Lyanna spent the next two days in complete silence. She could hear footsteps outside her chambers but no one visited her.
Only Clara came to her chambers with her meals. She, too, had stopped talking to her, likely on Azrael's instructions.
For two days, Lyanna just stared at the same walls over and over, pacing the room from one point to another with nothing to do.
She tried to read the books Helena had given her but she couldn't focus. She tried sleeping, but sleep wouldn't come. She tried not to think about Azrael, but that didn't work either.
By the afternoon of the second day, she'd reached a breaking point. She still wasn't ready to beg or grovel before him, but she couldn't endure another day of the isolation.
When Clara came with dinner, Lyanna stopped her before she could leave.
"Wait."
"My lady?"
"I need you to deliver a message to His Majesty. Tell him I'm ready to speak with him."
"Are you sure, my lady?"
"I'm sure. Just… tell him."
After Clara left, Lyanna sat on the edge of the bed and waited. Her heart was beating fast. She didn't know what she'd say to him. She only knew she couldn't survive another day alone like the past two days.
Hours passed. Lyanna began to think he wouldn't come, but then the door opened. Azrael entered calmly like always, closing the door behind him.
"You wanted to see me?"
Lyanna stood up.
"I can't do this anymore."
"Do what?"
"This." She gestured at the room, at the locked door. "The isolation. I need to move, to breathe. I want to go somewhere other than these four walls."
"You can apologize. That would end your confinement immediately." He smiled.
Lyanna's jaw clenched.
"I won't apologize for defending my dignity."
"Then why should I end your isolation?"
"Because…" She struggled for words. "Because you're right. I need to learn discipline. I need to learn my place in this court. But I can't learn anything locked in here without any lessons or duties."
"Interesting." He stepped closer, circling her slowly. "You refuse to apologize, yet you're acknowledging that your behaviour was inappropriate."
"My behaviour was just a normal response to being treated like property."
"But you are a property." He stopped in front of her. "You're my valuable property. Now, if you want me to free you from this isolation, then accept that you were wrong."
Lyanna clenched her hands into fists. She didn't want to give in, but she had no other option. She didn't want to spend the rest of her life in a glided cage.
"I was wrong." She said finally. "I was wrong to throw the vase at you, to spit in your face. I let my anger control me, and I forgot…my place."
"And what is your place?" He asked casually. "What have you learned in the past two days?"
"That I have no power here. That I'm your prisoner who must obey your every command."
The words tasted like poison, but they were true. Two days alone had made her realize that she was completely powerless. Fighting him was a waste of time.
"Better." He looked pleased. "But I know you're not sorry you threw that vase or spat at me. You're apologizing only because you can't handle the consequences of your action. Still…" He paused. "I think two days are enough to make you understand the future consequences of your mistakes. You look half-dead, and I need you pretty for the wedding."
"So, are you ending my punishment?" She asked with a little hope in her voice.
"For now, yes. Because I don't want any more drama till the wedding." He walked towards the door.
"And Lyanna, you'll attend a council meeting with me tomorrow morning. Consider it your formal introduction to Thornfield's inner circle."
Then without waiting for her response, he left.
Clara woke her at dawn the next morning.
"His Majesty wants to see you for breakfast before the council meeting." Clara told her.
She helped Lyanna bathe and dress in a crimson gown Azrael had selected.
When she entered the breakfast room, Azrael was already there, reviewing documents while eating. He glanced up, looking her over from top to bottom.
"Perfect." He gestured to the chair next to him. "Sit."
The breakfast was delicious but the atmosphere was awkward.
"The council will not be kind." Azrael said without looking up from his papers. "They've served me for centuries. Some will test you; others will dismiss you. You have to prove you're worth their time."
"How?"
"Don't be weak." He finally looked at her. "If you show fear, they'll eat you alive. If you show ignorance, they'll exploit you. If you show too much pride, they'll see you as a threat."
"So there's no winning."
"Welcome to vampire politics." He smiled.
After breakfast, he walked her to a smaller council chamber. The room had a table with four chairs. The inner council members were already sitting on them when they arrived.
They all turned to look as Azrael entered with Lyanna at his side.
Lord Adrian Blackstone, a massive vampire with a scarred face, stood up first. He looked at Lyanna skeptically.
Lady Helena Winterbourne remained seated. Despite, having taught Lyanna court politics, she looked unimpressed with her.
Lord Victor Kane, the spymaster, watched her silently, noticing every detail.
Only Lady Morgana Ashford smiled at her. She looked elegant and poised, and seemed genuinely happy to see Lyanna.
"My lords and ladies," Azrael said. "My betrothed, Lady Lyanna Graves. Soon to be Queen of Thornfield."
He gestured to the space beside his throne. It was an empty spot where she was expected to stand like a decoration. Lyanna took her place, refusing to show how much this embarrassed her.
"She's a liability," Adrian said immediately. "She's a fragile human. Any vampire with a grudge against you could kill her in seconds or kidnap her to use her as leverage."
"The other courts will see this as weakness." Helena added. "You're rewarding the girl who publicly humiliated you by giving her a crown. What message does that send?"
"But she can be useful." Victor said. " We can use her to remove your enemies. We can see who tries to turn her against you, who attempts to kidnap or seduce her."
Lyanna just stood there, listening as they debated her weaknesses, and her usefulness, wondering how long it would take before the pressure of being a queen would break her.
"Three months." Adrian said with confidence.
Helena shook her head.
"One month. She's already close to breaking. The isolation almost destroyed her."
"I give her two weeks before she tries to do something stupid like trying to escape or attacking His Majesty."
"That's enough." Azrael ordered.
Everyone fell silent.
"Yes, she humiliated me, yes, this is a revenge marriage. But she's also about to be your queen, and I expect you to respect her in public, at least. She represents Thornfield now. Any insult to her is an insult to me."
He wasn't protecting her. He was just declaring his ownership. Azrael then turned to Lyanna.
"You've been silent. Do you have anything to say to the council?"
Everyone looked at her. This was the test Azrael had mentioned.
"My lords and ladies," She said calmly, despite her racing heart. "I know I have a lot to learn about vampire society, about court politics, about being the queen this kingdom deserves. I hope to learn from your wisdom and experience."
Helena raised her eyebrows slightly in surprise, as Lyanna chose humility over pride. Adrian remained skeptical, but he nodded.
"At least she knows what she lacks."
Victor said nothing, just watched her with his calculating eyes. Morgana smiled warmly.
"Well said, my lady."
After another hour of discussing wedding security, guest lists, and ceremony details, Azrael finally dismissed the council. As Lyanna prepared to leave, Azrael stopped her.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"Back to my chambers?
"Your lessons with Helena and Adrian are postponed until further notice. Prepare for tonight's banquet."
"Banquet?"
"Tonight we're hosting representatives from the other vampire courts. It's a pre-wedding celebration. You'll meet all the representatives, and show them exactly what a Thornfield queen looks like."
Meeting the inner council had already been hard enough. Now, meeting the representatives from other courts who probably hated her family, and would judge her every word and gesture was too much for her to tolerate.
"I've selected your gown." Azrael smiled, enjoying her anxiety. "It's already laid out in your chambers. Clara will help you prepare. The banquet begins at sunset. Don't be late."