Chapter 3: Visions of Fire
SERAPHINA
My father turned to glare at me, eyes throwing daggers—a look he hardly ever used on me—before his face went back to that cold mask he always wore.
"Adrian will be here."
He said instead of answering me. Of course. He always avoided talking about the man he'd turned into a monster.
"Adrian..." I whispered, remembering what had just happened in his chambers.
"I can't marry Adrian."
The words came out before I could stop them.
My father turned to stare at me like I'd grown two heads. His eyes scanned my face, saw I was serious, and then he huffed and went back to watching the disgusting show in front of him.
"You sound insane, Seraphina. You wake up one morning and decide you won't marry the prince we made a deal with? The marriage that's been planned since you turned twenty-one? I think you're on your period."
He snarled, and I flinched.
I knew he'd say something like that.
"He's planning treason. The second he marries me and takes over as alpha, he's going to kill Draven Gravestone, then kill you, and take control of our dragons."
I said it fast, hoping he'd actually listen for once in his life.
But my father just turned to stare at me with those cold silver eyes.
The door opened. Adrian walked in.
His eyes found mine immediately, and he smiled. That fake, perfect smile as he walked toward us and bowed to my father. But his eyes met mine while he bowed, and I saw the smirk there.
I wanted to scream.
My father was too proud to see it. He didn't believe anyone could plan a coup against him. He believed his dragons made him untouchable.
"Adrian... my son. You may rise."
My father said, and Adrian stood.
I hadn't noticed, but the alphas of Silver Crest, Homebridge, Iron Fangs, and even three vampire lords had moved closer, listening to every word.
"Adrian... my daughter just told me you're planning to take over my kingdom the moment you marry her. And that you want to kill Draven. I like that last part. But I want to know if the first part is true."
My father said it loud enough for everyone to hear.
I almost slapped my hand over my face. How could he trust Adrian over me?
Adrian's smile looked genuine to everyone else. But I knew it was a smirk.
"How could I—a simple prince—plan something like that? That's treason. My marriage to your daughter isn't just duty. I need to protect every pack member, mine and beyond, so we can kill our common enemy. Alpha King, I would never plan anything against you. The only thing I want is to see Draven Gravestone's head in the center of this court, his blood everywhere, his body torn apart."
He turned to look at me, frowning.
"My dear betrothed, how could you accuse me of this? In court? In front of your father? These are serious accusations. I should demand evidence. But because I love you, I won't. Because I plan to spend my entire life with you... and only you."
His last words were a threat. Clear as day.
But everyone clapped. They actually clapped, honoring him like he wasn't planning to butcher them all.
"That's my son speaking. Come, take the seat beside me."
My eyes went wide when my father offered Adrian my mother's seat—the one he'd never let me sit in.
The betrayal hit me so hard I thought I'd throw up.
"Why don't we continue the show? I want to see some slave fucking. For my son-in-law. He deserves it."
My father shouted, and the lords cheered. Their eyes turned to me, hungry and disgusting.
I looked at Adrian. He wasn't watching the show. He was staring at me with cold, dark eyes that terrified me.
For a second—just one second—I wished the Lord of Misery would show up right now and kill everyone in this room. Especially Adrian. I wanted his head cut off, his eyes gouged out.
I blinked hard, shaking the thought away.
I couldn't believe I'd just wished death on someone.
I stared at the scene in front of me. A slave getting fingered roughly while her legs were spread for everyone to see. Her master pumped his fingers in and out of her while another slave sucked his cock.
I'd been forced to watch this since I turned eighteen.
I closed my eyes.
And suddenly I saw red eyes with black rings around them. Inside those eyes, I saw fire, blood, burning flesh.
My eyes snapped open, my heart pounding.
I looked around. No one had seen what I just saw.
I stood up fast and walked out of the court without saying a word.
My heart was beating so hard I could barely breathe.
I knew what this meant.
Draven Gravestone was coming for Moorlands.