The long dining table glittered beneath the soft golden gleam of the chandeliers, its length disappearing into the dimly lit corners of the grand dining hall. Silver platters gleamed with steam, carrying the scents of roasted meat, spiced rice, and sweetly fermented blood wine. The servants moved quietly, their footsteps muffled by the velvet carpets as they adjusted cutlery, filled goblets, and arranged candles that flickered like trapped stars above polished mahogany.
Serenya entered first, her light steps swallowed by the vast room. The air carried the warmth of freshly cooked dishes, laced with the faint metallic tang of blood that always seemed to linger in the imperial castle.
The doors creaked open behind her. A tall man with silver hair and crimson eyes entered, his gaze cold and assessing, his very presence unsettling. The servants immediately lowered their heads as if the temperature had dropped.
"Greetings, Your Highness," he said, voice smooth but edged like a blade.
Serenya inclined her head politely. "Greetings," she murmured, her tone soft but composed.
Before the air could settle, another presence filled the room — darker, heavier. A man with midnight-black hair and eyes that burned the shade of deep garnet strode in, his aura pressing down like the weight of an invisible crown. The very flames of the chandeliers seemed to waver with his arrival. Serenya didn't need to be told who he was; power radiated from him effortlessly, suffocating yet magnetic.
Then the double doors swung open once more — and all the air in the room shifted.
Zareth entered.
The Emperor's stride was unhurried yet commanding, every step echoing like the steady beat of thunder. His dark robes trailed behind him, embroidered with gold thread that caught the light like fire. His crimson gaze immediately sought Serenya — no, found her, as though he had known where she stood without looking. His lips curved into that crooked, sinful smile she was beginning to dread and crave in equal measure.
Without hesitation, he closed the distance and leaned down, brushing his lips against hers before anyone could react. The contact was brief, electric — a taste rather than a kiss — yet her heart leapt violently in her chest. Her cheeks burned, heat flooding to her ears, while his smirk deepened as if he could hear her heartbeat stutter.
Cassian, who had been waiting silently by the Emperor's side, stepped forward to pull his chair.
"You should sit, Cassian. Join us today," Zareth said lazily, lowering himself into his seat with unhurried grace.
Cassian hesitated, then nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty." He took his seat quietly.
"I would've questioned your sexuality if not for the lovely woman here, with how it seems Cassian is joined to you at the hip," came a sharp voice from across the table — King Cedric, the silver-haired man, holding his goblet with an amused smirk.
Zareth chuckled lowly, that deep sound resonating through the room. His gaze never left Serenya, not even for a heartbeat. It was as though the world had narrowed down to her face, her trembling fingers, the flush painting her cheeks.
"There's no need to bother, Cedric," he said smoothly. "Serenya is too beautiful for me to consider another."
He caught her hand with deliberate tenderness and brought it to his lips. His cool breath brushed her skin before his mouth pressed a kiss against her knuckles — slow, claiming. Serenya's breath hitched, her pulse racing so fast she feared he could hear it. She tried to pull her hand back, her thoughts flashing to the faint scar that had once marred her skin, now mysteriously gone. But his grip only tightened slightly, enough to remind her who held control.
"Cedric and Darien, this is Serenya — my little dove, and your future Empress," Zareth introduced, his tone thick with possessive pride. "Serenya, this is Darien, my cousin, and Cedric, my best friend."
Serenya's lashes fluttered. "I'm glad to meet you," she murmured, her voice a soft whisper beneath the steady hum of tension.
Servants began to serve the dishes. The aroma of grilled blood steak mingled with the sweetness of wine and herbs. For Cedric and Darien, their plates were filled with raw, crimson meat glistening under candlelight. Serenya looked away instinctively, her stomach tightening, though by now she had grown used to the sight. Zareth's hand brushed against hers as he dished food onto her plate, his thumb lingering just a little too long.
She lifted her fork and took a small bite, aware of his gaze — the way his eyes followed every movement of her lips, his expression somewhere between amusement and hunger.
"I heard Raj is causing quite chaos in the north," Zareth said, cutting into his steak with effortless precision. His tone was casual, but power laced every syllable. When he noticed Serenya reaching for her glass, he took it first, filling it for her himself — a small, startling gesture that drew both Cedric's and Darien's attention.
Darien set his goblet down, voice calm but edged. "He's been trying to rally the vampire kings to dethrone you. He has no valid claim, but he might use—" His eyes flicked toward Serenya. "—making a human your Empress to his advantage."
A crooked smile ghosted over Zareth's lips as he stabbed a piece of bloody steak. "How interesting that would be to watch," he murmured, his tone sharp as silk. "I would love to see him try."
He leaned back, wiping his mouth with the napkin before glancing at Serenya again. "I just received a letter from Vayrana. From your father," he said, voice low but deliberate.
Serenya's eyes brightened, excitement brimming across her face. "What was it about?"
"Your elder and second sisters will be getting married in two weeks. They'll hold a double wedding, and we've been invited."
Serenya blinked in surprise. Elarythn and Naerya? Together? It was unheard of. Her father adored his daughters — he would never rush such unions unless… her gaze flicked to Zareth, suspicion tugging at the edges of her thoughts.
His lips curved knowingly. "What? You're not happy about it? We will not attend if you don't want to," he teased, that unnerving smirk tugging at his mouth.
"I never said that!" she blurted, color rising again to her cheeks.
He only smiled wider.
"How's the border? Is your border kingdom still throwing a fit?" Zareth asked, turning his gaze to Cedric.
"Quite badly," Cedric replied, setting his knife down. "I had considered letting them off with just a trade deal, but their king is far too dumb — he wants war instead."
"So what do you say? Would you like to expand your reign?" Zareth's voice carried amusement, though his eyes gleamed with deadly interest.
The corner of Cedric's lips lifted. "I would love to. All that's left is the imperial seal."
Zareth's fangs glinted as he dragged his tongue over them, drawing a drop of blood that shimmered like a ruby. "You'll have it tomorrow. Show them no mercy."
Cedric smiled, his eyes alight with a cruel spark. "Don't worry, Zareth. It's been quite a while since I've had such fun."
Without warning, Zareth leaned forward and pressed his lips to Serenya's — slow, deliberate, his tongue catching a trace of sauce from the corner of her mouth. Her body stiffened, her heart nearly leaping out of her chest. When he finally drew back, the world seemed to tilt.
"My, you're surely giving us dog food," Darien muttered, irritation evident.
Zareth didn't even glance at him. "Don't tell me you've never kissed a woman before? are you still waiting for the princess?"
Darien stiffened, jaw tightening as he sipped his blood tea in silence.
Zareth smirked wider, relentless. "Don't tell me you're still a virgin?"
The loud scrape of Darien's chair broke the moment. He stood abruptly and stalked toward the door, but Zareth's voice followed lazily behind him.
"There's no need to get worked up about it, cousin. There's always a first time."
Darien ignored him and disappeared through the doors. Cassian rose quietly, excusing himself with a slight bow. Cedric downed the last of his blood tea, sensing Zareth's gaze on Serenya, and muttered, "That would be all for tonight. Goodnight." He departed swiftly.
The room fell silent.
"You shouldn't have done that!" Serenya's voice trembled between frustration and embarrassment, her face redder than the wine.
"Why shouldn't I? It's not my fault he hasn't kissed anyone before." His grin was pure sin.
" You know that's not what I'm talking about!.You're so shameless! That was embarrassing!" she protested closing her eyes .
Zareth's tone softened into mock amusement. " I can see you have quite the energy , might be the effects of the kiss . Would you like to try again?."
Serenya exhaled, setting her cutlery down and rising. "I should retire for the night."
He tilted his head. "Are you done with your meal?"
"Yes," she murmured, refusing to meet his eyes.
Zareth's smirk returned, slow and dangerous. "Clear the table."
The servants obeyed swiftly, clearing the dishes and bowing before exiting. The doors shut behind them with a soft thud — and the silence that followed was heavy, charged.
Serenya's heart skipped as Zareth's crimson eyes darkened, that predatory gleam returning.
"I should retire for the night," she whispered again.
Zareth rose in one fluid motion, his shadow swallowing hers.
"Not so soon, little dove," he murmured, his voice a velvet command as his hands slid around her waist. He lifted her effortlessly onto the table, his breath ghosting her ear.
"I'm quite thirsty now," he whispered, the smirk returning. "And would love to have a bite. Hope you don't mind?".