Page 18 of The Dark Lord's Guide to Dating

“You won’t break so easily,” I allowed, letting my voice drop an octave. “Pain is just the mostdirectmethod. But there are other ways.”

I reached out, grazing a fingertip along her jaw. She stiffened, but her expression blazed with refusal rather than disgust. “You’re running short on creativity, Lord Blackrose,” she said coldly, turning her head away.

I grabbed her arm before she could fully retreat. That faint, heated pulse skittered up my forearm again. It enraged me as much as it intrigued me. Was it simple adrenaline, or was there something about her that made me want to increase that closeness, test that defiance?

“Then tell me,” I said quietly, “what else might convince you to show a little respect?”

“Respect,” she said, glancing pointedly at my grip on her arm, “is earned, not taken.”

The moment crackled, everything in me itching to test hernow. Then I exhaled, releasing her, stepping back with effort. I refused to become a savage who couldn’t control his own impulses. Possessive, yes. Reckless, never.

“Fine, Lady Evenfall,” I said, deadpan. “We’ll consider this an amendment to our agreement. You want honesty? You’ll have it. In exchange, I’ll personally oversee your magical training.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You already granted me access to magical training.”

“Reading dusty tomes and receiving actual instruction aren’t the same.” I gestured pointedly around the workroom. “I don’t often offer hands-on lessons, even to my highest-ranking subordinates.”

She hesitated, aware there had to be a catch. “You mean you want to control what I learn.”

“Think of it more as guiding your potential.” I allowed a thin, humorless smile. She was more critical to my ambitions than she realized… and more dangerous. “If you’re going to be at my side, I need to know your capabilities.”

“Because a powerful wife is an asset, no doubt,” she said, voice thick with sarcasm.

“A very direct and pleasurable one, if done correctly,” I murmured, letting my gaze flick over her. I took a stab of satisfaction when I saw something flare behind those eyes—resentment, attraction, both?

She exhaled. “And if I hate what you teach me?”

“Knowledge is power. You can wield it against me if you dare.” I shrugged. “At least you’d have an edge.”

She weighed that carefully. Then she lifted her chin. “All right, Lord Blackrose. I accept. Honesty for honesty, power for power.” She extended her hand. “But remember, whatever I become under your tutelage, you helped make me.”

My fingers closed around hers. A faint spark of magic jumped between our palms—hers, not mine. Unintentional, but potent. It sent a whisper of heat along the runes carved in my bones.

“Excellent,” I said, releasing her hand and noting how my skin still prickled where we’d touched. “The ceremony’s at sunset. Vex will collect you beforehand. Then, you’ll be mine… in every significant sense.”

“And after the ceremony?” she asked, still standing stubbornly. “When do these lessons start?”

“Soon,” I said. “If you wish.”

She turned to go. I assumed she’d leave it at that, but she paused at the door.

“One last thing, Lord Blackrose.”

I glanced her way, irritation simmering. “Yes?”

Her voice dropped to a quiet, lethal calm. “During these tests of yours, this ‘resonance’ business… If my blood hadn’t provided the results you wanted, what would you have done?”

Her eyes bored into me, as though she expected comfort. I almost laughed.

“We wouldn’t be having this conversation,” I said truthfully. “There’d be no reason.”

She inclined her head, as if confirming a private suspicion. “I see. Well, I appreciate that bit of honesty.”

Then the door closed, leaving me alone with the echoes of our confrontation. I pressed a hand to my forehead, feeling the hum of raw dominion magic in my bones, stronger since last night’s experiment. I exhaled and returned to my work table. Still, I couldn’t quite shake the memory of her unwavering gaze and the way my skin hummed in response to hers.

I told myself I could handle it. One woman wouldn’t derail my carefully engineered plans. Even if she had the most glorious, unbreakable spine I’d ever seen.

9

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