hello again :) here's a shorter chapter (but from a favorite au of mine), inspired by my other favorite couple, persephone and hades. this is set in a universe that is different from the universe introduced in the first chapter (to clarify). enjoy, and review if you feel so inclined! i appreciate anyone who reviewed/followed/favorited... you're all such an integral part of the writing process. thank you! love always, aj

disclaimer: i don't own dbz or dbs

He offers her a kingdom in the same way one would discuss the weather. She was admiring the tiara on display in the throne room, engrossed by its gorgeous ruby-red color, and he had leaned over her shoulder to see what she was fussing about. With a shrug and a dismissive wave, he stated, "You can have it if you're willing to pay the price."

Whipping her head around, she sees he has frozen where he stands, his back to her, waiting for an answer to the unasked question that hangs in the air: 'will you stay?'

In a flurry of pale pink tulle, she moves to stand in front of him, desperate to read what lies in the depths of his onyx eyes. Gazing up at him, a thousand questions flash through her mind in a moment. She feels a swarm of emotion in her stomach: uncertainty at what he's requesting of her, fear of what others will think, and insecurity concerning if he truly wants her.

But something in his eyes causes rebellion to bubble underneath her skin, and her hand reaches out to grasp his forearm.

"I want it." There's steel in her voice and she knows she's never been more sure of anything in her life.

He raises an eyebrow at her, but she just stares back at him, willing him to understand her resolution. His hand moves to push her off his arm, and he steps back.

"It is unwise to make a deal without understanding the cost." He says stonily.

"Anything, and it's yours." She repeats the words he told her all those nights ago, when she was simply an immature, lost girl who saw him as nothing but the god of darkness. My, if she had only known.

His eyes widen, and he steps toward her again, this time grasping both of her shoulders with tenacity.

"You don't know what you're asking for." His eyes seem to be pleading, but if he is pleading her to contradict him or agree with him, she cannot tell.

"Yes, I do." She states softly. The darkness, the throne, the crown, him: she wants it all.

"I will not imprison you here." He insists, his face hovering close to her own, and she understands. With startling clarity, she realizes he's offering her a choice. He looks at her and sees someone capable of making her own decisions, whether that be to rule by his side or return to her planet. In his gaze, she is not a spoiled, ignorant princess. Instead, she is a woman capable of being a goddess. In that moment, she knows she's making the right choice.

"My Lord, is one who wishes to be captive truly imprisoned?" A small smile graces her lips, her eyes fixed on his mouth. For a moment, he breaths in and she thinks he is going to kiss her again, finally, but instead he unclasps his black cape, allowing it to fall to the ground.

"You have to bite me." He informs her bluntly.

Curious, she runs a hand over the soft part of the neck that he's exposed to her.

"Bite you?" She echoes, still in thought.

"To give me a mating mark. Once I… mark you as well, we are bound as mates." She can almost hear him swallow.

"Bite a god in exchange for a kingdom? A throne?" She taps her lips, as if she must consider it and is not already hopelessly in love with him enough to follow him to the edges of the universe.

"And your meddling parents cannot do anything about it." He continues for her.

Suddenly, she grabs his face, gently pulling it towards her own.

"Promise you will be the one to crown me Queen." She insists. When he nods, she presses her lips against his. His mouth is as hot as a brand dipped into the fires of hell and gods, does it set her on fire.

Moving her lips from his to kiss along her jaw, she mutters prayers against his skin as she travels to his neck. She kisses the spot where she will mark him, once, twice. Her eyes flit up to look into his and a smile blooms across her face.

Bite a god and earn a title. Have him bite you back, and earn your freedom.

As she envisions herself in all black, to match him, she sinks her teeth into the soft spot near his vein, deep enough to draw blood.

Her mouth stained red, she grabs the back of his neck to press her lips to his once again.