Page 39 of The Dark Lord's Guide to Dating

Griffin, apparently wanting to dig his own grave, squared his shoulders. “Yes, my lord. It’s just… perhaps you should considerdatingher.”

A hush descended on the room. My shadow magic stirred at the edges. “Dating,” I repeated, as though the concept offended me to my very bones. “As in… courting my own wife.”

Griffin, suicidal fool that he was, nodded. “Yes, precisely. Marriage requires continued affection?—”

Vex cut in, concealing a wince. “He’s been reading some truly terrible romance scrolls from the Enchanted Isles. They may not be… entirely scientific.”

Griffin turned beet red. “I was researching relationship bonds for magical amplification purposes?—”

“Enough.” I lifted a hand. My runes were searing beneath my skin, an itch I couldn’t scratch without incinerating someone. I drew a deep breath until I felt the worst of my anger recede.

“What matters,” I said, going to the window, “is I’m dealing with it. The Heirloom will activate. We proceed with our plans.”

I pointed a finger at Griffin, who almost jumped out of his boots. “You’ll prepare my training room for Lady Blackrose. Bring in all relevant texts and equipment. We begin tomorrow.”

His eyes lit up. “What kind of magical training, exactly?—?”

“Everything,” I said, remembering the way she’d tried to wield magic against me on the road. “I want to see what she can do firsthand.”

I glanced at Vex and jerked my head, dismissing the others. “Stay,” I ordered her. “We have further matters to discuss.”

Sims, Griffin, and Thorne exited, exchanging sidelong looks that begged for any crumb of gossip. Once alone, Vex perched on the edge of the desk, crossing her ankles in a deceptively casual pose.

“You never told them about your arrangement with Lady Blackrose,” she said matter-of-factly.

I gave her a hard look. “I didn’t tellyouabout it, either.”

Briefly, I thought her eyes shifted to my exact stormcloud hue—an unnerving trick she sometimes did—before she let out a wry grin. “I’ve simply observed how tense you’ve been since the kidnapping. Given the circumstances, I guessed you promised her something unusual.”

“It’s none of your concern,” I repeated, though my tone lacked conviction.

Vex swung her feet against the desk, fidgeting. “Just tell her the truth about the Heirloom’s requirement. Negotiate new terms.”

The jeweled dagger on my desk caught my eye, and I picked it up, rolling it between my fingers. “And give her more leverage?” I scoffed. “I’d rather juggle searing coals.”

“So what’s your plan, then?” Vex stilled. “Force her?”

My magic flared with genuine offense, shadows creeping along the floor. “No,” I snapped. “I’m notthatkind of monster.”

I tested the dagger’s weight, flipping it by the hilt and catching it by the blade. A shallow cut formed across my palm, and blood welled up. The faint sting of pain kept me present, reminding me I was still in control. “I’ll seduce her,” I said. “She wants me. She might hate it, but I’ve seen the way she looks when I corner her. She’s not made of ice.”

Vex tilted her head thoughtfully. “That’s… a new approach for you.”

I glared. “I’ve seduced people before.”

She shrugged. “Yes. To extract secrets or distract them before slitting their throats. This is different.”

Her words stung more than I cared to admit. For a beat, I said nothing. Then I shot back, “By the time she discovers the truth, the Heirloom will be active and she’ll realize I’m still her best option. She’s too pragmatic to sabotage herself in retaliation.”

Vex shook her head. “You really believe she’ll forgive that level of manipulation? If I were her, I’d cut your throat in your sleep.”

I forced a smirk, ignoring the uneasy clench in my stomach. “She can try. Not sure how successful she’d be, but I do admire her spirit.”

Something flickered across Vex’s face—an emotion gone before I could identify it. “All right. But you might do better with a more conventional tactic. Court her properly. Show her the person behind your fancy titles and brooding scowls.”

I bristled. “And what do you know of courting?”

She held my gaze a moment longer than felt comfortable. “Enough,” she said quietly, then set off toward the door. “Just remember, my lord, conquering a kingdom is nothing compared to winning over the right person.”

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