Chapter 78
I wanted to freeze this moment in time, to lose myself in Hadrian’s embrace and forget the world existed beyond us. Nothing else mattered—only that he was safe and close. His arms wrapped around me firmly, and neither of us showed any desire to let go. He kissed my hair, his fingers tracing soothing patterns along my back.
Tears blurred my vision as they fell, smearing the bloodstains on his suit jacket. I buried my face against his chest, hoping to hide the evidence of my silent sobs. We might have stayed like that indefinitely, immune to the heavy silence pressing in around us, if it weren’t for Penrose’s deliberate and exaggerated clearing of her throat.
“Perhaps you two should save this for the castle,” she said, a sly grin spreading across her face as she raised her eyebrows in mock chastisement.
Hadrian let out a soft sigh, his arms loosening reluctantly. Even so, he kept his fingers entwined with mine as he shifted to stand beside me, presenting a united front to the crowd. Blood stained my clothes, but I didn’t care. For the first time, I felt utterly unshaken—ready to meet the stares of every vampire in the room.
There were about thirty of them gathered, their gazes cautious as they regarded Hadrian and me. Among them, one figure stood out—the Princess. Her hostility was like a storm brewing just beneath the surface, her burning eyes fixed solely on me.
She had tried to undermine me, to sever the fragile connection between Hadrian and me. Now, her humiliation was palpable. A royal princess, dismissed in favor of a human. I could see it boiling in her veins—the disgust, the fury. She wanted me gone, her desire to see me dead radiating like heat. But she could do nothing with Hadrian standing at my side.
Hadrian’s voice cut through the tension like a blade. “Let this serve as a warning!” he declared, gesturing toward Vikram’s headless corpse. “Those bonded to our kind are under sacred protection. Sir Patel broke that covenant—and for that, he paid the ultimate price.”
His gaze swept over the crowd, commanding their attention. They stood in silence, their respect for him undeniable.
“But that wasn’t his only offense,” Hadrian continued, his voice sharp. “He insulted the Mistress of the House of Kessler. He insulted me. Such an insult can only be paid for in blood—all of it!” His words rang out, echoing across the assembled nobles.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd as they lowered their heads, cowed by his authority. The message was clear: defying Hadrian was an act of suicide.
Penrose and Gareth shared smug smiles, satisfied with the display. In contrast, Selene’s face was a mask of displeasure. As the king’s representative, she had been preparing to rally loyalty to her cause, but the nobles now turned their allegiance to Lord Protector Kessler without hesitation. I could see her struggling to contain her anger.
“Lord Protector Kessler has graciously reminded us that mates are under special protection,” Selene spoke, stepping forward. Her voice was cold and measured, each word deliberate as she leveled her gaze at me.
“But let us not forget,” she continued, her smirk venomous, “that humanity has always been inferior. No human has the right to raise their voice against even the lowest vampire, let alone a noble. Such insolence must be punished.”
The crowd stirred, whispers rising to agreement as they turned their scornful stares on me. Selene had played her hand well. She couldn’t challenge Hadrian’s strength, but her political cunning was undeniable. With a few well-chosen words, she had turned the room against me.
Hadrian’s hand tightened around mine, his warmth cutting through my rising anxiety. He met my gaze with a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry,” he murmured before stepping forward to address the gathering.
“Princess Selene forgets that her father himself showed great tolerance toward humankind,” Hadrian said smoothly. “Perhaps she’d prefer we devolve into savages, hunting our food and killing prey like wild animals.” He chuckled, a sly grin spreading across his face. “I, for one, enjoy when my food climbs onto my plate willingly.”
Laughter broke through the tension as his remark landed, the crowd visibly relaxing. Hadrian waited for the laughter to fade before continuing.
“Humans are not born as our slaves or servants. Ms. Drayton, as my marked one, holds a position of honor. She has every right to defend her dignity as the Mistress of the House of Kessler. If anyone believes she should be punished for that, let them know that I will bear her punishment.”
The crowd shifted uncomfortably, murmurs breaking out again. “No punishment is necessary!” someone called out, their voice tinged with nervous laughter. Others echoed the sentiment, their agreement spreading like wildfire.
Hadrian turned his smirk on Selene, who stood rigid with suppressed fury.
“Very well,” she bit out, her tone icy. “This gathering is adjourned. You may all leave.” With a flick of her wrist, she turned and strode back toward the mansion, her displeasure evident in every step.
Relief flooded me as the nobles dispersed, leaving servants to clean up the grisly remains of Vikram’s corpse. Hadrian exchanged brief farewells with a few of them before taking my hand and leading me away, his pace hurried.
“I can walk on my own, you know,” I huffed, struggling to keep up.
He said nothing until we were seated in the car, heading back to the castle. His gaze softened as he reached out to brush his fingers over the cut on my cheek.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured, his voice uncharacteristically quiet.
I blinked at him, startled. “You don’t have to—”
“I do,” he interrupted. “I should have anticipated Selene’s interference. I won’t let it happen again.” He leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to my injured cheek.
The ache faded, replaced by a warmth that spread through me. I smiled, the butterflies in my stomach taking flight as I met his eyes. For the first time, they held more than cold authority or fleeting warmth. They were filled with uncertainty, vulnerability—emotions he had always claimed to despise.
In that moment, I knew. I could easily fall in love with him.