The moment they crossed the last stretch of wilderness, the land before her opened into something vast and breathtaking.
She had expected darkness—ruins, perhaps, a kingdom stripped of life under the rule of a vampire king. But what she saw was nothing like the stories whispered in human courts.
The city sprawled beneath them, layered in tiers that stretched toward the horizon. The roads were paved in dark stone, smooth yet ancient, lined with buildings carved into the mountainside. Towers rose like spears against the sky, their tops shrouded in thin mist. And despite the absence of the sun, the land was not draped in eternal shadow. Instead, a soft glow emanated from glass lanterns strung along the streets and mounted on walls, their blue and gold flames flickering like captured starlight.
The streets were alive with movement—humans and vampires alike, going about their day as if nothing were out of the ordinary. Market stalls brimmed with goods; laughter and chatter wove through the crisp air. Yet, there was something beneath it all, a rhythm too smooth, a harmony too practiced. She watched as humans moved through the city with purpose, their expressions neutral, their interactions with vampires measured. No one flinched. No one cowered.
It unsettled her more than open fear would have.
She swallowed, her voice barely above a whisper. "This is... not what I expected."
He barely spared her a glance. "What did you expect?"
She didn't answer.
The castle loomed ahead, carved into the highest peak, its presence undeniable. It was unlike any structure she had ever seen—dark stone walls stretched impossibly high, their surfaces etched with runes she couldn't read. Spires clawed at the sky, their tips sharp enough to pierce clouds. It should have been foreboding, yet there was something mesmerizing about it.
The gates swung open without a sound, and as they rode through, a strange feeling settled in her chest.
She realized, for the first time, that she had not once looked back. Pressing her lips together, she rode across the threshold, her gaze flickering to the people around them.
Their eyes followed him. Not with fear. Not with hostility. But with something else—something like reverence.
"Did they admire their captain that much?"
She barely had time to process the thought before his voice cut through the air.
"Take her to the hoarding."
He started walking, but then paused, barely glancing over his shoulder. "And don't cause trouble."
She should have focused on his words, on what 'hoarding' even meant in this place, but her mind was elsewhere—taking in the sheer grandeur of the architecture. She had never seen anything like it. So dark, yet so mesmerizing.
This time, a maid led her. They moved through vast halls, where candlelight flickered against stone, casting a golden glow that contrasted with the subtle blue hue of the kingdom outside. The deeper they went, the more she found herself marveling. What a beautiful kingdom.
Finally, they arrived.
The room was bigger than the one she had stayed in before. It was simple, yet spacious, with everything she could need. The walls were adorned in deep, muted tones—shades of brown, black, and blue. Hers was a dark shade of purple.
She shut the door and exhaled.
Then, without hesitation, she stripped. She reeked. After a day of riding under the sun, sweating through her clothes, and not even brushing her teeth, she could hardly stand herself. The water in the bath wasn't warm, but it wasn't freezing either—just cool enough to remind her of where she was.
"A castle for vampires... they probably don't do well with warmth."
The realization hit her like a blade to the chest.
Vampires.
She was in the midst of them.
Her heart spiked for a moment—before she forced herself to calm. So far, she hadn't seen humans being mistreated. But that didn't mean they weren't.
Then another thought struck.
"Vampires have inhuman hearing. And the ability to compel."
Her pulse quickened. They could hurt her. Compel her. Make her forget. She could be walking into a fate worse than death.
But then she steadied herself. Compulsion only works easily on weak minds. She was certain hers wasn't.
She walked toward the bathing area, picking up a small bottle that smelled faintly herbal. She suspected it was for hair. As she lathered it into her scalp, another fact from her books surfaced 'Only pure-blooded vampires could compel anyone and even then, a strong will would bend'
She frowned.
Then groaned as her fingers massaged her scalp, the tension in her body finally slipping away.
For now, she'd let her thoughts fade.
__
After what felt like an eternity of filth clinging to her skin, she finally felt clean.
She had spent far too long in the bath—scrubbing every inch of herself, soaking in the cool water until her muscles unwound. She had brushed her teeth with an almost obsessive focus, as if trying to erase the past day entirely.
Now, wrapped in a robe, her damp hair pulled into a loose bun, she sank into the mattress.
Soft. Deep. Unlike the stiff, travel-worn beds she had grown accustomed to.
For the first time in what felt like forever, she could have a long, long rest.
Her body surrendered to the comfort, and before she could even think about where she was, who she was surrounded by, or what tomorrow would bring—
She drifted into sleep.
__
Earlier that Morning (The next day)
After finishing her meal, she stepped toward the door, opening it and stared at the guard
The guard outside didn't react.
"I need to see your captain," she said.
Silence.
"Maybe he didn't hear me." She spoke again, louder this time. "I want to see him. Tell him I'm asking for him."
Still, nothing.
Then finally, a flat response:
"Stay in your chambers."
She narrowed her eyes. "So you can talk."
The guard remained still, his gaze fixed straight ahead, not acknowledging her.
Her patience wore thin.
"He brought me here himself. The least he could do is explain why I'm locked up."
Silence.
She clenched her fists and stormed back toward the bed, forcing herself to sit.
This was beyond frustrating.
---
Presently: Noon
Sitting on the edge of the bed, she watched as another tray of food was placed inside. The servant bowed slightly before turning to leave.
"Wait."
The servant hesitated.
"When exactly am I allowed to leave?"
"You should eat while the food is warm," the maid replied blandly.
"That's not what I asked!" she snapped, voice edged with irritation.
The servant merely lowered her head before stepping out and shutting the door behind her.
Her jaw tightened.
"This is ridiculous."
Her foot struck the tray, sending it clattering to the ground. Food spilled across the floor, but she didn't care.
Pacing back and forth, she dragged a hand through her hair. Her breath came uneven, her chest tight with restless energy.
She couldn't just sit here, waiting for the next turn of her life like a doll.
---
The Vampire
"What news do you have?"
His voice was calm, but it carried an unmistakable weight—a voice that commanded obedience.
The vampire kneeling before him lowered his head.
"All the bodies bear similar markings—ancient ones, like those of the elven tribes—but we have yet to determine which one."
A flicker of something unreadable passed through his eyes.
"Find out quickly," he ordered, closing them in thought.
"Yes, my lord." The other vampire swiftly departed.
He leaned back in his chair. The killings were becoming frequent, but he liked to handle problems before they escalated.
It had been a long time since something had required his full attention.
Swirling his chair slightly, he exhaled. His mind drifted to a certain person.
---
The Princess
"So that's it, huh? I'm just supposed to sit here like a caged bird?"
A full day and night had passed, and the waiting—without answers—was pushing her to the edge.
Her fingers drummed against the armrest.
Her gaze flicked to the door. Could she risk it?
It was said that vampires could smell people from a mile away and hear even the faintest whispers.
But at this point? She didn't care.
"Fine. If they won't let me out…"
She was going to risk it.
The vampire hadn't treated her badly so far. If she got caught, she doubted he would kill her outright. Besides, escaping the entire North unnoticed was a death sentence—the whole region was under his control.
Even if she made it out, where would she go?
That left only one option:
If he wasn't coming to her, she was going to him.
The only thing she ever thanked her father for was allowing her to train with the soldiers, even just a little
She peered out the window.
Thankfully, she hadn't been placed in one of the castle's grand towers. This was a smaller structure, only one story high. A jump from here would leave little to no injury.
She pulled on a simpler gown, one that allowed for better movement.
Taking a steadying breath, she jumped.