Page 17 of The Dark Lord's Guide to Dating

“That’s all you have to say?” Her tone rose. “You violate our agreement in a matter of hours, and you’re more upset about your minion’s honesty than the actual violation?”

I shrugged. “I don’t recall any clause prohibiting routine magical precautions.”

“Routine,” she echoed through pursed lips. “So, in your world, sneaking blood from your prisoners counts as routine?”

“Yes,” I said, sweeping a hand around at the clutter of reagents and runes. “A single drop of blood for ritual clarity is basic procedure here. Besides, the sampling happened before our terms were set in stone.”

Her eyes flared. “And when exactly were you planning on telling me about this ‘basic procedure?’”

“After the ceremony,” I said, deciding honesty would needle her best. “At that point, it wouldn’t matter.”

She bridged the distance between us in a few quick strides—unafraid, which, strangely, I respected. “What are you using my blood for?”

An easy lie teased at the edge of my tongue, but I hesitated. She wasn’t some next-kingdom princess I intended to hoodwink for a single day. She was set to be my wife, at least in name, and I needed her if I wanted the Heirloom of Dominion to bend to my will. Not to mention her recent... magical developments piqued my interest. Caution felt wise.

“Resonance testing,” I said. “Determining the compatibility of your lineage with mine.”

Her gaze hardened. “And?”

I paused, recalling the jolt of raw energy that had surged through my runes last night. Power magnified fortyfold. “The results were satisfactory.”

“Satisfactory,” she repeated, voice dripping with disdain. “You can do better than that, Lord Blackrose.”

My patience thinned. “I don’t owe you a complete breakdown of every magical test I conduct.”

“You do when it involves my blood.” She aimed a finger at me, and her voice rose several notches. “We had an agreement. After the wedding, you’d be honest about your plans. That doesn’t grant you permission to treat me like some lab specimen in the meantime.”

“Lab specimen?” I actually laughed, though it came out sharp. “It was a drop of blood, Lady Evenfall, not a vivisection.”

“It’s the principle,” she hissed. “How am I supposed to trust you with anything else when you help yourself to my blood in secret?”

I found that genuinely amusing. “Trust? You’re in the lair of the Dark Lord. Trust is a fool’s errand here.”

She held my gaze, undeterred. “Yes, trust. Without it, why shouldn’t I escape the second I see an opening? Or sabotage the entire ceremony?”

She had a point. The Heirloom demanded a genuine wedding; and thanks to her stubborn resistance to my dominion magic, I required her compliance. Especially after my tests with her blood had shown just how dangerously powerful she might be.

“What do you propose I do, then?” I crossed my arms.

She pointed at me again. “I want you to keep our bargain. No more secrets, no more underhanded experimenting. If you need something—hair, blood, my signature on a demonic contract—ask.”

I stared for a long moment. The typical hostage would be begging me to release them, not negotiating new terms with every breath. But this was Arabella Evenfall.

“Fine,” I said, inclining my head. “From now on, I’ll inform you of lab work that involves your precious bodily fluids. But don’t forget where you stand. You’re still my prisoner,agreement or not. Adapt, or you’ll find yourself in a predicament you won’t enjoy.”

A flicker of… something crossed her face. Then she lifted her chin. “I’ve been adapting my entire life. But adapt doesn’t mean surrender, Blackrose. You should learn the difference.”

Her nerve was truly stunning. She stood inmyworkshop, inmyfortress, yet she carried herself likeIwas the unwelcome intruder. It made me want to wrap my dominion around her throat just to see if she’d still speak so boldly.

“Careful,” I said, letting a surge of half-tamed magic pulse along my spine. “I’m not known for my unlimited patience.”

“And I’m not known for letting men—villains or otherwise—treat me as chattel,” she shot back.

My control frayed. I strode forward, overshadowing her with the advantage of my height. “Maybe you need a reminder of your position.”

She remained perfectly still. Not trembling, not cowering. Her eyes sparked with challenge.

“What’ll it be?” She tilted her chin. “Another threat to do unspeakable things with my organs?”

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