brave

"My lady, do you want anything?" Olivia, the red-haired maid, asked, breaking the monotony of my fourth day in the palace. I had been cooped up in my room, bored out of my mind, and hadn't seen the prince since our wedding night. I didn't care, though - it was better that way.

"Um... Can you show me a library here?" I asked, hoping to find some distraction from the dullness.

Olivia's expression turned apologetic. "I'm sorry, my lady, but I'm not allowed to do that. Only vampires are allowed in the library."

I sighed, feeling frustrated by the limitations imposed on me. "Okay, can you take me for a walk, then?" I asked, hoping to get out of my room at least.

Olivia hesitated before nodding. "Fine, Your Majesty."

As we walked through the palace halls, I noticed the intricate decorations on the walls - something I wouldn't have expected from vampires. There were huge portraits, and everything was shrouded in a mysterious, dark atmosphere, with a predominance of blue, black, and red hues.

Olivia opened a massive door, revealing a stunning garden. I gasped in wonder, my eyes wide with excitement. There were enormous roses, a majestic tree, and an array of exotic flowers like dalyas and echeverias. I ran towards them, squealing with delight.

"Oh my god, these are gorgeous!" I exclaimed, spinning around to face Olivia. "I love roses! Did you know my middle name is Rose? Ariana Rose Lydia," I said, beaming with pride.

Olivia smiled, and I could see a hint of warmth in her eyes. I grabbed her hands, pulling her into the garden. "Why are you standing there? Come on, let's dance!" I said, twirling her around.

Olivia laughed, her initial hesitation forgotten. "But my lady, I'm not supposed to play in the garden," she reminded me, her voice barely above a whisper.

I waved my hand dismissively. "Nonsense, it's easy! I'll teach you," I said, spinning her around again.

Just as we were having fun, a voice interrupted us. "What's going on here?" a female voice asked, her tone icy.

I turned to see a stunning silver-haired woman standing before us. Her beauty was almost surreal - her long lashes, pale skin, and crystal-blue eyes left me breathless. I felt Olivia tremble with fear beside me.

"Who are you?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

The woman's gaze swept over me, her eyes lingering on my neck. "I do not answer to my food," she said, her voice dripping with malice. "But if you want to know, I am Princess Claudia of the Demon Kingdom."

I felt a shiver run down my spine as she smirked at me. "You will do no such thing," I said, trying to sound brave, but my voice trembled.

I was frozen in fear as Claudia sneered at me, her eyes glinting with malice. "Oh, and who would stop me?" she taunted, her voice dripping with venom.

I stuttered, trying to find the words to defend myself, but she cut me off with a cruel laugh. "What, cat got your tongue?" she mocked.

I felt a surge of fear as she summoned Olivia, her eyes gleaming with hunger. "You will do no such thing," I said, trying to sound brave. "She belongs to me, and she's not your food."

Claudia's expression turned mocking. "Ooohhh, I'm scared," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Come here, unless you're dead meat," she snapped at Olivia.

I felt a pang of sadness as Olivia hesitated, then moved towards Claudia. But before anything could happen, a male voice intervened.

"Didn't you hear what my wife said?" the prince, said, his voice firm and authoritative.

I turned to see him walking towards me, his eyes fixed on Claudia. I had just learned his name, and it felt strange to hear it.

" Damon Stop this," Claudia said, her voice tinged with anger.

His name was Damon , I finally knew his name.

Damon's expression was cold and unyielding. "Stop what? And besides, what are you doing here? You're meant to meet Duke Luke."

The tension between them was palpable, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. Claudia scoffed at Damon's words, but he stood his ground.

"My wife has authority over you," he said, his voice firm.

Claudia's eyes flashed with anger. "No human can have authority over me," she spat.

But Damon was unmoved. "Well, she does. Now, leave us, before I do something I might regret."

The air was thick with tension as Claudia hesitated, then turned and left. Olivia, who had been watching the exchange, knelt down. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty," she said.

I shook my head. "What are you doing? Stop, you didn't do anything," I said, trying to comfort her.

Damon's voice was firm. "Get up, and leave us alone."

Olivia hurried to obey, bowing before she left. I turned to Damon, feeling confused and a little scared. "What's going on?" I asked.

He turned to face me, his eyes still blazing with anger. "I should ask you that," he said, his voice low and menacing. "You left me in the room for four days, and you became bored. You wanted fresh air?"

He chuckled darkly. "You became bored to be alive, right?"

I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes. "I just wanted to see fresh air. I wanted to go to the library, but it was only for vampires. Why are you being mean to me?" I asked, feeling a little hurt and confused.

I shook my head, trying to clear the tears that threatened to fall. "No, I won't," I said, my voice firm, despite the fear that was growing inside me.

Damon's gaze turned darker, his eyes flashing with anger. "Don't make me repeat myself, Princess," he warned, his voice low and menacing.

I gulped, feeling a shiver run down my spine. But I stood my ground, despite the fear that was threatening to consume me. "I will only if you come with me," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Damon's eyes studied me for a moment, before he shook his head. "No," he said, his voice firm.

I felt a surge of anger at his refusal. "Why? Am I not your wife? So you should listen to me," I said, my voice rising in frustration.

Damon's expression turned cold, his eyes glinting with anger. "Princess, go to your room," he said, his voice brooking no argument.

But I refused to back down. "I won't, if you don't follow me," I said, my voice firm.

Just then, a guard appeared, his armor and sword at the ready. "Your Majesty, rogue attack," he said, his voice urgent.

I stared at the guard, fangs grazed his lips, and his eyes landed on me, before leaving mine and staring at Damon. 'Vampire' my mind said.

Damon's expression turned serious, his eyes flashing with concern. "Gather everyone to battle. You go, I have to be with my wife," he said, his voice firm.

I watched as the guard bowed, before hurrying off to gather the others. Damon's eyes never left mine, his gaze burning with intensity.

I felt a shiver run down my spine, as I realized that he was staying with me, despite the danger that was looming outside.

But before I could process my thoughts, Damon spoke up, his voice low and menacing. "If you were busy, you could have gone and not stayed because of me," I said, trying to sound calm.

Damon's expression turned amused, his eyes glinting with laughter. "It's so funny how you thought I stayed because of you," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

I furrowed my brows, feeling a surge of confusion. "What do you mean? You said to the guard that you had to be with your wife," I said, my voice rising in frustration.

Damon's expression turned cold, his eyes glinting with anger. "I told you to do something, and you said no. And I do not take no for an answer. You're getting punished," he said, his voice firm.

Before I could react, Damon grabbed my hands, and everything around us changed. We were no longer in the garden, but in our chambers.

I stumbled backwards, my eyes wide with shock. "H-how...did you do that?" I stuttered.

Damon's expression turned amused, his eyes glinting with laughter. "Strip," he said, his voice firm.

My eyes widened in shock, as I realized what he was asking me to do. "W-what?" I stuttered.

But Damon's expression brooked no argument. "Strip," he repeated, his voice fir leaving no room for arguments.