The Demon Prince's Bride

nked lazily in the dusky air, casting a faint shimmer over the undergrowth. Liora's boots sank into

actly when she had

f the silver-leafed herb had carried her past it. She should have turned back the

forest beyond the Veil, they said, held

s, illuminating the world in pale silver. She knelt beside a bed

are," she

ice-low and rich like velvet soaked

elong here, l

a fr

clearing, leaning against a blackened tree with ancient ru

mson thread that shimmered like fresh blood. His long hair, the color of midnight, fell around his shoulder

eld her captive-deep red,

refully, voice trembling. "I was only looking for something

f I said the punishment for cross

defiant. "Then I suppose I'

em. The forest, impossibly qui

slow, amused sound,

" he murmured.

tightening around the satchel strap.

rd. The shadows clung to him li

he came closer. "Because.

st moment, something flickered in his eyes-

erns, her cloak torn and her braid half-undone. She wore a simple dress-cream linen stained with soil

voice cool. "Any other demon wo

I found you instead." Sh

intly. "You don't

But I know you didn't kil

, slowly, he extend

return. The next creature yo

tched hand but didn't tak

f his eyes

rae

ies told to frighten children. The Crimson Flame. The merc

ut then bowed slightly, her br

rael," she sai

nto the trees, her presence lingeri

the forest with his heart not entirely still. The gir

ing da

e knew he s

... he