MasukRUBY POV I just stood there, completely dumbfounded.“You’re just like your mom,” she said. “Nothing more than a coward who married a human thinking everything was going to end up well… like some fairytale. But look at her. She met her death at the hands of a human.And vampires? They’re no different. Evil. Greedy. Stupid. Way more stupid than humans.”Zyren was already losing it. You could see it in the way his shoulders locked up, the way his hands kept curling into fists.“Then why the fuck are you here?” he yelled. “You manipulated my father and you think that’s going to work on me? You lied. No freaking way. Just get the hell out of here and leave us alone.”She didn’t even flinch. She just kept walking closer to me.“You think getting married to him will spare you the suffering? You must be a child if you think that way. Vampires are the most cunning creatures on earth.Why don’t you come with me? Join me. You can take revenge on the ones who made you suffer… the ones who kille
RUBY POVThere was a woman in her late thirties, wearing the same veiled hat as the one I'd seen earlier. Who is she? How did she know my name? And why did Andrew suddenly look like a boy caught doing something he shouldn't have?I didn't know what to say or how to react to hearing her say my name so easily, but something told me to choose my words carefully. She didn't look ordinary. I didn't need a soothsayer or a seer to tell me her intentions toward me weren't good."Ruby," she said, voice smooth, almost amused. "You look surprised to hear me call you by name, even though we've never met before today."I said nothing. Andrew, surprisingly, said nothing either — didn't step in, didn't try to stop whatever this was from happening."Your aura." She tilted her head beneath the veil. "Not human. Not vampire. Then what, exactly, are you?"She moved closer, the brim of her hat still shadowing her face completely, and reached for my hands. The moment her fingers touched mine, something sh
RUBY POVI was helping prepare for the marriage ceremony when Isolde , one of the slaves, called me into her room."So. You. Tell me more about yourself — how did you end up so fucked up that you landed in Zyren's arms?""Miss, nothing about me is really important," I said, and turned to leave."And who do you think you are, walking out on me? Huh? A princess? Someone from the royal family or what?""I'm sorry, Miss Isolde," I said, bowing slightly."Well, I'm sure you're aware that by noon, me and your master will tie the knot. After that, you'll have no place here — not you, not that stupid family of yours.""Yes, I know, miss," I replied."Nah. You should correct yourself better. I am your master's wife, and very soon, I'll be queen of all vampires." She smiled, clearly pleased with herself."Yes, I know, my queen," I said."Good girl." She looked me over. "So tell me — how did you end up here, and what exactly did you do to make Zyren so glued to you?""I did nothing to Zy— to my
RUBY Three days have passed in a blur, and we've all been busy preparing for Zyren's marriage to Isolde. Though I've had days where I cried, I keep hoping everything goes the way Zyren planned. Cecilia is still locked up in her cell, and her mother hasn't done much either — just quiet and silent in the wing they put her in.Isabella and Ana's master brought them along, and strange faces have been coming in and out of the estate ever since. Zyren's parents haven't set foot in the estate or his private wing, and I'm sure it's because they don't care who he marries — all they want is the vampire throne, the title of Lord. Andrew came two days ago, but he didn't stay long. Just his usual shenanigans, bragging about how he's going to make me his, whether I want him or not.I don't know what to think about me and Zyren anymore. I trust his decisions, whatever plan he has for us. But what if it backfires? What if they actually get married for real? Then I'd have no reason to stay by his sid
“Huh, hey.I called Joel. Hey, are you sure you’re fine ? He studied me for a long moment before speaking. "I'm glad you found your fated mate. Truly. But do you think your father — the elders — are just going to let this slide? Marrying a human instead of a noble vampire could seriously damage your standing for the Lord title." He paused, letting that sink in. "I know you understand what that means. The only reason none of this has escalated faster is because of your blood — pureblood, and not just any pureblood. A bloodline the vampire world hasn't seen in centuries. That's the only leverage keeping the wolves back right now." He crossed his arms. "Marrying her only slows you down further. Gives every rival watching — your father, your brother, Isolde's father, and plenty of others you don't even know exist yet — exactly the opening they've been waiting for." "I know," I said quietly. "But I never wanted the title. Not from the beginning." I looked away, out toward the window.
ZYREN…I left the den without giving Isolde an answer, her offer trailing after me like smoke I couldn't quite shake off. Marry me. The nerve of it, even now, even from behind bars, still trying to bargain her way into a life I'd never wanted her in.I was halfway down the hall when Kai came jogging toward me, and one look at his face told me everything had changed."Boss — it's Ruby. She's awake."I didn't remember moving. One second I was standing in the corridor, the next I was pushing through the door to her room, chest tight with something too big to name — relief and fear tangled together so completely I couldn't tell where one ended and the other began.She was sitting up, propped against a mountain of pillows, pale but awake, her eyes finding mine the moment I stepped inside. Joel was hovering near the window, and the doctor stood at the foot of the bed, quietly packing away his instruments like he'd been waiting for this exact moment to make his exit."Zyren," she breathed.I







