Mag-log inEROSI’ve waited for this day for so long, and when it finally arrived, I couldn’t have imagined how it would feel. I was taking part in the coming-of-age ritual with my mate—something that had never happened before with an adult male. Because of that, the ceremony would be doubled.I knew I had to honor the traditions for claiming my mate. And hers would take place today, right here. One single ceremony to strengthen our bond even further. I only hoped the shadow maids had explained Nina’s part to her. The last thing I wanted was for her to be frightened—not now, when we were finally starting to get along so well.Even I couldn’t have pictured this. We get along, despite the occasional little spats. She’s an incredible female. In these past days, beyond mating in the bedroom, I took her to the cave and to the lake. That’s how it went—I’d carry us there with my power, and when we were done, I’d bring us back. I loved this ability of mine, and I loved knowing she enjoyed it too.After
NINAI step out of the bathroom already dressed, my hair adorned with ornaments. Some of them are red, resembling my own feathers, and a golden necklace with a pendulum pendant completes the look.The moment my eyes land on the bedroom, I see Eros. Dressed in black as always, but wearing a cape that nearly brushes the floor, his hair perfectly combed, and two rings glinting on one hand. He approaches me with slow steps, takes my palm gently, and kisses it lingeringly before lifting his gaze to mine—a look that makes me sigh softly.“You’re perfect, my mate.”“You look perfect too,” I reply, watching the smile curve his lips.“Come. The celebration awaits us.”“Let’s go.”We leave the room slowly. His face is serious, as if nothing could ever unsettle him, one hand resting delicately on my hip. My heart pounds with anticipation. Once again in that grand hall, surrounded by all the vampires.***As soon as the hall doors swing open, I catch the flurry of movement inside. Just like befor
NINAIt had been two weeks locked away in the bedroom, and just as he’d promised, he did it. We spent nearly the entire day joined to each other, and with every time, I felt myself changing—growing closer, as if he had become a part of me.Shabat and Iamem would come quickly to bring a meal, and as soon as I finished eating, Eros would feed from me while we mated. It turned into an endless cycle.Right now, I’m in the bath. The two shadow maids are washing me gently, even scattering flower petals across the water. I know a celebration is waiting for us outside. We’re heading straight to the Blood Crown festival—the one Eros has been so eager for, where he’ll be officially declared to have reached full maturity.I know I’ll be bitten in front of everyone, and I still feel a chill in my stomach, but it’s an eager kind of chill. I no longer have any fear of him.“You look radiant, my lady. Happiness glows from your skin,” Iamem says as she rubs the petals along my legs, letting the light
EROSPetulant…That’s exactly what Adrian is. A petulant idiot whose neck I almost snapped from sheer rage. Not only did he barge into my room without permission, but he addressed my female—my mate—as if I wasn’t standing right there.If it hadn’t been for Nina, I would have killed him. No mercy. Everyone knows you don’t approach a newly mated pair, and he did exactly that. He violated our space, and it filled me with fury.I hadn’t wanted to reveal my full maturity to them—not like this. I wanted to show my father first, but it didn’t go as planned. Damn it, it didn’t.I completely lost my head when I saw him enter and call Nina by her name, like she was just any female in our kingdom. And this excessive concern of his for her is starting to piss me off. I don’t want to think he has any kind of feelings or emotional attachment to her, because if he does, I won’t hesitate—I’ll rip his head off and dismember him slowly.I stride toward my bed with that thought in mind, carrying my mate
ADRIAN“Hell, damned hell. I can’t believe he chose her and that the transition happened so fast.”I curse in my thoughts as I stride firmly to my room. The moment I enter, I slam the door, unable to believe my cousin did this—unable to believe he chose her as his mate in so little time.I thought Eros would never choose her. I thought he’d tire of her quickly and discard her, like he always did with every female who served him. But no—not her. He had to choose her as his mate.“AHHHH!” I yell at the walls, pulling at my hair. I know I can’t have her. I can’t even try for a chance with her. I can’t even get close anymore—it’s too risky. If he catches my scent and sees me as a threat, it could cost me my life.I should have acted sooner, when he still showed nothing but hatred for Nina. But how could I guess that hatred would turn around in just days? I never would have imagined it. After all, Eros couldn’t stand her—while I wanted her the moment I saw her.“Adrian, are you insane, lit
NINAI’m hurt by what my father said. I always knew that promising me to the vampires tormented him. I caught him many times praying to the Goddess for another path. Deep down, my father blames himself for the fate he set for me. I think for him, hearing that I’d become Eros’s mate was almost like sentencing me to death.I know. I understand. But I also need time to sort out everything inside me. Especially what I’m starting to feel for my husband. It’s strange to admit, but yes—I’m beginning to feel something for Eros. I don’t know if it’s because of the mate bond, but I feel good having him with me.The moment our bedroom door opens, I see Eros’s calm, serene face twist into rage in an instant. I turn and spot Adrian bursting in, stopping dead with his eyes fixed on me.“Nina, are you okay? I was worried when you disappeared,” he says quickly. I can genuinely hear the concern in his voice.“Adrian.” I hear Marian call him from the doorway. “Get out of there,” she says, her tone worr







