I came to bargain with Lucas for my sibling's guardianship, knowing one wrong word could trap me in his court forever. The demon prince heard the petition himself, obsidian horns and all. His cold voice gave nothing while my sharp tongue fought for every concession. Heat flooded through me every time his hand neared mine on the scroll. The negotiation turned into something far more dangerous.

Every concession he granted moved us closer to the alcove. The promise of his rough dominance made my defiance falter, and the risk to the claim only grew. When he called my name at the threshold, I should have kept walking. Instead I turned, already wondering how much of myself the demon prince would take before the bargain was sealed.