“What?”
“Whatever happens—whatever you see, whatever choices you have to make—remember why you came here in the first place. Don’t try to protect me by sacrificing yourself. None of this has value if it means losing you.” His grip tightened slightly.“Survive, Nadi. That is what I want you to promise me. That you will simplysurvive.”
The vulnerability in his voice made her chest tight. Here was the Serpent, perhaps the most feared vampire in the metropolis, asking her to simply survive.
Not to be brave, not to save him, not to kill everyone, not to be heroic—just tolive.
“I promise,” she whispered, covering one of his hands with hers. “But the same goes for you. No martyrdom, no grand gestures. We both walk away from this.”
“Together.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, careful not to disturb her carefully arranged hair. “Now, let’s go to a wedding.”
The ride to Volencia’s home was conducted in relative silence, each of them lost in their own thoughts. Ivan drove with his usual stoic competence, though Nadi caught him checking the rearview mirror more frequently than usual. The streets were busier than normal—guests arriving for what was being touted as the social event of the decade.
As their car approached the estate gates, Nadi felt her pulse quicken. The grounds had been transformed overnight into something resembling a fairy tale—if fairy tales involved blood-drinking monsters and political assassinations. White silk pavilions dotted the manicured lawns, their panels fluttering in the gentle breeze. Elaborate floral arrangements in deep crimson and pure white created dramatic focal points throughout the gardens.
“Security’s been tripled.” Raziel gestured idly toward the uniformed guards stationed at regular intervals. “Mael’s taking no chances.”
“Can you blame him?” Ivan glanced back through the partition. “Half the vampire nobility from three territories is going to be here. Plus however manyuninvited guestsdecide to crash the party.”
They were waved through the gates after a brief inspection of their invitation and identification.
The main house loomed before them, its white stone facade glowing in the afternoon sunlight. Servants in pristine uniforms directed arriving guests toward the garden pavilions, while others supervised the unloading of wedding gifts and floral arrangements.
“Remember,” Raziel murmured as their car pulled to a stop, “the moment he gets off the stage. And not a moment sooner.”
Nadi nodded, settling Monica’s personality around herself like a familiar cloak. Excitement tinged with nervousness. Gratitude for being accepted into the family. Determination to prove herself worthy of their trust.
It wasn’t entirely a lie. She was nervous, though not for the reasons anyone would expect.
They were handed champagne flutes the moment they stepped from the car—bloodwine mixed with something lighter, judging by the taste. Nadi accepted hers with a smile, taking the smallest sips possible while maintaining the appearance of enjoyment.
“Raziel! Monica!” Lana appeared as if summoned, resplendent in a morning gown of pale blue silk that complemented her blonde hair and magenta eyes. She looked radiant, practically glowing with happiness and anticipation. “I’m so glad you’re here early. Raz,darling,I was hoping to steal Monica away for a few final preparations.”
“Of course.” Raziel’s smile was perfectly calibrated—warm enough to seem genuine, distant enough to maintainappropriate boundaries. “I should check in with Mael about the security arrangements. See where I’m needed.”
“Yes, Mother has him running around like a man possessed.” Lana laughed, linking her arm through Nadi’s. “Come, dear. I want to show you the bridal suite. And I have a special request.”
As they walked away, Nadi caught Raziel’s eye over her shoulder. His expression was carefully neutral, but she saw the flicker of concern there. They were being separated, just as they’d anticipated.
The question was whether this was standard wedding preparation or something else.
Lana led her through the main house and up a grand staircase to the second floor. The suite that had been converted into the bridal room was a vision in white and silver—silk hangings, crystal chandeliers, and enough fresh flowers to perfume the entire wing of the house. Cut flowers, of course—safe from the influence of the Wild.
“Isn’t it perfect?” Lana spun in a circle, her arms outstretched, basking in the opulence around her. “Zabriel wanted something more traditional, but I insisted on elegance over convention.”
“It’s beautiful.” It was a bit much for her own personal tastes, but Nadi meant it. “You must be so excited.”
“I am.” Lana’s smile turned secretive. “More than you know. Today marks the beginning of a new era, Monica. For our family, for the metropolis, for all of us.” She moved to an ornate dressing table and picked up an elaborate hair ornament—a thin, delicate crown of twisting silvered leaves and pearls that caught the light like captured starlight. “I was hoping you’d help me with this. It was my grandmother’s. Be careful, it isrealsilver.”
Nadi approached, accepting the piece as though it might shatter in her hands. It looked immensely old—an antiquethat long pre-dated the metropolis. It took her breath away. “It’s…stunning, Lana.”
“Isn’t it? Grandmother Lilivra wore it at her own wedding,centuriesago. I don’t even know to whom.” She chuckled. “Records have been struck clean of who she married. But she gave me this to wear today. To think, a vampire being bold enough to wear actual silver.” Lana settled into the chair before her vanity, meeting Nadi’s eyes in the mirror. “Lilivra was quite remarkable, you know. Beautiful, powerful, absolutely ruthless when necessary. She understood that sometimes you have to destroy everything you know to build something better.”
The words sent a chill down Nadi’s spine. Was Lana speaking metaphorically about her marriage, or something more literal about her plans for the family?
Or the world?
Something told Nadi it was the latter.
