Prologue
Adrielle
16 Years Old…
I’ve always wanted to know him. My betrothed’s twin brother. I see him sometimes, lurking around the manor. When he sees me, he turns away. As if he’s avoiding me. I have this strange pull to him; something deep inside of me needs to know him. I can’t be the only one who feels this lure, so why won’t he speak a word to me?
The nest’s leader, Arkane, says the wedding will happen after my betrothed’s and I’s twenty-fifth birthday. Then I’ll be turned into one of them. They’re hoping my magic will stay the same, if not more potent. My best friend, Levi, disagrees. He’s top in our class, at least with studiable academics. He hasn’t come into his magic yet, so at least I have that upper hand.
Someone knocks on my bedroom door, I sigh and holler at them to come in. Living in the manor hasn’t been that bad; Levi’s allowed to visit. Mom and Dad don’t show up often, but that’s to be expected. They never wanted me to become one of them. The door creaks open, and Levi’s blondish-brown head pops through the doorway. There’s a huge smirk plastered on his face when he sees me with a textbook. He’s the brains, I’m the brawn.
“Finally think you’ll pass the written exam?” He snickers as he shuffles into my room.
I stick my tongue out at him while he walks over and flops on my bed like a dead fish. “Finally think you’ll pass the practical exam?” I counter, and he cringes.
“Touché, you got me there. Magic isn’t flowing through these veins just yet.” He stretches his arms and looks at them with a somber chuckle. He doesn’t have that silver shimmer to his veins most witches and warlocks in his family have, and it’s been disappointing to his grandmother.
“Hey, what time is it?” I murmur as I fall back into my book.
“Four past noon, why?” Levi responds, tossing one of my stuffed animals in the air and catching it.
I drop my book and turn to him. “Four past noon?! You’re positive? Absolutely positive?” I rush out, my eyes flaring.
“Uh, yeah, I was just outside. Almost like the hallway outside your room has an open-concept.” Levi rolls his eyes, while I scramble to the closet. “Woah, woah, what’s the rush? I just got here!” He yells while I change out of the pajamas I was wearing.
“I was supposed to meet Aziel for lunch! At noon! Which means, I was supposed to be there half an hour ago!” I shout back as I put on a nice dress.
I quickly glance at the mirror, the dark red summer dress looks elegant, but simple. My hair is fine, my complexion is fine. I just need to slip on my shoes then I can leave. Levi sits on my bed as I dash to the door and offers me a sympathetic smile. I give him an apologetic look and quickly leave. I’m running to the dining hall, and by the time I get to the entrance, I’m out of breath. A servant sees me and chuckles under her breath, opening the door. I thank her before rushing into the room to find Aziel, my betrothed, tapping his foot on the floor. He looks toward the door as it opens, and his whole body relaxes. I make my way to him sheepishly and offer a small curtsey.
“Come on, Adrielle. I told you to stop with that.” He chuckles gently, rolling his eyes at me. “You never saw my mother curtsey to Arkane. If he made her, I’m sure she would’ve slapped him.” He laughs fondly, and I straighten out.
“Right, sorry, and I’m so sorry I’m late. I got caught up in studying, and I– I just lost track of time. It won’t happen again, I p–” He cuts me off with a hand over my mouth.
“Enough, Adrielle. It’s alright, I know you’re trying to pass the next written test. You don’t need to defend yourself, I was just worried I’d have to get you if you were any later.” He smiles at me, and my worries melt. Maybe I could get used to this.
His hand drops from my face, and I hug him tightly. I’ve known him forever, we’ve been set to be betrothed since I showed my magic potential. I’ve always been fond of him, admired him too, but I’ve never felt anything more than a platonic connection to him. Like Levi, I see him more as a confidant. A close friend and connection rather than a lover or a husband. It doesn’t stop him from trying, though. I’ve never offered more than a kiss on the cheek or a tight hug. He never asked or pushed for more, but I know he wants it. For himself or appeasement of his father, I’m not sure.
“I appreciate you inviting me to lunch, I know you don’t like eating human food much.” I laugh into his chest, he wraps his arms around me and kisses the top of my head.
“Some of your food doesn’t bother me, a rare steak is good every now and then. My body can still process it as of now. So, at least for now, we’ll have this. One of the small human things I can offer.” His voice is lower, sadder, as he talks. Something I’ve noticed more and more recently.
“And I thank you for it, it’s something simple, normal.” I smile at him after we separate, then we sit at the table without another word.
“Do you think, after we’ve married, Zayden will finally want to know me?” I ask as I pick at the fruit on my plate.
Aziel coughs and sets his fork down. “I’m surprised, has he even said ‘hello’ to you? I keep urging him to, but he refuses. I hope you two will grow closer before we marry.” I look up and meet his eyes, the bright blue holds honesty and empathy in every fleck.
I don’t respond, I just nod and shove a piece of fruit in my mouth. After lunch, I don’t think I have anything to do… besides study, but I could shove that aside for a little longer. I do know that Zayden likes to spend his time in the library, I know that much. Maybe today will be the day I finally get him to speak to me. I’ll corner him and make him talk to me. We’re family, he can’t ignore me that much longer.
“Adrielle?” Aziel tosses a piece of fruit at me to catch my attention. “Dreaming off into nothing again, are we?” He snorts, and I can’t help but laugh.
He’s easy to talk to, and it makes me feel horrible. I don’t love him like he loves me… and we’re set to marry. How could I possibly spend the rest of eternity with a man I don’t love?
“Yes, I suppose I am, Aziel. My apologies.” I chuckle and wipe my mouth with my napkin.
“No need to apologise, you never need to apologise to me. That, I promise.” He smiles at me, and tears almost brim my eyelids.
“Thank you, Aziel, and thank you for meeting me for lunch. I must excuse myself, though. If I don’t pass this next exam… I don’t know what my parents might do to me.” I chuckle as I stand from my chair.
“I understand, Adrielle. I wish you luck with your studies. Thank you for enjoying a meal with me.” He stands from his own chair, his wine glass filled with blood remains untouched.
We share other pleasantries, and I leave quickly. I’ll find Zayden in the library, corner him, and make him talk. He has no reason to hate me, so how much harm could it be? Albeit, cornering a vampire in his home isn’t the best course of action, but I’ll make do.
As I march down the halls, the manor seems to breathe as if it’s alive. The creaking of the floorboards make a lovely harmony with a breeze that causes the chains on the chandeliers to rattle. I can feel the old life of the home, they’re distant… but still around. It seems they are afraid of something, maybe Arkane. He’s known to despise the spirits. Claiming they’re not “natural”. He’s one to talk, he was created from death itself. If anything’s unnatural, it’s him.
Finally, after dozens of turns, I reach the library. I open the doors as gently as I can and pop my head into the room, scanning for white hair. There, I see him. He’s sitting on the bay window reading, he looks so casual. There isn’t a hint of that glare he always throws my way. I know he heard the doors open, so why hasn’t he looked this way? Perhaps he’s expecting a servant, not many come into the library at midday. I walk further into the room and shut the doors behind , and I lock them with a bit of magic. I quietly walk to the furthest wall, out of his line of sight. Maybe I could sneak up on him and trap him.
“I hear you, y’know. You aren’t very sneaky.” He rumbles from the bay window without looking up from his book. Maybe he still thinks I’m a servant. “Attempting to sneak up on a vampire never ends well, Adrielle.”
“I was just coming for a book, no need to be so hostile, Zayden.” I feign irritance in hopes he’ll continue badgering me.
“Oh, please, Adrielle. You’ve been trying to corner me since you arrived. Which, again, cornering a vampire isn’t a good idea. Though you knew this. Didn’t you?” His voice lowers, and my breath catches in my throat.
“Fine, you’ve caught me, but it isn’t my fault this is the only way I’ve been able to get you to utter a word to me. We’ll be family, so maybe you should be a little nicer.” I snap at him and roll my eyes.
Next thing I know, his hand’s wrapped around my throat, and his gaze burrows into my eyes. My heart pounds in my chest, and I swallow slowly, hoping to calm my pulse. Maybe this wasn’t such a grand idea after all.
Please, don’t kill me.
“I hear your heartbeat, everyone in this manor hears your heartbeat. My brother, my father, all of the servants… we all hear the blood pumping in your veins. It kills them all, knowing there’s a human in the halls, and they can’t kill it.” He murmurs while his eyes travel down to my jugular.
“And you, Zayden?” I ask, getting his focus back on my face.
“Hmm?” He hums, his thumb rubbing my neck.
“You said ‘them’. What about you, Zayden? What does my pulse do to you?” I urge, even though this could end with my blood staining his hands.
“It kills me that you’re betrothed to my brother, Adrielle. We’ll never be family, and the day you’re turned will be one of tragedy.” He murmurs, and finally, his voice has no hint of malice.
“What are you talking about?” I stutter, and my hands shake. This is the most fear I’ve ever felt in this home.
“You should run far away from here. Maybe they’ll find you, maybe they won’t. Maybe I’ll find you, and that, my dear Adrielle, would be your best chance of survival.” The fierceness in his eyes surprised me, and I feel my chest pumping harder, but I don’t know why.
“Why, Zayden? Why should I run? I don’t understand.” I push against his hand, but he forces me back against the bookshelf.
“Because, Adrielle. You should’ve been mine, and the sheer fact that you’re betrothed to my brother makes me want to kill him. So run, run far away from here. When you get a chance to leave, take it. Before you’re turned.” He growls at me, literally growls at me, before releasing me, then leaving the library… through the window.
I stand there, my own hand around my throat, and I take a moment to breathe.
You should’ve been mine. His words ring loud in my head. Does Aziel know this? Arkane surely does. What games is the Grand Royal playing, and why am I the pawn?
