A dance with devils.

"Why do I feel like you're seducing me, Your Majesty?"

Ember twirled before the full-length mirror, the fabric of her dress cascading like liquid moonlight around her.

The Demon King stood a few feet away, watching her with a look that made her chest tighten.

Warm. Admiring. Completely captivated.

"You look…" His voice was uncharacteristically soft as he stepped closer. "Enchanting."

She smirked, tilting her head. "I'll take that as your version of 'stunningly beautiful.'"

The corner of his lips curved slightly. "It is."

She chuckled, spinning once more before settling into the vanity seat.

The Demon King moved behind her, his fingers threading through the silver comb on the vanity.

She blinked when he gently began brushing through her hair.

"You don't have to—"

"Let me." His tone left no room for argument.

And so she did.

She sat still as his large hands worked through her hair, untangling it with slow, careful strokes.

Ember sighed, closing her eyes for a moment.

"This feels… nice."

A deep chuckle rumbled in his chest. "You say that like you're surprised."

"I am," she admitted. "Most men would never do this for a woman."

He hummed, brushing slower. "Then they are fools."

She smiled softly, watching their reflection in the mirror.

And just beyond the slightly open door….

Kaelith stilled.

His body tensed.

His breath caught.

Ember's face….

The childish gleam in her eyes, the happiness, the warmth.

That used to be for him.

Now…

It was for his father.

His hands clenched at his sides.

Something dark coiled in his chest.

Something burning.

Jealousy.

Rage.

Possession.

He had been foolish enough to let her go.

And now?

Now she was slipping through his fingers entirely.

Inside the room, Ember tilted her head playfully.

"If I were to choose a partner to the festival, what do I have to know?"

The Demon King's hands slowed slightly, his expression thoughtful.

"You'd have to bring them a gift if they are of the royal family."

"Hmm…" She tapped her chin. "What kind of gifts do demons like?"

"Very expensive things. Artifacts, swords, regalias…things from faraway lands."

Her eyes twinkled mischievously. "What kind of things do you like?"

The Demon King chuckled.

"Why? Are you asking me out to the festival?" He arched a brow, watching her through the mirror.

She turned her head, giving him a cheeky grin.

"So what? I can't ask you out because you're the king?"

His deep laugh filled the room.

"I usually attend with Ilzara as my partner," he mused, "but she's married now."

"But…"

Before he could finish his sentence….

The door slammed open.

The air shifted, thick with tension.

Ember's smile vanished.

And when she turned….her face was unreadable.

Kaelith's golden eyes burned as he strode in, his steps measured, controlled….too controlled.

He didn't look at his father.

He didn't need to.

He had only one focus.

Ember.

Her fingers tightened around the brush in her hands, but she kept her face neutral.

"Kaelith."

Her voice was calm, distant.

That infuriated him more than anything.

His hands twitched.

She had never spoken to him like that before.

Like he was nothing.

Like he was already forgotten.

Something inside him snapped.

Before she could react, he grabbed her wrist.

Her sharp gasp filled the air.

The Demon King's expression remained unreadable, but his eyes flickered with something dangerous.

"Let go," Ember said evenly, her voice betraying none of the rapid beating of her heart.

Kaelith didn't listen.

Instead, he picked her up effortlessly, tossing her over his shoulder.

"Kaelith!" she yelped, kicking at his chest.

The Demon King watched them go, his lips pressing into a thin line.

He let her go.

For now.

Kaelith set her down roughly, his hands still gripping her arms.

Ember jerked away, her glare sharp enough to slice him.

"WHAT is your problem?!"

Kaelith's jaw locked. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

She scoffed, crossing her arms. "I don't recall needing to answer to you anymore."

Kaelith's hands balled into fists.

"You're really letting him touch you like that?" His voice was low, heated. "Letting him…."

"Comb my hair?" she finished dryly. "Oh no, the horror."

Kaelith's eye twitched.

"You're deliberately trying to piss me off," he growled.

Ember lifted a brow. "And if I am?"

His breath hitched.

This wasn't the same girl who had once looked at him with soft eyes.

This wasn't the girl who had once clung to his every word.

This Ember was unbothered.

Untouchable.

And that infuriated him.

"Be my partner for the festival."

The words fell from his lips before he could stop them.

Ember blinked. Then she let out a short, humorless laugh.

"You're joking."

He wasn't.

His hands tightened. "I don't want anyone else."

She rolled her eyes. "And yet you didn't want me either."

His throat bobbed. "That's not…."

She stepped closer, her voice turning sharp.

"Where were you, Kaelith?"

He stilled.

She laughed bitterly, shaking her head.

"You left. And now you come back, ordering me around like nothing happened?"

His hands twitched. "I had my reasons."

"And I have mine," she shot back. "So my answer is no."

Kaelith's breath hitched.

"No?"

"No."

A sharp silence fell between them.

Ember's face was unreadable, indifferent.

And Kaelith….

Kaelith felt something inside him snap.

Without thinking….

He grabbed her wrist again, pulling her closer.

His breath ghosted over her lips.

"You're lying," he whispered.

Her lips parted, but no words came out.

Kaelith's eyes burned.

"Say it again," he murmured, his grip tightening.

"Tell me you don't want me."

Her throat went dry.

The air between them thickened, charged.

And just as she was about to push him away,

A voice rang out.

"Kaelith."

They both froze.

Standing just beyond the door….was the Demon King.

His face calm. Too calm.

But his eyes burned.

A silent warning.

Kaelith's grip loosened.

Ember took a sharp breath, stepping back.

And the moment was shattered.

Kaelith felt it.

Felt the crack of something breaking.

And as Ember turned to walk away….

He knew.

He had already lost her.

"You look like a woman running from something… or someone."

Ember halted mid-step, her breath still uneven from the storm she had just left behind.

The voice was smooth, laced with something playful yet knowing.

She turned, her heart stuttering when she saw the woman before her.

Ilzara.

Tall, elegant, with an air of effortless regality that made her presence undeniable.

Her white-silver hair cascaded in waves, her golden eyes sharp and amused as she leaned against a marble column, arms crossed.

Ember swallowed.

"I…." She hesitated.

Ilzara smirked, stepping closer. "Oh, don't stop now, darling. I was enjoying the show. The way you stomped off, the way my dear brother was left standing there like a man caught in his own trap."

Ember stiffened.

"You saw that?"

Ilzara chuckled, circling her like a predator studying prey. "Oh, I saw everything."

Ember felt her cheeks heat up.

Ilzara stopped just in front of her, tilting her head slightly. "So, which one is it?"

Ember blinked. "What?"

Ilzara's lips curled. "My father or my brother?"

The words hit Ember like a strike of lightning.

She took a sharp step back. "That's…that's ridiculous!"

"Is it?" Ilzara arched a brow. "You cling to my father like a favored pet. Yet my brother?" She let out a low, knowing hum. "He makes you tremble."

Ember's stomach twisted.

"That's not…."

"Not what, darling?" Ilzara leaned in slightly, her golden eyes glinting with something dangerously amused. "Not true?"

Ember's lips pressed into a thin line.

Ilzara exhaled, shaking her head. "You think I don't see it?"

Ember refused to answer.

But Ilzara didn't need one.

"You look at my father like he is safety." Ilzara's voice turned softer, almost… understanding. "You seek him because he doesn't demand anything from you. Because he lets you breathe."

Ember swallowed hard.

"And Kaelith?" Ilzara's tone shifted. "He is the storm you keep trying to outrun but always end up running back into."

Ember shook her head. "I…It's not like that."

Ilzara smirked, her gaze piercing. "Isn't it?"

Ember turned away, gripping the fabric of her dress tightly.

Ilzara let the silence settle for a moment before speaking again.

"You know what I think?" She stepped closer. "I think you already made your choice. You're just too scared to admit it."

Ember's heart pounded.

"I…"

"Let me guess," Ilzara smirked, tilting her head. "You don't love my brother anymore."

Ember's breath caught.

Ilzara hummed. "Lie to me, then."

Ember opened her mouth.

But no words came out.

Ilzara's grin widened.

"That's what I thought."

Ember turned, her chest tight with frustration.

"This isn't fair," she muttered.

Ilzara chuckled. "Since when has love ever been fair?"

Ember's hands trembled.

Ilzara let out a slow breath, folding her arms. "You can keep pretending you don't care, Ember. You can keep hiding in my father's shadow, letting him be your excuse. But in the end, there will come a moment where you will have to choose."

Ember clenched her jaw.

"And what if I choose neither?" she bit out.

Ilzara smiled. "Then you'll regret it for the rest of your life."

Silence hung between them, thick, suffocating.

Then,

A shadow loomed behind them.

A familiar presence.

Ember's breath hitched.

Ilzara smirked knowingly and stepped aside.

"Well, this is interesting timing," she mused.

Ember slowly turned.

And there….standing just feet away, his golden eyes burning with something unreadable….

Was Kaelith.

Watching her.

Listening.

Hearing everything.

Ember froze.

Her heart pounded violently.

Kaelith's expression was calm. Too calm.

And that terrified her.

Ilzara smiled sweetly.

"Well," she murmured, stepping back. "I think I'll leave you two to it."

She turned on her heel and walked away, her laughter soft and knowing.

The silence that followed was sharp, unyielding.

Ember finally found her voice.

"How much did you hear?" she whispered.

Kaelith took a slow step forward, his gaze never leaving hers.

"Everything."

And the way he said it made her entire body tremble.