The air felt heavier than before, immediately he let his presence known.
Melody ignored him and bid Amah goodnight before walking into the bedroom.
She closed the door behind her, the soft click echoing louder than it should have. For a moment, she allowed herself to breathe—until the door opened again.
Orionn stepped inside.
The air shifted instantly, heavy and charged. Silence settled between them, thick enough to choke on.
Melody was the first to speak.
"Let's get this over with," she said, her voice steadier than she felt. "You're here to claim your prize, right? A prize you can show off to your people."
Orionn studied her with detached boredom, as if she were an inconvenience rather than his bride.
"Save that for someone who cares, little princess. I'm not interested in doing anything with you."
She froze.
"What?" Her brows knit together. "What do you mean? We don't have a choice. We're expected to consummate the marriage tonight."
Orionn shrugged, utterly unbothered.
"I'm not going to force you to do something you don't want to do. I'm cold and unfeeling—but not to that extent."
The words hit her all at once.
Relief. Confusion. Disbelief.
He was letting her go.
But then reality crept back in, sharp and cruel.
The blood.
Her stomach twisted as the thought surfaced. By morning, proof would be demanded. The sheets would be inspected. His father would want evidence.
How would they explain that?
As if he'd plucked the thought straight from her mind, Orionn stood abruptly. He seized her hand and dragged her toward the bed.
Before she could react, cold metal flashed.
Pain seared through her palm as he sliced it open.
Melody gasped, instinctively trying to pull away as her blood splattered onto the pristine white sheets, staining them crimson.
Orionn stiffened.
For just a heartbeat, something crossed his face—something raw, almost pained—but it vanished as quickly as it appeared.
He lifted her hand and brought it to his mouth.
His tongue brushed over her wound.
The cut sealed instantly.
But Melody barely noticed.
Heat exploded through her body, curling low in her stomach, spreading in a way that left her breathless. It wasn't just physical—it was something else. Something deep and unsettling.
She wanted more.
The realization startled her.
She yanked her hand back. "What are you doing?"
Orionn's voice dropped, rough and husky.
"They want blood, don't they?" His gaze flicked briefly to the sheets. "They'll get blood."
And just like that, he turned away and walked into the bathroom, leaving her standing there—stunned, flushed, and utterly confused.
Did he just… replace her virgin blood with this?
Orionn knew his bride had reached her limit.
He wasn't blind to her fear, her exhaustion, the tight way she carried herself like she was bracing for impact. He had no desire to make the night worse.
So he did what was necessary.
Blood on the sheets.
Proof.
Then he removed himself.
He sank into the bathtub, the water barely easing the tension coiled inside him. His thoughts churned relentlessly.
He was king now.
And he wanted to be better than his father—wanted a kingdom built on something other than fear and cruelty.
But the price was already heavy.
A wife.
Young. Fragile. Powerless.
Orionn exhaled slowly.
How was he supposed to share a bed with a stranger?
At least she wasn't a threat. She could barely protect herself, let alone harm anyone.
Still, his chest tightened.
When he'd cut her hand—he'd felt it. Her pain had echoed inside him, sharp and unwanted.
He hated that.
Hated that her emotions bled into his own.
Another weakness.
A knock interrupted his thoughts.
"You're not going to stay in there all night, right?"
Her voice.
Orionn frowned.
He stepped out of the tub, pulled on a robe, and opened the door. She stood there, unimpressed, arms folded.
"It took you forever," she said coolly.
He raised a brow.
She feared him—but her mouth certainly didn't.
She was the only one who had dared speak to him like this since that day. Everyone else trembled in his presence.
This little princess didn't seem to know how to be afraid.
And the fact that she didn't know about the bond?
That was a mercy.
He didn't want to imagine what she'd do if she knew her emotions had the power to unravel him.
Without another word, he crossed the room and lay down, turning his back to her.
Today had been exhausting.
Sleep was all he wanted.
Melody retreated into the bathroom, releasing a shaky breath.
He hadn't hurt her.
That alone felt like a small miracle.
After bathing, she returned to the room, half-expecting another cold exchange.
Instead, Orionn was asleep.
Actually asleep.
She stared, stunned.
The man who radiated danger and cruelty lay motionless, breathing evenly like any ordinary person. His dark hair spilled across his forehead, softening the sharpness of his features.
For a moment, he looked almost… harmless.
I wish he were, she thought.
Curiosity tugged at her restraint.
She stepped closer, bending at his side, and gently brushed her fingers through his hair. It was softer than she expected.
He was handsome. Undeniably so.
Her fingers drifted lower, tracing his brows-
His eyes snapped open.
He grabbed her wrist and yanked her down.
Pain shot through her arm- through him.
She cried out, and he released her instantly, his jaw tightening.
"what the hell are you doing?" he growled.
Melody yanked her hand back and shot him a glare.
' what do you think? Maybe I'm trying to kill you in your sleep".
Orionn scoffed, lifting a brow.
'oh, please, princess. You don't have the guts to for that".
She snorted and turned away, climbing into her side of the bed.
Orionn sat up, staring down at her with irritation clear in his eyes.
This woman was trouble.
And the worst part?
He could feel it already.