His Midnight Ballerina: The Devil's Obsession.

Draven’s POV “How long will you take in the mortal world?” Her voice slithered across the throne room, silk over a blade. Kitana never asked without intent. I sat on the black stone throne, my fingers drumming against the armrest carved with skulls, the silence between us thick enough to choke a mortal. I didn’t bother to look at her. “Why do you ask? What business do you have with my personal matters?” My voice was low, edged with warning, the kind that could set fire to a demon’s skin. She stepped closer, hips swaying as though the Devil himself might be tamed by a dance. Her crimson gown clung to her body, slit high enough to reveal pale legs that gleamed in the firelight. “Come on, Draven,” she whispered, her tone an unholy mix of seduction and irritation. “We’re talking about your life here. My husband’s life.” I moved before she blinked, gripping her wrist so tightly she gasped. “Do not,” I growled, venom dripping from every syllable, “ever call me husband with that filthy mouth of yours.” Her eyes widened, but she still held my gaze, stubborn, reckless. “When will you get over the fact that I’m the chosen one for you? When will you accept it, and....” her voice dropped, almost fragile, “....learn to love me?” I barked out a laugh, cruel and hollow, echoing off the chamber walls. “Love?” I repeated, tilting my head, mocking her. “Define it for me, Kitana. Explain if it has anything to do with my throne. My crown. My kingdom. Show me where ‘love’ is written in fire and blood.” Her lips pressed into a thin line. “If not love, then at least…” She hesitated, her voice trembling despite her defiance. “Adore me. Give me something. I am not nothing.” I released her hand, shoving it away as though it burned me. My glare cut her down where she stood. “The only thing binding us is the immortal law that chained us together. Nothing more. Beyond that, Kitana, you are nothing. You are no wife of mine. No piece of my heart. Only a shadow beside the throne.” Her nostrils flared. “Why, then, is your temper always hotter when I am near? You burn at me. You tear at me. What am I to you, Draven? Tell me why my presence makes the Devil himself lose control.” I leaned forward slowly, letting my voice crawl over her skin like fire. “Because you should never forget… you live in my kingdom only because I allow it. If Hell were to discover you were the reason my brother walks the mortal world instead of burning in it—” I paused, watching the blood drain from her face. “....they would rip you apart and hang your bones from these very gates.” Her throat bobbed as she swallowed, fear flickering in her eyes. I had struck the vein, and she knew it. Kitana turned, her crimson gown whispering against the stone floor as she made to leave. The great doors creaked open before she reached them. A demon stalked in, his claws scraping against the ground as he bowed before me. “My lord.” “Speak,” I commanded. The creature hesitated, trembling. “There is no news.” The silence that followed was deadlier than a scream. Then, rage exploded in me like a volcanic storm. “No news?” My voice thundered, shaking the walls. I rose, every step radiating darkness as I closed the distance. “You dare stand before me empty-handed?” The demon cowered. “M...my lord, we searched...” I unsheathed my sword in a single blur. Its obsidian blade caught fire the instant it kissed the air. With one strike, his head rolled across the floor, eyes still wide in fear, before it hit the ground with a hollow thud. Blood sprayed, steaming as it hissed against the black stone. My roar shook the chamber, rattling the torches until flames sputtered. The throne room was chaos, rubble flying as I scattered tables, cracked walls, shattered ancient relics. I was the Devil, and Hell bent with me. Kitana raised her shoulders, trembling but still rooted in place, fear written across her flawless face. I turned to her, breathing heavily, blood dripping from my blade. “Get lost,” I snarled. “And fetch my staff, my book, and my beads. I leave for the mortal world tonight.” She froze, shock etching her features. “You… you are serious?” “I have no time!” I roared, flames curling from my body as the chamber shook. “My reign ticks away with every moment wasted! My power will not die with me. Do you think I will surrender my throne so easily?” Kitana dared to step closer, her hands brushing my arms, sliding down to my back. Her voice was low, coaxing, a serpent’s whisper. “Breathe, Draven. Take a deep breath. Remember… no one should ever raise the Devil’s emotions. Not even you.” Her touch was warm, her tone soft, and against my will, my rage stilled. She always knew how to strike, not with power, but with ego. Her words reminded me who I was. The throne was mine. My wrath was law. I exhaled slowly, my chest heaving as the fire inside me simmered, not out of peace but control. That’s when she slipped lower, her hands unhooking the belt at my waist. Her fingers tugged at my belt, the leather sliding free with a hiss that echoed like temptation itself. I should have shoved her away. I should have torn her throat for her audacity. But Kitana knew exactly when to bend herself into my wrath and make me forget. “Do not test me,” I warned, my voice gravel and fire. “I’m not,” she whispered, her lips ghosting over my chest as she sank to her knees before me. “I’m saving you… from yourself.” Her hands pressed against my thighs, delicate yet deliberate, and my breath hitched despite myself. The arrogance in me despised that she could stir this hunger, but I did not stop her. Lust was not love. Lust was power. She freed me with one tug, her eyes flickering up to mine as though daring me to stop her. My jaw clenched. She leaned forward, her mouth hot and relentless, taking me in as though she owned me. A growl rumbled from deep within my chest. My hand fisted her hair, pulling hard, forcing her to take more. She gagged, but her moan vibrated against me. I thrust deeper, harder, merciless, each movement raw punishment as much as pleasure. “You think this binds me to you?” I snarled, dragging her head back only to shove her forward again. “You think this makes you more than a shadow?” Her nails dug into my thighs, her body trembling, but she didn’t pull away. She fed my ego with her submission, and I let the devil in me take. I dragged her up by her hair, crushing my mouth against hers, tasting myself on her lips. Our kiss was brutal, teeth clashing, a war instead of affection. I spun her and bent her over the throne’s armrest, tearing the crimson gown apart with one swipe of my claws. Fabric shredded, her back bare, her body exposed to my fury. She gasped, half fear, half arousal, when I slammed into her from behind. The sound of flesh meeting flesh filled the chamber, echoing alongside her ragged breaths. I gripped her hips hard enough to bruise, thrusting into her with no rhythm, only raw force. Her cries weren’t tender, they were desperate, guttural, begging for more even as her body shuddered under the violence. “You are nothing,” I groaned against her ear, biting down hard enough to draw blood. “Nothing but a vessel. A body I use when my rage needs release.” Her fingers clawed the stone of the throne, her moans breaking, her back arching. “Then use me, my king,” she gasped, voice fractured. “Use me until you remember who you are.” My laugh was harsh, cruel. I did just that...using her body until sweat dripped down my spine, until her legs quaked and her cries bounced off the chamber walls. There was no gentleness, no mercy. Only raw need, only the devil taking what was his to use. I came with a snarl, pulling her hair back so her throat stretched, so she remembered exactly who she belonged to. My release filled her, her body convulsing in response. She moaned my name like a prayer and a curse. The moment the fire ebbed, disgust replaced lust. I shoved her forward, her body sprawling against the cold floor, her crimson gown in tatters. “Pathetic,” I spat, adjusting my belt as though nothing had happened. Kitana lay there, flushed and trembling, her chest heaving. Shame flickered across her eyes, though desire still burned beneath it. She tried to rise, but I turned away, already calling out. “Bring me my staff. My beads. The Book of Flame,” I commanded the shadows, and demons scurried to obey. Kitana pushed herself up, brushing dust and humiliation from her skin. Her voice was low, trembling, but defiant. “Can I… come with you?” I didn’t even turn to look at her. “Get out.” Her lips parted, pain flashing through her face. She stepped closer, eyes shining though she refused to cry. “Sometimes… sometimes your cruelty makes me wish you never find her. The woman who will unlock your lifespan.” The air went still. I spun, fury erupting again, and my hand shot to her throat. I lifted her effortlessly, her feet dangling, her fingers clawing at my coat. “You dare speak of her?” I hissed, my grip tightening until she choked, her face turning pale. “You dare wish against me?” She gagged, gasping for air, her nails scraping my chest. For a moment, her eyes pleaded, begging me to remember what she had just given me. I didn’t care. With one vicious swing, I flung her across the room. She crashed into a pillar, crumpling to the ground. I turned, cloak swirling, as my weapons were brought to me. Staff. Beads. The Book. The air itself bowed to my presence. Without another glance at the wreck Kitana was, I strode forward, each step a promise. My time ticked. My hunger roared. And the mortal world awaited the Devil.