She stood glaring at him. His face showed no emotion, but she could read the smirk in his eyes.
“No.”
“You have no choice I'm afraid.”
Alika stood behind her, head down. Tara shook her head. He handed her the dress, just looking at her in the same way he always had; distant but warm.
“Either bạn put is on hoặc I will do it for you.”
She glared at him, but took the garment.
“I swear Kuran. One day, I'm kicking your ass.”
“As bạn say. I wait for that ngày with eagerness. Now hurry. Lord Vale will be here soon. And we both know how he expects to see you.”
Their eyes met for a một giây and she nodded in surrender. He placed a gentle Kiss to her head before leaving. Once the door was shut, she locked it. Alika waited for her.
“Help me please. I have no desire to be a vampire's meal tonight.”

She waited tiếp theo to Satstruiku's so-called throne, sword ready for any sign of trouble. She was not happy with the dress she had been forced to wear, but her weapons made her thêm comfortable. Her eyes watched the procession as thêm ma cà rồng than she had seen gathered in the same ngôi vua, ngai vàng room they had used for generations. The servants and warriors came first, then those in the court. A few thêm nameless dignitaries, and then she saw him.
His hair was the same moonlight silver she had remembered and his amethyst eyes looked at her in approval. He came phía trước, chuyển tiếp and Satstruiku stood to greet him. Tara came down bởi his side, playing the faithful servant but tim, trái tim beating hard in her chest. Face to face, the two men from her past shook hands. Chills went up her spine. It was really happening. She almost couldn't believe it. But here was her proof. Two enemies had come together for war.
“Vale, come talk with me in my chambers. Tara, bạn come too.”
Her thoughts broke away as the dignified Lord Vale looked her over again. She nodded to both of them and followed as Satstruiku lead the way into his room. Once they entered, Tara locked the door.
“It's a surprise bạn agreed to our contract, Lance Vale. What was the reason?”
The two looked at each other. When he spoke, Lance's voice held the same charm as Satstruiku's, but with thêm warmth.
“I heard bạn had something I want. I've come to retrieve it.”
Satstruiku sat in a chair, pulling Tara into his lap in one smooth motion.
“I'm afraid, Lance, that bạn can't have her. bạn see, she is my lamb.”
Lance's eyes narrowed a bit.
“You lấy trộm, đánh cắp her from her rightful owner, as bạn have everything else.”
“Begging your pardon's my lords,” Tara began, moving away from both of them. “But I belong to no one in this room. And if bạn wish to speak to me, use my name.”
Satstruiku smiled down into his glass and Lance studied her for a long moment. Eventually, he spoke to her with true sincerity.
“And what name do we use for a lady of court such as you?”
Her eyes narrowed.
“Yes. Please tell us,” Satstruiku said, his voice dripping with pride.
It clicked the moment her eyes locked with his. Not only was he mocking her, but he was provoking her. The reason was clear. She struggled to hold it back, but already knew it was of no use. He had played his cards well and won. She had made the mistake of holding her cards too long. And the secret she had tried to keep was now blown wide open.
“You may call me Lady Tara, Daughter of the King and rightful ruler to the throne.”
The two brothers looked at each other, one smug, the other shamelessly annoyed. She turned her head from them, feeling the change already. At that moment, she could hear the prophecy run into her thoughts as reality set in. She was a prisoner in their game of war.