The golden hues of the Garden of Lotus Blush had mellowed into soft shades of rose and ivory as the afternoon sun kissed the marble colonnades with farewell light. Petals floated gently on the still surface of the lily pond, stirred only by the quiet ripple of koi swimming beneath. The scent of jasmine and sandalwood lingered in the air like an unfinished poem.
Kael came to a stop beneath the carved stone archway, the weight of the moment settling over him like fine silk. His fingers, warm and calloused from years of swordplay and diplomacy, gently found Serenya's delicate hand. She froze. Her breath lodged somewhere in her chest, and her heart stumbled in its rhythm. Slowly, he lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a lingering kiss to the back of it, his eyes never leaving hers.
The world seemed to hush.
She felt the touch of his lips burn through the fine silk of her glove, and something electric passed through her. Beneath her translucent veil, her cheeks turned a soft crimson. It was enough — just enough — for Kael to see the blush bloom across her porcelain skin, and his expression softened with something dangerously close to adoration.
"I'll be leaving today to return to my kingdom," he said, voice low and laced with promise, "but I'll write to you, Serenya. Always. And I'll be waiting when you are finally ready to be wed properly."
She nodded, unable to find her voice. Her innocent heart thundered within her chest, the sound of its wild rhythm echoing in her ears. And still, beneath the folds of her rose-gold gown, the cool press of the chain around her ankle reminded her of him. Of his vow. Of what was to come.
Kael stepped back, bowing slightly in farewell. Serenya mirrored the gesture, her head lowered in respectful grace.
As he turned to leave, a low voice sliced through the quiet garden.
"I felt like crushing his head when I saw him hold your hand. Any moment longer and he would've dropped dead."
Serenya nearly jumped out of her slippers. Whirling around, she spotted her elder brother Aresh leaning casually against the trunk of a cypress tree, arms crossed, brows knit into a frown as he glared at Kael's retreating figure.
"What were you doing there, brother?" Serenya asked, a smile playing at her lips.
"Making sure my sister wasn't violated," Aresh muttered, pushing off the tree and walking toward her.
She rolled her eyes, lips twitching. "He wouldn't do that. He's a gentleman."
"And now you're defending him?" Aresh said, tone laced with older-brother disbelief. He pinched her cheek lightly, making her swat his hand away with a glare. "Don't let him get into your head, Serenya."
As he strolled away with an exaggerated sigh, Serenya looked down. Lifting her hem just slightly, she stared at the silver and moonstone anklet now clasped around her foot. The charm of the phoenix glinted in the dappled sunlight.
Her blush returned.
"Blush any harder and your cheeks are going to be ripped," came a teasing voice.
Princess Naerya, tall and radiant in a gown of forest green, swept into view. Behind her came Thirena, the most mischievous of the sisters, her hands already full of sweet lotus confections.
"So," Thirena grinned, "tell us, how's Prince Charming? Is he as you imagined when you both were exchanging letters?"
Serenya let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "Yes. He's kind. Gentle. Just like I envisioned him." Her eyes sparkled beneath her veil.
Her sisters laughed gently as they escorted her back to her chambers — a space veiled in pale gauze, with a domed ceiling painted with golden vines and stars. The scent of rosewater clung to every surface.
On the bed, already lounging like she belonged in a royal painting, was the Crown Princess Elarynth. Her golden-blonde hair was unbound, cascading over her shoulder, and her veil was removed since they were alone.
"Well, well," she said, rising with grace. "Prince Kael is indeed handsome. For a moment, I thought he might choose me instead."
Naerya raised a brow at the audacity, while Thirena stifled a laugh behind her palm.
Elarynth, the eldest and proudest, had always believed beauty was her birthright. With sapphire eyes and the honey-gold hair of their mother's line, she had been the jewel of many royal courts. But Serenya, with her raven-black hair and ocean eyes, had a quiet magic of her own — softer, more mysterious.
Serenya only smiled at her sister's barbed remark and replied gently, "He told me he'd write to me and that he looks forward to our marriage."
Elarynth's expression faltered for just a moment before she smiled "Congratulations." And then she swept out of the room.
"Don't mind her," Naerya said, rolling her eyes. "She's already betrothed. Her wedding is in a month."
They all burst into soft laughter, the sound echoing off polished marble.
Meanwhile, in the great marble hall where the court had gathered earlier for the betrothal ceremony, King Rajan sat with Kael's father — the King of Thamur — and various emissaries from Delmira, Ardenya, Lunavaal, and beyond. Golden goblets of honey wine were passed around, and the air buzzed with polite diplomacy.
Suddenly, the great doors opened.
A lone figure entered , his iris red , cloaked in deep crimson and black. His presence was like a blade — sharp and cold. As he bowed, he drew from within his robes a polished crest bearing the Imperial Seal.
Gasps stirred across the hall. A vampire.
"The Emperor summons all kings to Nytheris in three days," the man declared, his voice as still and commanding as the moon. "His Imperial Majesty will hold a grand ceremony. Attendance is not a request."
He bowed again and left as swiftly as he had come.
A hush fell.
King of Thamur exhaled slowly. "It has been years since the Emperor held a public gathering. What is this about?"
King Rajan's fingers tightened around his goblet. "I heard… it's to choose a bride."
The silence deepened. Several kings exchanged wary glances.
Rajan's thoughts were already racing. He was relieved beyond measure that all his daughters were now betrothed — especially Serenya. She was too innocent, too gentle to ever stand before the Emperor.
As for Princess Thirena — spirited and far too curious — he would find a way to hide her before the summons arrived.
Outside, night fell across Vayrana like velvet. Lanterns were lit in the palace gardens, their golden light reflecting on the ponds like scattered stars. Somewhere in the distance, the night peacock sang.
And in her chambers, Serenya sat by the window, fingers tracing the outline of the moonstone charm around her ankle.
She whispered his name softly. "Kael…" burying her face in her pillow.