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I wait until he is several steps past e He’s too tall for o with the next best option His sharp inhale and perfect stillness are his only response to the sharp blade pressing against the groin of his slacks “Good evening, Jasmine”

I freeze I know that cultured voice, have heard it in both dreahtmares for the last five years Thisover my neck since my father’s proclamation No, he is far worse

Jafar, my father’s second-in-command

I catch ned the contract hi of my body and soul as they trade in so ht I was special? A princess locked in a tower is only kept away fro to do with her safety and everything to do with her perceived value

“I will not go quietly” I don’t knohy I say the words aloud, why I make this particular claim when so many others crowd my lips Don’t make hter and not a son, so e me as heir, and neither will his men Jafar owes no loyalty to me

A neord bubbles up, the one I’ve only ever used in his presence once before Our secret little ga years, to what end I haven’t let myself consider “Rajah Jafar, just … please”

My only warning is a slight tension in his body and then he rip and spins to facefro h I can’t read his expression in the darkness “You want me to save you”

I should have known better

Humiliation rolls over er already bubbling up inside ile shell of ht back in any real way instead of standing here, shaking in his grasp “Fuck you”

“Ah, there she is” I don’t have to see his mouth clearly to hear the smile in his voice If the devil exists, he sounds like a satisfied Jafar, all slow grins and carefully curated words that sees His thu touch I only notice because I’m so hyper-focused on him

On how close we stand

All he has to do is lean down a little …

Or perhaps if I arch my back a little more …

My breasts will brush his chest And our hips—No, best not to think about that Not now