The castle stood on a cliff where no birds dared to fly.
Blackthorn Castle.
Its walls twisted with dark thorns that never died… watching, waiting… remembering every soul that stepped inside.
And tonight—
It was watching Eva.
The great hall was silent.
Torches flickered as nobles lined both sides, their whispers long gone the moment she was brought in.
Barefoot.
Dressed in white.
Eva stood before the throne, her fingers trembling slightly… though she tried to hide it.
She didn't belong here.
But Blackthorn Castle didn't care about belonging.
Only possession.
Then—
He arrived.
Lord of Blackthorn Castle.
Lord Kael.
Tall… cloaked in black… his presence swallowing the room whole.
Each step he took echoed like a warning.
He stopped in front of her.
Close.
Too close.
"Look at me."
His voice was low… controlled… the kind that didn't repeat itself.
Slowly… Eva lifted her eyes.
And froze.
His gaze was dark… not cruel, not kind…
Just certain.
Like he had already decided she was his… long before this moment.
The priest stepped forward, voice shaking:
"Under the ancient laws of Blackthorn… a vow once spoken cannot be broken. Bound by blood… by soul… by shadow."
A blade was placed into Eva's hand.
Cold.
Sharp.
Final.
"Speak."
Her throat tightened.
But there was no escape.
Not from this place.
Not from him.
Her voice came out soft… but it didn't break:
"I vow… to serve the Lord of Blackthorn Castle…"
The blade pressed into her palm.
A sharp sting.
"…to obey his command…"
Blood welled slowly… dripping to the stone.
The torches flickered wildly.
Like the castle was breathing.
"…and to belong to him… until death… or beyond it."
Silence fell.
Heavy.
Unforgiving.
Then—
Lord Kael stepped forward.
His hand wrapped around hers—the one bleeding.
Firm.
Unshakable.
He lifted it slightly… letting her blood stain his skin too.
A shared mark.
A binding.
He leaned in just enough for only her to hear.
"Eva…"
Her name sounded different in his voice.
Darker.
Owned.
"Now you understand."
His thumb pressed slowly against her wounded palm.
Not gentle.
Not cruel.
Just certain.
"…you are mine."
And somehow—
The most terrifying part wasn't the vow.
Wasn't the blood.
Wasn't even the castle.
It was the way her heart raced…
Not just from fear.....
To be continued....