I'M MARRYING THE DEMON PRINCE BUT I'M WANTED BY HIS FATHER

The throne room was eerily silent, save for the occasional flicker of the torches lining the stone walls. Ember sat on the cold floor, her back pressed against the base of a large, intricately carved statue of the demon prince himself. She had lost count of how many hours had passed. She had waited, waited, and then waited some more, her stubbornness refusing to let her leave despite the ache in her legs and the dull throbbing in her head.

The prince would return.

He had to.

Ember's eyelids grew heavier with each passing second. The exhaustion of the journey, combined with the biting cold that seeped into her bones, was proving to be too much.

"I'm not leaving," she murmured to herself, her voice barely above a whisper.

And then, at some point, sleep claimed her.

The great doors of the throne room creaked open, their sound slicing through the silence like a blade. Heavy footsteps echoed against the stone as the demon prince entered, his silver hair slightly tousled from the wind outside. His ethereal blue eyes glowed faintly in the dim torchlight, scanning the room with mild annoyance.

And then, he saw her.

A small, curled-up figure at the base of his statue, her cloak wrapped tightly around her like a protective shell. Her chest rose and fell with soft, steady breaths, strands of dark hair falling over her peaceful face.

He exhaled through his nose, shaking his head slightly. She's still here?

For a moment, he simply stood there, watching her. His lips pressed into a thin line as an unfamiliar feeling settled in his chest.

Why did she intrigue him so much?

She was just another human. A stubborn, infuriating human with foolish ideas. He had kissed her earlier only to prove a point…to rattle her, to make her realize that she was out of her depth.

And yet…

His eyes drifted over her delicate features, lingering on her slightly parted lips. He bent down, his fingers brushing over her cheek.

Warm.

She sighed in her sleep, shifting slightly, and his pulse quickened.

Why was he doing this?

"This is ridiculous," he muttered under his breath, withdrawing his hand.

But then she shivered, curling in on herself.

His jaw tightened.

With an irritated huff, he reached down and scooped her up into his arms. Her body was small against his, fragile even, and yet she had the audacity to challenge him…to look him in the eye without fear.

"Foolish little human," he murmured, carrying her effortlessly toward the grand doors.

Ember stirred slightly, something warm and solid pressing against her. She felt weightless, as if she were floating. The scent of something deep and intoxicating surrounded her….like burning embers and crisp midnight air.

Her eyelashes fluttered.

She wasn't on the floor anymore.

Heat radiated from the arms holding her, a strong, steady heartbeat beneath her cheek. Slowly, her eyes cracked open.

She was in someone's arms.

His arms.

Her brain sluggishly processed the reality of the situation, but before she could react, a deep voice rumbled above her.

"Awake already?"

Ember stiffened, her drowsiness evaporating instantly. Her gaze shot upward, meeting the demon prince's piercing blue eyes. The dim lighting made them look even more ethereal, glowing like twin stars.

"W-What are you doing?" she croaked, her throat dry.

"You were asleep on the floor like a stray animal," he drawled, his tone edged with amusement. "I'm simply relocating you."

"Relocating me where?"

His lips curled slightly, but he didn't answer.

Ember squirmed in his hold. "Put me down!"

"No."

Her glare sharpened. "What do you mean, no?"

"Exactly what it sounds like."

"You….you arrogant…" She wriggled again, pushing against his solid chest, but it was like trying to move a mountain. "I can walk, you know!"

"Can you?" he mused, his voice dripping with mockery. "Because the last I checked, you were curled up against my statue like a lost kitten."

Her cheeks flamed. "I was waiting for you!"

"Congratulations. You succeeded," he said dryly.

Her hands clenched into fists. "I swear, you are the most insufferable…."

"Careful, little human," he warned, his tone dipping into something dangerously smooth. "Insulting your host is a foolish move."

"You're not my host. I invited myself."

He chuckled, a deep, velvety sound that sent an unwelcome shiver down her spine. "Yes, and you were promptly ignored."

Her glare intensified. "Then why are you carrying me now?"

He didn't answer.

Instead, he kept walking, his powerful strides unhurried as he ascended a grand staircase. Ember was too busy being irritated to take in her surroundings, but she could feel the temperature shift slightly, the air growing warmer.

And then, they entered a massive chamber.

Ember's breath caught.

The room was adorned with silver and gold, massive columns carved with intricate demonic runes. The centerpiece of it all was an enormous bed…larger than anything she had ever seen, draped in dark silks and thick furs. The entire place exuded luxury, power, and something dangerously seductive.

A realization hit her like a slap.

"Wait….you're taking me to your room?"

The prince's expression was unreadable. "Yes."

Her mouth opened, then closed, her brain short-circuiting. "Why?!"

"You need rest."

"I can rest somewhere else!"

"You're already here."

She wanted to strangle him. "That's not the point!"

Instead of responding, he strode toward the massive bed and dropped her onto it unceremoniously. She bounced slightly, her hands scrambling against the plush silk as she sat up, her glare murderous.

"You…."

"Sleep," he cut her off, already turning away.

"I am not sleeping in your bed!"

He sighed as if she were a particularly exhausting child. "Then don't."

She gaped at him. "Excuse me?!"

He shot her a bored look over his shoulder. "Stay awake and stew in your stubbornness, then. It makes no difference to me."

Ember threw a pillow at him. He caught it effortlessly, amusement flickering in his gaze.

"Temper, temper," he taunted.

She seethed. "You are impossible!"

"And you," he said, taking a step closer, "are the most persistent human I've ever met."

She swallowed hard. He was too close again, his towering presence filling her senses.

His eyes lingered on her face, the sharp edges of his features softer in the dim glow of the lanterns. For a second….just a second…his gaze flickered to her lips.

The same lips he had kissed earlier.

Her breath hitched.

He exhaled slowly before stepping back, turning toward the large windows. "Go to sleep, Ember."

Her name on his lips sent a jolt through her.

She didn't know why.

But as she sat there, watching him, she realized something unsettling.

She had come here for a cure.

But now, she wasn't sure if she was trying to be saved from her sickness….

Or from him.