Chapter 4

The herald's voice echoed through the throne room of Noctis Dominia, resounding off the black marble walls and golden tapestries that adorned the room.

“Announcing the arrival of King Kael Steele, ruler of the Silverwilds, and his son, Crown Prince Ronan Steele!”

The doors creaked open, revealing the imposing figures of Kael and Ronan. Kael, with his regal bearing and iron-gray hair, strode in confidently, his deep green cloak swaying behind him. Ronan followed closely, his amber eyes scanning the room with calculated wariness.

At the end of the hall sat Queen Serafina deLacroix, the formidable ruler of Noctis Dominia. Her presence was an embodiment of grace and power. Long, curled silver-gray hair cascaded down her shoulders, perfectly complementing her crimson Victorian gown adorned with glittering rubies. Beside her, lounging on the throne’s arm, was her son, Prince Dimitri deLacroix.

Dimitri exuded an air of arrogance. Dressed in a crisp white linen shirt, its loose sleeves tucked into leather trousers, he lounged with one leg crossed lazily over the other. His straight, shoulder-length white hair shimmered like moonlight. His piercing blue eyes observed the werewolf prince with thinly veiled disdain, the slight curl of his lip betraying his thoughts.

Kael stopped at the base of the dais and gave a courteous bow. “Your Majesty, Queen Serafina. It is an honor to stand in your esteemed court. The Silverwilds is deeply grieved by the plight your kingdom faces. A war with humans is no easy burden.”

Serafina tilted her head, her red earrings catching the light. Her smile was cold and razor-sharp. “King Kael, spare me your sympathies. Our peoples have been enemies for centuries. Why do you come here, cloaked in civility?”

Kael’s lips tightened, but his composure remained steadfast. He turned slightly, signaling one of his escorts, who stepped forward with a rolled parchment. The servant handed it to the herald, who unfurled it and began to read.

“By decree of King Kael Steele of the Silverwilds, a proposition is hereby presented to Her Majesty, Queen Serafina deLacroix of Noctis Dominia. To ensure mutual survival and strength in the face of the human threat, an alliance is proposed between the werewolf and vampire realms. As a sign of unity, Princess Selene of the Silverwilds shall be offered in marriage to His Highness, Prince Dimitri deLacroix.”

The court fell silent.

Dimitri’s head tilted, his icy blue eyes narrowing as he regarded the proclamation. `Marry me? ´ he thought with incredulity. His gaze flicked to Ronan, who stood tall and unyielding beside his father. `These filthy animals think they can bind us with such a union? ´ The thought was almost amusing, if not utterly repulsive.

Ronan’s sharp amber eyes met Dimitri’s glare, and a silent battle erupted between them. Dimitri’s lip curled slightly, his gaze sweeping over the werewolf prince with disdain. `He stinks of sweat and earth, ´ Dimitri mused. `A beast masquerading as a man. ´

Ronan bristled under the vampire’s scrutiny, his jaw tightening. He could feel the disdain radiating from Dimitri, and it took all his restraint to keep from growling outright. `Arrogant leech, ´ he thought. `I’d love to see how your smugness holds up in a real fight. ´

Queen Serafina’s expression betrayed a flicker of disgust as the herald finished reading. Composing herself, she offered a tight smile. “King Kael, you honor us with your…creative solution. However, such a proposition requires careful consideration. I must convene with my council before offering a formal reply.”

Kael inclined his head, his expression unreadable. “Of course, Your Majesty. We await your decision.”

“Until then,” Serafina continued smoothly, “allow me to extend my hospitality. Please join us for lunch.”

Kael accepted with a polite nod, though Ronan’s brow furrowed slightly. The invitation felt more like an obligation than genuine goodwill.

As they were escorted from the throne room, Ronan’s and Dimitri’s gazes locked once again. Tension crackled between them like a storm about to break.

Dimitri’s gaze was calculating, taking in every detail of the werewolf prince. `Muscular, brutish, unrefined. What a delightful mockery of royalty. ´

Ronan, for his part, saw nothing but contempt in the vampire’s icy blue eyes. `Keep looking, leech, ´ he thought darkly. `I’ll happily show you just how “animal” I can be. ´

Neither spoke, but the unspoken hatred between them was visible… a clash of fire and ice, destined to ignite.

Kael and Ronan followed the servants through a maze of grand hallways, the scent of incense and aged wood lingering in the air. At last, they reached the great hall, a cavernous room adorned with intricate chandeliers and long, dark mahogany tables. The servants gestured to their seats near the head of the table.

Kael and Ronan sat in silence, the tension visible as they waited. Moments later, the grand doors swung open to announce the arrival of Queen Serafina. She entered with effortless grace, her crimson gown trailing behind her. Dimitri followed closely, his movements languid but purposeful, his sharp blue eyes immediately locking onto Ronan.

Kael and Ronan rose, bowing deeply. Serafina dismissed the gesture with a wave of her hand, settling herself at the head of the table. Dimitri took his place to her right, his gaze lingering on Ronan for a fraction too long before sitting. Kael and Ronan followed suit.

“King Kael,” Serafina began, her voice as smooth and sharp as a blade, “it seems the plight of humanity has inspired creativity in the Silverwilds. A marriage proposal, of all things.” She chuckled coldly, her ruby earrings glinting in the dim light.

Kael’s expression remained composed. “Desperation often breeds innovation, Your Majesty. Unity between our people may be the key to survival.”

As the conversation unfolded, Dimitri and Ronan continued their silent battle of wills. Dimitri’s sharp eyes flicked to Ronan’s chest, his thoughts idly noting its broad, muscular expanse. He could smell the faint scent of pine and earth clinging to the werewolf prince, a stark contrast to the sterile elegance of Noctis Dominia. `He reeks of wilderness,’ Dimitri mused, though a corner of his mind acknowledged the primal allure of it.

Ronan, meanwhile, did his best to ignore the vampire’s gaze, though he couldn’t help but take in Dimitri’s appearance. His striking features—moonlit hair, piercing eyes—were undeniably captivating, but Ronan’s lip curled slightly. ‘What a waste,’ he thought. ‘All that beauty hiding a rotten core.’

The servants arrived with the food, breaking the tension momentarily. Bowls of thick, dark-red liquid were placed before Serafina and Dimitri, the scent of iron unmistakable. For Kael and Ronan, a platter of roasted venison, seasoned vegetables, and fresh bread was served.

As they ate, Serafina continued to speak, her words laced with regal slang and double meanings. “Of course, an alliance of this nature isn’t merely a union of two individuals. It is a binding of realms, a weaving of destinies. Wouldn’t you agree, my son?”

Dimitri raised a brow, dabbing his lips with a pristine napkin. “Indeed, Mother. Though one must question if such…ties are as beneficial as they seem. Some bonds, after all, are more burden than blessing.” His eyes flicked to Ronan, the corner of his mouth twitching in amusement.

Kael’s voice cut through the tension, measured and calm. “Bonds, Prince Dimitri, are only as strong as the individuals within them. True strength lies in adaptation and trust.”

Ronan gritted his teeth, his knuckles white as he gripped his fork. Every word out of Dimitri’s mouth was another spark to the fire building inside him. He wanted nothing more than to leave this palace of shadows and return to the open air of the Silverwilds.

The lunch concluded with polite farewells, though the undercurrent of tension remained unbroken. Serafina and Dimitri accompanied Kael and Ronan to the grand entrance, where a carriage awaited.

As they parted, Dimitri leaned casually against a pillar, his arms crossed, watching Ronan with a smirk. ‘Such anger,’ he thought. ‘A temper like that will be his undoing.’

Ronan met his gaze with a scowl, climbing into the carriage after his father. ‘There’s no way I’m letting that arrogant leech anywhere near my family.’

The carriage rolled away, the spires of Noctis Dominia fading into the distance. Ronan clenched his fists, his amber eyes narrowing. “Father, this is a mistake,” he muttered.

Kael sighed but said nothing, his expression unreadable.

Back in the castle, Dimitri lingered in the doorway, watching the carriage disappear. ‘The beast has fire,’ he thought with a faint smirk.