When Lyanna woke up, the sun was already burning hot. Clara must have come in while she slept because an elegant deep gray dress was hanging on the dresser.
She took a bath and had just finished dressing up when she heard a knock at the door.
"Come in."
The same blonde woman from the council stood at the door, with two guards on both sides.
"Princess Lyanna." The woman said calmly. "I am Lady Helena Winterbourne, King Azrael's chief political advisor and your instructor until your wedding. His Majesty wants me to prepare you for your duties as Queen of Thornfield."
She stepped inside without waiting for Lyanna's response, the guards stayed outside as the door closed.
Helena then circled Lyanna slowly, examining her.
"You look prettier up close. It will be an advantage for you. Vampire courts value beauty. But you're too pale, and too thin. We'll need to feed you properly. A queen must look healthy."
"I haven't had much appetite lately." Lyanna replied. "Watching my family die and being forced into marriage with a man who wants to destroy me has killed my appetite."
Helena smiled.
"At least you have a spine. That's impressive. But defiance here doesn't just punish you, it punishes innocents as well. I'm sure His Majesty would have told you how he can punish others for your mistakes."
Helena then walked to the sitting area and sat.
"Sit. We have a lot to discuss and very little time."
Lyanna sat opposite her and hid her trembling hands in her lap.
"Before we begin your formal education, I need to know what you already know. Your mother kept you sheltered and ignorant, but you must know at least something about vampire society." Helena pulled out a leather notebook and a pen. "Tell me what you know about vampire courts."
"I know there are four major courts." Lyanna replied as she started thinking. "Thornfield is the strongest. Shadowmere is known for its warriors. Crimson Dawn controls trade routes. Eclipse Court possesses ancient magic."
"Acceptable." Helena made notes. "Continue."
"There are dozens of minor courts, bound by treaties and alliances. Vampires can be born or turned. Turned vampires are a little less respected than born vampires."
"What else?"
"Vampires feed on blood, preferably from willing donors. They're stronger and faster than humans, heal from most wounds, and can live for eternity." Lyanna paused. "They're sensitive to sunlight and silver."
Helena was impressed.
"Better than I expected. But knowing facts doesn't mean you understand the culture, and the politics." She opened her notebook. "Let's start with the wedding ceremony.
Vampire weddings are not like human weddings. When you speak your vows, you'll be creating a bond that will connect you to His Majesty. He'll be able to sense your emotions, especially fear and desire.
The ceremony will be attended by representatives from every major vampire court. You'll be judged and mocked. Some will enjoy your humiliation. A few will wait for you to fail so they can replace you."
"He will never discard me." Lyanna replied confidently.
"But he can keep you as his wife while having affairs, if you embarrass him." Helena closed her notebook. "That's why you need to be perfect."
For the next few hours, Helena explained to her about the hierarchy of vampire courts and described vampire customs.
"When you'll be introduced to court representatives at the wedding, you should know how to address each one appropriately." Helena pulled out a thick portfolio of portraits and documents.
"Memorize these faces and names. King Damien of Shadowmere, he will respect you only if you show courage. Queen Elise of Crimson Dawn was His Majesty's lover for a century. The relationship was complex."
"His lover?"
"Did you think he's been celibate for four hundred years?" Helena asked in a mocking tone. "Their relationship ended about fifty years ago, but she never accepted it. Beware of her.
Lady Sylvia from Eclipse Court also had relations with His Majesty in the past."
"So I'll be surrounded by his former lovers at my wedding." Lyanna snickered.
"Welcome to the vampire society." Helena said and continued showing her the portraits until Lyanna's head started spinning.
"I can't remember all of this in five days."
"Failure isn't an option. I'll drill you every day until these names and faces are burned into your memory." Helena put aside the portfolio and pulled out another document.
"Now, let's discuss your duties as a queen. You'll manage the royal household, host diplomatic functions, represent Thornfield at social events…"
The list went on and on.
By the time Clara brought lunch, Lyanna's mind was overflowing with information. Helena didn't even pause for the meal, she continued her lecture between the bites as well.
"I won't lie to you, Lyanna. This marriage is your punishment, and His Majesty wants to make it as difficult as possible." She leaned forward. "I don't like you. But I also don't enjoy watching unnecessary torture. So I'm giving you free advice."
Helena's voice dropped to a whisper.
"Don't love him. Don't even try. Just submit, obey, and survive. Because the moment you start having any feelings for him, he'll sense it through the bond, and then destroy it."
Lyanna swallowed.
"You want me to be emotionless throughout my life as his queen?"
"Emotions make you weak, and in this marriage, weakness is dangerous."
A knock at the door interrupted them. Both of them turned as a guard entered.
"Lady Helena, His Majesty requests your presence in the council chamber."
Helena stood up.
"We'll continue your lesson tomorrow morning." She pulled three thick books from a bag Lyanna hadn't noticed she'd brought. "These cover vampire history, court etiquette, and political theory. Read them tonight. I'll test you tomorrow.
Also, His Majesty mentioned you'll dine with him privately again tonight. Wear the blue gown Clara will bring you."
After Helena left, Lyanna stared at the three books on the table. Each had at least five hundred pages. She had to read all of them in one night. It was impossible.
She opened the first book, about the history of vampire courts, and began to read. The words blurred before her tired eyes, but she still forced herself to focus.
Hours passed. Clara brought her tea and snacks, but Lyanna didn't touch them.
She was reading a chapter about an attack by the Holy Order two hundred years ago that had killed thousands of vampires when a particular paragraph caught her attention.
King Azrael Thornfield's assault on the Order's forces was brutally unprecedented. After learning that they had captured and tortured Catherine Moreau, a human woman he had been courting, Azrael personally led raids and killed every Order member in the three territories. Catherine, however, was burned alive.
Lyanna's hands trembled again as she read the paragraph. Azrael once loved a human woman, and the Holy Order had killed her in the worst way possible.
A knock at the door broke her trance. Clara entered with a beautiful sapphire blue gown draped over her arms.
"His Majesty wants to see you in his private chambers in one hour for dinner."
Lyanna's heart pounded. He wanted to see her in his private chambers, not the intimate dining room like before.
"Clara." Lyanna could hear the desperation in her own voice. "What if I refuse? What if I … don't go?"
"Then he'll come here and drag you there himself, my lady. Then, he'll punish someone else for your mistake. Is your pride worth a servant's life?"
Perfect trap.
"Help me dress."