When they stepped out, Adrian offered her his arm. He was surprisingly gentle. They walked through the castle's corridors, in complete silence.
"I'm going to tell you something I probably shouldn't." Adrian whispered suddenly.
Lyanna glanced at him, but he was looking straight ahead.
"Six years ago, when you rejected him at the altar, I was there." He paused, as if deciding whether to continue or not. "I watched something break in him that day. It wasn't just his pride, but something deeper."
They reached a corner, passing servants who immediately bowed on seeing them.
"He'd actually been hoping." Adrian continued with sadness in his voice. "He believed that arranged marriage could become something real, that maybe he could have what other vampires had; a partner, a companion. He was willing to try. He was willing to be vulnerable, even though vulnerability terrifies him more than anything."
Lyanna felt a sharp pang in her chest. She'd never thought about it that way. She had imagined that a vampire king could want that.
"Your rejection taught him that hope is weakness." Adrian said. "That trust is for the fools." He glanced at her. "I'm not making excuses for him. The cruelty, the control; it's wrong. But you should know that you wounded him more deeply than you realize."
They then walked in silence as Lyanna processed this new information.
"Did he tell you to say this to me?" She asked.
Adrian laughed.
"No. He'd kill me if he knew. But I've known him for three centuries. I've seen him survive wars and betrayals, that would end most people. Nothing ever broke him." He paused as they reached the last corridor. "Until you."
Lyanna had known she'd hurt him. But she had thought it was his wounded pride, public humiliation. Not something so deep.
"I was eighteen." She whispered. "I didn't understand what I was doing. My mother told me to refuse, and I did what daughters do. I obeyed her."
"I know." Adrian said. "You were like a child who was following orders. Probably, he knows that too, in his head. But knowing something and feeling it are different things."
They were getting closer now. Lyanna could hear sounds from the Grand Hall. Adrian stopped just before the doors, turning to look at her.
"Last chance to run." He was serious. "I won't stop you. I won't tell anyone which way you went. You could be miles away before they notice."
"If I run, he'll punish whoever he thinks helped me. The servants, the guards, maybe you. And he'll eventually find me, won't he?"
Adrian nodded.
"Yes."
"Then no. I've already made my choice."
"You have more honour than your mother ever did." He said. "When things get hard in the coming days, remember, you're better than what your family made you believe."
It was the kindest thing anyone at this court had said to her. The first acknowledgement that she might be worth something beyond a revenge object.
Tears burned in her eyes, but she blinked them back.
"Thank you."
Adrian just nodded and turned towards the door.
"Ready?" He asked.
"Yes." She lied.
The doors swung open, and Lyanna's breath caught in her throat. The Grand Hall had been transformed into a dark fairytale.
Hundreds of black candles floated in the air. Red roses were everywhere, petals were scattered on the floor, vines of thorns were wrapped around pillars and archways. Stained glass windows were glowing with colored lights.
There were hundreds of vampires. All were turning to watch her entrance. The music was dark, and haunting, but still beautiful.
And at the far end, standing before the altar was Azrael.
He looked like a dark god. He was wearing a black coat with crimson embroidery. His hair was pulled back revealing his completely handsome face. His eyes were fixed on her with an intensity that made her heart stop.
He wasn't smiling. He was just watching her.
Adrian walked her down the aisle slowly. She recognized faces in the crowd as they passed.
King Damien, looking unhappy. Queen Elise, looking satisfied despite her humiliation. Helena sitting with the inner council, and Morgana, offering her a small and encouraging smile.
With each step, Lyanna felt something harden inside her. She lifted her chin, squared her shoulders despite the tight corset.
If this were to be her cage, she would enter it with her dignity intact. She wouldn't give others the satisfaction of seeing her fear, and despair.
She was Lyanna Graves, last of her bloodline, daughter of a powerful queen, even if that queen was a traitor.
I won't break.
They reached at the altar, and Adrian stopped. The music faded into silence. The entire hall held its breath.
Adrian turned to her, gently took her hand from his arm, and placed it in Azrael's outstretched palm.
Adrian's hand had been warm and comforting while Azrael's was cold as snow.
His fingers closed around hers, strong as iron, making sure she couldn't pull away even if she wanted to.
Adrian stepped back and took his place among the crowd, leaving Lyanna with Azrael at the altar.
She looked up straight into his eyes. His eyes were intense, looking at her like she was a puzzle he'd finally solved, a prize he'd finally won. There was no warmth, and no affection in his eyes. She could only see satisfaction in them.
He leaned closer to her.
"Hello, Princess." He whispered, and despite the fear and anger, the intimacy of his tone sent an unwanted heat through her body. "Ready to become mine forever?"
Before she could even process the question, he straightened, still holding her hand in a tight grip as if scared she'd run away.
The officiant, an old vampire, stepped forward.
"We gather tonight to witness the binding of two souls, King Azrael Thornfield and Lady Lyanna Graves. This union is blessed by ancient law and vampire tradition."
Lyanna's heart was pounding hard. Azrael's thumb drew a small circle on the back of her hand. The gesture felt reassuring but when she looked at him, he was smirking.
"I hope you won't run away again." He smiled.