The paper burned against my skin as I walked the halls—tucked tight beneath my sleeve, close enough to remind me with every movement: this isn’t over.

Lucien. That smile he wore in the hall… It hadn’t been flirtation. It was calculation.

He knew who I was. What I was.

And now I knew something, too.

I couldn’t let Valen find out—not yet. Not until I understood what this meant. If Lucien really was the traitor, Valen would go straight for the kill. But what if Lucien wasn’t alone?

What if it was bigger than him?

When I reached my room, I locked the door behind me—not that it helped much. Still, it made me feel better. Safe. For now.

I unrolled the parchment again on my desk. This time, I looked for details: dates, names, anything I could use. The ink was smudged in places, and I still couldn’t read half the vampire script—but one phrase near the bottom made my breath catch:

“Soon the shadows will bow to new blood.”

New blood. As in… not Valen.

He doesn’t know, I thought. He thinks the court is under control.

And he trusted me to find the traitor. My fists clenched.

Then I will.

The next morning, I dressed carefully. Not too formal, not too plain—just enough to blend in. My goal today wasn’t to provoke Valen, or attract attention.

It was to watch.

I moved through the mansion with calm, calculated ease. I laughed when a servant greeted me, nodded politely at passing guards. I even dropped a book in front of one vampire just to seem clumsy. All of it carefully choreographed.

Eventually, I found him.

Lucien stood at the far end of the ballroom, speaking quietly with another vampire I didn’t recognize—this one wore gray, no gloves, pale like winter moonlight. They didn’t notice me right away.

So I did what anyone clever would do.

I listened.

I leaned against a pillar nearby, close enough to catch fragments of their words. Quiet. Careful. Not suspicious.

“—still loyal to him, for now.”

“He’ll fall if we time it right.”

“And the girl?”

A pause.

Lucien’s voice was soft. “She’s... interesting.”

“She’s dangerous.”

“Exactly.”

My heart slammed in my chest.

They were watching me.

They had plans—and they didn’t care whether I wanted to be part of them.

I pulled back before they noticed me, slipped away into a side hall and kept walking until I was sure no one followed. My hands shook.

Valen needed to know.

But not yet. If I ran to him now, he’d confront Lucien openly—and the rest of them would scatter like rats.

No. I had to get more. Names. Proof. Something solid.

I had to be careful.

And I had to act like nothing had changed.

That night, I sat in Valen’s study as he read something by the fire. I picked at a plate of fruit I didn’t really want, trying to seem relaxed.

“You’re quiet,” he said, not looking up.

“I’m tired,” I lied smoothly. “All that walking around today.”

“You enjoy the freedom?”

I smiled thinly. “It’s nice not to be caged.”

His eyes flicked toward me—sharp. Curious.

“Do you feel safe?”

I met his gaze. “With you?”

He didn’t answer.

But he didn’t need to.

the next morning, i had only just woken still in night dress Valen walk in i quickly cover myself with the blanket "Valen, you can't walk in--" a black dress landed in front of me on the bed, it was short and...beautiful. 

"take it on, you coming with me to court today" he said. not looking at me...was it a flush i saw on his cheeks? "meet me in the hall when you have shifted" with that he use shadow power to teleport out of the room, the door slamming shut behind him. 

it took me 5 seconds to shift into the dress. and i walk out, i study his face, but it was the same cold expressionless face as always. 

"ready?" he asked i nodded walking beside him, i wanted to go in front of him but i know what kind of monster was in the court so i stay beside him.

The dress clung to me like a secret—black silk, sharp in all the right places, delicate lace along the sleeves and throat. I didn’t know what game Valen was playing dressing me like this, but I intended to play it better.

He didn’t say anything as we walked—just kept his hands folded behind his back, his long strides effortless. I watched him from the corner of my eye, hoping for some flicker of that strange softness I saw yesterday. The moment in his office. The trembling fingers. The quiet grief.

But his face was carved from stone again. Cold. Distant.

Still... I swore I saw the corner of his mouth twitch when I stepped beside him.

The hallway leading to the court felt longer than usual. My heart pounded. Every step echoed like a countdown.

“You’ll stay near me at all times,” Valen said lowly, almost a whisper. “Speak only if spoken to. And if anyone touches you—”

“I’ll set them on fire,” I muttered, chin tilted high.

He glanced at me then. Just briefly.

“Good girl.”

The doors loomed ahead—huge, black-iron things with bloodstone inlays. Two guards opened them wordlessly, and a wave of chilling silence spilled out.

The court.

It was colder than I remembered. Dozens of vampires watched us as we entered—some lounging on obsidian chairs, some perched on shadow-carved thrones, others leaning on spears or railings like wolves waiting to pounce.

Their eyes found me instantly.

A human in a black dress, walking beside their king.

A threat. A toy. A question they hadn’t been given an answer to.

I didn’t flinch.

I couldn’t afford to.

Valen took the raised seat at the head of the hall. He didn’t motion for me to kneel. Or to leave.

Instead, with a flick of his hand, he summoned a second chair at his side. Lower than his—but still at the throne’s level.

An offer.

A warning.

I sat.

Lucien was already there, off to the side, watching us both.

His smile was pleasant.

Too pleasant.

My stomach twisted.

He knows I know.

But Valen was speaking now—formal things, politics, reports. Names I didn’t recognize. I kept my expression calm as I scanned the room.

That man from the other day. The one with the moonlight skin. He was here.

So was a woman in blood-red robes, who hadn’t blinked once since I entered.

I needed more time. More secrets.

But just as I was about to breathe, Valen leaned close to me. So close I could feel the heat of him, smell the faint shadow-smoke scent on his clothes.

His voice ghosted against my ear.

“You’re being watched.”

I swallowed.

“So are you,” I whispered back.

His smile—small, dangerous—was gone as quickly as it came.

And in that moment, I realized something terrifying.

He hadn’t brought me here to show me off.

He brought me here... as bait.

The air in the court was thick—clotted with power and secrets.

I stayed seated beside Valen, legs crossed to hide the nervous energy pulsing through me. The silence between us was sharp, like a wire pulled too tight. He hadn’t looked at me since that warning, and yet I could feel his attention brushing over me in waves—protective, calculating.

I wasn’t sure if I hated it or needed it.

Every vampire in this chamber knew I didn’t belong here.

And some of them… didn’t like that.

I caught Lucien watching me again—his smile too thin, too easy.

I tried to stay still. Tried to appear calm. But my fingers curled on the armrest like claws.

Then the floor trembled.

Slightly—barely. Just enough for the torches lining the walls to flicker.

Valen’s posture didn’t change, but I saw the ripple in his shadows. Like smoke preparing to strike.

The vampire standing before the court—a tall man with icy-blue skin and silver eyes—paused in the middle of his report. His voice faltered. He looked around.

And then it began.

With a scream. The guards at the door crumpled. One dragged a dagger from his own chest, coated in black poison.

A second later, the doors blew open.

Five vampires stormed in—faces masked, weapons drawn.

And for a brief moment, I was just frozen.

I didn’t move.

I couldn’t.

The court exploded into motion. Some vampires fled. Others laughed, lounging in their seats as if this was entertainment. A few even drew weapons to defend the king.

And me?

I was already being targeted.

One of the intruders locked eyes with me across the room. He moved fast, slipping between court members like wind—dagger glowing with something I didn’t understand.

I stood, but I didn’t know what to do. I had no powers. No weapons.

My mouth opened to scream—

And then Valen moved.

Faster than sight. One moment seated beside me—the next, he was in front of me, a blur of shadow and rage.

He caught the attacker’s blade mid-strike. Caught it with his bare hand.

The dagger hissed. Smoke rose from Valen’s palm—but he didn’t flinch. Didn’t even bleed.

His red eyes burned brighter than fire.

He crushed the blade to dust in his fist.

The vampire stepped back—but too late.

Valen struck, a sharp swipe of his arm, and the traitor's head hit the floor before his body realized it was dead.

Gasps echoed across the court.

Silence followed.

But not peace.

The others were still fighting. Chaos reigned.

Lucien shouted something from across the room—but I couldn’t hear it.

Because I felt it.

A presence behind me.

Too close.

I spun around—

Only for arms to grab me from behind.

A cold hand clamped over my mouth. The blade pressed to my throat was real. Sharp.

“Move and she dies,” the vampire hissed. His breath was rotten. His strength, monstrous.

I couldn’t scream.

I could barely breathe.

I looked to Valen—

And saw him freeze. His eyes locked on mine.

The room seemed to hold its breath.

“Drop your shadows,” the traitor ordered. “Now. Or I’ll gut your little pet and drink what’s left.”

Valen didn’t move. His hands at his sides. Power crackling.

But his face—his face broke.

For a heartbeat, I saw something terrible there.

Fear. For me.

And then—he stepped forward. Very slowly. “I’ll give you one warning,” he said, voice ice and ash. “Let her go.”

The blade pressed deeper. I whimpered.

“You’d risk the life of your precious human over—”

Valen vanished.

Shadows exploded around us—cold and fast—and the vampire holding me screamed. Something pierced his chest from behind. Valen’s hand. His claws.

The vampire dropped me.

I stumbled—nearly fell.

But before I hit the ground, I was caught.

Strong arms wrapped around me. Pulled me in.

Valen.

My heart thundered against his chest. My knees shook. I could barely stand.

And the court stared.

Blood still dripped from his hand. Shadows coiled around him like living armor.

And then—he did something I never expected.

He cupped my face.

Tilted my chin up with terrifying gentleness.

And kissed me.

Right there.

In front of them all.

Not soft. Not tender.

It was a claim.

His lips crashed into mine like a storm—possessive, wild, burning. His hand tightened in my hair. His other pressed against my back.

Gasps echoed around the court.

I froze.

My eyes flew open—

Then closed again.

Because something inside me broke—a wall I hadn’t realized was even there.

My body melted into his.

Heat exploded through me—confusing, terrifying. Want tangled with rage. Fear twisted into need.

Valen kissed me like he was saving me. Like he had no other way to protect me but this.

And when he finally pulled away, breathing hard, he turned to face the court.

“Touch her again,” he said, voice low, lethal, “and I will not kill you quickly.”

He looked to Lucien.

“And if any of you doubt my claim—question her place by my side—try me.”

Silence.

No one spoke.

No one dared.

The scent of fear filled the room.

Even Lucien said nothing—his mouth tight, his eyes furious.

Valen turned back to me. His hand lingered on my cheek.

“You’re safe,” he said quietly. Only for me to hear.

I swallowed, throat dry. “That kiss…”

His gaze searched mine. “Was necessary.”

“Was it?”

He didn’t answer.

Didn’t have to.

Because I saw it in his eyes.

It was real.

Maybe not the whole thing. Maybe not everything.

But something. 

Something real And that was the most dangerous thing of all.

The moment the court was dismissed, I stormed ahead of Valen without a word.

I didn’t wait for him. I didn’t want to.

The second I reached his chambers—our chambers now, apparently—I slammed the door shut behind me and paced.

My heart was still pounding. My lips still tingled.

And that made me angrier than anything.

The door creaked open. He entered silently, like always—made of shadow and unreadable calm.

“Don’t,” I snapped, spinning on him. “Don’t you dare look at me like nothing just happened.”

Valen raised an eyebrow, slowly closing the door. “Would you rather I let him kill you in front of the entire court?”

“That’s not what I’m talking about and you know it!” I shot back. “You kissed me, Valen! In front of everyone!”

He didn’t flinch. “I marked you. For your protection. It was a calculated move.”

“A calculated move?” I repeated, my voice climbing. “You kissed me like you meant it. Like—like I was yours.”

His gaze sharpened. “You are mine. Until this is over. That hasn’t changed.”

“I’m not some object you get to brand!” I shouted.

He stepped closer. “No, you’re not. You’re alive because I did what I had to.”

I hated how close he was. Hated the heat building in my chest. The ache in my skin where his hands had been.

“You didn’t have to kiss me like that,” I whispered, shaking my head. “You could have—hell, anything else—”

“I did what they would understand,” he said, voice low and steady. “You saw what that court is. That world runs on possession, fear, and dominance. If they thought I merely pitied you, they would’ve tried again. You know what kisses mean to a vampire, its power, dominance, and control, Its our way to claim someone.”

“You kissed me like you wanted to,” I said. My voice cracked.

Silence.

And then, quietly, “Maybe I did.”

That broke something in me.

I backed up, as if the distance could protect me from the words. “Don’t. Don’t play games with me, Valen.”

“I’m not,” he said. “But you’re playing one with yourself.”

I froze. My breath caught.

“You're furious,” he said, stepping toward me again, slow and sure, like a storm rolling in. “But you’re confused. You felt it, too.”

I looked away. “Shut up.”

“I know what I felt, Lilith. Your body responded to mine.”

“Don’t say it like that,” I snapped. “It’s not fair.”

“No,” he said. “It’s not. None of this is.”

And then he was in front of me, close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating off him. His voice dropped to a murmur.

“I would never touch you without your permission. Not truly. Not like that. But if you think I’m not aware of what’s between us, you’re lying to yourself.”

I stared at him, trembling with rage I didn’t understand.

Because he was right.

My heart was still racing. My knees still weak. I could still taste him.

I hated him.

I wanted him.

And I didn’t know what that made me.

“Get out,” I said softly, brokenly.

He studied me for a long moment. “As you wish.”

He turned, shadows already rising around him.

But just before he disappeared into them, he added without looking back:

“When you’re ready to stop lying to yourself—I'll be here.”

And then he was gone.

And I was alone.

With the echo of his kiss still burning on my lips.