"Steady." He murmured, a reminder to act like his queen.
He guided her down from the altar slowly, so that everyone present could see them. His touch was constant and possessive. Sometimes, his hand was on her waist, sometimes it slid to her back, then back to her waist, then sometimes it was touching her shoulder.
The Grand Hall had been rearranged. Long tables were filled with food. Crystal glasses were filled with blood wine.
Azrael led her to the head table, elevated on a platform so that everyone in the hall could see them properly. He pulled out her chair with fake courtesy. The corset made sitting uncomfortable, forcing her to sit with a rigid posture.
Azrael sat next to her, close enough that their shoulders were touching, and she could feel his cold presence around her.
Servants immediately began bringing food. Lyanna stared at the plate in front of her, it had some kind of fish in cream sauce. To everyone else, it was a feast. To Lyanna, it felt like poison. She picked up her fork despite having no appetite. She took a small bite and it felt like chewing paper.
Azreal, on the other hand, ate casually. He would occasionally cut a piece of meat and offer it to her. The gesture looked affectionate to others but to her, it was just another kind of humiliation where she was being fed like a pet.
"You need to eat more. You need strength for later." He smirked.
Then immediately, nobles began approaching them to offer their congratulations.
Your Majesty, congratulations on this beautiful union!
My lord and lady, may your marriage bring prosperity to everyone!
Queen Lyanna, you look absolutely radiant!
Every greeting was fake. Each congratulation was hiding layers of judgment.
Azrael played his part perfectly, accepting their greetings with grace, nodding, and occasionally thanking them. Under the table, he squeezed her thigh hard enough to remind her to smile, to nod, and to play her role.
And she smiled until her face ached, thanked people whose names she didn't know, and accepted compliments that felt like insults disguised in courtesy.
"You're doing well." He murmured in her ear when nobody was present around them. "Keep smiling like that, just for a few more hours."
The toasts started after the third course. King Damien stood up from his seat and raised his goblet. The hall fell silent immediately.
"To King Azrael and his new queen!" His voice echoed through the hall. "May your union bring strength to Thornfield and stability to our realm!"
Vampires raised their glasses in agreement.
"And may the bride prove more loyal than her bloodline!" Damein finished.
Uncomfortable laughter rippled through the crowd. It was a slap on her face in front of hundreds of vampires present. Some vampires glanced at Lyanna to see her reaction. Others smiled, appreciating the insult wrapped in toast.
But Lyanna didn't look down, instead she kept smiling. She raised her glass and nodded graciously, as if Damien had just given her the most amazing compliment.
Under the table, Azrael's grip on her leg tightened. It was a warning to her not to react and show weakness.
She sipped her wine and maintained her composure even though she was going red with humiliation.
Damien sat down, satisfied with himself. Then Adrian stood up.
Not him as well. He's the only one among them who showed me kindness.
"To the most patient king I've known. Waiting six years for revenge requires remarkable restraint. I hope the satisfaction is worth the wait!"
The laughter this time was louder. Because it was true. Everyone knew it and was celebrating it. Lyanna kept smiling, kept playing her role, even when she wanted to cry and run away.
Adrian sat down, and she thought the toasts were over. But then Queen Elise stood up.
"To dear Azrael, and his lovely bride." She paused for a second. "Marriage is such a sacred tradition. It binds two souls together for eternity. I hope you both find exactly what you deserve in this marriage."
The double meaning was crystal clear. She was wishing them misery and suffering disguised as congratulations, but everyone in the hall understood the real meaning.
After a few seconds, Azrael stood up, pulling Lyanna up with him, his hand on her waist.
"Thank you all for witnessing this union. My queen and I are overwhelmed by your support." His arm tightened around Lyanna's waist, pulling her closer against him.
"To new beginnings." He continued, raising his glass. "To the old debts finally settled, and to the future of Thornfield."
Everyone drank, including Lyanna, though the wine tasted like vinegar as Azrael publicly announced that she wasn't his wife, she was a settlement.
As they sat back down, Azrael leaned close to her ear.
"Well handled. You didn't flinch. Good."
The feast continued for hours. Suddenly, the musicians started playing romantic music, and a few couples moved to the dance floor.
Azrael stood up, offering his hand.
"We are expected to dance."
Lyanna placed her hand in his and they walked together towards the floor. The crowd parted, creating space for the king and queen.
He put his hand on her waist, pulling her closer. His other hand clasped hers tightly.
"Have you ever danced before?" He asked.
"When I was younger, I used to dance at court functions."
"Then this should be easy."
He began to move, and Lyanna followed him as much as possible. He was an excellent dancer. Despite her limited experience and the tight gown, she danced well, focusing completely on not tripping.
"Look at me." He said.
She looked up into his eyes. In the candlelight, he looked like a prince from a dark fairy tale, both beautiful and dangerous.
"What are you thinking?" He asked.
"I'm thinking… that you're very good at dancing." She lied.
"Four hundred years of practice." He replied with a smile. "I've danced at more weddings, coronations, and celebrations than I can count. This is nothing."
He spun her, and when she faced him again, he pulled her even closer. Lyanna stumbled slightly, but he caught her immediately.
"Careful." He murmured. "I can't let the new queen fall on her face in front of the entire court."
"Then perhaps you should keep your hands in check."
He laughed.
"There it is. The spark of defiance I've been waiting for." He leaned closer. "I was beginning to worry you'd become too compliant. What's the fun in breaking someone who's already broken?"
The music was about to end. As the final notes played, he pulled her closer again. His face was just few inches away from hers. For a moment, she thought he might kiss her again. But he just looked at her.
"You're trembling."
"Your hands are cold."
"Liar. You're afraid of what comes next." He released her, stepped back, and offered her his arm. "And you should be."
They returned to the head table as the music ended. Lyanna's legs were shaking so badly that she was grateful to sit.
Lady Morgana approached the head table after a few minutes.
"Your Majesties." She bowed to both of them. "It's nearly midnight. By vampire tradition, the marriage must be consummated before the wedding day ends."
Lyanna knew this was coming, had been preparing herself for it but hearing it so casually made her shiver.
"The council need to prepare to escort you to the royal chambers," Morgana continued, speaking loudly, making this a public announcement. "To fulfil the traditional requirements and witness the completion of your union."
"Of course." Azrael stood up, pulling her with him. "Thank you all for celebrating with us. We must now attend to the traditional obligations. Please, continue enjoying the feast."
His hand at her waist was the only thing that kept Lyanna upright as they walked towards the bedchambers.
The chambers were already prepared for them. The bed was covered in fresh black silk sheets, with rose petals scattered on it. The room was dimly lit by candles. It was meant to be romantic, but for Lyanna, it was a stage set up for her execution.
Azrael released her hand and walked to the centre of the room, removing his coat.
"Nervous?" He asked.
She just nodded in response.
"Good." He said as he put his coat aside. "You should be."
He then slowly walked towards her, closing the distance between them. His hands moved to her hair, removing the pins one by one until the dark waves fell around her shoulders.