To escape the suffocating atmosphere of the palace, Soha wandered toward the vast carpet of green grass, which ended where the restless waves of the sea crashed against the shore.
Tonight, Soha was wearing a thin, jet-black nightdress. In the darkness of the night, her fair skin seemed to radiate like a diamond through the sheer fabric. With every gust of wind, the thin material clung to her body, lending her an ethereal beauty. Behind her, her loyal maid followed silently like a shadow.
The surroundings were silent, save for the roar of the ocean and the chirping of crickets. Soha stood at the very edge of the sea. Her open hair danced in the wind against her black attire.
Soha (looking at the sea):
"How peaceful tonight is, isn't it? But does this sea know the storm raging inside me?"
The maid approached Soha, glancing around with a sense of dread. Her voice trembled with fear.
Maid (whispering):
"Mistress, please don't stay here. Let's go back inside. In this black dress... if the Master sees you, there will be a disaster. He won't leave you alone."
Soha gave a bitter smile. She knew Adrik had likely already started looking for her. She knew this black dress would only act as fuel for the fire of Adrik's desire.
Soha:
"He will never leave me anyway. He said that if I run, he will become the wind to surround me, and if I cry, he will be the sea to answer my tears."
Suddenly, the sound of heavy boots echoed on the grass. The maid stepped away instantly. Out of the darkness emerged that tall, imposing figure—Adrik. His white shirt was unbuttoned, and his eyes held a murderous yet thirsty glint. His pace quickened as he caught sight of Soha's body veiled in that thin black dress in the faint light of the moon.
He came to stand directly behind her. His hot breath brushed against the nape of her neck.
Adrik (in a low, grave voice):
"In this black dress, you look exactly like a death trap, Soha. Didn't you know that coming here dressed like this is an invitation to me?"
Soha didn't turn around. She only felt Adrik's hands grip her waist firmly. By then, the maid had vanished silently into the shadows. Now, in this desolate expanse, there were only the two of them—and the unresolved night standing between them.
Adrik's voice carried a chilling authority. When he looked at the maid and simply said, "Go," the girl didn't dare stay for another second. She bowed her head and almost ran, disappearing into the darkness. Now, on this vast green meadow, beneath a silver moon and before the roaring sea, there was only Soha and Adrik.
Soha's thin nightdress fluttered in the salty wind. Through the sheer fabric, Adrik's sharp gaze traced every curve of her body.
He stepped closer. There wasn't an inch of space between Soha's back and Adrik's chest. Adrik leaned down and rested his chin on her shoulder. The heat of his body sent a shiver through her cold skin.
Adrik (in a deeply grave and intoxicating voice):
"Do you see, Soha? Didn't I tell you? On this island, not even a leaf stirs against my will. That maid knows that coming between you and me means inviting her own death."
Soha stood rigid. The sea breeze ran through her hair, but she could no longer remain still when Adrik's touch began to travel slowly upward from her waist. She tried to push him away lightly.
Soha (in a trembling voice):
"Will you not let me be in peace for even a moment? Why are you haunting me?"
In one swift motion, Adrik spun Soha around to face him. Pinning both her hands with one of his, he crushed her against his body. His eyes glittered with intoxication.
Adrik:
"Peace? You seek peace after setting my heart on fire, Soha? Didn't you look in the mirror to see how enchanting and desirable you look in this black dress? Don't you know that seeing this beauty awakens the beast inside me?"
Adrik used his other hand to tilt her face up. In the dark of night, her fair face glowed like a piece of the moon. He lowered his face to her ear.
Adrik:
"The baby isn't here to save you today. Tonight, by this seashore, it is only me and my defiant Soha. Tonight, I will make you understand that you belong to no one else—you are only Adrik's. Only mine."
With that, Adrik pressed his lips against the thin fabric covering her neck. Soha closed her eyes tight. The waves crashed violently against the sand, creating a roar that drowned out her muffled moans from the world.