The wind howled like a vengeful spirit, rattling the trees lining the narrow mountain path. Ember Chang pulled her cloak tighter around her shivering frame, her fingers numb from the cold. The higher she climbed, the thinner the air became, but she refused to slow down. Every step forward brought her closer to the demon prince…the man, or rather the creature, who held the key to her salvation.

Marry him, and you will be cured.

Her grandmother's words echoed in her mind like an ominous prophecy.

It was absurd. Utterly ridiculous. And yet, here she was.

When she had first heard the tale, she had scoffed. A demon prince who could heal ailments? Who could prevent disaster? It sounded like something out of a folklore book. But then the fevers worsened. The weakness in her bones became unbearable. The shadows in town grew longer, and whispers of an impending calamity spread like wildfire.

Desperation had brought her here.

The grand estate loomed ahead, a monstrous structure of obsidian and silver perched atop the mountain like a king upon his throne. The gates were lined with ancient runes, pulsing with an eerie glow. Two young demons, no older than thirteen in human years, sat on the stone steps leading up to the entrance. Their pointed ears twitched at the sight of her, their golden eyes narrowing.

"A human?" One of them snickered, flicking his tail. "How bold."

The other yawned, unimpressed. "Let me guess, you've come to beg for something?"

Ember clenched her fists. "I need to see your prince."

Both boys exchanged a look before bursting into laughter.

"The prince doesn't see humans," the first one said.

"Or anyone, really," the second added. "He hates visitors."

"Tell him it's important."

"He won't care."

"Tell him anyway."

They groaned in unison. "Humans are so stubborn!"

One of them vanished in a blur of motion and reappeared a moment later, looking thoroughly amused. "He said to leave."

Ember crossed her arms. "No."

The second boy groaned dramatically. "Why are you like this?"

"Because I didn't climb all the way up here just to be turned away by his underlings," she snapped. "Either you let me in, or I camp outside his gates until he does."

They both looked at her like she had grown a second head. "You're crazy."

"Glad you noticed."

With exaggerated sighs, the boys waved their hands. The heavy gates groaned open, revealing the massive entrance hall of the estate.

"Fine. But if you die, don't haunt us," one of them muttered.

The inside of the mansion was colder than the outside. The air was thick with an intoxicating scent….something ancient, like rain on stone and burning embers.

And then she saw him.

The demon prince sat upon his throne, a vision of otherworldly power. His long, silver hair cascaded over broad shoulders, his sharp features carved as if by divine hands. His torso was bare, revealing lean muscle and scars that told stories she could only imagine.

But it was his eyes that held her captive.

Glowing, ocean-blue, and impossibly piercing. They pinned her in place, making her stomach tighten.

"Who let you in?" His voice was deep, smooth like silk, but carrying the weight of thunder.

The young demons cowered behind her. "S-she wouldn't leave, Your Highness!"

The prince barely flicked his fingers. An invisible force hurled them out of the throne room. The doors slammed shut behind them, leaving Ember alone with the most dangerous being she had ever encountered.

His gaze swept over her lazily, as if she were an insect that had wandered into his domain. "Speak."

Ember took a deep breath. "I need you to marry me."

A heavy silence filled the room. Then, soft laughter—mocking and entirely unimpressed.

"You came all this way for that?"

She lifted her chin. "Yes."

"You humans are foolish creatures." He rose from his throne, moving toward her with slow, deliberate steps. Each movement was fluid, predatory. "What makes you think I would entertain such a ridiculous request?"

"Because my life depends on it," she said firmly. "And so does this town's."

His smirk was infuriating. "Ah, the classic self-sacrificial plea. Humans do love their melodrama."

Ember scowled. "You don't even know the situation…."

"I don't need to," he cut her off. "It's always the same. You're sick, you need my power, and you think I'll fall for your pleading eyes and trembling lips. Did I miss anything?"

She bristled. "You're awfully full of yourself."

His smirk widened. "And you're amusingly persistent."

She exhaled sharply, pushing down her frustration. "Look, I didn't come here to throw myself at your feet. I came because I was told only you could stop the calamity coming to this land. If that's true, then you owe it to your people to help."

His gaze darkened, amusement vanishing. "I owe nothing to anyone."

"Then why stay here?" she challenged. "Why live in this castle if you don't care about what happens to the world outside?"

The temperature in the room dropped.

"You tread dangerously, human."

She refused to back down. "Then prove me wrong. Tell me you don't care. Say it."

For a moment, something flickered in his expression….something unreadable.

Then, he moved.

Too fast for her to react.

One moment, he was several feet away. The next, he was in front of her, so close that she could feel his breath against her lips.

Her heart slammed against her ribs.

"You don't belong here," he murmured, his fingers tracing the line of her jaw.

His touch sent a shiver down her spine.

"You…" he mused, tilting her face up. "You've been imagining things about me, haven't you?"

Her breath hitched. "W-what?"

His smirk returned, dark and knowing. "I can hear your thoughts."

Blood rushed to her face. "You're lying."

"Am I?" He leaned in, his lips ghosting over hers. "Shall I prove it?"

Before she could respond, his lips crashed against hers.

The kiss was searing…wild and consuming, like fire meeting ice. His grip on her waist tightened, pulling her against his impossibly firm body. Ember gasped into the kiss, her fingers curling into his hair before she caught herself.

She tried to push him away, but he didn't let go. His tongue traced the seam of her lips, coaxing, demanding. A part of her wanted to fight him, but another part…one she didn't want to acknowledge….melted into his embrace.

And then, just as suddenly as he kissed her, he pulled away.

Her legs buckled, and he caught her effortlessly.

His expression was unreadable, but his eyes burned with something dangerous.

"I can't give you what you want," he said, his voice quiet but firm. "I do not have the capability for a fluffy love story."

With that, he turned away, vanishing into the shadows.

Behind her, the grand doors slammed shut.

Ember stood in the middle of the throne room, dazed, breathless, and utterly confused.

Her fingers trembled as she touched her lips.

What the hell just happened?

And more importantly…

Why did she want him to do it again?