Episode: 10Episodes: 50
Rowena urges Alistair to stay at the banquet, but he drains his cup and departs. In her private chamber, Seraphina packs her documents into a suitcase. Alistair barges inside, ignoring her demands to leave. He pins Seraphina against the bedpost and demands to know why she shamed Rowena. Alistair invokes their spellbound agreement, denies her freedom, and kisses her while stripping off her garments as she weeps.
Rowena tells Alistair that the feast has not finished yet. Alistair says nothing to his bride-to-be. He finishes his drink, sets down the goblet, and walks out of the hall alone.
Seraphina places her papers into a suitcase inside her bedroom. Alistair rushes through the door without permission. Seraphina orders him to leave and show proper respect, reminding the grand duke that Rowena waits outside for him.
Alistair shoves Seraphina hard against the bedpost in anger. He asks if embarrassing Rowena before the court was her direct answer to him. Seraphina glares back and answers that she only did what duty required.
Alistair brings up their spellbound contract and insists Seraphina belongs in the fortress. He offers her any reward except the duchess title. Tears roll down Seraphina's cheeks while Alistair pulls off her clothes and kisses her.
“Get out. Your bride-to-be is waiting outside. This is my chamber, your Grace, show some respect.”
“You humiliated Rowena before the entire hall. Was that your answer to me? Risking Ironhold itself to make me yield?”
“You signed a spellbound contract. This keep is still your place, and it will remain so.”
“You are still the one I trust most. Only the Duchess's name is beyond my power to give. Everything else can be yours.”
Alistair holds Seraphina against the wooden bedpost, pulling off her clothes and pressing a fierce kiss to her lips. Seraphina cries in silence as he ignores her protests. Can Seraphina break free from his grasp, or will the binding contract trap her in Ironhold as his secret mistress forever?