What can I say? I asked for the impossible and didn’t think through the consequences, even when I agreed to...gulp... forever.
Oh shit, I think I’m going to faint.
I sway back slightly.
“Yes,” the demon says approvingly. “Lie down for your first time as my consort. Excellent idea.”
I scramble against the stone wall. “Hold on! Not so fast.”
“Why delay?” He reaches toward me. “I healed you instantly. We made an agreement, did we not? Should I reverse the healing?”
I freeze, hand still extended toward him, his claw hovering an inch from my palm.
Shit.This is happening so fast. Why did I agree to this? Now he expects me to give myself to him completely?
I start shaking my head, refusal on my lips. Ready to tell him yes, take the healing back, I want out, I’ve made a terrible mistake?—
But the words stick in my throat.
Because running like that—even terrified out of my mind—was also the most incredible feeling I’ve ever experienced. I’ve been trapped by my body’s limitations my entire life. And just because I couldn’t escape today doesn’t mean I never could.
Even if I spend a decade with him as payment for this freedom, that’s probably longer than I had left anyway.
I study the creature, who seems slightly less terrifying each moment I adjust to his appearance. “How long will the healing last?”
“Forever. And now that you’ve been touched by divine light, you’ll live far longer than ordinary humans.”
I blink, imagining everything I could accomplish with... a life without expiration dates. I could finally build a real career without wondering if there’s any point since I’d never see retirement. I could focus on my art, not because I hoped to burn bright before dying young, but because I’d havetimeto truly master it.
Is a blank canvas of infinite possibility really worth?—
I meet the demon’s gaze. My head still spins thinking about how my future just transformed from a curse word into something limitless.
Am I really not willing to make this deal with the devil for even a chance at all of that?
The demon grins, displaying all those razor-sharp teeth like a wolf who isn’t even bothering to wear sheep’s clothing. And I’m lying to myself if I pretend I walked into this blindly.
The truth is, I chose this. I climbed his mountain. I made the deal.
And honestly? Looking at him now—really looking—he’s not exactly hard on the eyes. Terrifying, yes. But there’s something almost... magnificent about him. The way his massive frame seems designed for power and protection. The careful way he’s holding back all that strength.
“Okay,” I whisper, but this time it’s not surrender.
It’s a choice.
The claw he’s been holding out moves that final inch, flips over, and slices through my clothing like it’s made of tissue paper.
“Then you are mine,” he says.
And despite everything—the fear, the uncertainty, the complete insanity of this situation—I feel something hot and electric shoot through me at those words.
Maybe,I think as I watch this powerful creature approach with such careful restraint,maybe I want to be his.
SIX
BEAST
She is perfect for me.
