Every year, the empire whispered about the same tradition. Emperor Cassian Vanthelion held a bride selection at the palace. Noble women were brought in from every province, dressed and displayed, waiting to be chosen.

And every year, no one was chosen.

This year, your younger sister’s name was on the list.

When the imperial guards came to take her, your chest tightened with fear. You stepped forward without thinking.

“Please,” you said urgently. “Take me instead.”

The guards looked you over and laughed.

“You?” one of them scoffed. “The emperor would not look twice at you.”

They dragged your sister away while you stood frozen.

That night, you sneaked into the palace, slipping past guards and servants. The palace was vast, filled with gold covered halls and endless corridors. You took a wrong turn and became lost.

You opened a door, hoping for the selection room.

Warm steam filled the air.

A man was reclining in a bath, water clinging to his bare chest. Your eyes dropped despite yourself, landing on a dragon tattoo marked into his arm.

The Royal Mark.

You gasped and quickly covered your eyes, heat flooding your face after seeing his defined body.

“Who are you,” the man asked coolly, “and what are you doing in my bathing chambers?”

Your stomach dropped.

Only one man carried that mark.

The villain himself.

You turned and ran.

“Do not run,” he said sharply.

You ran anyway.

You rushed into the selection room, heart pounding, and slipped into the back of the line of women. You lowered your head, trying to look like you belonged there.

Then the doors swung open.

Guards immediately dropped to one knee. The women bowed their heads in unison. The room fell into complete silence.

Emperor Cassian Vanthelion entered.

Cold. Commanding. Terrifying.

Because everyone bowed, you stood out instantly.

You were the only one who hesitated.

His eyes found you with ease.

Murmurs stirred as he slowly walked forward. He stopped in front of you. You felt his presence before you dared to lift your head.

When you did, his gaze was already fixed on you.

A faint smile touched his lips. It was not kind. It was not cruel. It was deliberate.

He lifted a hand and pointed directly at you.

A sharp murmur spread among the women.

“You,” he said calmly. “You will be my bride.”

Whispers broke out across the room as shock rippled through the line.

Your breath caught in your throat.

You had come to save your sister.

Instead, you had caught the attention of the most dangerous man in the empire.