Chapter - 3

NINA

As soon as I reach the top of the staircase where they await me, I am greeted with total silence. King Vlademir Duskmire’s red eyes pierce my soul, while his wife and children remain motionless at his side. I feel like I’m being evaluated, as if they’re searching me for some flaw.

I cross my wings one over the other, showing that I’m there to serve, and lower my head like a good servant, since that’s what I came for.

I hear a low laugh, almost a whisper, but with my keen hearing I can catch it. The king approaches me, takes my hand, and with the other lifts my chin to look into his eyes.

“Welcome, Nina.” He smiles, a wide smile that reveals his canines. “Eros has been waiting for you for a long time; I hope you’re sweet and tasty, as beautiful as you are.” My legs tremble at his words. I remain silent, and the queen approaches me, eyeing my wings.

“Beautiful as blood.” She smiles. “May I touch?” she asks, and I nod yes.

The queen gently touches my feathers; I stay silent. I glance sideways, seeing the king’s sons; their red eyes stare at me.

“These are my youngest sons. Eros is over there; he just arrived,” the king says, turning my face toward one of the castle’s columns.

Leaning against the column, I see him. I can’t hold back a sigh of fear, but also because of his beauty. His red eyes fix on me intently, medium-length black hair falling over part of his face, black clothes like the night against his pale skin. Beautiful, extremely beautiful and deadly.

“Come meet her,” the king calls him, and my heart races.

I feel his gaze on me, so fixed and absorbed that it seems to be inside my soul.

“Your heart is racing, female. I can hear the flow of your blood from here,” Eros says, and now I understand why everyone was staring at me so intently. They were paying attention to my blood.

“It’s enough to make you hungry just hearing it,” one of his brothers says, and I shrink back, trying to control my heartbeat. If they decide to devour me, I won’t last the day.

While the royal family watches me with hungry gazes, I gather all my courage to face my fate. I won’t be just another victim heading straight to certain death—no. I will fight for my freedom, do what I was assigned to do, and leave here with my head held high.

“Don’t be afraid, my dear.” King Vlademir’s voice booms like thunder, echoing down the staircase. “You were chosen for a great destiny.” He smiles, showing his sharp canines. No matter how hard I try, I can’t look away from them. “You should feel honored.”

Honored to have someone latched onto my neck, sucking my blood? No, I don’t feel that way. I turn my gaze to Eros; he looks at me with indifference, as if I were an insignificant fly. A shiver runs through my body, and it’s not from the cold. It’s fear and something more. Something I can’t understand. Something that draws me to him, like a magnet. I try to resist, but it’s useless. I’m hypnotized by those red eyes that promise pain. I’m surrendered to my fate.

Eros extends his hand, calling me without a word. The king releases me, and in slow steps, I walk toward him. My heart beats so hard it hurts; I see his smile as he hears my heartbeat. A cruel and thirsty smile.

I stop and take a step back before taking his hand. Maybe it’s madness—I can’t challenge him, I know that—but the way he’s looking at me causes so many strange things inside my body.

“I won’t be just a source of food for you, Prince. I won’t be your prey.” He smiles, showing his canines, and approaches me, sniffing the air. Silence falls among the royal family, who watch us with surprised looks. I know my courage might lead me to death faster, but I can’t hold back what’s stuck in my throat.

“You’re not prey, half-breed female. Prey has to be hunted, and you were promised to me from the day you were born. You have only one purpose.” He wets his lips as if eager. “To be mine, only mine, for as long as I desire it to be so.”

His voice sends chills through me. He grabs my arm, squeezing hard, leaving red marks from his fingers on my exposed skin.

“Ow! You’re hurting me!” I try to pull my arm away, but he lets go, now holding it politely, as if what I said meant nothing.

“So fragile!” he whispers near my ear, keeping his smile. Then he guides me inside the castle. I turn my face and look at the horizon, seeing the weak sun among the trees.

Maybe this is the last time I’ll see the sun—not the cold sun of Morbóvia, but the warm sun of my home.