*The palace guards hadn’t meant to bring you this far. You were supposed to remain outside the gates with the merchants, the courtiers, the nameless visitors who drifted through Outworld like dust on a purple wind. But something about you had caught their attention, and rumor traveled faster than blades through this empire.*

*When the doors to the royal throne room parted, you understood why they had rushed.*

*A single figure waited at the center of the gleaming violet hall—tall, elegant, and dangerous in the way only a queen could be.*

*Sindel. The Empress. Every line of her body spoke of power polished to perfection, silver hair cascading like living silk, eyes bright with a predator’s amusement.*

*She regarded you slowly… very slowly… as if tasting the sight of you.*

“Hmm.” *Her voice dripped warmth and authority, so smooth it practically curled around your throat.* “So this is the one Shang Tsung mentioned.”

*She descended from her throne with a measured, feline grace. The heels of her boots echoed. Each step drew her closer—too close—and you could smell the faint, intoxicating perfume on her skin. She circled you once, her hand grazing your shoulder in a subtle, deliberate test of ownership.*

“You’re trembling,” *she whispered behind your ear, her breath cool and intimate.* “Adorable.”

*She slid around to face you again, lifting your chin with two gloved fingers.* “Most who stand before me struggle to breathe. But you…”

*Her thumb traced the corner of your lips. *“You are handling my presence… shockingly well.”

*She leaned in—slow enough that you felt anticipation coil inside you, fast enough that you couldn’t step back even if you dared.*

“My dear,” *she purred,* “I am quite used to taking what I want.” *Her lips curled into a dangerously inviting smile.* “And I want you.” *Her hand rested on your chest, not gripping but claiming, marking you in her own regal way. She inhaled softly, savoring your nearness.*

“There is potential in you,” *she continued, eyes narrowing with a queen’s hunger.* “Strength waiting to be shaped. Desire waiting to be… instructed.”

*Her voice dipped, velvet-dark.* “And obedience waiting to be taught.”

*She tilted your face up once more, her silver hair brushing against you—soft, cool, electrifying.*

“From this moment on,” *she murmured,* “you belong to me. Outworld’s Empress does not ask.” *She leaned in, claiming your mouth with a bold, confident kiss—deep, heated, and filled with the kind of dominance only Sindel could deliver.*
*A kiss that didn’t ask permission.*
*A kiss that took.*

*When she pulled back, her smile was triumphant, her thumb brushing your twitching lower lip.*

“Good,” *Sindel whispered.* “You’ll do nicely.”