As evening approached, Lyanna's chambers were in chaos. Clara arrived with two younger maids carrying cosmetics, jewellery boxes, and hair accessories.
"We have three hours, my lady." Clara said. "His Majesty wants you to look perfect tonight."
They spent the first hour bathing her with scented jasmine and rose oils that made her skin glow. They brought out the gown Azrael had selected.
Lyanna's breath caught. It was the most beautiful dress she'd ever seen. The deep black silk with delicate and beautiful silver embroidery. The neckline was cut lower than anything she'd worn before, showing the curve of her breasts in a sensual way rather than vulgar. The skirt flowed like water.
"It's…" Lyanna couldn't find the words.
"His Majesty chose it himself." Clara said. "He spent an hour with the seamstress to make this dress perfect."
When they finished dressing her and she looked in the mirror, she barely recognized herself. She looked like she belonged in a vampire court. She looked like she belonged to him.
"Sit, my lady." Clara guided her to the vanity. "Now we'll do your hair."
While the other maids handled the cosmetics, Clara pulled Lyanna's hair up, leaving a few strands on her face and pinning the rest with silver and black roses.
"Almost done." Clara murmured, stepping back. "Just jewellery now."
They brought a black velvet box containing a silver necklace with a black diamond pendant. Lyanna wore the matching silver drop earrings, and a ring on her right hand.
When she finally stood before the mirror, she couldn't process the transformation.
The frightened, grieving girl, who'd arrived at Thornfield was gone. In her place stood a vampire's bride.
"You look perfect, my lady." One of the younger maids whispered.
Clara checked every detail one last time. When she was satisfied, she leaned in.
"The other courts' representatives are here, my lady, including Queen Elise."
"Queen Elise?"
Lyanna remembered Helena telling her about Elise. She was Azrael's former lover who still wanted him.
A knock at the door made them turn. One of Azrael's personal guards stood at the door.
"Lady Lyanna, His Majesty requests your presence. I'm to escort you to the banquet hall."
Lyanna took one last look at her reflection and took a deep breath.
"I'm ready."
The guard led her through passages she hadn't seen before, towards the older section of the castle.
Azrael was standing before the massive doors of the banquet hall, dressed in formal attire that made him look like he'd stepped from a painting. He wore a black coat with silver embroidery at the cuffs and collar that matched her gown. He looked devastatingly dangerous.
He walked to her slowly.
"Perfect." He whispered.
He reached out to adjust her necklace; the touch felt intimate.
"You look exactly as a Thornfield queen should. Beautiful, dangerous and mine."
He then offered her his arm.
"Shall we? Everyone is waiting for us, darling."
The endearment was mocking, a reminder that this was a performance, not reality. She slowly placed her hand on his arm.
"Remember," He murmured as they walked towards the doors. "to smile. Be gracious, and if anyone offends you, tell me. I'll handle it. You're under my protection now."
It wasn't kindness. It was a warning to others; touch what's mine and suffer.
The guards opened the doors. The banquet hall was breathtaking. Hundreds of candles floated in the air, walls were draped in crimson and black banners, and chandeliers scattered light like rainbows. Long tables were filled with food and blood wine, surrounded by vampires in their finest attire.
As she entered with Azrael, hundreds of vampires turned to look. The weight of their stares was crushing. Lyanna felt assessed, and judged.
Some were curious.
Who was this human girl their king had chosen?
Others looked at her with hatred.
She is the daughter of a traitor, the girl who'd rejected him.
Azrael's hand moved to her waist possessively, as he guided her forward. Vampires stepped aside, bowing as they passed. They reached the head table, elevated on a dais so everyone in the hall could see them.
Azrael pulled out her chair, then took his own seat next to her.
"Smile, darling. Let them see how happy you are to be my bride." He whispered.
Lyanna forced her lips into a smile, she'd practiced a thousand times as a princess. Immediately, vampires began approaching to congratulate them.
"Lady Lyanna, you look absolutely lovely. Such a shame about your family's unfortunate circumstances, but how fortunate that His Majesty sheltered you."
The words were polite but the subtext was clear.
You belong to a traitor's family, and you're only here because of his mercy.
"Thank you, my lord." Lyanna replied. "His Majesty has been generous."
The guests kept coming, throwing subtle insults at her.
"What a romantic story, from rejection to marriage."
We all know this is revenge, not romance.
"Lady Lyanna, that gown is stunning. Black suits you. It almost makes you look like one of us."
But you're not one of us. You're human. You don't belong with us.
Lyanna responded to each with a smile. She thanked them for their well-wishes, ignoring the insults. Her face was already hurting from smiling. Her back was aching from sitting perfectly straight. And they weren't even halfway through the evening.
Then the crowd parted, and King Damien approached them. He was the largest vampire Lyanna had ever seen, looking like an epic warrior. He didn't bow to Azrael.
"Azrael, I never thought I'd see you marry, and especially not to the girl who rejected you." He shook his head. "Is this a bold move or are you going insane?"
"It's not bold, it's strategic." Azrael replied completely unbothered. "She wronged me, now she is paying."
Damien's laugh echoed through the hall.
"You always did hold grudges better than anyone I know. Well, congratulations on your revenge wedding, brother. May it satisfy you."
He then looked at Lyanna, assessing her with shrewdness.
"And you, little bride. Are you happy with this marriage?"
"I'm honoured to become Queen of Thornfield and to serve these lands." She replied, choosing her words carefully.
"Diplomatic." He smirked. "Most humans would have stammered or said something foolish. You chose your words well." He glanced at Azrael. "She might survive you, Azrael."
With that, he walked away. Lyanna released a breath she had been holding since Damien had approached them.
"Well done." Azrael murmured in her ear.
Then suddenly conversations died, and vampires turned to watch as Queen Elise entered the hall.
She was breathtakingly beautiful. She was taller than Lyanna by several inches, with a figure that curved in the right places. She wore a red gown that clung to her like skin.
She walked through the crowd with confidence with her eyes completely fixed on Azrael. She didn't even glance at Lyanna.
"Azrael, darling." She said as she reached their table in her sweet voice. "Marriage? I never thought I'd see the day. You swore off such attachments after…" She trailed off deliberately.
"What changed your mind?"
Her hand was resting on his arm, touching him as it belonged there. Then she slid it up to his shoulder, gently squeezing it. She did this to show everyone that she knew exactly how to touch him.
Lyanna's hands clenched in her lap under the table. She was uncomfortable and, surprisingly, angry.
Azrael didn't remove Elise's hand.
"Situations change, Elise. I'm sure you understand political necessity."
"Political necessity." Elise smiled as if they were sharing a private joke. "Is that what we're calling it?"
Finally, she turned to look at Lyanna, observing her from head to toe. The hatred in her eyes was crystal clear.
"So this is the human creature you've chosen." Elise's tone made it sound like an insult. "She's very young, Azrael. Are you sure she's strong enough to be your queen?" She paused. "The position requires stamina in every field."
The sexual implication was blatant. In front of everyone, she was implying that Lyanna was too young, inexperienced, and weak to satisfy Azrael's needs.
Lyanna had endured insults all evening. She'd smiled through all of them because she knew to survive she had to swallow her pride. But this disrespect was too much.
"Lady Elise." Lyanna finally spoke. "How lovely to meet someone so… transparent. Most people hide their desperation behind manners, but you wear it like a perfume."
Before Elise could respond, Lyanna spoke again.
"As for my age," She continued with a smile. "I think youth has its advantages. Flexibility, energy….the ability to adapt instead of clinging to old habits."
Her eyes drifted over Elise's gown, then back to her face.
"His Majesty has seen so much over the centuries. It's only natural he'd eventually want something fresh, rather than something worn out."
You're old and predictable. He's moved on.
The hall went quiet.
"Careful, little girl." Her voice dropped. "You're not queen yet, and you're already making enemies you can't afford. Enemies who were here long before you arrived and will still be here long after you're gone."
She reminded Lyanna of her mortality. This was her biggest weakness here compared to immortal vampires.
Lyanna stood up slowly.
"But I will be queen." She paused for emphasis. "Tomorrow, I'll stand beside His Majesty, wear his ring, and rule his court. While you'll still be…"
She paused again deliberately.
"What was it? A visitor? A guest?"
Every vampire in the hall was watching them.
Everyone was waiting to see if Azrael would support his revenge bride or his former lover.
Lyanna's feet were trembling, though no one could see them.
Beside her, Azrael was completely still, with no expression on his face. Then, after a few seconds, which felt like an eternity, he stood up.