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for a pair of breeches. It was his normal attire when in the Fire Palace. His bare toes curled and stretched, as if an extension of his bored tone. Mia wasn’t put at ease by his manners. Lucien was the most dangerous when he appeared disinterested. “Do you think me so blinded by your pretty face? Did you think by pleasuring me as you did, I would not know the true purpose in your submission? Did you think I believed your final surrender to me was real? That you had finally given in to me completely? Did you think I wouldn’t know the truth? I am the king of lies and deceit, Mia.”
    His eyes stayed on hers, holding her gaze. Lucien lifted his hand, palm out, toward the bed. Flames erupted on the dark fur coverlet, growing into the shape of two figures caught up in indescribable acts of passion. Lucien had the power to control the fire and had shown her many things in the flames, horrible things she wished to forget. Most times she didn’t know what was real and what was from his imagination. He claimed he merely watched the cruel actions of others with the flames—rapes, murders, those filthy little secrets mortals kept.
    Mia didn’t need to be told who the flames represented this time. She saw well the chain links she’d worn for him, heard the memory of her cries echoing in her brain, telling him she loved him. Each cry was like a knife to her heart.
    I love you, Lucien, I love only you.
    â€œCease.” She turned her eyes to him. “I tire of this, Lucien.”
    â€œIf only that were true, sweet nymph.” Orange light danced along his muscular chest, glowing in his wicked eyes. Even now she desired him. The side of his mouth curled, as if he knew exactly what she thought. His hips rocked suggestively in his seat and she couldn’t help but see the stiff outline of his erection beneath the tight black pants.
    Say it, his voice echoed from the flames on the bed.
    â€œIf you are to kill me,” she whispered, not feeling as brave as she would have liked, “then kill me.”
    I love you , her past self answered in the throes of passion, giving in to him. The words echoed inside her, gnawing at her but not killing her. The pain grew in her chest and she wanted to cry out, strike his face until he could no longer look at her, smile at her, make her ache for him.
    Mia’s eyes were drawn back to the bed, to see her shame enacted in fire. It was her curse, the unbearable passion she found in his arms. Some days she just wished he’d let her die, take the second half of her soul and be done with it.
    â€œDid you think I would not know?” he asked.
    She forced her feet to step inside the room, hardening herself to his cruel taunting. “Save your show for someone whose soul can actually be affected by it.”
    She was instantly sorry for the words. Taunting the king of all demons was not a wise course to take.
    Lucien grinned and fisted his hand. The flames on the bed instantly smothered as if they’d never been there. Just as quickly, he disappeared. Mia stiffened to feel him standing directly behind her. She didn’t turn to look at him, not daring to move. The chamber was hot, but the heat never bothered him. In fact, he claimed to welcome it as the fire warmed his otherwise chilled skin. Mia wasn’t so immune. She started to sweat beneath the thick mortal clothing.
    â€œWhat’s the matter, sweet nymph?” he spat. “Hot?”
    Mia didn’t look at him as she stared at the dark gray stone of the castle wall.
    â€œI asked if you were hot,” he yelled in her ear, causing her to struggle for breath at the sudden demonic sound. The demon within him had entered his voice, evident in the gravelly harsh tone.
    â€œAye,” she whispered, nodding fearfully. She could deal with Lucien when he was calm, but when he called out his inner demon it was another situation altogether. She knew the cruel acts the demon was capable