A devil's justice.

"I'm NOT going back!"

Ember's voice rang through the chamber, her arms crossed, feet planted stubbornly against the stone floor.

The portal behind them hummed ominously, casting flickering shadows across the room.

The Demon King exhaled long and slow, rubbing his temple as though dealing with a child having a tantrum. "You are impossible."

"And you are insufferable!" she snapped, her voice edged with anger and something dangerously close to desperation. "Why are you doing this to me?!"

"You asked to go home," he said flatly, crossing his arms.

"That was before I changed my mind!"

"You don't get to change your mind."

"Oh, so you're the authority on my life now?!" She let out a frustrated laugh, throwing her hands in the air.

"I have always been in charge of your life, Ember," he murmured, stepping closer. "You just didn't know it yet."

Her breath hitched.

For a moment, she saw something flicker in his eyes….something unspoken, something raw.

But she pushed past it, gritting her teeth. "You can't force me!"

A muscle in his jaw twitched. "Do you want me to carry you through the portal?"

Her cheeks burned at the casual threat. "You wouldn't dare!"

He took a step forward. "Try me."

Ember immediately took a step back. "You are the most overbearing, self-righteous….."

He waved his hand, and his horns disappeared. His sharp, ethereal beauty softened, making him look just human enough.

Her words died on her lips.

"What….." she blinked, taking him in. "You just…..what?!"

"You told me to blend in," he said simply, his voice smooth.

"You…..you actually listened?!"

His lips curved. "Don't get used to it."

Ember giggled despite herself. "You still look annoyingly handsome."

His smirk deepened. "Ridiculously handsome, if I recall correctly."

She let out an exaggerated groan. "Just take me through the damn portal before I die from secondhand embarrassment."

He chuckled low and deep before leading her in.

As soon as they stepped out of the portal, Ember gasped.

The scent of freshly baked bread, sizzling pork, and spiced tea flooded her senses. The air was warm and full of life.

Home.

"EMBER!"

A loud female voice boomed, and before she could react, a plump woman with flour-covered hands engulfed her in a tight hug.

"You're back, you little troublemaker!"

Ember laughed as she was squeezed nearly breathless. "Ma'am Bao! I missed you!"

"You're too skinny! You need meat on those bones!" the older woman scolded, immediately shoving a warm pork bun into Ember's hands.

Ember's eyes sparkled. "I won't argue with free food!"

The Demon King stood just behind her, watching silently.

He wasn't used to this warmth.

To people touching her.

To people adoring her.

More vendors rushed over, shoving food and little trinkets into her hands.

"You helped fix my roof last summer, Ember…..take this!"

"My son still remembers the story you told him about the river spirits! Here, take some spiced tea!"

Ember laughed, overwhelmed but glowing with happiness.

She turned to the Demon King, holding up a sweet honeyed pastry. "You have to try this."

He hesitated. "I don't eat human food."

She tilted her head. "Scared?"

His eye twitched. He took the pastry from her and bit into it.

The rich, buttery sweetness exploded on his tongue.

She grinned. "And?"

He chewed slowly, then exhaled. "Annoyingly good."

"Told you!"

He watched as she ate happily, talking to villagers, helping a child pick up spilled fruit.

So full of life.

So full of warmth.

Yet the world had been so cruel to her.

It made something twist inside his chest.

Suddenly...

"Ember!"

A young man approached with a cocky smirk.

She turned, smiling. "Oh, hey, Lee!"

The Demon King's eye twitched.

"Look at you," Lee grinned. "You're even more beautiful than I remember."

Another man walked up, crossing his arms. "Maybe she finally came back to pick a husband."

The Demon King's fists clenched.

Ember laughed. "Oh? And what are you offering?"

Lee winked. "My heart, of course."

"You're all idiots," the Demon King muttered under his breath.

The men noticed him.

"And who's this?"

Ember bit her lip to hold back a giggle. "Oh, him?"

"Her husband," the Demon King said smoothly.

The market fell silent.

Ember choked.

Lee blinked. "Wait…..what?"

She whipped her head toward the Demon King. "EXCUSE ME?!"

He smirked.

A vendor suddenly clapped her hands. "Oh, they do look good together, don't they?"

"They fight like a married couple," another added.

"They'll have beautiful babies!"

The Demon King choked.

Ember cackled. "Oh, you're enjoying this, aren't you?"

"Immensely," he murmured.

A chorus of giggles erupted.

Children flocked around Ember, hugging her.

The Demon King stood back, watching.

"They're touching you too much," he muttered.

Ember laughed. "Are you jealous of children now?"

A tiny girl suddenly lifted her arms toward him.

He stared.

Ember nudged him. "Pick her up."

"No."

"She'll cry."

He exhaled sharply.

Then, carefully, he lifted her.

The child rubbed her tiny cheek against his.

He froze.

Ember's laughter rang out. "You look so stiff!"

He sighed. "This is never happening again."

But the warmth in his chest betrayed him.

As they approached, Ember stopped.

Her breath hitched.

Shiny black cars.

Her stomach dropped.

"Isaac," she whispered.

The Demon King's expression darkened.

"You don't have to go in," he murmured.

She forced a wavering smile. "It's okay. I'll be fine."

He didn't move.

Didn't leave.

Just watched her go.

She stepped inside…..

And froze.

Isaac.

Aunt Cecilia.

Ava.

"You finally came back," Isaac murmured.

And everything shattered.

"You finally came back, Ember."

The moment Isaac's voice curled through the air, Ember's blood ran cold.

She stood in the doorway of her grandmother's house, her hands clenching at her sides, her heart pounding violently.

Seated in the living room, sprawled out like they owned the place, were the people she never wanted to see again.

Aunt Cecilia.

Ava.

And him.

Isaac leaned forward, his elbow resting on his knee, watching her like a predator cornering its prey. His smirk was slow, lazy, and far too familiar.

"You look surprised," Ava said, her lips curling. "Did you really think you could run from us forever?"

Ember's throat went dry. She took a step back, her body screaming at her to move, to flee.

"You…" her voice barely came out, breathless. "What are you doing here?"

Aunt Cecilia sighed dramatically, shaking her head. "You've been gone long enough, Ember. It's time to stop being selfish and come back home where you belong."

"Home?" Ember choked on the word. "You mean the place where you all treated me like a servant? The place where you let him..."

Her voice cracked, and Isaac's smirk deepened.

"That's in the past, baby," he murmured, rising to his feet slowly.

Ember staggered back.

"Don't call me that."

Isaac's eyes darkened. "Why not?" His head tilted, his expression mocking. "Is it because you've found someone new? Some rich city boy? Or are you still pretending you're too good for me?"

Ember's breath shuddered. "I was never yours."

His smirk vanished.

Ava sighed, inspecting her nails. "Isaac, just grab her and let's go. We don't have all day."

And then…..

He moved.

Ember reacted instantly, ducking out of his reach, twisting toward the backdoor.

Her mind screamed RUN.

And so, she did.

"EMBER!"

Isaac's footsteps pounded behind her, gaining on her too quickly.

Her legs burned, her breath came ragged, but the pure terror in her veins kept her moving.

She could hear the others shouting in the distance, but their voices blurred.

Focus. Just keep running.

And then…..

She tripped.

The ground rushed up to meet her, scraping her hands and knees.

Before she could push herself up…..

A heavy body crashed over her.

She screamed, thrashing, struggling, but Isaac's grip was brutal.

"You still think you can run from me?" he growled, his breath hot against her ear.

Ember shook violently.

"Get off me!" she screamed, twisting beneath him.

Isaac chuckled darkly, one hand gripping her wrist, pinning it above her head. His other hand brushed against her thigh.

"I told you, Ember," he whispered, burying his face against her neck. "You're mine."

She felt sick.

"I've missed you so much, baby," he murmured, his hands roaming.

She tried to push him off, her nails digging into his arm, but his grip tightened painfully.

A sharp slap rang through the air.

Her head snapped to the side.

The sting of pain burned her cheek, the metallic taste of blood blooming at the corner of her lips.

Isaac sighed in satisfaction, wiping his knuckles.

"Don't fight me," he said softly, pulling at the fabric of her dress, tugging at his belt

Ember's panic exploded.

No. No. NO.

Her body fought violently, kicking, clawing, twisting.

She screamed.

A scream so loud, so raw, it shook through the trees…..

And reached the ears of the Demon King.

The ground rumbled.

A violent gust of wind tore through the trees, sending branches snapping, dirt scattering.

Isaac's head jerked up.

Before he could react…..

He was ripped away from Ember like a ragdoll.

The air shifted.

The forest stilled.

And standing there….face carved in pure, merciless rage….

Was the Demon King.

His chest rose and fell with barely restrained fury.

Isaac coughed violently, gasping for breath, blinking in shock.

"You…" he croaked. "Who the hell…."

A fist slammed into his face.

The crack of bone snapping echoed.

Isaac crashed into the dirt, groaning.

The Demon King loomed over him, his power crackling in the air.

"You dare touch her?" his voice rumbled with unholy fury.

Isaac staggered, his face bloodied. "She's mine," he spat. "She's always been mine."

A second punch.

A third.

More blood splattered.

Ember, still trembling, crawled forward. "Stop."

The Demon King didn't hear her.

Another punch.

Isaac's body went limp.

"STOP!" Ember's shaking hands grasped his arm.

The Demon King froze.

She was crying.

"Please," she whispered. "You'll kill him"

His grip tightened.

Then, with a sharp breath, he let go.

Isaac collapsed onto the dirt, barely conscious.

Not because he deserved mercy.

But because Ember had asked.

She swayed, her exhaustion dragging her down.

The Demon King's arms caught her before she fell.

He didn't hesitate.

Without a word….he lifted her into his arms.

The others arrived seconds later.

Ava gasped. "Who the hell is he?!"

"Another one of Ember's boyfriends?" Aunt Cecilia sneered.

The Demon King ignored them.

He simply adjusted Ember in his arms, holding her close.

And with a slow, measured look toward the unconscious man on the ground….

He turned and walked away.