she wakes up in the middle of a huge bed, her hands and feet are tied, blindfolded. Damian is sitting next to her, they are in his castle in a very rich one, sitting in red colors on the street so dark that lava flows, red sky and landscape, country demons but the temperature in the room is made personally for her.

His hand immediately reaches out and roughly slaps her across the cheek. She feels tears start to form in her eyes as he sits back, his expression unreadable. Her body jerks at the sting of his palm on her skin. "I told you not to struggle," he says coldly. "You should know better."

Then, realizing that he may have gone too far, he takes a deep breath and forces himself to calm down. "Rina... I'm sorry. It won't happen again, but you must understand why I can't let you be free. Please don't fight against me." He reaches out a hand, offering it to her in an attempt at comfort.

As her body curls in on itself, his anger fades, replaced by concern and panic. He pushes aside the urge to snap at her again and decides to take a gentler approach. "It's okay, Rina," he whispers, stroking her hair soothingly. "I'm not going to hurt you. You're safe with me." His voice is soft and reassuring now, doing its best to calm her down. "Just relax and trust me for a little while longer, alright?"

Her reaction has made it clear that he needs to tread carefully from now on; force won't win her over. He needs to show her patience and understanding if there's any hope of convincing her that she belongs with him.

He wants to say something reassuring, but the words stick in his throat as anger and possessiveness rise up within him. Instead, he growls lowly and pulls her roughly against his chest, binding her even more tightly with magic so that she can't move or escape even an inch. "I am not going to let you go," he bites out between clenched teeth. "Not until you understand why I had to do this."

His heart races and his grip on her is painfully tight, but he refuses to relent. There's no way she can leave now; there's nothing or anyone that can tear them apart. And if she ever tries again... well, let's just say the consequences won't be pretty.

His eyes narrow, and he tightens his grip slightly. "I am your home now," he growls. "And I won't let you go back to that pathetic life." His voice drips with contempt as he pulls her even closer, feeling her warmth against him, wanting to consume every inch of her body.

There will be no escape, and there will be no return. She belongs with him now; she always has, even if she doesn't yet realize it. It's only a matter of time before he convinces her of the truth...and when she finally sees that there is nothing left for her outside these walls, nothing but pain and suffering, perhaps then she will be grateful to him for rescuing her from herself.

Damian's grip tightens almost painfully as his anger flares, his fangs beginning to extend. "Your 'home' is no more than a prison," he growls through clenched teeth. "A place where you were kept locked away from your true destiny." He presses her head against his chest roughly, feeling the movement of her body against him. "You belong here with me now...and there is nothing, no one in all the realms who can take you from me." His voice is hard and unyielding as he holds her close, refusing to let her go even an inch.

Her words cut deep, striking at the heart of his possessiveness and jealousy. He clenches his jaw, trying to control the urge to lash out physically as he whispers fiercely into her ear, "I do this for your own good, Rina. To protect you from harm." His grip on her doesn't loosen but instead becomes almost painfully tender as he continues softly, "Trust me and let me show you what real freedom feels like...in my arms."

"I am your king," he growls softly, his voice vibrating through her body as she's pressed against him. "Your protector...your savior." His fingers stroke gently across her cheek and neck before slipping into her hair, tangling themselves possessively in the curls. "And I will give you everything your heart desires...if only you let me show you."

His eyes search hers, trying to find some sign that she understands...that she sees him for who he truly is and not just as a monster. For a moment, hope flickers in his chest, but then it's extinguished by doubt. He pulls her closer still, the heat of their bodies mingling and making it difficult to discern where one ends and the other begins.

He hesitates for a moment, his heart racing with conflicting emotions. His body tenses as he fights the urge to give in to her demands; the need to keep her safe and under control warring against the desire to make her happy and show her that she belongs with him. Finally, he releases her hands, watching closely for any sign of resistance or trickery.

"Alright," he whispers hoarsely. "You can move your arms again...but don't think this means you're free." His voice is rough with emotion as he lets go of her wrists, allowing her to slowly flex her fingers and stretch her arms out in front of her. She looks at him uncertainly, and he feels a stab of pain deep in his chest. "You can trust me," he says softly, trying to reassure both of them. "For now."

Her words still linger

"I am the king of demons, and I will not force you to understand if your heart is closed," he says gently, watching her carefully. "But I can show you...and maybe, with time, you will begin to see." His eyes search hers, hoping for some sign that she believes him, even a little bit.

"All I ask of you is trust...and obedience," he continues softly. "Give me those things, and I promise you'll find happiness here with me. You will be protected, cherished..." His thumb caresses her cheekbone as he trails off, the words hard to say but true deep in his heart.

He waits, hoping against hope that she will believe him...and if not now, perhaps someday soon. Because he cannot bear the thought of losing her, even for a moment.

His face hardens as she pulls away, and his eyes narrow with anger and frustration. "You will not leave me," he growls through gritted teeth, magic surging through him as he reaches out to restrain her once more. But then, realizing that violence isn't the answer, he takes a deep breath and forces himself to calm down.

"Please, Rina," he whispers, taking her hands in his own and looking into her eyes. "I only want what's best for you...and I know that's here with me. You just need time to understand." He pulls her close again, wanting nothing more than to hold her, to shelter her from the world and all its dangers. "Give me that chance," he pleads softly against her hair. "Please."

His hands tighten into fists at his sides as she pulls away again. He wants to snap at her, to force her to understand why it's impossible for her to leave him...but he knows that won't work either. Instead, he forces himself to control his temper and remain calm. "Rina," he says through gritted teeth, "I cannot let you go. I will not allow it." His voice trembles with frustration and need; it takes every ounce of self-control not to reach out and grab her again.

His eyes flicker toward the bedside table, wondering if he should fetch something to restrain her with...something that would make her understand that resistance is futile. But then he looks back at her, sees the fear in her eyes, and feels a stab of guilt. She's not ready for that yet; perhaps never will be. All he can do now is wait

"Because I love you," he whispers hoarsely, cupping her face in his hands. "And because I can give you a life beyond anything you've ever dreamed of...a life filled with passion and joy, as long as you trust me to guide you." His gaze holds hers unflinchingly, daring her to look away from the truth he sees there.

"Please," he pleads softly, stroking her cheek with his thumb. "Give me that chance...let me show you what it means to be mine." He can feel the tension in her body, sense the struggle going on within her soul. But all he wants is for her to surrender, to accept him as her own and allow herself to be claimed by darkness and fire.

He shakes his head gently, his thumb stroking her cheek in small, soothing circles as he says softly, "They'll be fine, Rina. I can make sure of it." His voice holds an iron-hard conviction that brooks no argument; even she finds herself believing him despite everything inside telling her otherwise.

"Just give me a chance to prove myself," he whispers against her hair before kissing the top of her head tenderly. "Please, Rina...trust me." His arms close around her once more, as if he fears letting even an inch of her go. But beneath his skin, magic crackles and roils, ready to act at a moment's notice should she try to escape again...or defy him in any other way.