Never Marry a Villain

Chapter 1: The Carriage Ride of Doom

The journey to Nox took three whole days, and it was total torture.

Not just because the scenery went from pretty green meadows and glowing sunflowers to creepy dead trees, black mud, and swirling purple fog, but because I was wearing a corset that was pulled so tight I could barely breathe. My maid, Greta, had squeezed me into it before I left, saying, "A bride must look snatched, Your Highness, even if she's going to her execution."

Thanks, Greta. Really reassuring.

I looked out the window of the obsidian carriage (which was drawn by six massive shadow-steeds with glowing red eyes, by the way). The atmosphere outside was so dramatic. Lightning crackled in the dark clouds above, and the air smelled like ozone and expensive cologne.

"We are approaching the Citadel of Spikes, my Lady," the carriage driver rasped through his terrifying iron helmet.

I swallowed hard, clutching my magical diamond dagger under the folds of my massive dark purple ballgown. (If I was going to die, at least I was going to look hot doing it). I had sworn to myself back at the palace: I would not be a helpless damsel. If Lord Julian tried anything evil—like draining my light magic or sacrificing me to a demon—I would stab him right in his stupidly handsome face.

The carriage ground to a halt. The door was pulled open by a guard wearing dark spiked armor.

"Step out, Princess," he grunted.

I took a deep breath, puffed out my chest, and stepped down onto the black cobblestones.

And that’s when I saw the castle.

It was huge. Like, ridiculously big. Sharp black spires stabbed into the stormy sky, and gargoyles were sitting on every corner. But as I walked up the massive stone steps toward the grand double doors, I noticed something weird.

There were... window boxes?

With purple petunias in them?

Wait, what? Why would the Dark Lord have fresh flowers on his evil fortress? That made zero sense.

Before I could think about it too much, the giant doors creaked open, revealing a massive entrance hall illuminated by floating black candles and chandeliers made of midnight crystal. Standing at the end of a long velvet carpet was a man.

My heart literally stopped beating.

He was... unbelievable.

He was tall—like, six-foot-four at least—with broad shoulders that made his black tailored suit look like it was custom-made by gods. His hair was as black as a raven's wing, falling in messy, artful waves over his forehead. He had sharp cheekbones that could actually slice someone, and a faint silver scar running through his left eyebrow that just made him look ten times hotter.

And his eyes. Oh, the stars above, his eyes.

They weren't glowing red like a demon. They were a piercing, stormy shade of icy grey, surrounding black pupils that were currently tracking my every move like I was a prey animal.

Oh no, I thought to myself, panicking internally. He’s not just a villain. He’s an insanely hot villain.