Princess Alessia stood at the altar, her heart heavy with the weight of her duty. Before her, Prince Drake, the eldest son of the vampire king, gazed at her with an unreadable expression. His piercing blue eyes seemed to bore into her very soul, but she couldn't help feeling like a pawn in a much larger game.
The grand cathedral was filled with guests from both the human and vampire kingdoms. The air was thick with tension, as the two species had been sworn enemies for centuries. But Alessia's marriage to Drake was meant to change all that – or so her parents, the human king and queen, had promised.
As the ceremony progressed, Alessia's mind wandered to the true nature of her union. She was a prize to be won, a key to unlocking the secrets of the human kingdom for the vampires. And Drake, with his chiseled features and imposing presence, was the instrument of her fate.
Alessia's thoughts were interrupted by the priest's voice, asking her to repeat her vows. She did so, her words echoing off the stone walls of the cathedral. Drake's response was equally mechanical, his voice devoid of emotion.
When the priest pronounced them husband and wife, Alessia felt a shiver run down her spine. She forced a smile onto her face as Drake's lips brushed against hers in a perfunctory kiss.
As they turned to face their guests, Alessia's gaze met that of a figure standing at the back of the cathedral. Prince Draven, Drake's younger brother, watched her with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat. His eyes seemed to burn with a inner fire, and for a moment, Alessia felt like she was drowning in their depths.
But she quickly looked away, focusing on the sea of faces before her. She was a married woman now, bound to Drake by duty and obligation. She couldn't afford to indulge in foolish fantasies about his brother.
The rest of the ceremony passed in a blur. Alessia went through the motions, exchanging rings and signing the marriage contract. As they exited the cathedral, she was greeted by the cool night air and the sound of cheering crowds.
Drake's arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her close. "Smile, my dear," he whispered in her ear. "We have an audience."
Alessia pasted a smile on her face, waving to the crowds as they made their way to the reception hall. She felt like a puppet on strings, her every move dictated by the whims of those around her.
As they entered the hall, Alessia was struck by the sheer scale of the decorations. The room was filled with flowers, candles, and glittering chandeliers. The tables groaned under the weight of food and drink, and the air was thick with the smell of roasted meat and freshly baked bread.
Alessia's stomach growled at the sight of the feast, but she knew she wouldn't be able to eat much. Her nerves were too on edge, her mind racing with thoughts of her new husband and the life that lay ahead.
As they made their way to the head table, Alessia caught sight of Draven again. He stood at the edge of the room, his eyes fixed intently on her. For a moment, their gazes locked, and Alessia felt a jolt of electricity run through her body.
But then Drake's voice cut through the moment, his words drawing her back to reality. "Shall we take our seats, my dear?" he asked, his arm tightening around her waist.
Alessia nodded, forcing a smile onto her face. She took her seat beside Drake, trying to focus on the festivities around her. But her eyes kept drifting back to Draven, her heart pounding in her chest whenever their gazes met.
As the night wore on, Alessia found herself growing more and more uncomfortable. She was trapped in a marriage she didn't want, with a man she barely knew. And yet, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched, that unblinking eyes were trained on her from across the room.
She glanced over at Draven, but he was engaged in conversation with one of the vampire nobles. Alessia's gaze lingered on him for a moment, before she forced herself to look away.
The rest of the evening passed in a blur of music and laughter. Alessia went through the motions, smiling and chatting with the guests. But her heart wasn't in it. She felt like a stranger in her own skin, trapped in a life that wasn't hers to live.
As the night wore on, Alessia began to feel a growing sense of desperation. She was married now, bound to Drake by law and duty. But she couldn't shake the feeling that she was making a terrible mistake, that she was sacrificing her own happiness for the sake of politics and power.
The music and laughter seemed to grow louder and more raucous as the night wore on. Alessia's head began to spin, her senses overwhelmed by the sights and sounds around her.
She felt a hand on her arm, and turned to see Drake smiling down at her. "Shall we dance, my dear?" he asked, his voice low and smooth.
Alessia nodded, forcing a smile onto her face. She allowed Drake to lead her onto the dance floor, where they were immediately surrounded by other couples.
As they danced, Alessia couldn't help but feel like she was trapped in a nightmare. She was married to a man she didn't love, and was now expected to play the role of dutiful wife.
She glanced over at Draven, who was watching her from across the room. For a moment, their eyes locked, and Alessia felt a jolt of electricity run through her body.
But then Drake's voice cut through the moment, his words drawing her back to reality. "You're a beautiful dancer, Alessia," he said, his eyes gleaming with approval.
Alessia smiled, trying to play the role of happy bride. But inside, she was seething with resentment. She was a pawn in a much larger game, and she couldn't wait to escape.
As the night wore on, Alessia found herself growing more and more exhausted. She was trapped in a never-ending cycle of music and laughter, with no escape in sight.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the music came to an end. Alessia breathed a sigh of relief as Drake led her off the dance floor.
"I think it's time we retired for the night," he said, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Alessia nodded, trying to hide her dread. She knew what was expected of her, and she wasn't looking forward to it.
As they made their way to their chambers, Alessia couldn't help but feel like she was walking to her doom. She was trapped in a marriage she didn't want, with a man she didn't love.
And as she lay in bed beside Drake, Alessia couldn't shake the feeling that she was living a lie. She was a married woman now, bound to a man she didn't love. But her heart belonged to someone else.
Someone she couldn't have.
As she drifted off to sleep, Alessia's thoughts were consumed by the one person she couldn't have. Draven.
The brother of her husband.
The man who had captured her heart.
And as she fell into a restless sleep, Alessia couldn't shake the feeling that her life was about to become a whole lot more complicated.