Chapter 75

I stepped back, my heart pounding wildly in my chest. I tried to appear calm and confident—Hadrian's mark was supposed to be my shield—but fear gnawed at me. Vikram loomed over me, his imposing frame radiating a quiet menace. Standing this close, I couldn’t shake the unnerving feeling that he could crush me with a single hand if he wanted to.

“How about a drink, beautiful?” he asked, his tone dripping with arrogance. Without waiting for my reply, he strode to a nearby table and returned with two glasses of prosecco.

He handed me one, and I stared at the golden liquid with suspicion.

“There’s no poison in it,” he chuckled, clearly amused by my hesitation.

Arguing would likely worsen the situation, so I forced a nervous smile and took a tentative sip, all the while keeping my eyes on him. Then, without hesitation, I set the glass down. He noticed and laughed before draining his own drink in two large gulps.

“Now, tell me, lovely lady…” he purred, lowering his voice to a sultry drawl. “What makes you smell so delicious?”

I smirked, hoping to unsettle him. “I’m a werewolf’s daughter,” I said, letting the words hang in the air like a dare.

“Splendid!” Vikram’s laughter echoed around the room. “I was wondering what made you unique, but this—this is better than I imagined.” He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “I like you even more now, Thalassa.”

The sound of my name on his lips sent a chill down my spine. I flinched, stepping back, but the grin on his face only widened. He closed the distance again, his predatory gaze never wavering.

“You know,” he said, his voice taking on a calculated smoothness, “I wasn’t joking earlier. Once Lord Protector Kessler ascends the throne, I’ll do everything in my power to make you mine.” He winked, the audacity in his expression making my stomach churn.

“That’s… generous of you,” I replied, my voice tight. “But as you’ve probably heard, the Lord Protector has no intention of abandoning me.”

“Oh, but he will,” Vikram said, his voice laced with cold certainty. He took another step forward, forcing me to retreat.

“Sir, you’re too close,” I said, my teeth clenched in an effort to sound braver than I felt. “I am Lord Protector Kessler’s woman. Please respect that.”

“Do you think his mark can protect you from me?” he asked, his amusement plain.

I swallowed hard and took another step back. “I won’t become yours,” I hissed, my voice trembling despite my efforts to appear fierce.

He looked me over, biting his lip in a way that made my skin crawl. “You’ve got spirit, I’ll give you that,” he said, stepping closer yet again.

I backed away until the wall pressed against my spine. Desperation prickled at me as I scanned the room, searching for an ally. Most people averted their gazes, pretending not to notice what was unfolding. Except for one—Lord Protector Ashcroft. He stood with his arms crossed, watching with a cold detachment that made it clear he hoped Vikram would harm me.

“Do you know,” Vikram said, leaning close enough that I felt his breath on my neck, “a mark can be overwritten by a stronger vampire?” He smirked, his fangs glinting as they extended.

I summoned all my strength and shoved at his chest, but he barely budged.

“Lord Protector Kessler is far stronger than you!” I shot back, my voice rising with defiance.

“Let’s find out,” he said, his smirk deepening.

His fangs darted toward my neck, and panic seized me. “No!” I screamed, delivering a swift kick to his groin.

He doubled over, clutching himself as a roar of pain escaped him. Relief washed over me, but then—he laughed.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I muttered under my breath, dread creeping back in.

Vikram straightened, his grin more menacing than ever. “You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that. Striking a noble? How bold!”

I shifted into a defensive stance, trembling as I raised my guard. The weight of the room pressed down on me. No one would help me—not here.

“Are you looking for help, my dear?” Vikram sneered. “Let me be clear: no one will intervene. I may only be a count’s son, but I’m strong enough to challenge your precious Lord Protector, and everyone here knows it.”

He reached out, his fingers brushing against my cheek. I prayed he was bluffing about his strength, that Hadrian would sense my distress through the bond.

“Come with me,” he ordered, grabbing my wrist and pulling me toward a side door.

“I’m not going anywhere with you!” I protested, struggling against his iron grip.

Suddenly, his hold vanished, and I stumbled back. When I regained my balance and looked up, my breath caught.

“Joking around again, Sir Patel?” Penrose asked, her claws gleaming as they pressed against Vikram’s throat.

“Lady Kessler,” Vikram said, his voice tight, “always making a grand entrance.” He leaned his head back, wary of her claws.

“I see you’ve missed me,” Penrose said sweetly, though her eyes burned with warning. She retracted her claws and smiled. “Apologies for arriving late.”

I couldn’t believe it—she had saved me, not Hadrian. Relief flooded me as she glanced at me, her grin softening.

“I came just in time, didn’t I?” she teased.

“You couldn’t have been more on the mark,” I said, exhaling deeply. “Thank you.”

“Brother texted me,” she explained. “He knew only I could get in to keep an eye on you while he was away.” Her gaze snapped back to Vikram, her tone hardening. “You shouldn’t touch what doesn’t belong to you, Sir Patel.”

Vikram clicked his tongue, straightening his posture. “The Lord Protector can’t keep a human lover by his side when he becomes king. I merely thought it would be a shame for something so… exquisite to go to waste.”

Penrose’s claws flexed, but she didn’t strike. “How arrogant of you. Do you honestly believe the future king would allow you to take what he’s marked, even if he let her go?”

“She’d be safer with me,” Vikram said with a smirk.

I stepped forward, trembling but defiant. “I’m not a thing! I make my own choices. You barely know me, and you think you can decide what’s best for me? Who do you think you are?”

A hush fell over the room. The clatter of a dropped fork echoed, and every gaze turned toward us.

I gulped, bracing myself for what would come next.