Ready was the wrong word. I was not ready. I would never be ready. But I would go. I would do my duty and forge the alliance my people needed because war was on the horizon. I would be strong, even when my insides felt as though they were about to fall out of my body.
If there was one thing I had learned over the course of my life, it was that while the romantic love of ballads did not exist, bravery certainly did. People were brave every day, even when they felt like their lives couldn’t go on.
Marius was brave when he woke up every morning, battling the mysterious illness that meant he couldn’t play or run like other children his age. The soldiers fighting at the border of Ipotha were brave. Just last week, there was an attack by Death Elves at a fort near the Ithenmyrian border. The soldiers held strong, but Ipotha had suffered heavy losses in keeping the Ithenmyrians out.
My country needed me to be brave. My sisters, their husbands, and their children needed me to do this. All the Fortune Elves the Council of Lords consulted agreed on one thing—a storm the likes of which they had never seen before was brewing in Ithenmyr. No one in the Four Kingdoms or the lands beyond was going to be able to avoid it. If my marriage would help keep people safe, then it was worth it.
Tonight, I would be brave.
Maybe in time, readiness would come.
“I asked you a question, mortal.” The blonde vampire interrupted my thoughts. “It’s time to go. Are you ready?”
Meeting her black gaze, I held my head up high. “My name is Luna, not ‘mortal’.”
The vampire laughed, and the sound was so similar to rocks grating against glass that it sent shivers down my spine.
“To me, you are a mortal.” Her voice was as hard as ice. “Nothing more, nothing less. Just a mere human. That is all.”
Turning to my father, she bowed. Her middle bent just enough to show she knew she was being insulting by not lowering herself any further. “Eleyta thanks you for the gift of your daughter’s hand in marriage.”
Papa’s hold on my arm tightened. His voice was rough as he replied, “All of Ipotha is grateful for this union.”
Everyone except for me.
Thank the gods, if the female vampire heard my thoughts, she didn’t react. I had enough sense not to say them out loud. The last thing I wanted to know was how those fangs felt in my neck.
The dark-skinned male sauntered up behind the vampire, tapping her on the shoulder. “Let’s go, Estrella,” he said, his voice a low timbre. “The moon is rising, and it’s time.”
“Finally.” A predatory smile danced on Estrella’s lips, her fangs glinting in the candlelight as she raised a brow. “Eleyta looks forward to many years of peace with Ipotha.”
My father nodded, placing his fist over his heart before bowing. “To peace and prosperity for both our countries.”
Estrella returned the gesture, an air of mockery still about her, and I frowned. If she was any indication, my time with the vampires would not be enjoyable.
Too soon, Papa rose from his bow and pulled me in for a hug. “Happy birthday, Lulu. I love you.” His lips brushed my cheek, and he whispered, “Make us proud.”
The moment the last word was out of his lips, sharp nails grabbed my arm. A yelp rose within me. Estrella’s talon-like nails scored into my forearms and she pulled me away from my father. My golden dress rustled as the vampire pressed me against her body. Her arm wrapped wrapped around mine like a band of iron as shadows swirled around her feet.
Everyone in the Great Hall froze. The only sound was that of my heart pounding in my chest.
“Time to go,” Estrella said, before cackling in my ear.
I met Papa’s gaze. “I love you!”
There was no reply before the shadows swallowed us whole.
* * *
Thick,inky blackness surrounded us on all sides.
I gasped, my eyes opening wide as my too-tight lungs struggled to breathe in the all-consuming darkness.
“Where are we?” I asked.
Estrella’s grip tightened on my arm, but she didn’t say anything.
Somehow, the darkness worsened. It became more imposing, pushing on me to the point of pain. My lungs squeezed and my heart raced as I tried to see anything at all. Why did it have to be so dark?