Page 7 of The Dark Lord's Guide to Dating

The fabled Dark Lord wasn’t about to let me slip through his fingers. I tried to guess what came next. Chains, perhaps? Another locked tower? Other humiliations I didn’t want to think about.

Despite my predicament, I refused to beg. I’d promised myself, after that dreadful year imprisoned by my own father, never to kneel before anyone again. Through the rush of my own heartbeat, I could only manage a strangled laugh. “This is shaping up to be the best first date I’ve ever had.”

Kazimir’s answering smile held no warmth. “Good.” The subtle menace in his tone rippled through me. “Because it will be your last.”

4

GLOWER, GROWL, REPEAT?(TOXIC ROMANCE 101)

KAZIMIR

For a long moment, I stayed exactly where I was—looming over my reluctant bride-to-be as she lay splayed on the floor of my study, her limbs bound by my shadows, eyes burning with defiance. It was an arresting sight.

“Why me?” she demanded. “Of all the nobles you could’ve stolen for this twisted plan, why choose the one with a crumbling estate and a tarnished name?”

I allowed a slow, humorless smile. “Because none of the others fit my needs quite as well as you do.”

I finally turned my gaze to the crowd at the door. My staff who’d come to gawk. Sims had his hand half-raised, as if he were pondering whether to comment on the bizarre scene. I felt a surge of impatience, tempered only by my fascination with the woman struggling beneath my magic.

“Out,” I said, voice calm but layered with steel. I flicked my gaze over them, letting the runes carved into my bones hum with power.

They scattered instantly, leaving only Vex behind. She blended near the doorway with that infuriating knack forvanishing in plain sight. Meanwhile, I allowed Lady Evenfall to rise to her knees under my tight control, and then to stand. A lock of her golden hair fell loose from her braids, trailing across her flushed cheek.

“Now what?” she asked, glaring up at me. “Are we discussing the ‘terms of my captivity’?”

“You’re free to call it whatever makes you feel better.” I circled her, letting the tension build. Create the feeling of being surrounded, and even the bravest make mistakes. Yet this time, intrigue replaced triumph. Maybe it was her defiance. Maybe my usual intimidation routine was wearing thin. Or maybe part of me liked the challenge.

I stopped in front of her. “You’ll stay in the fortress until the wedding. You won’t attempt to escape or contact anyone outside. Youwillcooperate with the ceremony preparations. In return, I won’t make your life exceptionally miserable.”

She looked unimpressed. “Or you’ll do what? Kill me? Torture me? Lock me in a dungeon? All of the above?”

I shrugged. “They’ve crossed my mind.”

“How imaginative,” she sneered. “I expected more from a fearsome warlord.”

I took a step toward her. “Oh, I can be plenty imaginative, Lady Evenfall. Shall I demonstrate?”

“I’ve already been locked in a tower by my father,” she shot back. “The lesson never sticks.”

Her dismissal made something acidic twist in my stomach. I shoved the sentiment aside, focusing on her challenge.

“The wedding,” I said icily, “is happening. Tomorrow night.”

Her mouth fell open. “Tomorrow? Are you insane?” She sputtered, searching for words. “You can’t expect me to—to actually go through with it. You can’t force me to say vows.”

I let my voice drop to a dangerous register. “I believe I made my intentions quite clear, and I hate repeating myself.”

Anger flared in her bright eyes. “You failed to break me on the road. What makes you think you’ll succeed tomorrow?”

I resisted the urge to prove my point with a tangible show of dominion magic. “Because I have all the power in this fortress, and you have none.”

She lifted her chin in defiance, still unafraid. That brazen boldness sent a pulse of heat through my veins. I exhaled slowly, grappling for a calmer approach. “What’s it going to be, Lady Evenfall?” I asked, letting shadows coil around her wrists to keep her still.

She said nothing, so I gently turned her palms up, feigning casual curiosity. “That trick on the road—turning your healing magic into a weapon. Where did you learn that?”

“Release my hands and I’ll show you.”

I grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at me. “You can fight every step, make this difficult for both of us, and still end up as my wife. Or you can accept the inevitable. I might be open to making your stay less… unpleasant, should you choose wisely.”

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