Cristin's POV:
Clang.
The heavy iron doors of the Obsidian Tower groaned open, piercing the dead silence I had endured for five days.
The blinding sunlight made me narrow my eyes. Standing at the entrance was Collin, dressed in an immaculate, gold-embroidered noble suit.
He wore that familiar, self-righteous smile, extending a hand toward me as if he were a merciful god forgiving a disobedient pet.
"Cristin," his voice was soft, laced with a nauseating condescension. "Five days in the dark should be enough to cool your temper. I hope you've reflected on your mistakes."
I stared at his outstretched hand. I recoiled as if he were something infectious, avoiding his touch completely.
His hand froze awkwardly in mid-air, the mask of gentleness on his face finally showing a crack.
"Cristin, what is it? Are you still throwing a tantrum?" Collin's brow immediately furrowed.
He sighed, his tone dripping with a self-serving weariness. "I know you feel wronged. But it was for your own good. You were acting completely feral, and I sent you here to protect you from making a bigger fool of yourself."
"Protect me?" I let out a cold, mocking laugh. "By locking me in an actual tower for the insane? What a brilliant display of your love."
My sarcasm made his face darken. "I thought you would be more understanding of my difficult position. I'm just trying to keep the peace!"
He paused, then adopted a tone of magnanimous persuasion. "Do you know how hard these five days have been for Ansley? She was terrified by your outburst, yet she still dragged her frail body to manage the Treasury for you, just to keep things running smoothly. She even begged me to release you early!"
Hearing this, a violent wave of nausea churned in my stomach.
My past self had been completely fooled by his lies.
But in my past life, during these exact five days, Ansley had used the Treasury's resources to buy off the elders and frantically spread rumors that I was a dangerous lunatic!
While I was locked in the dark, she was stealing my power and paving the way to send me to the execution pyre!
And now, this hypocritical Dragon Lord was standing before me, praising the woman who would eventually burn me alive, demanding my gratitude!
"She is so kind and forgiving," Collin continued, oblivious to the deadly venom brewing in my eyes. "When we get back, you should properly thank her. Apologize for your behavior, and we can put all this behind us and prepare for our mating ceremony."
I looked at his earnest, self-deceiving face, and the bone-deep hatred within me finally crystallized into absolute ice.
I decided I was done wasting my breath on this hypocrite. I walked past him, heading straight for the magnificent carriage waiting outside the tower.
Collin, thinking I had finally given in to his "reasoning," looked incredibly relieved. He hurried to catch up, intending to open the carriage door for me like a perfect gentleman.
But I stopped just before I reached it and turned to face him. We were so close I could smell the faint scent on him—the scent of a Dragon Lord, mixed heavily with Ansley's cheap perfume.
That scent once fascinated me. Now, it just made me want to vomit.
"Collin," I said calmly, my voice void of any emotion.
"Yes, my love? Are you ready to go home?" His smile returned, confident and arrogant.
I looked straight into his golden dragon eyes, speaking each word slowly and clearly, letting them strike him like fatal daggers.
"There will be no mating ceremony. There is no 'home' for us anymore."
His smile froze instantly. "What are you talking about?"
"I mean," I paused, a chilling smirk curling my lips, "I want to dissolve the contract. We are done, Collin. I reject you as my mate."
