"What?" Instinctively, her hands went to cover her belly.

"This could be real," he repeated. "You could carry my seed within you." His big hand caressed her stomach lightly. "You could stay here with me."  

Damien stroked her belly gently. He'd never meant to make the offer when she'd first come to him. But that last moment before this fantasy had started, hearing her offer herself to him- call him 'my prince,'- had made the decision for him. He wanted her. Not just for now, but for always.

Clara was stunned to silence. What was one supposed to say when the Lord of Hell offered to make you the carrier of his heirs?  

"You match me, Clara. I cannot tell you what that says about you, or your soul. I cannot tell you honestly that I am not evil, as I do not know that answer myself. But I know your soul is the twin to mine. And I know that I want you to stay here with me, rule by my side, grace my days with your company and darken my nights with our wicked pleasures. Stay with me," he extended his hand to her. "For always."

Looking at his hand held out to her, Clara couldn't help but want to take it. She shifted, realized her belly was no longer rounded with pregnancy, and looked into his black eyes. Those eyes could spark fire, turn ice-cold, or warm to molten onyx in an instant. Those eyes had bored into her, laid her bare, criticized her, worshipped her. Looking at the longing within them now, Clara knew she wanted to stay....but there was something she had to know.

"Answer me one question," she said softly. Damien searched her face, seeing hope there, and nodded.

"Anything."

"Are you capable of love?"  

Her simple question derailed him. He sat back, confusion rolling through him like waves crashing on rock. Could he love? 

He knew what he felt for her was more than what most humans felt for their partners. This wasn't just pride and greed that drew her to him. She was his. His match, his partner, the piece that completed him. But love? He was fiercely possessive of her, would never let her be harmed, wanted to please her... But was that truly love?  

He sighed. "Clara, I honestly do not know if I am capable of love. I cannot tell you if it is an ability I was born with. What I can tell you is that I want you. All of you. Your sweetness and your tart, your body and your mind, your soul in all its glory. I can promise to keep you safe, cherish you, provide you with more than you could ever imagine in your wildest dreams. If that is love or simply desire I do not know. But know this. If I am capable of love, then all I have is yours. If I am not, then you have all I am able to give instead." He stopped, feeling strange and uncomfortable at having revealed so much to her. She studied him, then leaned in and kissed him. His heart surged.

"Will you honestly let me go right now?" Just a few little words and everything Damien had been hoping came crumbling down. He could see through any other soul like glass. Usually, he could even see through her almost as easily. So why had he not seen this coming?

"Yes. I told you I do not break deals." He spoke through clenched teeth. Anger wanted to rise, but regret bore it out. This wasn't what he wanted. And he was the Prince of Darkness! He should be able to have any thing he wanted. He ought to just keep her here. If she didn't want to stay, he could chain her to his bed for all of eternity. But...no. As he'd just said, he kept his deals. And aside from fantasy, he didn't want to force her to stay. He wanted her here of her own free will.  

"Then..." Clara took a deep breath, and wondered if this was the worst mistake she'd ever made in her life. Then she reminded herself she was currently dead, so this would only be the worst mistake she'd made in her death, which wasn't as bad. She braced herself and forced the answer her heart and soul wanted her to say despite her mind's misgivings. "Then I'll stay."