Chapter 5

The council chamber was an imposing space, lined with dark stone walls and lit by the flickering flames of ornate candelabras. Around a long table sat the most powerful figures of Noctis Dominia, their faces shadowed but their eyes gleaming with sharp intellect.

Serafina entered with her usual grace, commanding the room’s attention without a word. She took her place at the head of the table, her cold gaze sweeping over the gathered council.

“King Kael of Silverwilds has proposed an alliance against the humans,” Serafina began, her voice calm yet resonant. “His terms involve a union between his daughter, Princess Selene, and my son, Prince Dimitri.”

A murmur of discontent rippled through the room.

“This is preposterous,” spat Lord Marcellus, his tone laced with scorn. “We’ve been at odds with the werewolves for centuries. Why should we lower ourselves to such a union?”

Lady Eryndra nodded in agreement, her emerald eyes narrowing. “This reeks of desperation on their part. Let them fend for themselves.”

Viscount Rhenis thumped his fist on the table. “I say we refuse outright. Our pride cannot be compromised for their convenience.”

The room grew noisier as the council debated, voices overlapping in a cacophony of dissent.

“Enough.” The commanding voice of Lord Varros cut through the noise like a blade. His sharp, measured tone forced silence. “Refusal may seem like the obvious choice but consider this—accepting their proposal does not bind us in loyalty. We could use their kind as free war resources. Let the werewolves bleed for us.”

A heavy silence fell over the room as the implications of his words sank in.

“There is merit to this,” said Lady Althaea thoughtfully, her slender fingers tracing the edge of a parchment. “Accept the proposal, but draft strict marriage clauses to ensure we maintain the upper hand. Let them think they are gaining an ally, while we remain in control.”

The council murmured their agreement, the earlier opposition melting into reluctant acceptance.

“It seems we are in agreement, then,” Serafina said, her faint smile carrying a victorious edge. “I will deliver our terms to King Kael. Let the wolves think they’ve secured an ally, while we prepare to secure our future.”

Serafina rose from her seat with quiet authority, the soft rustle of her robes filling the silence that followed her final words. The members of the council, their eyes still sharp with the weight of the discussion, stood in unison, bowing their heads in deference to her.

Without a word, Serafina turned and left the chamber, the heavy doors closing behind her with a resonating thud.

---

The chamber of Silverwilds’ council was thick with tension as the heavy doors creaked open. A messenger from Noctis Dominia entered, his steps measured and deliberate, a sealed scroll in hand. He approached the council table and, with a respectful bow, handed the scroll to the herald.

The herald unfurled the ancient parchment, his voice echoing through the chamber as he began reading aloud. The words were familiar, but it was the weight of each clause that caused unease to settle over the room.

"Marriage Agreement Between the Vampire Realm of Noctis Dominia and the Werewolf Realm of Silverwilds," the herald announced, his voice steady.

The council members leaned in, their eyes narrowing as they listened. The messenger stood in silence, waiting for the reactions to unfold.

"Clause 1: Sovereignty. The marriage between Prince Dimitri deLacroix and Princess Selene Steele shall serve as a symbol of alliance, but neither party shall infringe upon the sovereignty of the other. Both realms retain full control of their lands, armies, and resources."

A murmur rippled through the room. The elders exchanged glances; their unease palpable. It was a clause that on the surface seemed fair enough, but the weight of it… a mere formality… was not lost on anyone.

"Clause 2: Military Assistance. The werewolves of Silverwilds are to provide a mandatory force of 5,000 warriors to aid in the defense of Noctis Dominia. These warriors shall be under the direct command of Noctis Dominia generals during wartime."

There it was the first real point of contention. A few nobles stiffened, their displeasure audible as Lord Orin muttered, "Five thousand? We are giving away five thousand of our finest warriors to fight their battles?"

"Silverwilds has always stood on its own," Lady Makina added, more heated now. "We are not mercenaries to the vampires."

Kael's jaw tightened, but he remained composed. He knew this was coming. The cost of the alliance was steep, and many were unwilling to accept it. But he had made his decision.

The herald moved on, reading the next clauses swiftly. There was little response to the rest… the talk of military support, the assurances of loyalty and honor. But then came the clause that made the entire room fall into a thick silence.

"Clause 4: Consummation of the Marriage. The marriage shall only be deemed valid upon the consummation of the union. Both parties are required to consummate the marriage within the first moon cycle following the ceremony. This clause is essential for the marriage to be recognized officially by both parties and their realms."

The room was dead silent. Every eye turned toward Kael, awaiting his reaction. The tension in the air was suffocating as whispers began to rise.

"Do we truly expect this?" Lady Lyra asked, shaky with disbelief. "Is this really part of the agreement?"

Lord Fenris snapped, "The prince and princess don’t even know each other. How can we force this upon them?"

Ronan’s hand clenched around the arm of his chair. He could feel the heat rising in his chest as his eyes narrowed, fixated on the floor. The idea of Selene, his sister, being forced to… that… was unbearable.

"And what if she refuses?" Lady Makina asked, her voice strained, her concern plain.

Ronan shot up, his voice sharp. "What if she does refuse? Are we prepared to push her into this nightmare with that… vampire?" His eyes burned with fury as he turned to face Kael. "You’re willing to sacrifice her for this alliance?"

Kael's gaze hardened. "I’m willing to sacrifice everything, including my daughter, for the survival of this realm. You all know what the humans are capable of. We cannot afford to stand alone. This alliance with the vampires is our only chance."

The council murmured in response, and Kael continued. "The terms are harsh, but necessary. We do not have the luxury of time."

Lady Lyra intervened, "But what about the consummation? Are we really asking them to—"

"It will happen," Kael interrupted, his voice cutting through the room. "If this marriage is to be sealed, it must be completed. We cannot afford weakness, hesitation, or refusal."

The tension in the room thickened. The elders exchanged uncertain looks, but none of them dared speak against Kael now. The decision had been made. The weight of it settled over them like a heavy blanket.

Suddenly, Talen, spoke. His voice was steady, calm. "My king," he said, his gaze meeting Kael’s with resolve. "What is your answer? Will we proceed with the alliance?"

Kael’s eyes were cold, his voice unwavering. "The vampires are stronger than we are. If the humans come for us, it will be our destruction. The marriage is going to happen. We have no choice."

Ronan’s fists clenched tighter. His mind raced, and before he could stop himself, he stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor.

“I won’t stand for this,” he muttered under his breath as he stormed out of the room, leaving the council in stunned silence. His heart pounded in his chest, his anger unchecked.

Ronan’s footsteps echoed down the stone corridors of the castle as he made his way toward Selene’s chambers, a knot of tension tightening in his chest. He couldn’t stop thinking about the meeting in the council hall—the alliance, the marriage, the vampires. Everything had been falling into place, but the one thing that gnawed at him, the one thing he couldn’t shake, was Selene.

When he reached her door, his hand slammed against it, knocking hard, his voice rising with the urgency in his chest. “Selene!”

There was no response.

A cold shiver ran through him as his heart began to race. His sister had always been strong-willed, but this silence... It wasn’t like her. Without waiting any longer, Ronan twisted the handle and forced the door open.

What he saw made his stomach lurch.

In the middle of the room, Selene’s trusted escort was bound to a pillar, her mouth gagged, eyes wide with fear. She gasped for breath, struggling against her restraints as her body trembled.

Ronan’s blood ran cold. He rushed forward, yanking the gag from her mouth.

“Where’s Selene?” His voice was low, controlled, but there was an underlying edge of panic.

The woman’s chest heaved as she tried to catch her breath. She looked at him with wide, terrified eyes, her voice barely above a whisper. “My prince... The princess...”

“Tell me where she is!” His tone was sharper now, fear and anger warring within him.

The woman struggled, her voice trembling. “She... she ran away...”

Ronan froze. `Ran away? ´