Three weeks.
Noctara stared at the wedding dress on her wall. The silver fabric shone in the candlelight. It was beautiful, expensive, and perfect.
She hated it.
Her fingers brushed the lace. It felt cold, matching the emptiness of the palace and the man she was forced to marry.
Lord Crimson Nightshade.
Even thinking his name made her stomach twist.
She stared at herself in the mirror. Her hair was silver-white, and her eyes glowed red in the dark. People said she was beautiful, the most precious thing in Sanguinara
But she felt dead inside.
"Are you admiring your future, my princess?"
She didn't turn around, didn't flinch. She knew who it was.
Crimson never knocked.
"Lord Crimson." Her voice was smooth. "I didn't hear you come in."
"Why would I knock?" His hands gripped her shoulders. Heavy, like a weight. "Soon everything here is mine. Including you."
She felt sick
She smiled at his reflection. That perfect princess smile she'd practiced
"The dress is lovely."
"I chose it." His fingers dug into her shoulders. Hard enough to remind her who was in control. "I know what looks best on what belongs to me."
What. Not who. What.
Like she was a piece of furniture.
He leaned close. His breath was cold on her neck. "You smell divine. Like moonlight and blood wine." His lips almost touched her skin. "Three weeks is too long. We should move the wedding up."
Panic shot through her.
"Tradition—" She stepped away fast. "My mother insists on proper ceremonies. You know how she is."
Something dark flashed in his eyes. "Your mother." The way he said it made her skin crawl. "After we're married, you answer to me. Not her."
"I understand."
"Do you?" One finger traced her jaw. She held still. Didn't flinch. Didn't breathe. "I wonder if you really understand what being mine means."
Her heart pounded so hard he must've heard it.
"I understand my duty."
"Good." He smiled. It didn't reach his eyes. Never did. "I can wait three weeks. After all, once we're married, I'll have you forever." He paused. "And forever is a very long time for vampires."
Forever sounded like a death sentence.
He kissed her hand. His lip was cold and dry.
Then he left.
The door closed.
Noctara stood still, the walls spinning.
Her legs gave out.
She grabbed her vanity to keep her from falling. Her reflection stared back. Eyes too wide. Face too pale. Hands shaking.
The door opened again.
She almost screamed.
"If you tell me you love him, I'll know you're lying."
Lunara.
Thank the gods.
Her cousin stood there, violet eyes blazing. Half worry. Half fury.
"Luna—"
"Are you happy about this marriage?"
The question hung between them.
Noctara turned away. "Happiness doesn't matter in royal marriages. I'm doing what's best for the kingdom."
"That's not an answer."
"That's all I have."
Lunara grabbed her hand. Squeezed it. "You don't have to do this."
"Yes, I do."
"Why?"
Because her mother needed this alliance. Because the nobles demanded it. Because Crimson controlled half their military and refusing him meant civil war.
Because duty was all she had left.
"The ceremony starts soon," Noctara said. "Help me with my hair?"
Lunara looked like she wanted to argue. But she nodded.
She didn't speak as she wove blood-red ribbons into Noctara's hair.
The bells rang, deep and loud.
The blood moon ceremony was starting.
The courtyard was packed. Thousands of vampires, all looking up at the sky. The moon was full. Still white but turning pink at the edges.
Noctara stood on the platform with the royal family. Her mother at the center. Queen Scarlett Bloodveil in black and crimson, red hair like fire. Powerful. Everything a queen should be.
Everything Noctara was supposed to become.
Lunara stood beside her.
Crimson appeared at her other side. He was too close. His hand found hers and held tight.
She wanted to pull away.
But she didn't.
The crowd went silent. Her mother raised her hands.
"Children of the night. We gather beneath the blood moon as our ancestors did. Tonight we honor the old magic."
The moon shifted. Pink to rose. Rose to red.
Her mother started chanting.
The crowd joined in.
Noctara's lips moved but her mind was somewhere else. On the dress. On the hand holding hers. On the future coming like a storm.
Magic built in the air, thick and heavy. Pressing on her skin.
The chanting got louder.
The moon burned red.
And something in Noctara's chest exploded.
Pain ripped through her. Blinding. She gasped, hand flying to her heart. She couldn't breathe, couldn't think—
The pain twisted and changed.
Pleasure. Warmth. Completion.
Like something that was missing her whole life just clicked into place.
Her knees gave out. She fell. Crimson caught her arm but she barely noticed.
The mate bond.
No. Oh gods no.
She knew what this was. Every vampire knew. Ancient magic that tied two souls together. Fated mates.
But this was wrong. She was engaged to Crimson. Her mate should be him—
The bond pulled.
Hard.
Like a rope around her ribs, yanking her in one direction.
Find him. Go to him. NOW.
Her head turned. Eyes searching the crowd for him. For her mate.
He wasn't here.
The pull pointed away. Far away.
Beyond the palace. Beyond the city. Beyond the kingdom.
Toward the border.
Toward the mountains.
Toward the dragon kingdom.
No no no no.
Horror crashed over her.
Not a vampire.
A dragon.
The bond flared hot. Confirming it.
"Noctara!" Her mother was beside her, hands on her face, fear in her eyes. "What is wrong? What happened?"
Noctara couldn't speak. Couldn't breathe.
The bond was screaming. Demanding she follow it. Demanding she find him.
Crimson's face appeared. Concern and something darker. Suspicion. "What did you feel, my princess?"
Everyone was staring.
Noctara forced herself to sit up. Pushed the bond down hard. It fought back, clawing, desperate.
"Nothing." Her voice shook. "I just... the magic was overwhelming. I'm fine now."
But she was
n't fine.
The bond was getting stronger.
And somewhere out there, he felt it too.
She whispered his name. So quiet only Lunara heard.
Lunara's eyes went wide. Horror on her face.
She understood what this meant.