Excerpt

"Eric, why did you give me a necklace with hidden powers?"

Seraphine is livid.

It just happened that Eric gave her a magical necklace that turned out to be a mark of ownership – without her knowing, that is. She was made to wear something that would help him know wherever she went, let him feel her emotions to certain degrees, and show everyone that she belonged to him.

She felt deceived since he never told her anything about it. If she did not learn it from someone else, he would continue to keep it a secret.

"I did it to keep you safe, Sera. You took it and thanked me," Eric muttered with a calm yet icy tone.

"It was a gift, and I thought it was benign - not full of hidden magic! You do know how I don't like it when people do things behind my back, right?" Seraphine retaliated, still fuming.

"Let this be a lesson to you, then. This world is dangerous. Most things that will be offered to you by beings of power will manipulate you in some way."

"I trusted you! You're supposed to be my friend! You have no right to stamp your mark on me! I'm not a pet you can collar, Eric!"

At that, he finally bolted out of his seat, eyeing her intently. She could tell that she had pushed his buttons, but he was still controlling his temper.

"I gave you that because I was worried about you. I needed a way to track you. Though it was indeed used as a form of enslavement in the past, it was normally exchanged between life mates these days," Eric continued with an austere look on his face.

"Life mates?" Seraphine blurted out, flabbergasted.

"Lovers who wish to be joined together forever, in other words."

"What?! That makes things worse, Eric! It's like getting me to accept a marriage proposal without me knowing what I was doing."

He looks hurt by that for some reason. His gaze flickers for a second before he casts it down. Seeing his pained expression, which is quite a rare look on him, she suddenly feels a little guilty for shooting her mouth off like that.

"I'm not sorry, Sera. I won't apologize for what I did. That necklace is strong with my magic, and it is useful. It helped me rescue you…" Eric trailed off before looking back at her again.

"Let me ask you. Would you wear it had I told you what it was?"

"Of course not!" she said almost instantly while he approached her and towered over her.

"My point exactly. You needed my protection. I did not tell you because I knew you would be stubborn about it and would have overreacted like what you're doing now. I'm not sorry at all. It's working, and it will continue to do so as long as I want to. Nobody in their right mind would ever dare harm you with my mark on you – not if they enjoy breathing. They can't ever get close to you if I don't want them to."

"I must say that is very possessive of you. Why do you always assume that you know what's best for me...? Oh right, how silly of me! I forgot that you are the almighty Crown Prince! Ever so powerful and righteous! We all bend to your will or suffer the consequences!"

Sometimes, Seraphine has to show Eric that she doesn't like it when he gets overboard with his tyrannical exploits.

For a moment, he is a little stunned by her words. He is at a loss of what to say. If anyone else had talked to him in such a way, they would at least be unconscious by now. But with her, he is rendered powerless. He can never harm her.

"This stubborn little succubus…" he could only hiss before taking a deep breath.

Right then, Eric suddenly realizes that he is probably not completely powerless – he has thought of something, and he will make Seraphine pay dearly for that remark.

That's when he spreads a small yet mischievous smile, taking her aback. He then narrows his eyes and peers at her meaningfully. It's the look he always makes when he feels like he has the upper hand.

"Go ahead and talk back to me, Sera. We all know how things get awry when I lose my temper…" he taunted with a low, smoky tone before leaning closer to her.

"Once I'm provoked enough, you do know that I lose control of my senses, right?"

Eric then closes the distance between them, making Seraphine try to step back but to no avail.

Surprised by his uncalled-for threat, she didn't realize right away that she was frozen on her spot. While she remains unmoving, he just continues to inch his face closer and closer to hers – his half-lidded, glinting gaze devouring her lovely frame at the same time.

"I'm sorry for using magic to put you on lock…" he purred as he caressed the side of her face with the back of his fingers, sending shivers down her body.

"I will need all my concentration. We can't have any interruptions now, can we?"

Seductively, Eric runs a finger down her cheek and along her jaw before it stops right under her chin.

He then tilts her head up, seeming to have no trouble in controlling her body. With a sly smirk on his face, he proceeds to look deep into her fierce crimson orbs.

Seraphine had never felt this indignant when it came to Eric before, but then again, he had never used his magic against her either. Now, she is beginning to see why most people are terrified of him.

He could practically do anything he wanted – with only his own morals to hold him back.

"Don't worry, milady. I can still be gentle even when I'm mad."

With that, Eric finally dives right in and places his lips on hers, taking Seraphine aback.

For a moment, he kisses her softly while he lets his hands slide down to her waist. She can't help but gasp against his mouth when he suddenly pulls her towards him. At their intimate contact, she heard a throaty growl from him. One touch of her lips, and the taste already intoxicates him.

Not even a second after that, Eric deepens the kiss and starts ravishing Seraphine hungrily, practically eating her mouth.

His tongue sweeps across her lips, begging to enter. It eventually did even though she tried her best to keep her mouth shut. Right when his tongue invades it, she begins trembling in his arms. It just feels so warm against hers as it ecstatically explores every part of her mouth that it can reach.

'Pervert! I bet he is really enjoying this!' Seraphine grimaced in indignation.

However, her body betrayed her thoughts.

Her pulse is racing while her breath keeps coming in short gasps. She feels like closing her eyes, embracing him back, and surrendering to him entirely. But with his spell immobilizing her, she can't do that – though, it does prove itself to be a blessing in disguise in the end.

Seraphine thinks that the only bad thing here is the fact that Eric is aware of what she is feeling at that moment, and it is all because of that stupid magical necklace.

'Yes, that's right, milady. You're mine – and mine alone.'