••{AZRAEL'S POV}••
The murmurs ripple through the throne room like wildfire, whispers twisting and coiling around the nobles as I watch them carefully. Eyes flick between me, my mother, and my sister.
My mother's golden eyes meet mine first. Shock flares across her face then hardens into that unmistakable anger I've come to respect and fear in equal measure.
Azeria, beside her, is more reserved. Surprise flickers in her dark blue eyes, but there's no malice. Just curiosity.
Queen Helena rises, her voice cutting through the whispers. "Your Excellency, excuse me, but isn't Astragarde a human kingdom?"
"It is," I reply simply.
The court erupts again, louder this time, questions flying faster than I can follow.
"Marrying a human? Is this some sort of jest, Your Majesty?"
"Does this girl even understand what she's agreeing to?"
"A human… to be Empress of the Empire of Night?"
"She's not one of us… not blood, not line, not tradition!"
I raise a hand and the entire court falls silent.
"My decision is final," I say, letting each word echo. "In four nights, I will marry the Princess of Astragarde and she will become Empress of this Empire. If anyone here opposes this union, speak now, or forever hold your peace."
I sweep my gaze across the room slowly. The whispers persist, softer now, but no one steps forward.
"Then consider yourselves invited to the wedding. Let the Empire know that their Emperor has found his bride."
With that, I dismiss the court. Heads bow, the nobles rise, and I descend the dais, walking past the rows of rulers and courtiers, my cloak trailing behind me.
After I leave the throne room, a familiar voice calls my name.
"Azrael."
I turn to see Luceris striding toward me, his expression a mix of irritation and relief.
Luke… my cousin, my brother-in-arms, my oldest friend. I can't help the small smile tugging at my lips.
He reaches me and wraps me in a firm hug, patting my back. I return it, brief but warm. He pulls back and we start walking together.
"I've missed you," he says.
"Then why don't you visit more often?" I ask.
He chuckles, shaking his head. "You know I want to. But being crown prince of Noctis… it keeps me busy. Especially now that my parents have started placing more responsibility on me."
"I understand."
"But since you'll be getting married soon," Luceris continues. "I'll stay here in Darkholme until after the wedding, so we can have some proper time together."
"I'd like that," I admit.
We reach the doors to my chambers. The guards bow and open the doors, letting us pass.
"I'm incredibly offended," Luceris says once inside. "How could my cousin get married in four nights and I find out in a court meeting? You could've at least written me a letter."
I shrug, loosening my cloak and placing it on the bed. My crown follows.
I move to the chair by the fireplace and gesture for him to sit beside me. He does, reluctantly, as I pour bloodwine into two glasses. I hand him one.
"Apologies for the surprise," I say, sipping my wine. "But I wouldn't have it any other way."
Luceris sighs, relaxing slightly. "Alright. Then tell me about this bride. When did you meet her? How long have you known each other? I want every detail."
"I met Rhiannon for the first time six days ago," I say, staring into the fire.
He chokes on his wine. "You've only known her for six days? And you're already marrying her?"
I nod.
"And a human?" His voice rises. "In four thousand years, no emperor has ever taken a human as his wife."
"Well there's only been three emperors in those four thousand years," I say. "My grandfather, my father, and I. So there hasn't been a lot of emperors to begin with."
He laughs, shaking his head. "Even so, human blood has never mingled with ours. Six days isn't nearly enough time—unless she's extraordinary. So tell me, what makes her so special?"
I take a slow sip of wine and say nothing.
His brows lift. "When did you start being so secretive?"
"I'm not secretive," I reply, still silent on the subject.
"Azrael, we've known each other since we were children. I can tell when you're lying."
A chuckle escapes me just as the door opens.
"Azrael," my mother's voice rings through the room.
She crosses the space almost instantly. "So this is why you brought that… that girl into our kingdom. To marry her?!"
I remain seated, sipping my wine and watching the fire dance. Luceris rises to greet her, but she cuts him off.
"Luceris, please speak some sense into your cousin," mother hisses, her eyes flashing with anger.
"There is nothing anyone can say or do to change my mind," I reply. "It's been set in stone and preparations are already underway."
She crouches slightly to meet my gaze, gripping the armrests of my chair. "It's an insult to our people! A human at your side on your throne? Have you lost your mind? Do you honestly believe vampires will bow to a human empress?!"
"They will. Anyone who refuses commits treason. And treason is punishable by death."
She huffs, disbelief etched into every line of her face. "I barely even recognize you anymore. What is it about Rhiannon that makes you act so rash? What is so special about her?"
I remain silent, eyes drifting to the fire.
"Answer me!" she screams.
Instead, I lift my wine glass to take a sip.
Her patience breaks. She snatches the glass from my hand and hurls it into the hearth. The glass shatters and the flames hiss.
Immediately, I rise to my feet and she does the same. Our eyes lock in an intense battle, and I can feel the anger radiating off her.
Finally, she spins on her heel, storms out of the chamber, slamming the door shut behind her.
I turn to Luceris whose expression is a mix of both awkwardness and amusement.
"Well…" he says, "I'm glad to see some things haven't changed."