Alessia's heart was still racing from the encounter with Draven. She couldn't believe the way he had looked at her, the way he had seemed to be enjoying her fear.
As she walked with Drake to the great hall, she couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. What would the blood feast be like? Would she be expected to drink blood?
When they arrived at the great hall, Alessia was struck by the sheer scale of the decorations. The room was filled with candles and flowers, and the tables were groaning under the weight of food and drink.
But as she looked around, Alessia realized that something was off. The vampires were all staring at her, their eyes fixed on her with an unnerving intensity.
"Welcome, Alessia," said a voice behind her.
Alessia turned to see a tall, slender woman with long, curly hair and piercing green eyes. She was dressed in a flowing white gown, and she looked like a goddess.
"I am Sabine," the woman said, her voice low and husky. "Drake's sister."
Alessia smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. Maybe Sabine would be a friend, someone she could trust in this strange and frightening world.
"It's nice to meet you," Alessia said, trying to sound calm.
Sabine smiled, her eyes glinting with amusement. "I'm glad you could make it," she said. "I have to warn you, though - the blood feast can be a bit... intense."
Alessia's heart skipped a beat as Sabine's words. What did she mean by "intense"? Was she going to be expected to do something terrible?
But before she could ask any questions, Drake took her hand and led her to the head table. The room fell silent as they sat down, and Alessia felt a sense of trepidation wash over her.
The blood feast was about to begin, and Alessia had no idea what to expect.
As the night wore on, Alessia found herself growing more and more uncomfortable. The vampires were all staring at her, their eyes fixed on her with an unnerving intensity.
And then, just as she thought things couldn't get any worse, Draven stood up and raised his glass. "To the happy couple," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "May their union be blessed with blood and darkness."
Alessia felt a surge of fear at Draven's words, but Drake just smiled and raised his own glass. "To our union," he said, his voice firm and commanding. "May it be strong and lasting."
As the vampires all cheered and drank, Alessia felt a sense of relief wash over her. Maybe things wouldn't be so bad after all.
But as she looked over at Draven, she saw something in his eyes that made her blood run cold. It was a look of pure, unadulterated hatred.
And in that moment, Alessia knew that she was in grave danger. Draven was not going to let her and Drake live happily ever after. He was going to do everything in his power to destroy them.
As the night wore on, Alessia found herself growing more and more anxious. She knew that she had to be careful, that she couldn't let her guard down for a moment.
But as she looked over at Drake, she saw something in his eyes that gave her hope. It was a look of determination, of resolve.
And in that moment, Alessia knew that she was not alone. She had Drake, and together, they would face whatever dangers lay ahead.
As the blood feast came to a close, Alessia felt a sense of relief wash over her. She had survived the night, and she had even managed to make a few allies.
But as she looked over at Draven, she knew that the real challenge was only just beginning. Draven was not going to give up easily, and Alessia would have to be careful if she wanted to stay alive.
As they left the great hall and made their way back to their chambers, Alessia felt a sense of trepidation wash over her. What would the future hold? Would she and Drake be able to overcome the obstacles that lay ahead?
Only time would tell.
As they entered their chambers, Alessia saw that Sabine was waiting for them. She was sitting on the couch, a book in her hand.
"I hope you enjoyed the blood feast," Sabine said, looking up at them. "I know it can be a bit... overwhelming."
Alessia smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Sabine. "It was... interesting," she said. "I'm just glad it's over."
Sabine laughed, her eyes glinting with amusement. "I know exactly what you mean," she said. "But don't worry, Alessia. You'll get used to our ways.
Sabine smiled, her eyes glinting with amusement. "I know exactly what you mean," she said. "But don't worry, Alessia. You'll get used to our ways in time."
Alessia nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She was glad that Sabine was being so kind and understanding.
Sabine stood up, her movements fluid and elegant. "Come, Alessia," she said. "Let's sit down and talk."
Alessia followed Sabine to the couch, where they sat down together.
"I want to tell you something," Sabine said, her voice low and serious. "Something about our family."
Alessia leaned forward, her curiosity piqued.
"You see, Alessia," Sabine began, "our family has a long and complicated history. There's been a lot of... tension, shall we say, between our parents."
Alessia's eyes widened in surprise. "What do you mean?" she asked.
Sabine sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly. "Well, you see, our parents were both part of the royal family, but they were from different branches. And they didn't always... get along."
Alessia's eyes were fixed on Sabine's face, her mind racing with questions.
"What happened?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Sabine's eyes seemed to cloud over, her expression darkening. "Our parents were both vying for the throne," she said. "And they would stop at nothing to get it."
Alessia's eyes widened in shock. "What do you mean?" she asked.
Sabine's voice was barely above a whisper. "I mean that our parents were willing to do whatever it took to get the throne. Even if it meant hurting each other... or their own children."
Alessia felt a chill run down her spine as Sabine's words. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"But what about Drake and Draven?" she asked, her voice shaking slightly.
Sabine's expression softened, her eyes filling with sadness. "Ah, yes," she said. "Drake and Draven. They were both caught in the middle of our parents' power struggle."
Alessia's heart went out to the two brothers, who had been forced to grow up in such a toxic and dysfunctional environment.
"What happened to them?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Sabine's eyes seemed to cloud over, her expression darkening. "Drake was always the favored son," she said. "Our mother, Queen Lirien, she always favored him. She saw him as the future king."
Alessia's eyes widened in surprise. "And what about Draven?" she asked.
Sabine's voice was barely above a whisper. "Draven was always the outcast," she said. "Our mother, she never loved him the way she loved Drake. And Draven, he knew it. He's always felt like he's lived in Drake's shadow."
Alessia felt a pang of sympathy for Draven, who had been forced to grow up in the shadow of his more favored brother.
"But what about their mother?" Alessia asked, her curiosity piqued.
Sabine's expression darkened, her eyes flashing with anger. "Draven's mother, Queen Niamh, she was a cruel and heartless woman," she said. "She only cared about one thing: getting the throne for herself and her son."
Alessia's eyes widened in shock as Sabine's words. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"And what happened to her?" Alessia asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Sabine's expression was grim. "She was killed in a battle for the throne," she said. "Drake's mother, Queen Lirien, she was the one who ultimately emerged victorious."
Alessia felt a chill run down her spine as Sabine's words. She couldn't believe the complexity and darkness of the vampire royal family's history.
"But what about Draven?" Alessia asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Sabine's expression softened, her eyes filling with sadness. "Draven was devastated by his mother's death," she said. "He's never forgiven Drake's mother for what she did."
Alessia felt a pang of sympathy for Draven, who had been forced to grow up without a mother's love.
"And what about now?" Alessia asked, her curiosity piqued.
Sabine's expression was grim. "Now, Draven is more determined than ever to get the throne for himself," she said. "And he'll stop at nothing to get it."
Alessia felt a chill run down her spine as Sabine's words. She knew that she had to be careful, that she couldn't trust Draven as far as she could throw him.
But as she looked over at Sabine, Alessia felt a sense of gratitude towards her. Sabine had been kind to her, and had taken the time to explain the complex and dark history of the vampire royal family.
"Thank you, Sabine," Alessia said, her voice sincere. "I really appreciate you telling me all of this."
Sabine smiled, her eyes warm with kindness. "I'm just glad I could help," she said. "I know it can't be easy for you, being a human in a world of vampires."
Alessia nodded, feeling a sense of understanding with Sabine. "It's definitely been a challenge," she said. "But I'm trying to learn and adapt."
Sabine nodded, her expression serious. "That's good," she said. "Because in our world, knowledge is power. And if you want to survive, you need to be prepared."
Alessia felt a shiver run down her spine as Sabine's words. She knew that she had a lot to learn, and that she needed to be careful if she wanted to stay alive.
But as she looked over at Sabine, Alessia felt a sense of hope. She knew that she had found a friend and ally in Sabine, and that together, they could face whatever challenges lay ahead.
As the night wore on, Alessia found herself feeling more and more at ease. She was starting to feel like she belonged in this strange and frightening world, and that she had found a place where she could be herself.
But as she looked over at Drake, who was sitting on the other side of the room, Alessia felt a pang of guilt. She knew that she had married him for convenience, and that she didn't really know him.
And as she looked into his eyes, Alessia felt a sense of uncertainty. Did she really want to spend the rest of her life with this man? Or was she just trapped in a marriage that she didn't want?
As the night wore on, Alessia found herself lost in thought. She was trying to make sense of her feelings, and to figure out what she really wanted.
But as she looked around the room, Alessia realized that she wasn't the only one who was struggling. Drake and Sabine were both watching her, their eyes filled with concern and curiosity.
And Draven, who was sitting in the corner of the room, was watching her with a look of pure, unadulterated hatred.
Alessia felt a shiver run down her spine as she looked at Draven. She knew that she had to be careful, that she couldn't trust him as far as she could throw him.
But as she looked around the room, Alessia realized that she wasn't alone. She had Drake and Sabine, who were both trying to help her. And she had herself, her own strength and determination.
As the night wore on, Alessia found herself feeling more and more confident. She knew that she could face whatever challenges lay ahead, as long as she had the people she cared about by her side.
And as she looked over at Drake, Alessia felt a sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe, she could learn to love him. And maybe, just maybe, they could build a life together that was filled with love, laughter, and happiness.
But as she looked over at Draven, Alessia felt a sense of unease. She knew that he was still out there, watching her and waiting for his chance to strike.
And as the night wore on, Alessia found herself wondering what the future held. Would she and Drake be able to build a life together, or would Draven's hatred and resentment tear them apart?
Only time would tell.