Salviana sank deeper into the bath, her body aching from tension, yet the warmth slowly began to soothe her weary limbs. Candlelight flickered against the marble walls, casting long shadows that danced across the room, while the gentle sound of water lapping against her skin provided a brief respite from her racing thoughts.
She closed her eyes, hoping to silence the turmoil in her mind, but one thought gnawed at her relentlessly.
'Would they consummate their marriage tonight?'
Her fingers stilled mid-stroke along her arm, gripping the edge of the bath as the weight of the possibility settled in. Her heart raced, beating loudly in her ears.
'Is that why he asked me to bathe?' Her pulse quickened at the thought.
She imagined those sharp fangs she had heard so many rumours about, cold as death, sinking into her skin. She shuddered and shook her head to dispel the image.
'Would he hurt me? Could he?'
How do vampires consumate? Girls at home had gossiped about intimacy but it always made her uncomfortable so she'd block their conversation or simply walk out and now she was panicking.
What was she supposed to do? Lie down? Dance? Smile?
She didn't want to be marked, she didn't fancy being bit, she didn't want to become a victim, a prey, oh lord.
Salviana tried to push away the fear, but it was no use. She could only cling to the slim hope that her husband, despite his nature, wouldn't harm her on this first night. Even if vampires were known for their predatory instincts, surely, he wouldn't... not yet.
He would be loving, caring and attentive, she mused but another part of her insisted that wasn't possible.
The water, which had once provided warmth, now felt heavy and stifling. She sighed and, with trembling hands, stood from the bath. The cool air prickled her skin as she dried off, her movements sluggish. The towel was soft, a stark contrast to the hard thoughts that cluttered her mind. She pulled on the thin white nightdress, the fabric clinging to her damp body.
Standing before the misty mirror, she stared at her reflection—red hair tousled, green eyes wide with unease. She looked more like a frightened girl than a new bride. A sigh escaped her lips, and she rested her hands on the cool marble countertop, trying to summon the courage to face him.
She walked to the door and stood in front of it, dreading what laid ahead. She stood there for what felt like an hour. She didn't want to face this reality but then her knee buckled.
Her legs began to tremble slightly from standing for so long, and with a soft sigh, she rested her forehead against the cool wood of the door. 'This is ridiculous,' she told herself. She was exhausted—both physically and emotionally. Her entire body ached from the day's journey, and she could barely keep her eyes open. She needed sleep, desperately.
With a deep breath, she decided to face her reality. She couldn't stand in the bathroom all night. Whatever would happen, she would deal with it. She had no other choice.
Finally, with a deep breath, she stepped out of the bathroom and into the dimly lit bedroom. Shadows clung to the corners of the room, and her gaze flickered nervously toward the bed. She hesitated, her bare feet sinking into the thick carpet as she inched closer. 'He wasn't here.'
A rush of relief flooded her chest, but it was short-lived. He was going to come back and that she was sure of, What would she do when that happens? Sing? Distract him?
She couldn't run but she also won't let her guard down. She'd sit and wait till he comes back and fall asleep.
But, the large, soft bed beckoned to her, yet her body refused to relax, she refused to let it relax. Her mind was too full of questions and fears.
Slowly, she sat on the edge of the bed, refusing to fully surrender to the comfort of the sheets. Her heart pounded in her chest as she rested her head against the pillow, trying to fight off the sleep that threatened to overtake her. Her eyelids grew heavier with each passing moment, but she kept herself on guard, unwilling to give in completely. She curled up awkwardly, too tense to fully settle into the bed.
But exhaustion weighed her down. The bath had relaxed her body, her muscles softening despite the anxious tremors that still ran through her. Her head lolled to one side, and before she realized it, her eyes drifted closed. For a moment, peace began to wash over her.
But then something changed.
The atmosphere shifted—subtle, yet palpable. She sprang awake, her eyes fluttering open, scanning the room, while her heart did a marathon in her chest, her mouth parted to breathe better but her breaths only came out in shallow gasps. Yet the exhaustion was too much, her eyelids too heavy. They drooped again, and once more, she teetered on the edge of sleep. This time, though, she couldn't resist. Her body betrayed her, dragging her deeper into slumber, the bed cradling her as her fears slipped into the fog of sleep.
Unbeknownst to her, her husband was present in the room.
He stepped out from the shadows, watching her with a quiet intensity. His dark eyes studied her face, the flickering candlelight casting his figure in an eerie glow. She was lovely—more than he had expected. Her red hair fanned across the pillow like wildfire, it was a new look for this castle that only had gold and chestnut brown for hair colour.
Her breathing steadied into a peaceful rhythm as time counted on.
He stepped closer, careful not to disturb her fragile sleep. With a tenderness that seemed foreign even to him, he brushed a strand of hair from her face. She murmured something unintelligible but didn't stir further. She wasn't a light sleeper like he was, that is to say if he sleeps at all.
He wasn't here to consummate the marriage. Not yet. She wasn't ready, and he... had other plans. For now, it was enough that she was here, close enough to him. He wanted her to feel safe, to trust him before he introduced her to the darker truths of his world.
With a soft sigh, he eased himself onto the bed beside her, his movements fluid and soundless. Gently, he tugged the heavy blankets over her body, adjusting them so that the warmth cocooned her completely. She shifted slightly, but her breathing remained even. Whether it was a deep sleep or perhaps a touch of magic, she didn't wake.
He allowed himself one last glance at her peaceful face before settling into the darkness. The night was still young for him, and though the tension between them was far from resolved, tonight she would rest.