Sidia gulped. Nothing yet had frightened her the way Julia's eyes flared with outrage. "I'm sorry, Your Grace." Sidia wasn't at all sure the title was correct, but she refused to address her as anything less honorific. Julia shook her head and looked past Sidia. "As for you, Marcus, you should know better. For whatever reason, this human is the one who . . . fulfills the prophecy given to your brother." Her tone was too careful, and this piqued Sidia's interest. Why did everyone talk about the prophecy like this? Almost as if it was rehearsed? She thought once again of the way Marcus had openly mocked it when she first arrived."Forgive me, Mother." Marcus dropped his careless and arrogant demeanor. He was nothing but an obedient son in his mother's presence."There is always something to forgive with you." Julia turned her attention back to Sidia. "If you're quite finished, it is time to take you back to your quarters and dress you for the feast tonight. Since you refused Catari
"Excellent." Severus's voice was husky as he reached for Sidia. His long and dexterous fingers firmly but delicately gripped her throat.Sidia closed her eyes and leaned in, waiting for the bite. Her heart hammered in her chest. She wanted Marcus to hold her like this. She wanted his fangs, but this would have to do. She had never felt this throbbing, pulsating yearning in her body. Everything ached so pleasantly."I hate to interrupt you, brother. However, don't you think it's a little improper to feed on your future bride so soon? Does she know the effects of such an act?"Marcus! His voice cut through the spell-like trance of the moment. Her eyes flew open, and her heart leaped at the sight of him. The rest of the court paid them no mind, still dreamily enjoying their festivities. Marcus stood to the right of Severus, his expression unreadable as he watched them."You're absolutely right, brother." Severus turned away, so Sidia couldn't see his face. His tone sounded icy though.
Catarina escorted Sidia back to her room, humming the melodies of one of the songs the musicians played earlier that evening. She seemed to be in a much better mood after feeding, but she barely said a word to Sidia before pulling the door closed. Sidia didn't mind though. She craved some time alone, but even now, was she really alone?Since she arrived, she had learned vampires had superior speed, strength, hearing, and other magical abilities. Could they turn invisible too? What if there was a spy in her room right now?She shuddered, trying to shake the thought out of her mind. More importantly, she wanted to shake away the sorrow encroaching on her heart. Now that a vampire's voice wasn't lacing the air with magical music, the shame and heartache from what she did in the throne room intensified. She had no idea if Marcus left because he was disappointed in her or if he perhaps did have feelings for her, feelings shattered when she declared herself to Severus. Either way, she desp
"As I already said, it's time for you to sleep." Marcus's voice cut through, and a rush of cold washed over Sidia. She blinked and Marcus was no longer in front of her. He had just moved to the front of the library, holding the door open for her. Sidia fought back the tears. He clearly rejected her, and she couldn't look him in the eye. She rushed past him and walked quickly back to her room, not bothering to see how closely he followed her. Once she reached her door, she ducked in and shut it. The click of the lock indicated he was just on the other side.Sidia turned around and leaned back against the door, sliding to the floor. She refused to make a sound, but tears flowed down her cheeks. For a long while, she just cried. How could she have been so stupid? He hadn't even been tempted. He didn't lean in or respond at all. If he was just rejecting her because of Severus, wouldn't it have been at least a little obvious? Wouldn't there be a visible sign of him fighting off desire?
HELENA'S POVHelena had always loved music. Since she was a young child, she was able to master any instrument handed to her quickly. Piano, flute, harp, trumpet, it didn't matter. Women were usually limited to the piano and maybe the harp, but her father had never refused her anything. He reached out to tutors from all over Europe to visit the family estate and educate his beloved daughter. He even tracked down merchants on his trips to Rome and Venice to buy her bizarre instruments from all over the world. The entire village delighted in Helena's musical prowess, and they often held bonfires and feasts centered around her performances. One day, a young man named Francesco Aliani came to Monterosso at Helena's father's behest. He was the son of one of Italy's greatest violinists, but he had mastered the cello. Helena had never received a formal education on this particular instrument, and she was excited to know more than what she had taught herself. Oh, it was love at first sigh
"Keep your back and neck straight as you walk. You're slouching." Julia ordered. She had been trying to fix Sidia's posture for the past hour in Julia's large, private quarters, huffing in disappointment whenever Sidia relaxed her body. She wasn't used to forcing herself into these positions, and her muscles ached from the strain. "Your Grace, I do not mean to offend you, but I have to ask how necessary all of this is. I'm not even sure what Severus—"At the mention of his name, Julia clapped her hands loudly in front of Sidia's face."What did I tell you?" she snapped."He might have given me permission to address him informally, but I should still use his title so as not to slip in noble company. My apologies." Sidia found all this rather absurd. Why should wealth or status change so much about how to live and interact with others? Why can't everyone just be themselves?"Do better.""Yes, Your Grace." Sidia bowed her head before continuing with her question. "As I was saying,
Sidia stood in shock while Marcus said nothing, keeping his chokehold on Julia. She ran her hands over her neck just to confirm there was no bite mark. Julia had been so close, but Sidia's neck was still smooth with unbroken skin. The door to Julia's living quarters flew open, and Severus was right behind Marcus. A group of vampires had gathered outside in the hallway, curious enough to linger but not enough to risk entering and upsetting their emperor."What is the meaning of this?" Severus demanded. "Marcus, put our mother down so I can talk to her."Marcus said nothing, but he did obey. He let go of Julia but didn't move. He was ready to pounce on her should she try to attack again."Your precious bride is a disgrace, Severus!" Julia screeched. "This is ridiculous. You can't seriously mean that she—""Silence." Sidia shuddered at Severus' command. She had never heard someone speak so low. She couldn't think of a word to describe the emotion he expressed with just that one wo
It didn't take too long for someone to knock on Sidia's door. She had been dozing on and off, exhausted by her encounter with Julia but too anxious about everything else to truly sleep. "Who is it?" Sidia called out."It's Marcus." Sidia shot out of bed and straightened her hair and clothes. While checking her appearance in the mirror, she froze. Why did she care what she looked like? At this rate, she didn't have any reason to trust Marcus or want him. He was the reason Helena was ripped away from the love of her life. He spied on Sidia her entire life. He might not approve of his brother's methods, but he did carry out his brother's orders. He was no better.And yet, Marcus was the one who asked if she was okay after Julia's attack. He clearly cared about her in some way. "Sidia? Are you all right?" Marcus called through the door again."Yes. I'm fine. You may enter." She couldn't help combing her fingers through her unruly hair as the door opened.Marcus wasn't dressed in