The carriage came to a stop, the clatter of hooves dying down. I stared out at the building that loomed before me. We were here for what was called the ladies' Gathering.
At lady Maren's estate.
The windows glowed with soft light. The grand hall rose like a black jewel in the night, cold and polished. Tall columns lined the entrance, silver-tipped. The doors stood open, as if daring me to step inside.
Arenia didn't move.
"You will manage," she said, "Do not embarrass me." her tone was clipped. Then the carriage door opened, and I had no choice but to step out.
The night air was cool on my skin. I smoothed the skirt of my gown, felt the stiffness of the bodice. Arenia's doing. Every stitch, every curl of my hair, was perfect because she'd insisted. But I felt no comfort in the perfection. Only the weight of it.
A servant at the door bowed low, and I entered.
The grand salon swallowed me whole.
The floor was black marble, polished so bright it reflected everything: chandeliers, blood-red drapes, the clusters of titled vampire women scattered across the room.
Silver glinted everywhere. It felt like walking into a jewel box designed not to delight, but to crush.
Their laughter stopped.
Every eye turned to me.
They watched as I crossed the threshold. Their faces were still polite. Smiling, even. But their eyes were sharp.
Their attention was heavy on my body.
My heart beat hard against my ribs, but I kept my steps slow. Even. My chin lifted. I had to look like I belonged, even if every part of me screamed that I didn't.
And then she appeared.
Lady Maren.
She moved through the crowd like water, her silver gown rippling with every step. The diamonds at her throat caught the light, casting little stars on the walls. Her smile was warm, perfect. Her eyes were not.
They were ice.
"Ah," she said, voice soft and rich, "welcome the prince's betrothed."
She said it like it was something amusing.
I stopped. Managed a polite nod. "Lady Maren."
Her smile widened. She took my arm gently. Her fingers were cool, but her grip was firm. There would be no refusal.
"Come, my dear," she said. "We mustn't keep the ladies waiting."
The circle she led me to was the heart of the room. powerful women stood there draped in dark velvet and shimmering silk, their fans fluttering like wings. They turned as one to face me.
"We are so fortunate," Maren announced, "to welcome our future princess. Untrained. Untested. But I'm sure… eager to learn."
A soft ripple of laughter.
I felt the heat in my cheeks but forced myself to smile. To nod.
The questions began at once.
"Where exactly were you raised, dear?" one woman asked, tilting her head, her eyes glinting behind the lace of her fan.
" I heard you were left in the forest to wander" one replied, eyeing me up and down.
"So far from court, I'm told," another added, voice syrupy sweet. "What strange customs you must have seen."
"And what do you think of our court's traditions?" a third chimed in, smile thin as a blade.
"How fortunate the prince was, to be saved by you," someone else said. "Such bravery. Such… timing."
Their voices were soft, kind. Their words were knives.
I kept my voice steady.
"I was raised far from court," I said, folding my hands. "I'm still learning, but I find your traditions… fascinating."
A small murmur. Some approving. Some amused.
"And saving the prince," I added lightly. "I only did what anyone… any one of you would have done in the moment."
More murmurs.
The pressure was crushing. Every word felt like walking a tightrope. Arenia was nowhere near, deep in quiet conversation with some woman far across the room. I was alone.
The smiles never faltered. But the air felt thin. My heart raced beneath my calm mask.
Time passed and I began to feel I was doing well.
Then Maren lifted a goblet from a tray held by a servant.
"Please," she said, her voice soft as silk. "A rare vintage. The best in my collection. You must try it."
She handed it to me herself.
The liquid inside was dark as night. Thick. Almost black. The scent of it hit me strong vampire blood. Pure. Not the mix usually served.
A test.
I froze for just a second. The weight of their eyes pressed down. How could I drink this?
If I didn't it would be very suspicious.
I lifted the goblet. My fingers trembled slightly.
I brought it to my lips.
The taste hit me like fire. Like ash. My throat burned.
I couldn't help it. I pulled back. The liquid spilled from my mouth before I could stop it. It splashed on the marble floor, dark red against black.
I wonder what I must have looked like, very undignified , Arenia would be mad
The room went silent.
Maren laughed first. A soft, musical sound that sent chills through me.
"Oh sorry darling, sometimes I forget the brew is just too strong for some." She said even as she took a gulp from the same cup I had tasted from.
Her eyes gleamed with victory.
The other women's fans hid their smiles, but I could see it in their eyes.
I felt the fury rise inside me. Magic sparked beneath my skin. My pulse roared in my ears. I could end this room. I could burn them all.
No.
I clenched my hands. Forced the magic down. Locked it deep where it couldn't escape.
Maren's gaze lingered on me. Like she saw everything. But she said nothing more.
The rest of the gathering passed in a haze. The women spoke of gowns, jewels, alliances. I answered when I had to. Smiled when I must.
But I burned inside.
Finally, it was over.
I turned to leave. My head was high, though my heart raced.
A servant brushed past me, almost knocking me sideways and slipped something into my hand.
I waited until I was alone. Outside the door. My hands were shaking.
I opened it.
Fine paper. Elegant script.
"You have enemies powerful like Lady Maren. The Blood Moon will expose more than you know. Be careful."
No name. No clue.
I folded it
. Hid it in my sleeve.
The carriage waited. Arenia inside, her face unreadable.
I climbed in. The door shut. The estate vanished behind us.
And I knew this was only the beginning.