Dusk settled over the citadel like a heavy cloak, turning the stone walls gray and the air sharp with the promise of night.
Rhea arrived at the stables with the help of a butler. She wore her enforcer gear-black leather pants, fitted tunic, boots that had seen too many patrols, and Kael's coat draped over her shoulders like armor.
The wolf pendant rested against her chest, warm from her skin. A short sword hung at her hip; her claws were sheathed but ready. She looked every inch the fighter she had always been. Elias was already there, standing beside two saddled horses: a sleek black one for him, a sturdy gray for her. He had dressed for the field-no velvet, no silver trim.
Dark trousers, boots, a fitted black shirt under a lightweight coat, sword strapped across his back. He looked less like a prince and more like a soldier who had seen centuries of war. Two of his most trusted guards waited a short distance away, holding their own mounts.
-tall, sharp-featured, with short dark hair and eyes like chipped obsidian-gave Rhea a long, measuring look. She had served Elias for decades, her loyalty fierce and her tongue sharper. "The wolf bride," she said dryly.
"I expected more fur on that face, I expected a fucking dog." Cassian stood beside her-he was quieter, broader, with a jagged scar running across his throat that made his voice rough when he spoke at all.
He had fought wolves before; the scar was proof. He said nothing now, just bowed once to Rhea, wary but professional. He couldn't say anything, he didn't want the wrath of their Lord. Rhea was his wife now.
Rhea met Liora's stare with a raised brow. "And I expected more manners from a bloodsucker. Guess we're both disappointed." Elias stepped between them before Liora could reply. "Enough! Liora, respect my wife as much as you respect me or your head is mine. We ride north. The ridge is two hours. Stay alert."
Rhea mounted the gray horse without help. Elias swung onto the black. Liora and Cassian fell in behind, keeping a respectful but watchful distance. Liora stayed silent because of course she was scared of her lord.
They left the citadel gates and rode into the forest. The trail was narrow, pines thick on either side, moonlight filtering through in silver patches. The horses moved in steady rhythm, hooves muffled on fallen needles.
For the first half hour, no one spoke at all. Rhea rode beside Elias humming a tune at the back of her mind, close enough to converse but far enough to keep space.
She felt the bond between them-faint but constant, like a second pulse. It irritated her how natural it was starting to feel.
Ugh the thought that she's live with it disgusted her. "You ever fought rogues before?" she asked finally. "Too many times, forgotten I'm centuries old?" Elias answered with a scoff. "They're not like us. No loyalty or rules. Just hunger and rage." Rhea glanced at him with a raised brow. "Sounds familiar. That's what my pack says about vampires." He smiled faintly-she was attacking him indirectly. "And what do you say, wife?" "I say hunger makes monsters of everyone. Doesn't matter the blood."
He looked at her with a smirk. "You're not wrong." Liora muttered something under her breath from behind. "Smells like wet dog out here." Rhea didn't turn. "Keep talking, fang. I'll give you something to smell soon." Elias shot Liora a single deathly look. She fell silent.
They reached the clearing just after midnight. A small open space ringed by pines. A deer lay in the center, throat torn, blood still steaming. Three rogues stood over it-clothes ragged, eyes glowing red, fangs bared. They sensed the group and snarled as one. Rhea's claws extended with a soft snick.
Elias's fangs dropped silently. Liora and Cassian drew weapons. "Stay sharp," Elias said low. The rogues lunged. Rhea moved first-fast, claws out.
She met the closest one head-on, slamming him into a tree. He hissed, claws raking her arm. Pain flared hot, but she ignored it, driving her knee into his gut, then slashed across his throat. Black blood sprayed.
He dropped dead right there. Elias took the second. One hand caught the rogue's wrist, twisting as it's bone snapped. The other hand drove through the chest in a clean, brutal strike. The rogue crumpled.
The third hesitated-then bolted. Rhea shifted mid-stride, fur rippling, wolf form bursting free. She chased, paws silent, teeth bared. Elias blurred after her, faster than any living thing. They cornered the rogue against a rocky outcrop. Rhea snarled. Elias stepped up beside her, calm and deadly.
The rogue laughed, ragged. "The prince and his wolf whore. How long before she rips your heart out? And you, wolf bitch... how long before he sucks you dry?" Elias ended him with one swift strike-no words, no hesitation, all he was spouting was just noise.
Silence fell, heavy with blood and pine. Rhea shifted back, breathing hard, blood on her claws and cheek. Elias stood beside her, coat torn at the sleeve, knuckles red.
Liora and Cassian appeared at the clearing's edge. Liora looked at Rhea with something close to respect as she couldn't help but conceal a smile.
"Not bad, wolf. That was actually... amazing." Cassian simply nodded. Rhea wiped blood from her cheek. "It's done." Elias stepped closer-close enough she could smell the fight on him: blood, pine, and something uniquely him. He checked her arm without touching. "You're bleeding Rhea."
"I heal fast, Do not worry." He met her eyes. "You protected me back there wife." "I protected the alliance," she corrected. "Not you." A faint smile curved his lips, "Keep telling yourself that."
They rode back in tense silence. Liora glanced at Rhea once with less hate.
Cassian rode quietly, he seemed disinterested in having any hate feelings towards the Lord's new bride.
At the citadel gates, Rhea dismounted. Elias stopped her with a hand on her arm-gently as if he was asking permission. "You fought well tonight," he said softly. "At my side! I didn't expect that." She pulled away, chin high.
"Thats what I've trained for! Don't get used to it, I wasn't made to be beside you vamp!" He watched her walk inside, coat swirling, and blood still on her cheek.
The bond hummed stronger than ever tonight, it made him want to have her there and then. And Rhea felt it-whether she wanted to or not.