Elian, a beggar with nothing to lose, died tragically, only to awaken in the body of the despised bastard son of a powerful Grand Duke in the Arcanoria Empire. His second chance at life quickly turned into a nightmare when the Grand Duke’s household was executed, and Elian was sold into servitude as a courtesan. In this cruel new existence, Elian crossed paths with Izan, the enigmatic crown prince who harbored dark secrets of his own. As they grew closer, a forbidden love began to blossom, one that could upend the delicate balance of power in the empire and destroy them both. Torn between survival, betrayal and desire, Elian and Izan faced impossible choices. Could they defy the forces threatening to tear them apart, or would the empire crush their love before it even had a chance to begin? --- Warning: This book contains mature themes. Join my Discord server: https://discord.gg/NJJKETf4
Elian's body was trembling as he lay in bed next to Izan. The night was still, but his mind was anything but calm. As sleep claimed him, the nightmares began to creep in, pulling him back to a place he never wanted to return, a place of pain, of terror, of helplessness.
The dream started slowly, the edges of his memories blurring into a twisted version of reality. He was back in that dimly lit room, the air thick with the smell of sweat and the sickening scent of Lord Cedric's cologne.
His body was weak, his muscles trembling from his body already exhausted from the hours of abuse, but Lord Cedric was relentless.
Elian's skin was slick with sweat, his tears glistened in the low light.
Lord Cedric was behind him, his breath hot and damp against Elian's ear as he whispered cruelly, his voice dripping with malice.