Zoey barely made it back to her room without collapsing from sheer embarrassment. Her skin still burned from the heat of the bath—or maybe it was Adrien's eyes, the way they had devoured her with a single glance. Even now, wrapped in thick blankets, she could still hear his voice in her head.
"You smell like stormlight."
What did that even mean?
She turned restlessly under the covers, her heartbeat a wild drum. Her skin tingled. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the steam, his silhouette, the water running down his back. It wasn't fair. He was a vampire King and equally dangerous. And she... she was a maid. An intruder in this world. A human girl bound by some strange fate, pulled into the world of the Shade Castle like a moth to flame.
It wasn't fair. She didn't understand why her wolf couldn't recognize it's mate but felt attracted to the strangest of people. First Xavier, now Adrien.
All people who were above her level and people she knew she couldn't have. She didn't know if she should concentrate on trying to bring out her inner wolf.
By morning, her limbs ached and her head throbbed from the sleepless night. The sky outside was still dark, vampires didn't follow the sun, after all.
When Marie knocked, Zoey was already up, dressed in the simple uniform she'd been given. It was a dark red dress with silver lacing and a black apron.
"You're being summoned to the main chambers," Marie said. "Adrien requested wine service. You'll find the wine trays in the lower cellar. I'll walk you there."
Zoey followed Marie through the tall halls, trying to mask the pounding in her chest. What would she say to him? What if he brought up what happened last night? What if he didn't?
The cellar was cold, the scent of aged wood and old magic heavy in the air. Marie helped her arrange the wine onto a golden tray.
"Just bring this to his chamber. He'll be waiting."
"Do I knock first?"
Marie raised an eyebrow. "He's expecting you."
That wasn't helpful.
Zoey took a breath, squared her shoulders, and made her way down the hall. She passed silent guards, curved archways, and finally stopped before Adrien's chamber—double doors of dark wood, carved with roses and wings. No one stood guard.
She knocked once.
No answer.
She pushed the door slightly. It gave way.
The room was grand, high-ceilinged, with black drapes and glass walls. A fireplace flickered on one end, and plush chairs were scattered around a round glass table. There were books, candles, and velvet cushions everywhere.
She stepped inside.
"My lord? I brought the wine—"
Then her breath caught.
Adrien was there. Not dressed. Not alone.
On the high bed, he reclined lazily, half-covered in a silver sheet. A woman lay against him, pale and dazed, bite marks on her neck, blood everywhere on the bed sheets.
His mouth was still red.
The woman murmured something unintelligible, her body relaxed as though in a drugged stupor. Adrien turned his gaze slowly, his crimson eyes landing directly on Zoey.
She felt the tray tremble in her hands.
"Put it down," he said, voice low.
She obeyed without thinking, setting the tray on a nearby table. Her breath came shallow and fast.
The woman's fingers brushed Adrien's bare chest. His lips curved faintly. Then, without another glance at Zoey, he leaned down and kissed the woman's neck again.
Zoey's knees nearly buckled.
She spun and ran. Down the corridor, her shoes tapping against the marble. Her vision blurred. Her throat burned with something she couldn't name.
She nearly collided with Marie.
"Someone's dying," she gasped. "I saw... he was with someone—"
Marie didn't flinch. "It's normal."
"He... he slept with her, then fed on her?!"
Marie sighed and folded her arms. "That's how they are. Vampires don't hide their appetites, Zoey. For blood. Or for bodies. You should get used to it."
Zoey wanted to scream.
But she didn't. She just nodded and walked away, fire rising in her throat.
Meanwhile, Calista had just finished her morning routine. Dressed in silks and adorned in pearls, she expected the day to be glorious. She had felt a shift in the castle's energy since they arrived. Something had changed.
Then Rose whispered to her.
"Your Highness... he's taken another girl. Will you be okay with it?."
Calista froze. "Who?"
"I don't know. A vampire servant, I think."
It didn't matter.
She stormed down the hall, skirts billowing behind her. Servants stepped aside, unsure of whether to bow or flee.
She burst into Adrien's chamber without knocking. The girl was gone. Adrien was dressed now, leaning by the window, with a wine glass in his hand.
"How dare you!"
He didn't turn. "Careful."
"You slept with some blood-whore right before my coronation! Do you know how that looks? Do you know what people will say? You haven't even touched me since I arrived! Am I not worth anything to you?"
Adrien turned slowly.
In a blink, he crossed the room. His hand closed around Calista's throat.
She gasped.
He didn't squeeze, just held her there. Firm. Cold. And then slowly raised her.
"Do not ever raise your voice at me again," he said, eyes glowing. "I always did what I wanted. And I definitely won't stop now."
He released her.
She stumbled back, trembling. Her face was white with shock.
Adrien returned to his wine.
"You may leave."
Tears burned in her eyes. But she didn't defy him. She turned and walked out, fury swirling inside her like a storm.
News traveled fast in the Shade Castle. That evening, while Zoey sat alone in the garden balcony, Marie appeared again, this time with a parchment in hand.
"Two envoys are arriving tomorrow," she said.
Zoey looked up. "Who?"
"Xavier. And Eric. I believe those are their names."
Even Marie's usually neutral tone carried a slight note of intrigue.
"What?"
"Yes. I believe you know them."
"Why are they coming here?" Zoey asked.
Marie gave her a sideways glance. "You'll find out soon enough."
In her chamber, Calista was being told the same thing by Rose.
"Eric and Xavier," Rose said. "Two envoys. Powerful and ambitious ."
Calista's mind was already racing. She was going to see her beloved once more . She had missed him
Zoey lay awake again that night, heart heavy, body buzzing with questions . Her crush was going to be there. What if he sees her being mistreated. She felt humiliated every time he had to stand up for her or watch Calista abuse her. But she got a chance to see her longtime crush again. She was excited.
She didn't know what storm tomorrow would bring.
The next morning, bells rang faintly throughout the castle. The sound of hooves echoed against the stone paths. Guards lined the entryway.
Zoey stood with Marie on the balcony overlooking the gates.
Two vans had arrived. Both black, but etched with different marks .
From one stepped Xavier—tall, glow-skinned, golden-eyed. His presence was magnetic, wrapped in an aura. He wore a navy tunic with gold cuffs and a long sword strapped to his back.
From the other emerged Eric, tall pale skin, with hair like golden fire and eyes that glowed blue like a winter moon. He moved like water, every step graceful, and yet unsettling.
Marie whispered, "They are Elementals."
Zoey's lips parted. "Elementals? You wish! Xavier is the only pretty looking being I can see"
"Not just elemental. He is magic."
The air thickened with their arrival. Adrien appeared at the steps, flanked by guards, his expression unreadable. Calista appeared at his side, suddenly all smiles and royalty.
Xavier bowed. Eric smirked and then bowed.
Adrien stepped forward.
"Welcome to the Shade Castle."
And as their eyes lifted toward the balcony, there stood Calist
a and Zoey.
Both of them stared at them.
As if they'd been expecting this all along.