Chapter 3: Visions of Fire
SERAPHINA
My father turned to glare at me, eyes staring daggers—a look he hardly used on me—before they slowly masked back to his normal cold expression.
"Adrian will be here."
He replied instead. I wasn't surprised; he always avoided every discussion that had to do with the very man he turned into a villain.
"Adrian…" I whispered, remembering the incident that happened an hour ago.
"I can't get married to Adrian."
I replied, staring at my father, who turned to look at me like I had grown two heads. His eyes scanned my face, seeing the seriousness in it, and then he huffed, turning to stare at the scene in front of him.
"You sound like you have run mad, Seraphina. You wake up one morning and decide that the prince—who we had made a deal with, whose father agreed to this marriage meant to happen the moment you turned twenty-one—now, you decide you won't marry him. I believe you must be in that time of the month."
He snarled. I winced at his words. I knew this was exactly what he would say.
"He planned on committing treason the moment he takes over from you as alpha—the moment he marries me. He plans on killing Draven Gravestone, he plans on killing you afterward, and taking control of our dragons."
I said, hoping against hope that he would listen to me, that for once, he would hear my words. But instead, my father turned to look at me, his eyes boring into mine.
Suddenly, the door opened, and Adrian stepped in. His eyes scanned the room, and the moment they found mine, he smiled and slowly approached us. He bowed toward my father, the corner of his eyes meeting mine while he bowed, smirking at me.
I gritted my teeth with anger, hoping my father would see past his deceit. But my father was a man filled with so much pride—he didn't believe anyone could plan a coup and overthrow him. He believed in his dragons, and even this marriage; he'd accept it to strengthen his power.
"Adrian…my son… You may rise."
My father commanded, staring at him, and he quickly rose. I had failed to notice that the alphas of Silver Crest, Homebridge, Iron Fangs, and even three vampire lords were close by and had instantly taken interest in our conversation. Their heads turned toward us.
"Adrian…my daughter just told me that you plan on taking over my kingdom the moment you marry her, and even kill our greatest common enemy, Draven. I like that part, though, but I'd like to know if that's true."
My father said loudly. Everyone—the alphas and vampire lords within close range—turned to stare at us once more. His words were loud enough to make everyone freeze.
I almost palmed my hands against my face. How could my father listen to him? How could he not trust his own daughter's words?
I didn't fail to notice the smile that formed around Adrian's face. Even though it looked like a genuine smile, I knew it was a smirk.
"How could I, a mere prince, plan on committing such a high offense? That is high treason. My marriage to your daughter isn't just a duty, but because I need to protect every pack member—both from within my pack and beyond—to kill our common enemy. Alpha King, far be it from me that I would plan such evil against you. The only evil I plan is the one that concerns having the head of Draven Gravestone placed in the center of this court, his blood spread across this courtroom while everyone watches his body dragged into different pieces."
He said, turning to stare at me, his face morphing into a frown.
"My dear betrothed, how could you speak of such high accusations against me in court? Not just in court, but in front of your father. This is a serious accusation, and I would have asked you to provide evidence, but because I love you as my betrothed, I will not demand such. Because I have a long future with you…and only you."
He finished. His last words struck me—his threat was right there in the open air, but everyone clapped instead. They all clapped with so much enthusiasm, honoring him like he wasn't going to butcher them if he had the power to.
"Now that's my son speaking. Come, take the seat beside me."
He said. My eyes widened in shock when I saw my father offer him the seat of my mother—one he had never allowed me to sit on—and he dared give it to him, to Adrian.
The betrayal punched me in the gut so hard I felt like vomiting.
"Why don't we continue the show? I want to see some fucking of slaves and body parts being played with. For my son-in-law. He deserves the show."
My father shouted, and the lords roared, their eyes staring at me, filled with lust. I gnashed my teeth.
I turned to stare at Adrian. His eyes weren't focused on the show ahead; rather, they were focused on me. They didn't hold any smirk or smile, but instead remained cold, dark, and whatever he was planning terrified me. For a second—for a slight second—I wished the Lord of Misery would make himself known and kill each and every one in this room, especially Adrian. I wished he would have his head butchered and his eyes gouged out.
I quickly snapped my eyes open, shaking the thoughts from my head as I turned again to stare at Adrian. He stared at me, his head cocking to the side, his expression holding confusion—obviously catching me in my dark thoughts.
I shivered, biting my lip. I couldn't believe I had thought such things. I had, for once, wished evil upon someone.
I stared at the disgusting scene before me, watching a slave being fingered torturously as her legs were spread wide for her audience while her master pumped his fingers in and out of her, smiling down and groaning in pleasure while another slave sucked his cock.
It was a repelling sight—one I had been forced to witness the very night I turned eighteen.
I closed my eyes, and suddenly I saw red eyes with black rings all around them. The images within those eyes showed fire, blood, dead flesh burning—enough to make my eyes snap open, my heart thumping loudly at the vision. I stared at everyone around me, oblivious to what I had just seen.
I stood up quickly. Without giving another word, I walked out of the court, my heart thumping loudly.
This was enough to know that…Draven Gravestone was coming…for Moorlands.