CH.198

"I'm the only woman alive now who can give you an heir, bear you children to carry on your bloodline..." Her words were a hushed whisper. "I am your rightful mate at long last. We were always meant to be together as one, you and I. Two halves of the same whole."

She sniffled again as a fresh wave of tears spilled forth. "You should have accepted my request earlier, when I simply wanted to enjoy one night with my betrothed...to bask in the warmth of your embrace, as is my right as your—"

Her words died on her lips when Knox suddenly closed the distance and wrapped his hand around her slender throat in a grip, wrenching her forward until her feet left the ground.

Then he slammed her head back against the stone wall with brutal force to crack her skull.

Sirona let out a pained, wheezing laugh as she stared up at him with wild, unfocused eyes.

A thin trickle of crimson seeped from the corner of her mouth, tracing a macabre path down her chin.

"You...you wouldn't dare..." she choked out