Chapter 15 – Shadows in the Garden**
The ballroom shimmered with candlelight and slow music. Lovers swayed under floating chandeliers, whispers exchanged through smiles. The string ensemble played a haunting lullaby, and laughter curled through velvet corridors like smoke.
Prince Damiar took Nyssira's hand and led her to the dance floor. They moved in silence, eyes locked. His hand rested on her waist with poised confidence, guiding her across the polished stone with elegance. Her gown rippled like a winter storm, and his black-gold coat glowed beneath enchanted lights.
Ravena watched for a moment, her hands folded neatly in her lap.
> *I need air.*
She rose quietly and made her way through the crowd.
---
The hallways stretched ahead, lined with shimmering glass windows that reached from floor to ceiling. The stars outside sparkled like they were watching her—silent, distant witnesses to whatever fate was unfolding within Noctarion's walls.
Paintings of ancient queens, beasts with ten wings, and wars frozen in time lined the walls. Their jeweled eyes seemed to follow her.
Eventually, Ravena reached a side entrance and stepped into the moonlit garden.
It was stunning.
Flowers glowed with faint magic, their petals colored blue, silver, and violet. Statues of goddesses stood among the trees, their arms outstretched like they were blessing the night. A soft wind rustled the leaves overhead.
She wandered in silence, brushing her fingertips against a vine-laced marble railing.
She paused beside a rose bush and plucked one of the glowing blooms. Its scent was gentle—almost ethereal.
Her voice broke the silence.
> "I'll make sure to avenge your death, Father... and General Kael," she whispered.
> "I swear, I'll make you both proud."
She closed her eyes.
But then—
A voice.
Low. Wicked.
> "Hello, lady. I don't think you should be here."
Ravena spun around, rose dropping from her fingers.
From the shadows stepped a man—tall, slender, and smiling like he knew things he shouldn't. His face was pale and sharp, his black coat brushing the ground like it was stitched from smoke.
His eyes glinted in the moonlight.
> "Who's there?" Ravena demanded, raising her hand slightly.
> "No one important," he said, walking forward slowly.
His voice was smooth but wrong. Like silk soaked in venom.
Ravena stepped back.
> "Don't come closer."
He grinned.
> "And what are you going to do, beautiful? You look sweet. Might I have a bite?"
Her heart kicked hard in her chest.
> *No. He didn't just—*
Before she could react, he was on her. Slamming her against the garden wall with supernatural speed.
Ravena struggled. She punched, kicked, clawed—but he didn't budge.
> "Let me go, you monster!" she screamed, her voice raw with panic.
> "Tsk tsk," he whispered, gripping her neck.
> "You should be careful how you speak to people like me."
His face leaned in. His lips hovered too close.
His breath smelled like blood and ash.
Then she saw them.
Eyes glowing crimson.
Fangs sharp and gleaming.
A vampire.
Her body locked in terror.
But before he could strike—
**CRACK.**
He flew backward with a grunt, slamming into a tree hard enough to shatter bark.
> "Who dares touch me?!" the vampire snarled.
Prince Damiar stepped from the shadows, his face carved from fury. No calm smirk. No wine glass. Just rage.
He didn't speak.
He grabbed the vampire by the collar and slammed him into the ground. Fist after fist landed, splattering blood across polished boots.
> "You think you're untouchable?" Damiar snarled.
> "This is Noctarion, not your little alley."
He kicked him again, sending him spinning into a garden statue.
The vampire groaned, collapsing.
Damiar turned to Ravena.
His voice was low, but sharp.
> "Run, Princess."
Ravena didn't argue. She sprinted.
---
She ran all the way back to her chamber, adrenaline burning her lungs. Once inside, she slammed the door shut and locked it, her back pressed tightly against it.
Her hands were shaking.
> *What just happened?*
She stumbled to the washroom and splashed cold water on her face. The mirror showed her flushed cheeks, wide eyes, and the mark on her skin pulsing faintly.
She dried her face and walked to the bed, collapsing onto the silk pillows like a shattered bird.
> *A vampire... a real one...*
> *He was going to bite me. And I couldn't stop him.*
She stared at the ceiling.
Her hand moved to her neck, gently brushing the skin where fangs had almost pierced.
> "This place just keeps getting crazier," she whispered.
> "Tomorrow—I'm getting a weapon. A sword. Or maybe ten. Something sharp. Anything."
A small tear slid down her cheek, but she didn't sob.
She simply closed her eyes.
And in the quiet of her room, glowing roses outside her window—
She finally drifted into sleep.
Not peace.
Just pause.