Throne of Moonfire

ence. There was no offer of clothing, no concession to dignity. Seraphyne was to be presented as she was: naked, bruised, a spoil of war to be displayed before the ravenous ey

n her. She imagined the eyes of the silent thralls they passed, those hollowed-out shells of humanity, judging her, pitying her, or perhaps, feeling a flicker of some forbidden

rs. And what a court it was. A predatory menagerie of Nightborne elite – vampires with eyes like chips of ice and smiles that promised exquisite torment, werewolves whose barely suppressed savagery emanated from them in waves of primal heat, and other, less definable beings whose forms hinted at even older, more terrifying lineages. Their collective gaze, a thousand points of predatory deli

as she approached. A single, elegant finger tapped rhythmically against the arm of his throne, the only outward sign of any emotion save for the faint, cruel curve of his perfect lips. Beside him, Kaelen, the Alpha King, was a study in contained ferocity. His massive form

s Seraphyne with a flourish of his hand. "The culmination of our recent... endeavor. The Moonfire Fae. Or what remains of her." A ripple of dark, appreciative laughter, like the rustling of dry bones,

burgeoning fury. "I am no flower for your plucking, vampire," she declared, her words ringing with a defiance that startled even herself. "Nor a bird fo

mes must eventually bow to a master's hand." He made a subtle gesture, and a servant, pale and trembling, approached bearing a velvet cushion. Upon it lay a single piece of fruit, unlike any Seraphyn

your place within our dominion. Acknowledge our sovereignty, our protection. Refuse..." He let the word hang in the air, his smile widening, sh

tark contrast to the silver fire that now surged within her veins, a protective, furious

" He turned his gaze to one of the guards standing near the dais, a hulking brute whose eyes he

the Moonfire erupted from her, a blinding flash of silver light, an unheard scream of defiance. It was not contr

e stunned guard. Before anyone could react, before even a gasp could escape the horrified onlookers, Valerius drove the point of the blade into the guard's exposed throat, just beneath the jaw. There was a sickening, wet tearing sound. The guard's eyes widened in shocked agony, hi

en in the pursuit of my will, is... tiresome." He turned his chilling gaze back to Seraphyne, who stood frozen, the coppery scent of fresh blood thick in her nostrils, her stomach churning with nausea and a terror so profound it

d. This was not a battle she could win. Not yet. But it was not the war.

ting, midnight-hued fruit. It was cold to the touch, its skin strangely pliant, like living flesh. She brought it to her lip

ry core, an invasive chill that sought to extinguish the Moonfire's heat. The sentient fire within her recoiled violently, then surged with a desperate, pained fury, as if fighting

ent," he purred. "You learn quickly. Now, it is done. You are bound. Henceforth," his voice rose, addressing the silent, watchful

that vibrated with possessive hunger. "She bears my mark as well, vampire. Do not forget who first tasted her fire.

his smile unwavering. "All in due t

he girl she saw was pale, ravaged, but her eyes... her eyes burned with a cold, silver fire, a promise of future desolation. They think they have bound me, she vowed silently, the word