Chapter 4

SERAPHINA

The ornate carriage jolted over each rut in the forest path, every bump sending fresh waves of anguish through my already wounded heart. My amber eyes stung with unshed tears that threatened to spill like moonlight through storm clouds. I pressed my lips together, forcing down the howl of grief that clawed at my throat.

The familiar territory of our Crimson Moon Pack lands was fading behind us, replaced by the shadowed realm of the Nightshade Court. Ancient oaks twisted overhead like gnarled fingers, their thick canopy stealing away the sun’s warmth—leaving only the moon as witness to my torment. The only other soul sharing this gilded prison was the dark fae prince seated across from me.

Prince Lysander Shadowmere.

The ethereal male lounged against the velvet cushions, his otherworldly violet gaze fixed on the blurred landscape rushing past our window. Only the rhythmic cadence of hooves against earth broke our suffocating silence as we traveled toward his midnight palace.

My thoughts drifted back to the confrontation with my parents, the memory rising like smoke from dying embers.

“Father, you cannot truly mean to bind me to this union,” I had pleaded, standing before King Fenris and Queen Celeste in their moonlit chambers. My voice had cracked with desperation. “You cannot possibly expect me to… mate with this fae prince.”

My father’s emerald eyes had dulled with the weight of impossible choices. “What other path remains open to us, my moon child?” His powerful frame had trembled with barely contained fury, silver brows drawing together like storm clouds. “The mate bond has claimed you both!”

I had raked my claws through my midnight hair, pacing the length of their chambers like a caged wolf. “Why did the fates curse me to meet him in the Whispering Grove?”

I had whirled to face them. “I sought no meeting! I only needed escape when sleep abandoned me, so I wandered to the grove for solace. He appeared like a shadow made flesh.”

My mother had tensed, her claws extending in protective instinct. “Did he hunt you through the darkness?”

I shook my head, sensing the bloodlust rising in Queen Celeste. “No, Mother.” A weary sigh escaped me. “Perhaps he too sought escape from the knowledge of our cursed bond. But when moonlight revealed us to each other, the ancient magic seized us both. That is why we embraced beneath the stars.” I had gazed down at my trembling hands. “That is why his midnight scent now marks my very soul, Father.”

My lower lip had quivered as the full weight of destiny crashed upon me. “But desire does not mean acceptance. He belongs to those who destroyed everything!” I had slashed my hand through the air. “I will never forget what they stole from us when they took Rowan.” Even now, my inner wolf whimpered in mourning for our lost pack-mate.

My father’s noble features had grown solemn as winter stone. “Even if forgiveness eludes you, your wolf has chosen. She has bound herself to shadow and starlight.” His massive fists had clenched. “I cannot sever what the moon goddess herself has woven. No power in all the realms, not even a king’s command, can separate true mates. You know this sacred law! And so does the Nightshade Court.”

I had bitten my lip until I tasted copper, desperate to hold back the flood of tears. “What… what are you telling me, Father?”

His silence had spoken volumes, and my spirit had shattered like crystal against stone. Turning pleading amber eyes toward my mother, I had begged without words.

Her sapphire gaze had filled with unshed tears, her strong jaw trembling against barely contained sobs. She had turned away, seeking comfort in my father’s embrace as he wrapped her in his protective warmth.

“You understand your destiny, Seraphina,” my father had said gently. “This union offers the only path to lasting peace. We must seize this gift your bond has presented to both our peoples.”

The words had struck me like silver through the heart.

My father’s expression had twisted with anguish. “Do not wound me with those eyes, my daughter.” He had drawn a shuddering breath. “This decision tears at my very soul as much as yours.”

My gaze had narrowed to golden slits. “Does it truly?”

His mouth had pressed into a grim line. “You know it does.”

I had looked away, staring at the floor to prevent venomous words that could never be recalled from spilling forth.

“Seraphina.”

I had lifted my gaze at my mother’s gentle call.

“Do not let Rowan’s sacrifice lose all meaning.” Her words had pierced deeper than any blade could reach. “Peace was his dying wish, his final howl to the moon. And now the Shadowmere Court extends that very gift to us.” She had raised her chin with regal dignity, though tears glistened like dewdrops in her eyes. “You carry the blood of alpha wolves. Your duty runs as deep as ours. You know what honour demands. The question remains… will you abandon your sacred responsibility?”

I could only stare as tears carved silver trails down my cheeks. Finally, I had bowed my head in acceptance of this cruel twist of fate.

My destiny had been sealed when my father agreed to the union moments later in the Great Hall.

Which brought me to this moment, studying the enigmatic prince. Tension had coiled between us like a living thing since our journey began toward the shadow realm. He refused to meet my gaze, offering only fleeting glances from the corner of his eye. Meanwhile, I watched him intently, willing him to acknowledge my presence. Yet still, he remained turned toward the window.

My already frayed nerves finally snapped like overstretched wire.

“Your Highness,” I said, my tone carrying the authority of my bloodline. A muscle twitched along his sharp jawline, proving he heard me clearly. “We have been placed together in this carriage to begin learning each other’s hearts. How can such understanding bloom when you remain silent as the grave?”

His violet eye flickered with irritation. Still, Prince Lysander maintained his maddening quiet. I fought to keep my claws sheathed, though my fingertips burned with the urge to extend them.

Struggling to keep frustration from bleeding into my voice, I continued, “I know this situation chafes against your pride. I take no joy in these circumstances either.” Lysander’s shoulders went rigid, power crackling around him like barely leashed lightning.

What in the goddess’s name troubles him so deeply? He seemed so different when we met in the Whispering Grove…

The male before me felt like a mere shadow of the one who had held me with such tender reverence beneath the stars. My mind drifted back to his noble brow pressed against mine, his breath like a midnight breeze against my skin, those full lips close enough to taste temptation itself.

Heat unfurled low in my belly like molten silver. Desire pooled between my thighs, slick and demanding. My eyes widened in shock. One glance at Prince Lysander revealed…

His nostrils flared, catching the intoxicating scent of my arousal. Then he went predator-still, not even drawing breath.

His gaze slowly slid to mine, those amethyst depths now glowing with otherworldly fire.

I had to extinguish this flame before it consumed us both! No matter how my wolf yearned for his touch, I would not submit to desire. Not now, not ever.

Pressing myself back into the cushions, I growled low in warning. “We are both trapped in a mating neither desires. But our wants matter little compared to our peoples’ needs.”

Speaking of duty seemed to leash his masculine hunger, for the supernatural glow faded from his eyes, his predatory tension easing. He licked his lips and drew a steadying breath. Turning to face me fully, he folded his arms across his broad chest and fixed me with a glare cold enough to freeze starlight.

“There is nothing about me worth knowing,” Lysander said, his canines elongating into deadly points that made my pulse quicken. “Let me make our arrangement crystal clear. I will never love you nor claim you as my mate in truth.” He tilted his head with mocking grace. “Consider this a political contract, nothing more than duty and obligation.”

My mouth fell open in shock; words abandoned me completely. Shaking my head to gather my scattered thoughts, I leaned forward with a warning growl. “Can you not attempt even basic courtesy? We are bound together for eternity itself.” More silence met my plea. I huffed in mounting frustration. “What possible reason could you have for such coldness?”

His arctic gaze cut through me like winter wind. “More reasons than you could fathom.”

I stiffened, realising I would find no warmth in this male’s heart. Settling back into my seat, I turned to watch the passing shadows, a hollow ache gnawing at my chest as loneliness crashed over me like a frozen tide.