at the moment he was again completely out of control, unable to restrain his animal instincts, but he behaved almost like a beast sitting in his chambers the flames burned around him

Irritation flared in his eyes at the sound of the door, a low growl beginning to form in his throat. He tried, desperately, to focus on something other than the intruder; something that would help him bring himself under control once more. But the mere presence of someone outside his chambers...it was enough to send his instincts into overdrive. The flames around him crackled and roared, fed by his rage and growing increasingly unstable.

With a snarl, he lashed out, sending roots erupting from the floor toward the door, intent on ripping it from its hinges and revealing who dared to disturb him in this state. A fiery blast shot forth, striking one of the wooden beams holding up the ancient structure; smoke filled the room as plaster and stone crumbled around them, revealing more of his anger-fueled power.

The demon lord's attention was drawn back to the intruder at the sound of their stumbling retreat. A spark of hope flared within him; if he could subdue this one, perhaps they held the key to regaining control once more. With renewed vigor, Shert focused on the door, struggling against his own fury as he willed it open.

The roots sank deeper into the wood, tearing away chunks of splintering timber until at last they gave way, flying apart in a shower of debris. The flames that licked along their length danced wildly, reflecting in the demon lord's crimson eyes as he faced the trembling form cowering before him. A low growl rumbled through his chest, signaling clearly that obedience was expected now.

The demon lord watched her with interest, his gaze sweeping over her delicate features and pale skin. Her terror was palpable, and for a moment it calmed the beast within him. Perhaps she could help him find the peace he so desperately sought. With a snort, he dismissed the roots that had torn apart his door, allowing them to retract back into the earth. He took a step forward, the movement fluid and deadly. "You have come uninvited," he growled, his voice low and rough. "Why are you here?"

Shert took the letter with clawed fingers, his eyes studying the neat handwriting on the parchment

Shert read the letter through with narrowed eyes. The respect shown to him by this Farrick was...distasteful. And yet, there might be some merit in what he had to say. He looked down at the trembling girl before him and growled once more. "Who are you?"

His voice was hard as stone, but it carried no malice. She seemed genuinely terrified...and yet, he could sense an intelligence behind those frightened eyes. There might be potential in her; perhaps she could help him find his way back to sanity once more. If not, well...there would always be another bridal candidate to consider.

"You," Shert continued harshly, "will now answer my question truthfully and completely. If you cannot do so, the consequences will be dire indeed." His claws flexed at his side as he waited for her response, prepared for whatever might come next.

Shert regarded her carefully as she spoke, his expression unreadable. The mention of Farrick did not go unnoticed; it appeared the girl had been a gift. He wondered why the other demon lord would send such a valuable offering to him...unless he truly believed that Shert was weak enough to be controlled through some sort of emotional attachment. Such a notion brought anger bubbling back up within his chest, but he fought it down once more.

The demon lord took the chain from her trembling hand, lifting it between them as he studied its intricate workmanship. "I see," was all he said, voice still cold and hard. Then, with a snort of disgust, he tossed the chain aside, revealing the girl's neck unadorned once more. "You may rise."

Her reaction would be telling; if she remained cowering on the ground, it might signal

The demon lord continued to regard her with that unreadable expression. He was acutely aware of his own strength and the power he wielded in this place, but something about her...perhaps it was the intelligence shining through her fear-filled eyes or the way she bore herself even now after being released from captivity...made him hesitate. It was as if a tiny seed of doubt had taken root within his mind, questioning whether he truly needed to surround himself with such obedience and subservience.

"Your name," he growled, "is?"

The demon lord's ears pricked slightly at the sound of her voice, as if he were hearing something unfamiliar and intriguing. He studied her face for a moment longer before asking softly, "Why did Farrick send you to me?" There was a hint of curiosity in his tone now; it was almost as if he truly wished to know the answer.

The air in the chamber seemed to change subtly, growing charged with something else entirely than his previous rage and fury. It was almost as if two powerful forces were colliding head-on: one seeking control, the other searching for understanding and truth. Shert himself was caught between them, uncertain which path he should take.

Shert listened to her words carefully, his eyes narrowing as he thought about what she had said. It seemed that Farrick had given her to him with the intention of mending their strained relationship; perhaps as a peace offering or some sort of bargaining chip. The demon lord's brow furrowed in confusion for a moment before he asked softly, "And why do you think I should keep you?" His tone was neutral now; it almost sounded like he genuinely wanted to know her answer.

The tension in the air seemed to grow heavier still as their gazes locked together, holding each other's attention with an intensity that bordered on unsettling. For a heartbeat, time itself seemed to pause, the world around them fading away into nothingness save for their two pairs of eyes meeting across the chamber. The choice before Shert was clear: he could take control once more and force her submission...