Page 14 of The Dark Lord's Guide to Dating

I swung my legs over the side of the bed, bracing myself for the chill of a fortress perched among storm clouds. Even the plush carpeting under my feet couldn’t hide how cold this place truly was. Only the hearth’s crackling fire kept the room from icing over.

The wardrobe brimmed with choices, some practical, some absurdly lavish. Gone were the pastel frills my father favored. I chose a deep emerald tunic and black leather trousers, the sort of outfit a girl might wear if she planned to burn her captor’s fortress.

Opening the door, I half expected a guard. Instead, a spiral staircase stretched upward and down through silence. Either Kazimir was supremely confident in his wards, or he truly meant to honor our deal.

Assuming his chambers lay above, I headed down. I wanted to see as much of Skyspire Citadel as possible before anyone could second-guess the decision to give me this small bit of freedom. The stairs ended in a wide corridor that branched left and right. Straight ahead, two guards flanked enormous double doors. They stiffened as I approached.

“Good morning.” I mustered my courtliest smile. “Lord Blackrose granted me permission to explore.”

I braced for outrage and an attempt to haul me back upstairs. Instead, the guards exchanged a glance, then bowed. One gestured behind him. “The main hall is through these doors, along with the way to the inner courtyard. From there, you can access the east wing or the library.”

“And that corridor?” I pointed right.

“The High Gardens,” he said. “Beyond them, the observatory.”

“Much appreciated.” Their hands never strayed far from their weapons, but they didn’t stop me.

The corridors formed a labyrinth of locked doors and wandering staircases. Eventually, I discovered a narrow flight hidden behind an unmarked door. I climbed until my legs burned. A hatch above me leaked frigid air.

Stepping through, I found myself perched on an outer wall. Wind sliced across my cheeks as I leaned forward, clinging to the icy parapet. My heart gave a lurch at the sheer height. Dark, shimmering walls connected five towers spaced evenly apart, each one glinting with runes. In the courtyard below, an enormous pentagram was laid out in black stone. Every line and angle of the fortress seemed designed for magical synergy,an infernal masterpiece of architecture; Kazimir had built this domain to channel unimaginable power. A gust shoved me back and I decided I’d admired the view long enough.

Back inside, I roamed until I nearly collided with Pip, the timid servant from last night. Dishes rattled on his tray.

“Lady Evenfall!” he squeaked. A ragged bandage wrapped his palm, the gauze stained crimson.

“What happened to your hand?”

“Nothing, my lady. Just an accident in His Lordship’s workroom.”

“Let me see.” I gently tugged his hand forward after helping him balance the tray. He seemed torn, but he obeyed. Beneath the sloppy bandage, I spotted shards of glass in a nasty gash.

“This is hardly ‘nothing,’” I muttered. “You need this cleaned, or it’ll never heal.”

He shrank back. “I have other duties, my lady. Lord Blackrose is particular about timeliness?—”

“Set the tray down,” I said firmly, gesturing to a nearby alcove. “It won’t kill him to have slightly cooler tea.” Though, knowing Kazimir, I had my doubts.

Pip placed the tray on a stone bench, and I carefully unwrapped the bandage. The cut looked deep. Ignoring the faint quake of leftover exhaustion in my limbs, I covered his palm with both hands and summoned the familiar warmth.

For a moment, I remembered every forced demonstration of my “gift”, when I was paraded before peasants to prove House Evenfall’s heroic lineage. Back then, I’d played the part of the gracious benefactor, all while cursing my father under my breath. But now, with no audience and no pretense, the healing felt strangely honest.

Pip exhaled shakily. “It doesn’t hurt anymore.” He flexed his fingers in amazement. The gash was gone, leaving only a faintpink line. The small bits of glass had worked out, as well. He wrapped them carefully in the old bandage.

“I suggest avoiding shattered glass next time.” I anticipated the light-headedness that followed using my magic. Strangely enough, it didn’t manifest at all.

His gaze drifted to the tea tray. “I should go. If it’s cold, he’ll be furious.”

“Tell him I waylaid you for directions, or threatened to set the library ablaze. Whatever sounds plausible.”

He offered a shy grin. “Thank you, my lady.”

“Off you go. We can’t have lukewarm tea starting the apocalypse.”

Pip hurried away. I stood there a moment, inhaling the fortress’s cold air and the faint tang of ozone. Kazimir’s priorities were starkly clear: his tea delivered promptly, even if it meant his servant bled onto the tray. Arrogant bastard.

But if he thought this marriage guaranteedmyobedience—the same kind of fearful deference he demanded over drinks—he was in for a shock.

I turned a corner and stepped into a circular chamber that stole my breath. This had to be the observatory.

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