Luna found herself seated adjacent to the Vampire King's vacant throne, flanked by three of his favored concubines. To her left, Lady Clarence sat demurely while Lady Catriona's brow furrowed in discontent. Opposite her, Cederic's gaze was unreadable.
Swinging her legs slightly off the elevated seat, Luna fixated on the fresh cut on her palm, blood still seeping from the wound. Regret gnawed at her: had she made an irrevocable mistake? Was her pledge as the High Priestess truly worth this?
The hall's gentle murmurs crescendoed into a palpable buzz. A flurry of movement signaled the king's imminent arrival, as attendees, eager yet apprehensive, made way. Facades of joy hid their undercurrents of fear from the regal figure traversing the crowd.
