Chapter - 1

NINA

I watch the sun set on the horizon, mesmerized by the warm colors painting the sky. Today is my last day in my small village. Tomorrow, I’ll leave for Morbovia—the kingdom of vampires. I sigh, trying to empty my mind and see the bright side of the situation, but there isn’t one. I’m being given to the vampires like a lamb to the slaughter.

Even while still in my mother’s womb, I was promised as a feeding mate to Eros, the crown prince. My parents saved my life only to give me a fate that might be even worse. I have no hope of ever coming back from that place, no matter how much my mother believes otherwise.

“So this is where you’ve been hiding!” I hear my mother’s voice, and moments later, her arms wrap tightly around my neck.

“My wings, Mother, please don’t squeeze me,” I beg, feeling them crushed in her embrace. They’re a daily reminder that I’m alive thanks to the vampires, since my feathers are red as blood because of the potion the witch made.

I was dying, and only the blood of a born vampire could save me. I can only imagine how hard that choice must have been for my father—to hand me over to the vampires once I turned eighteen, knowing my fate was to feed the prince during his transition into adulthood, or to watch my mother die with me still in her womb. A cruel choice, both options full of pain and consequences. But my father chose the witch’s potion and went to Morbovia to ask the king for permission to take the blood of a born vampire. The king, of course, agreed—at a price: me.

I am a hybrid—half fae, half Aerwin, a shapeshifting race that can transform into birds. Because of that, I can heal faster. The king decided that, due to my lineage, I’d be stronger and capable of withstanding the task of feeding Eros. A prince I’ve never seen and, truthfully, never wanted to.

The transition, as far as I know, is painful for born vampires. They must feed on fresh blood for a time until their strength grows and they become adults—usually around twenty-five or thirty years old, when their full power finally runs through their veins.

My role is simple: to offer my blood and let Eros feed on me until he’s satisfied, while I pray to the Goddess that he doesn’t drain me dry and end my existence.

“I’m sorry, dear, but come on. I baked a chestnut cake for you.” She smiles, though I can see the sadness in her eyes.

“Sit here with me. Let’s watch the sunset,” I ask, and she sits down beside me, holding my hand.

“Sweetheart, everything will be fine. You’re strong, and when all this is over, you’ll come back home.” She smiles toward the horizon, and I smile too.

“I’ll be back soon, Mother. By the Goddess, don’t make me cry.” She hugs me and strokes my hair.

“You’re my treasure, Nina. My precious daughter.”

“If you keep talking like that, it won’t help,” I say, trying to sound strong.

“I’m so sorry you have to go through this. I didn’t want to, I…” Before she can start crying and saying how she regrets agreeing to my father’s decision, I hug her tightly, brushing my crimson wings against her delicate, translucent fae ones. Like a dragonfly’s—so different from mine.

I shouldn’t even have visible Aerwin wings. In fact, I can’t transform into a bird like my father and brothers. I believe the potion brought out that part of me while suppressing my shapeshifting ability.

“It’s all right, Mother, don’t worry.” She wipes her face and smiles, holding back her tears.

“Let’s go before your brothers eat everything.”

I get up quickly, and she smiles. I have two younger brothers who would eat the walls of the house if they could.

“Then let’s go,” I say, helping her to her feet.