She inhaled sharply as her eyes met mine through the veil. “My name’s Luna,” she whispered, leaning in as if I couldn’t hear even the faintest whisper of her slippers against the stone.
A cruel chuckle came from the gathered crowd.
“We know who you are,” a vampire called out.
Another whistled suggestively.
Luna flushed, pulling back from me. “Oh, I…”
Flustered, she ran her fingers down the length of her golden gown, straightening out invisible wrinkles. Beneath the dark veil, her mouth twisted into a frown. I wanted to reach out and rub it off her face. Someone so beautiful should never have been made to feel so sad.
My heart twisted, the stab of emotion taking me by surprise. It had been decades since I felt anything close to human feelings. But here, with this female standing in front of me, pity filled my heart. We pulled her away from her family. Her home. Her friends. They were all gone.
It didn’t seem like kindness was too much to ask for.
I smiled… or at least; I tried to. From the way she gulped and inched away from me, I might have flashed her my fangs by mistake.
Slamming my mouth shut and taking care to hide my fangs, I whispered, “My name is Sebastian, but you can call me Bastian. Most people do.”
Except for the queen, but this was not the time to point that out.
Luna took a step closer, and her scent of golden wheat and sunlight filled me. It was so strong and pleasant that it took everything I had to concentrate.
“Well, Sebastian,” Luna said slowly, her veil rustling as she tilted up her head. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Her hands twisted in front of her, drawing my attention. Tendrils of dark brown hair escaped her elaborate updo, framing her face. Before I could do something really stupid, like reach out and tuck one of those tendrils behind her ear, a tingle ran down my spine. The shadows within me shifted, warning me of someone’s arrival.
Sure enough, moments later, black shadows swirled around the queen’s throne. They cleared, revealing Mother as she reclined on the obsidian seat. One hand tapped the armrest, while the other rubbed her ruby.
Beside me, Luna stiffened.
Mother’s powerful voice echoed through the throne room, ringing with raw strength. “Lords and ladies of Eleyta. Sons and daughters of Isvana and Ithiar. Many of you have long speculated when my son would finally claim a bride. For decades, he has been a free spirit, enjoying the finest blood the Four Kingdoms have to offer.”
A chorus of chuckles came from the assembled vampires. I scowled, flashing my fangs at the crowd. Ihatedbeing their entertainment. But I had my orders, so here I was.
Laughing softly, Mother raised a hand. The chuckles stopped instantly. “Tonight’s union will not only provide my son with a wife, but it will benefit both Eleyta and Ipotha. I have worked diligently to forge a powerful alliance that will provide for us all, protecting us from the coming darkness.”
Mother continued to speak, and I glanced at Luna. My mortal bride’s throat bobbed, and she shifted from one foot to the other. Her heart continued to race in her chest, and the scent of fear grew stronger.
I wanted to reach over and tell her it would be all right. That her fears were for naught. Unfortunately, I couldn’t. I could be kind to her… but what was kindness in a castle filled with killers?
A lie.
Coming to the end of her speech, Mother waved a hand and cleared her throat. “It is time.”
A rustling of fabric came from behind us, and the priest stepped forward. One of Ithiar’s Chosen, Ciro was an ancient elf who had served the queen for centuries. Even when I was first Made, he was old. Now, he looked like he was moments away from Fading. Ciro’s white garments flowed around him as he stepped forward, and ancient lines covered his face and hands. He was bald, his shorn head showing off his pointed ears.
Ciro extended his hands, and his ancient voice echoed through the large hall. “Please kneel.”
Beside me, Luna stared at the priest. Her hands shook and her mouth moved silently beneath her veil. Seconds passed, and the air thickened in the throne room as the scent of fear grew even stronger.
Vampires whispered, their voices low as they mocked my soon-to-be wife. I noted every single one. They would not get away with this. Luna might have been human, but she was about to be my wife.
Taking pity on the frightened female, I reached over and grasped a corner of her sleeve, tugging gently. She looked up at me, those brown eyes widening beneath the veil. I tilted my head, gesturing towards the priest.
“Oh,” she whispered. “He means us.”
I almost chuckled.Almost. “He does.”