The celebration finally ended.
One by one, the vampire nobles left the banquet hall, returning to their chambers as the castle slowly grew quiet again.
The Blood Moon still hung in the sky.
Its crimson light poured through the tall windows of the royal wing.
Selena stood outside a large wooden door at the end of a long hallway.
Two guards stood nearby, watching silently.
"This is your chamber, my lady," one of them said.
Selena crossed her arms.
"I'm aware."
She stared at the door.
The prince's chamber.
Her chamber now too, apparently.
The thought made her stomach twist.
"Do I really have to go in there?" she muttered.
The guard raised an eyebrow.
"You are the prince's wife."
Selena glared at him.
"Don't remind me."
She took a slow breath and pushed the door open.
The chamber was enormous.
Larger than any room she had ever slept in.
Tall windows lined the far wall, allowing moonlight to spill across the polished stone floor.
A large fireplace crackled quietly near the center of the room.
And in the middle of it all stood a massive bed draped in dark silk.
Selena's cheeks flushed with irritation.
"Oh hell no."
She walked further inside.
Her sharp eyes immediately spotted Adrian standing near the window.
He hadn't changed clothes since the ceremony.
His dark coat still fit perfectly around his tall frame.
His back was turned toward her as he looked out over the city.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Selena broke the silence.
"Let's make something clear."
Adrian turned slowly.
His crimson eyes met hers.
"I had a feeling you would start the conversation."
Selena ignored the comment.
She pointed directly at the large bed.
"That is not happening."
Adrian glanced at the bed briefly before looking back at her.
"I assumed as much."
Selena blinked.
"That's it?"
"What did you expect?"
She frowned slightly.
"A fight."
Adrian leaned casually against the window frame.
"I'm not interested in forcing you."
Selena studied him carefully.
"You already forced me to marry you."
"That was political."
She scoffed.
"And this isn't?"
Adrian's voice remained calm.
"No."
Selena folded her arms.
"Good."
She grabbed a pillow from the bed and tossed it onto a nearby couch.
"I'll sleep there."
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
"You don't trust me?"
Selena laughed.
"Trust you?"
Her silver eyes flashed.
"I trust a snake more than I trust you."
Adrian shrugged slightly.
"That seems fair."
Selena blinked again.
His calm reactions were frustrating.
She expected anger.
Arrogance.
Something.
Instead, he seemed almost… patient.
"You're very strange," she muttered.
Adrian ignored that.
He walked toward the bed and removed his coat.
Selena watched him carefully.
"If you come anywhere near me while I'm sleeping," she warned,
"I will rip your throat out."
Adrian sat on the edge of the bed.
"I'll keep that in mind."
Selena rolled her eyes.
She moved toward the couch and threw herself down.
The room fell quiet.
For several minutes, neither of them spoke.
The fire crackled softly in the background.
Selena stared at the ceiling.
This was insane.
Just a few days ago she had been the Luna of her pack.
Now she was trapped in a vampire castle…
Married to the enemy prince.
Her life had turned upside down.
"Why did you really do it?"
Adrian's voice suddenly broke the silence.
Selena turned her head slightly.
"What?"
"The marriage."
His tone was quieter now.
"You said it was to protect your pack."
"Yes."
"But was that the only reason?"
Selena frowned.
"What are you implying?"
Adrian looked toward the window again.
"You could have refused."
"And watched more wolves die?"
Her voice sharpened.
"Of course not."
Adrian didn't respond.
Selena studied him in the dim light.
Something about him didn't make sense.
He was calm.
Almost too calm.
"You really believe in that prophecy, don't you?" she asked.
"Yes."
Selena groaned.
"You vampires and your ancient legends."
Adrian looked back at her.
"The prophecy has existed for centuries."
"That doesn't mean it's real."
"It's real enough that both kingdoms are afraid of it."
Selena shifted slightly on the couch.
"I'm not afraid."
Adrian's lips curved faintly.
"You should be."
Her eyes narrowed.
"Why?"
"Because if the prophecy is true…"
He paused.
"…our fates are now connected."
Selena snorted.
"Don't worry."
Her voice was cold again.
"I fully intend to break that connection."
Adrian watched her carefully.
"That might be harder than you think."
Selena stood up suddenly.
"Oh really?"
She walked closer to him.
Their eyes locked again.
"You think I'll eventually fall in love with you?"
Adrian tilted his head slightly.
"I didn't say that."
"But you're thinking it."
Selena leaned closer.
"That will never happen."
Her voice was firm.
"Not in a thousand years."
Adrian held her gaze calmly.
"Good."
Selena blinked.
"What?"
"I'm not interested in love either."
For the first time since entering the room…
Selena didn't know what to say.
They stared at each other in silence.
Then she huffed and stepped away.
"Good."
She returned to the couch.
"I'm glad we agree on something."
The room slowly fell quiet again.
But neither of them slept immediately.
Both of them lay awake…
Thinking about the strange bond created beneath the Blood Moon.
And wondering what it would mean for the future.