A Criminal Temptation The Devil Wears a Ring

Location – Paris, France

Castrevault Private Estate

Seraphina POV Three days. That’s all it took. Three days since that venom-laced encounter in the mall—and now I’m here, in enemy territory. A palace dressed as a prison. Velvet chains. Golden bars.

Seraphina Evraine D'Calaré

(They say Paris is the city of love. Not when you’re sold like an antique vase.)

Interior: Grand chandelier, marble staircase, red wine walls.

Butler

Mr. Castrevault will see you now, Miss D’Calaré.

Seraphina Evraine D'Calaré

He’s not my anything. Not yet.

Seraphina Evraine D'Calaré

[She walks, back straight, chin up. Fear tucked deep beneath silk and satin.]

Seraphina POV And then I see him—leaning against the fireplace, suit tailored like sin. Damon Castrevault. The devil in Dior.

Damon Castrevault

Look who decided to show up. Did the plane ride tame your claws?

Seraphina Evraine D'Calaré

Don’t flatter yourself. I came for answers. Not for you.

Damon Castrevault

You’re here because you belong here. Beside me.

Seraphina Evraine D'Calaré

I belong to no one.

Damon Castrevault

[He chuckles, low and lazy, like a lion toying with prey.]

Damon Castrevault

We’ll fix that.

Damon Castrevault

[He steps closer, aura intoxicating and suffocating all at once.]

Seraphina POV His eyes—grey like a thunderstorm. Like he enjoys watching things fall apart. He’s too close. I hate that my heart skips.

Damon Castrevault

We have a dinner tonight. With the board. Play nice. Smile. Pretend you’re mine.

Seraphina Evraine D'Calaré

I’d rather choke on glass.

Damon Castrevault

Noted. But wear the ring.

Damon Castrevault

[He holds out a black velvet box. Inside: a diamond—cut like a dagger.]

Seraphina Evraine D'Calaré

(It's beautiful. It's heavy. It's a leash.)

Damon Castrevault

You think putting a rock on my finger makes me yours?

Seraphina Evraine D'Calaré

No. But marrying you does. And that happens in seven days.

Damon Castrevault

[He slips the ring on her finger without asking. The cold metal kisses her skin.]

Seraphina POV It burns. Not physically. But deep. Like I just made a pact I’ll never escape from.

Seraphina Evraine D'Calaré

You can force me to wear this. But I won’t fake a smile. I’m not a puppet.

Damon Castrevault

No. You’re a masterpiece. And I don’t break those.

Seraphina Evraine D'Calaré

[beat of silence, tension rising]

Damon Castrevault

But I do own them.

Damon Castrevault

[He turns away, dismissive, like she’s just another deal sealed.]

Seraphina Evraine D'Calaré

(Screw this. I’m not staying. I’ll run. I’ll disappear.)

Seraphina POV But just as I reach the door—guards. Two. Big. Silent. Damon doesn’t even look back.

Damon Castrevault

Try to run, princess. But remember—every city you hide in belongs to me.

Seraphina Evraine D'Calaré

You really think locking me up will make me love you?

Damon Castrevault

I don’t want your love. I want your obedience. But love?

Damon Castrevault

[he turns, eyes dark] That’ll come. Slowly. Painfully. Deliciously.

Seraphina POV I swallow the scream clawing up my throat.

Location – Later that Night | Guest Bedroom

Seraphina Evraine D'Calaré

[Seraphina stares out the massive window. Moonlight filters in like a blessing.]

Seraphina Evraine D'Calaré

(I need a plan. I need out.)

Seraphina Evraine D'Calaré

[A knock. She doesn’t answer. The door creaks open anyway.]

Damon Castrevault

You look good in my house.

Seraphina Evraine D'Calaré

You think stalking me in my sleep will change my mind?

Damon Castrevault

No. But watching you squirm amuses me.

Damon Castrevault

[He leans on the doorframe. Shirt unbuttoned. Tattoos peeking. Danger personified.]

Seraphina POV He shouldn’t look this good. Not when he’s the cage I’m locked in.

Damon Castrevault

Sleep well, Seraphina. Tomorrow we play house.

Seraphina Evraine D'Calaré

In hell.

Damon Castrevault

In paradise, baby. I just happen to be the devil running it.

Damon Castrevault

[He closes the door. Lock clicks. Her freedom fades.]

Seraphina Evraine D'Calaré

(Day one. Survive. Day two—fight back.)

Damon Castrevault

(She’s fire. I’ll tame it. Or I’ll burn with her. Either way—I win.)

Damon Castrevault

[He smirks into the dark.]

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Author ●-●

Sorry for the late update. 🫶🏻