CHAPTER 1
The whispers always started before she even arrived.
"They say she slept with three men in one night…"
"I heard it was five."
"No… it was the entire lower district."
Soft laughter followed.
Cruel. Sharp. Unforgiving.
Lyria Vale kept her head down as she walked through the stone streets of the vampire kingdom, her thin fingers gripping the edge of her worn cloak. Her steps were light—too light for a vampire. Almost… human.
That alone made her different.
That alone made her hated.
Her breathing was uneven, her body fragile, like it was constantly on the verge of breaking. Vampires were supposed to be strong, fast, untouchable.
Lyria was none of those things.
And everyone knew it.
"Look, it's her."
"She's shameless."
"She's disgusting."
The words didn't hurt anymore.
Not like they used to.
Because pain, when repeated enough times… becomes silence.
"Lyria!"
A bright, cheerful voice cut through the crowd.
Selene Voss came running toward her, her golden hair catching the sunlight, her smile warm—too warm.
Too perfect.
"There you are!" Selene said, grabbing Lyria's arm gently. "I've been looking everywhere for you."
Lyria forced a small smile. "Sorry… I didn't know you needed me."
Selene's eyes softened, full of fake concern. "Of course I do. You're my best friend."
Behind them, the whispers grew louder.
"Best friend? Seriously?"
"She's so kind, staying with someone like that."
Selene sighed softly, just loud enough for others to hear. "Ignore them, Lyria. People can be so cruel."
Lyria nodded.
She didn't know.
She didn't know that the same girl holding her hand…
Was the one destroying her life.
Far above them, from the balcony of the royal palace…
Someone was watching.
Cold silver eyes followed Lyria's every movement.
Still. Focused. Unblinking.
Prince Kael Draven.
The Seventh Prince.
He stood in silence, his presence alone enough to command fear, his dark coat flowing slightly in the wind.
"Your Highness," a guard spoke carefully, "shall I have them removed from the street?"
Kael didn't respond.
His gaze remained locked on one person.
The girl everyone avoided.
The girl everyone mocked.
The girl who—
Suddenly stumbled.
Her body swayed slightly, like she might collapse at any second.
Kael's eyes narrowed.
Something flickered in them.
Not pity.
Not curiosity.
Something deeper.
Something dangerous.
"Interesting…" he murmured.
Because in that moment—
He felt it.
A pull.
A bond.
A connection that should not exist.
His mate.
And she looked like she was dying.