But even with her smile perfectly in place, Vexen knew the truth—Dameon wasn't someone who could be controlled. He was far too dangerous, too calculated. And yet... that danger only drew her in more. After all, his goal aligned with hers: to bring ruin to the royal family. The same family that had crushed her dreams, erased her name, and made her into nothing more than a shadow in their palace.
For years, she believed Dameon would be the instrument of her revenge. Then he vanished.
No word. No sign.
She nearly gave up on him.
Until he returned—stronger, colder, and more focused than ever. Just what she needed.
But he didn't come back alone.
Nyxtriel.
That name alone was enough to make Vexen's skin crawl.
Seeing her beside Dameon, always near him, whispering into his ear like they shared some secret world—made her burn. It wasn't love. No. It wasn't even about loyalty.
It was the old, buried flame of something she thought she'd killed a long time ago.
Jealousy.
