Chapter seven

Viola with no other option took the first step, and just then the dragon moved, preventing any attempt at escape. A knot formed in her stomach, and as she crossed the portal, her head began to spin. She closed her eyes, feeling the sound of the wind and the ocean waves disappear behind her. When she finally opened them, she found herself on a gigantic castle balcony, where the cold wind played with her hair and dress. The moon shone brightly, illuminating the entire place.

"You did well, Viola," he said, releasing her from his grip. "Welcome to the kingdom of Nightmore."

Viola looked around in astonishment, unable to process what was happening. She had just stepped through a circle into a kingdom far removed from Blue Moon.

Instantly, another portal opened, and with it, Rosie and the dragon appeared.

Rosie immediately looked at Lucian.

"We must go to the throne room."

"Come. Let me introduce you to the staff," Lucian said, ignoring Rosie. He opened another portal that led them straight to the castle entrance.

As Viola stepped through the door, she felt a knot in her stomach.

The main entrance doors stood wide open. On the stone steps, lined up in two rows, waited the household staff. There were older women in gray aprons, young girls, cooks, and gardeners. Not a single male.

"She will soon be the Queen of Nightmore," Lucian announced. He didn't raise his voice, but the echo of his words bounced off the high walls. "Queen Viola."

Both rows bowed their heads slightly at the same time. They were genuinely surprised. This was the first bride that had ever made it this far to be called the Lycan king's queen.

"From today on," Lucian continued, "any order that comes from her lips will have exactly the same value as an order from me. If I'm not here, she'll be the one making the decisions in the pack and in this household. She'll be respected, she'll be cared for, and anyone who thinks that's a problem can leave right now."

"Yes, your highness," they all replied in unison.

Viola froze. Her eyes felt red and her pulse was racing. In all her life, no one had ever introduced her like that. No one had ever demanded respect for her; on the contrary, she had always been the interchangeable piece, the one discarded by the family. The extra daughter.

And now, hearing that man impose his authority to protect her caused a suffocating lump in her throat.

It was even more surprising—the act the Lycan king was putting on. Suddenly being nice to her? To keep her tamed? Viola scoffed internally.

She would make sure he'd be begging her to get out of his pack by the next full moon.

Lucian must have noticed the stiffness in her body or the trembling of her shoulders. Without turning completely, he tilted his head toward her.

"Do you want to say something to them?" he asked, giving her space to decide.

Viola bit her lips. She felt the urge to run, but it was as if she were now controlled by an external force. Like the knowing gaze of Lucian had bewitched her to do exactly as he said.

"Hi... guys. Um, I mean, thank you," she managed to say, her voice barely a whisper. She'd become so shy and felt a little embarrassed at her awkward greeting.

She glanced up for a second, meeting the eyes of one of the older employees, then looked down again. "I hope we can all get along."

She forced a small smile, a nervous grimace that was meant to be friendly but only reflected how uncomfortable she was.

The atmosphere seemed to lighten suddenly. A couple of the young women in the front row exchanged a glance and smiled back, with a warmth Viola hadn't expected.

One of the housekeepers, a woman with a firm stride, gestured for her to follow. Viola walked briskly, the train of her dress trailing down the grand spiral staircase, eager to disappear from Lucian's sight.

Downstairs, as soon as the echo of their footsteps faded from the upper floor, the employees spoke in whispers.

"The rumors said something else..."

"People on the pack's forum were saying that she was an unbearable viper."

"They said she was an ugly duckling with eyes the same size as a wolf's."

"Did you look into her eyes?"

"I wouldn't dare. I don't plan to be cursed to death like she did her sister."

"She even thanked us. Was she planning to feed on us all later?"

The oldest employee in the house, a woman with a face etched with wrinkles who had seen five generations of the royal family come and go, interrupted the whispering with a stern look.

"Whatever her story is, I think that girl has cried more than she's going to admit. So make sure she feels at home here," old Madam Kathy said.

The others nodded and dispersed to their places.