A heavy silence settled over the room. Valkyrie sat poised in her chair, her sharp gaze fixed on Diana, waiting for an answer. The question hung between them like a blade.Diana feigned confusion at first, her brows knitting together. Then she laughed lightly before she turned look at Valkyrie.Diana met her gaze without faltering, but there was a momentāa fleeting hesitationāthat Valkyrie didnāt miss. Then smoothly, Diana exhaled and said,"Azrael? Where did you hear that name?āValkyrie remains cold, watching her closely. Diana then shrugs it off. "Ah, you must mean Azrael Blackthorne, the Vampire Princess. Sheās well-known, but surely you donāt think Draven has anything to do with her? That would be ridiculous. A Lycan and a Vampire? Impossible.āDiana leans in as if sharing a secret. "Besides, if Draven had any secret connection to her, wouldnāt I have mentioned it? What reason would I have to hide it from you?āDiana holds Valkyrie's hands. "You are Draven's future, Valkyrie. He
Valerion sat upon his elevated throne, his presence commanding as ever, wine-red eyes sharp as he observed Seraphimās approach. He didn't stand, nor did he offer a warm greeting. Respect had to be earned in this court.Seraphim strode forward, his heavy fur-lined cape trailing behind him. When he reached the base of the dais, he bowedānot too deeply, just enough to acknowledge the Vampire Kingās authority without diminishing his own.āKing Valerion.ā His voice was smooth, confident, and carried easily through the vast ballroom. āIt is an honor to stand in your court.āValerion tilted his head slightly, observing him as though he were some rare specimen. āKing Seraphim. I trust your journey was comfortable?āāThe roads to your kingdom are well-kept. And your lands are as formidable as the tales say.ā Seraphimās lips curved ever so slightly. āThough I suspect the real spectacle of the evening awaits.āHis gaze slid past Valerion, settling upon Azrael.A deliberate pause.Azrael, dressed
The grand ballroom of Castle Blackthorne was alive with murmurs and music, the air thick with anticipation. Chandeliers of black iron and crimson crystals bathed the vast hall in an eerie glow, their flickering light casting elongated shadows across the polished obsidian floors. The scent of bloodwine and exotic spices curled through the air, mingling with the hushed conversations of the gathered nobility.Tonight was no ordinary gathering. Tonight, King Valerion had summoned the great houses of Blackthorne to witness a momentous occasionāone that had set the entire court abuzz with speculation.Azrael Blackthorne was to be given in marriage.And not to just anyone.To him, King Seraphim of Norrix.The name alone stirred whispers of admiration and fear.āI still canāt believe it,ā a noblewoman murmured behind the rim of her glass. āPrincess Azrael, bound to Seraphim of Norrix? What a union that will be.āāA brilliant match,ā her companion agreed. āNorrix is vast and powerful. Its land
The candlelight flickered, casting restless shadows against the stone walls of his chamber. Draven sat on the edge of his bed, one hand braced against his knee, the other clenched into a tight fist. His mind was in turmoil, a storm of emotions that refused to settle. His breath came heavier than it should, his pulse a steady drum of frustration.It had been days.Days since he had sent the letter.Days of silence.Azrael had not replied.Every time he closed his eyes, he saw her. Her piercing golden gaze, the way her lips would curve in disdain when she was scheming, the sharp wit in her voice. He could almost hear her calling him a fool, chastising him for putting himself in this situation.Is she angry with me?That thought gnawed at him more than anything else.Had she decided he wasnāt worth the trouble?He gritted his teeth, running a hand through his hair. No. Azrael wasnāt one to ignore something like this unlessāunless something was preventing her from responding. His gut twis
Azrael stood before the towering mirror, her golden eyes scanning the reflection staring back at her. The ball gown that adorned her body was exquisite. Black as the midnight sky, embroidered with delicate golden vines and crimson roses that trailed down its voluminous skirts. The fitted bodice cinched at her waist, emphasizing her regal stature. Yet despite the undeniable beauty of it, she felt nothing.Her blonde hair was gathered into an elaborate updo. Nestled within were small roses, their deep red petals standing out against her shining golden locks. A silent, cruel irony. A queen in thorns. A bride in chains.Her fingers drifted to her throat, grazing over her mother's choker that never left her skin. The deep red gemstone gleamed under the candlelight.Her jaw clenched.Tonight was the night. The ball where King Seraphim of Norrix would arrive, where her father would introduce her as his intended bride.Her fate, sealed in silk and roses.A queen, but not in her own right. A w
The air in Azraelās chambers was heavy, thick with the scent of burning candles and the faint metallic trace of dried blood from the half-finished goblet on her bedside table. The room, though grand and adorned with dark velvets and intricate silver embroidery, felt suffocating tonight.Azrael lay sprawled across her massive bed, her black silk robe pooling around her like liquid shadow. Beside her, Eva rested on her side, propping her head up with her hand. She had been listening in silence, but her bright blue eyes gleamed with curiosity as Azrael finally let out a sharp breath."Heās hosting a ball," Azrael muttered, breaking the silence. "And heās already given my hand in marriage to King Seraphim of Norrix."Eva blinked, then tilted her head. "Why do you sound so furious? This isnāt the first time a suitor has come your way."Azrael let out a bitter laugh, turning to face her friend fully. "Thatās exactly why this is different, Eva. Before, they came to me, asking for my hand. Th