The king's bargain

Chapter 2: The King's Bargain

The grand hall of Valcourt Keep was as cold as the vampire king himself.

Selene stood at the center of the vast chamber, her hands still bound in silver shackles. Shadows flickered along the obsidian walls, their shapes twisting like restless spirits in the torchlight. Rows of vampires watched her from their gilded seats, their expressions ranging from amusement to outright disdain.

At the top of the throne dais, Damien Valcourt sat in his seat of power—a high-backed throne carved from black stone, etched with silver veins. He watched her with unreadable silver eyes, one leg draped lazily over the other, his fingers resting against his lips in thought.

"You don't look like much," a voice sneered from the crowd.

Selene turned her head just in time to see a tall, elegant vampire woman step forward. Dressed in a shimmering crimson gown, she carried herself with the effortless grace of a predator.

Lady Isolde.

Selene recognized her from whispered tales—Damien's most trusted advisor, and the one rumored to be vying for his favor.

"A witch who gets caught is a pathetic thing," Isolde continued, her lips curling in mock pity. "What was she doing, my king? Stumbling through the woods like a lost lamb?"

A few chuckles echoed through the court. Selene's jaw tightened.

"I was hunting," she said smoothly, lifting her chin. "And I found exactly what I was looking for."

Silence. Then Damien's lips curled into something that might have been a smirk.

"Did you?" he murmured.

Selene didn't waver under his gaze. "Yes. And I would have ended you, had your dogs not intervened."

Murmurs rippled through the room at her audacity.

Damien finally rose from his throne. He descended the steps with slow, deliberate ease, his long black coat sweeping behind him. When he reached her, he lifted a single finger—and in an instant, her chains fell away.

The silver cuffs hit the stone floor with a hollow clang. The court gasped.

Selene stumbled slightly, the pain of the burns on her wrists making her wince. But she recovered quickly, snapping her gaze up to meet Damien's.

"That's better, isn't it?" he murmured.

She rubbed her raw skin, her heart pounding. "What game are you playing?"

"No game," he said. "You intrigue me."

Selene scoffed. "Flattered."

"Don't be," he said simply. "I want something from you."

She narrowed her eyes. "And what makes you think I'd give you anything?"

Damien leaned in slightly, just close enough that she could catch the faint scent of cedar and iron—blood and earth. His voice dropped to a whisper, but the power beneath it was undeniable.

"Because if you don't, you won't leave this castle alive."

Selene clenched her fists, fighting the primal fear curling in her gut. She had expected death the moment she was captured—but not this. Not negotiations.

"You're going to help me, little witch," Damien continued, stepping back, his gaze never leaving hers. "And in return, I'll grant you something rare."

He turned, heading back toward his throne.

"Mercy."

Selene's blood boiled. "And if I refuse?"

He lowered himself onto his throne, one brow arched in amusement.

"Then we'll find out how much pain a witch can withstand before she begs for death."

The court chuckled at his words, the sound like distant hisses of serpents.

Selene forced herself to remain calm, though her mind raced. What did he want? Why hadn't he killed her yet?

A trap. It had to be a trap.

"You assume I'll break," she said coolly. "That's your first mistake."

Damien's eyes gleamed. "Oh, I hope not, Selene Moreau. It would be such a waste."

He leaned forward slightly, his voice silk and steel.

"You have one night to decide."

Then, with a flick of his fingers, two guards stepped forward.

"Take her to the North Wing," he commanded. "She's our guest now."

Guest.

Selene didn't resist as they seized her arms, but as she was led away, she risked one last glance at Damien.

He was still watching her, that same quiet intensity in his gaze.

She didn't know what game the Vampire King was playing.

But she did know one thing.

She wouldn't lose.

End of Chapter 2