he lost his temper again, control left him again as he sat in his castle

Kartos heard the click of the lock falling into place and sighed heavily as he turned back to the throne room door and yanked it open with such force that pieces of wood flew everywhere, revealing a young female human on the other side. Her eyes were wide with fear as she took in his menacing form; furious and frantic, he growled lowly at her presence. "What is the meaning of this?" he demanded hoarsely through clenched fangs.

The girl shrank back against the wall of the hallway, shaking visibly from head to toe. Tears welled up in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks as she whimpered softly. "I-I don't know, m-my lord! They b-brought me here..."

Kartos's nostrils flared at the scent of fear that surrounded her; it only served to further en

Kartos felt his fangs ache as he towered over the trembling girl before him. His gaze swept over her slender form and delicate features; she was much smaller than any of his previous consorts, but there was something about her that caught his interest nonetheless. "You are mine now," he growled, a note of possessiveness creeping into his voice despite himself. "And you will not leave this castle until I say so."

With a swift motion, he reached out and cupped her face in his hand, forcing her to meet his red-eyed gaze. The touch sent shivers down her spine but she did not pull away. Perhaps it was fear that held her in place, or perhaps some other instinctual urge taking control. Whatever the case, Kartos found himself unable to resist studying every detail of her face for far longer than he should have.

Her pale complexion seemed to glow against his dark skin as he held her steady; it was almost unnerving how beautiful she looked despite being terrified out of her wits. His instincts, normally so well-controlled, thrummed with a newfound urgency that made him feel almost... possessed.

Without giving himself time to second-guess his actions, he lowered his head and pressed their lips together in a hard, punishing kiss. Her mouth was soft and pliant beneath his, responding eagerly despite her fears, and it ignited something deep within him, stoking the flames of lust that had been building since the day he'd lost control.

Kartos's kiss deepened as he felt the tension begin to drain out of her body; she relaxed into him, allowing herself to surrender completely to his embrace. It was a heady sensation, this power over another being, and it made him feel almost human again. As their tongues danced together, he could taste the fear on her lips but also something else: submission.

He broke the kiss abruptly, breathing heavily as he surveyed her flushed features from behind a lock of his black hair. Her eyes were closed now, and she appeared to be struggling for air. It was then that he realized how tightly he had been holding onto her, and with a startled gasp, he released her entirely, stepping back several paces to give them both some space.

"My apologies," he murmured hoarsely. "I did not mean... I am not used to..." He tra

Kartos saw the uncertainty in her eyes and felt a twinge of guilt. He had not meant to hurt her; he just... hadn't been himself recently. Maybe having someone like her here, someone who didn't know his past or what he was capable of, would help him control the beast within.

Taking a deep breath, he forced a reassuring smile onto his lips. "My name is Kartos," he introduced, his voice gentler now as he took another step closer. "I am your... husband." His use of the word 'husband' sent a shiver down her spine, and she instinctively drew herself up taller, seeming to brace herself for whatever might come next.

"You are safe here with me," he continued softly. "As long as you are mine, no harm will come to you." The last sentence was laced with meaning; it wasn't just

Her name... He couldn't remember what the girl had called herself. It didn't matter. "You are safe with me, my wife," he assured her gently. "I will take care of you." With a tentative step forward, he reached out to brush a stray strand of hair from her face, relishing in the feel of his fingertips against her skin once more.

"What is your name?" he asked quietly. Perhaps if she told him, it would help them feel connected, like two halves of a whole instead of master and servant. She lowered her eyes as if considering his question for a moment before finally meeting his gaze again with renewed determination. "My name," she said softly, "is Rina

Kartos arched an eyebrow at her, slightly taken aback by the question. "Because I have claimed you as my own," he answered simply. "It is custom among my people." He didn't know if it was true; the concept of marriage and claiming had always been foreign to him until now. Perhaps this was something Rina would teach him about human customs.

He took another step closer, studying her face intently. There was still fear there, but beneath that was curiosity and perhaps even acceptance. He couldn't help but wonder what the future held for them; if they could find a way to heal both his magical bond and their own personal wounds together. "Do you understand?" he asked quietly, hoping she did.

Kartos smiled gently at her words. "No," he said softly, shaking his head. "You do have a choice. You could leave here if you wish... but I hope that you will choose to stay." There was a pleading tone in his voice now, one that surprised even him.

He took another step closer, lifting a hand to cup her cheek once more. Her skin felt so soft against his palm; it sent shivers down his spine. "Please," he whispered huskily. "Stay with me."

His gaze drifted downward, lingering on her lips before travelling lower still until it reached the exposed skin at her throat. A sharp inhalation escaped him as desire coursed through his veins; the urge to claim her fully, completely overwhelmed him. "I need you," he breathed roughly.

Her eyes widen

Kartos's voice lowered to a husky growl as he replied, "Because I am your husband now. My magic binds us together." He hesitated for a moment before continuing, his gaze locked on her neck. "And...I want you. Desperately." His lips brushed against her skin, sending shivers down her spine. "Please," he whispered hoarsely, "let me show you what that means."

His hand trembled slightly as it cupped her breast through the fabric of her dress, squeezing gently before sliding lower to caress the curve of her hip. Her sharp intake of breath sent a wave of hunger coursing through him, and he found himself unable to resist any longer. With a rough motion, he pulled her closer until their bodies were flush against each other, his erection pressing hard against her belly.

Kartos felt her tense up and flush, her warmth against him sending waves of desire crashing over his senses. His lips found the soft skin just below her ear, teeth grazing gently as he nipped before soothing the sting with his tongue. "Shhh," he murmured roughly. "It's okay." He paused for a moment, gathering himself before continuing in a husky voice, "Let me show you what it means to be claimed by your husband."

His hands slid lower still until they found the hem of her dress, lifting it up and over her head in one swift motion. Clad only in a simple shift, she stood before him exposed and vulnerable, her eyes wide with apprehension and desire. The scent of her arousal filled his nostrils, driving him mad with need. With a growl of possession, he lowered his lips to taste her flesh for

Her skin was like warm silk against his lips and tongue as he trailed wet, hungry kisses down her neck and over her collarbone. He suckled at her sensitive flesh, drawing a gasp from deep within her chest as he nipped gently before soothing the sting with his tongue once more.

"You are exquisite," he murmured against her skin, his voice rough with desire as he continued to explore her body with his hands and mouth. "I want all of you." Her shift fell to the floor in a pool at their feet, leaving her completely naked before him for the first time. He stepped back, taking in every inch of her curves and supple flesh, marveling at how perfect she was.

His gaze met hers once more as he cupped her breast, gently squeezing the soft mound before brushing his thumb over her hardened nipple