The castle was quiet under the pale glow of midnight. In Josephine's chamber, the storm-born queen still slept heavily, her breathing slow but steady. Around her, Tess, Callum, and Piere lay scattered on blankets, keeping watch with their bodies curled close.
A faint sound stirred Tess awake. Her throat burned with thirst. Her body ached.
She sat up weakly, her hand clutching her chest.
"No… blood…" she whispered, her eyes glowing yellow in the dark. Her fangs slipped past her lips.
Slowly, she slipped on her shoes and stepped out, the cold stones of the hallway pressing against her feet. She wavered, nearly stumbling, exhaustion and hunger clawing at her.
As she turned a corner, she bumped into a tall figure. Strong arms steadied her.
"Tess? Are you okay?" Noah's voice cut through the silence, sharp with concern.
Her lips trembled. "B… B… blood…" she said weakly.
Noah's eyes widened. "Shit!" He looked at her pale skin, the tremor in her body. She was weakening fast. His chest clenched—he couldn't stand to see her like this.
"Take my blood," he said urgently.
Tess shook her head, swaying. "N… no…"
"I can't bear to see you like this, Tess. Just do it. Damn it!" Noah demanded, pulling her close.
Her fangs lengthened, her eyes glowing a deep, burning yellow. With a trembling breath, she sank her fangs into his neck.
Noah groaned at the sharp sting but held her tightly, his arms strong around her back as she drank. Her hunger was raw, desperate, almost primal. She fed for three minutes straight, his body tense but unmoving, until finally she pulled away, her lips stained red.
The twin bite marks bled slowly. Tess's body went limp, and she collapsed in his arms, already asleep.
Noah gazed at her face, softened by slumber. A small smile broke across his lips. He kissed her forehead tenderly, whispering, "Sleep well, beautiful."
He carried her gently to his room, laying her on his bed. Covering her with a blanket, he closed the windows and drew the curtains tight to shield her from the morning sun. He sat in the chair by her side, watching over her through the night.
Morning
By 7:50 a.m., Josephine had not stirred. Her skin was warm with fever, her body trembling faintly.
Ceillie, already bathed and dressed, sat by her side with a bowl of cold water and a white cloth. She pressed it to Josephine's forehead.
"Jojo, love, wake up now," Ceillie whispered.
But Josephine only breathed slowly, her eyelids refusing to flutter open.
Ceillie's chest tightened. She rushed downstairs, calling, "Please! Is there a healer in the castle?"
Oliver turned sharply. "No, we don't—but I'll send for one now!" He bolted out with the guards, urgency heavy in his voice.
Meanwhile, Hendrick was already preparing for King Xavi's arrival in two hours.
In Noctyra
Far away, in the Kingdom of Noctyra—the Kingdom of Poison, Fear, and Night—King Xavi was already awake. His dark lands stretched endlessly under a veil of shadow, a place so feared that its very name made weaker kingdoms tremble.
He had bathed, dressed his young son Adris, and prepared with cold precision. His sister Xoni, sharp-eyed and elegant, wore her ceremonial attire.
"I really love her sister," Xoni said slyly, her eyes glinting. "She has such beautiful eyes. Such a cute girl. Can I ask for her hand?"
"Yeah, you can," Xavi replied flatly, chewing gum, his tone icy.
Xoni smirked. "When will you ever smile, brother?"
Xavi's gaze drifted out at his kingdom's horizon, veiled in darkness. "Noctyra does not smile," he muttered.
Downstairs, Queen Olydia, his mother, cradled Adris in her arms.
"Ready to see your Jojo?" Xavi teased, tapping his son's cheek.
"Jojo!!!" Adris screamed with laughter, clapping his tiny hands.
Xavi took him into his arms, and together, the royal family boarded the black carriages and departed Noctyra.
Noah & Tess
At 8:06 a.m., Tess stirred awake. She stretched on Noah's bed, her body heavy with drowsiness.
"Morning, beautiful," Noah said in a low, raspy deep tone.
"Morning," Tess murmured, half-asleep. But as her eyes opened fully, she froze. This wasn't Josephine's room. Her gaze darted—and landed on Noah, shirtless, his neck still marked by her fangs.
Her eyes widened. "Did… did I do that?"
"Yeah," Noah said calmly. "You were thirsty and weak last night, so I let you bite me."
Her face fell. "I'm very, very sorry… your majesty." She quickly got off the bed.
Noah's eyes narrowed. His voice deepened. "What did you just call me?"
"Y… your Majesty. Prince Noah Hendrick," Tess stammered.
Noah stood, walking slowly toward her, his body radiating heat and hunger. "Tess…"
"I… I need to—" she began, but before she could finish, Noah's hand closed around her neck, pinning her to the bed. He dragged her legs open, his body pressing against hers.
His breath burned her ear as he whispered darkly, "Don't ever call me 'your majesty' again. Or else I will fuck you so hard, you'll be whispering my name long after I'm done with you even your pussy will tremble when you hear my name Sweetheart. Understood… baby girl?"
Tess's cheeks flushed crimson. Her arms instinctively wrapped around his back. "L-let me go," she whispered, her voice trembling.
Noah licked her ear slowly.
"Noah!" Tess gasped, her eyes fluttering shut.
"I'm just a village vampire girl," she murmured, tears prickling.
"I don't care," Noah growled, kissing her neck.
Her voice cracked. "I used to be a thief before Nana and Josephine found me. I stole with Callum and Piere—we even stole from Nana once. That's how we ended up with her. I'm still… a thief."
Noah cupped her face, forcing her to meet his eyes. "No. Nana raised you into the best woman you could ever be. You survived. You lived. That's not thievery—that's strength. And I don't care about your past. All I want… is you. Now and forever."
Her lips trembled. Finally, she pulled him close and kissed him deeply, their bodies tangled, desire burning between them as their tongues met together slowly arms wrapped around each other as Noah left hand grab her round Ass and his right hand inside her nightgown has his thumb play with her nipples F….f….fuck Noah whispered as they make out.
The Castle Prepares
By 9:40 a.m., the castle was spotless. A feast of food and blood was laid out for the king's arrival.
"Is she awake yet?" Hendrick asked Ceillie.
She shook her head, worry in her eyes.
"King Xavi will be here soon. Everyone, change and get ready," Hendrick ordered.
Josephine was bathed, her fever cooled by endless water, but she remained unconscious. They dressed her in a dark green gown, braiding her golden hair neatly.
In her room, Sophina sat weeping in shadows. Hendrick entered quietly.
"Sof?"
She wiped her tears quickly.
Hendrick lifted her chin gently. "See what I meant, darling? He said I didn't realize I was becoming like my father—ruthless, cold. I was losing you and the children." Sophina said
Hendrick said. "I only wanted you to love her… to show her a mother's love."
"Then please, love her when she's ready," Hendrick whispered. He kissed her gently. "Now, get ready. King Xavi is close."
The Arrival
By 9:55 a.m., everyone was in place.
"Is she awake now?" Sophina asked again.
Ceillie shook her head.
Sophina began chanting softly, her palms glowing violet.
"Aurora Spiritum…" Light wrapped around Josephine's body.
"She will wake," Sophina whispered. "Now let's go downstairs."
The family gathered in the hall. Anesthesia smoothed her dress nervously. Oliver teased her:
"Don't you think you're overdressed?"
"Nope. Do you think Ms. Xoni will like my dress?"
Hendrick and Sophina exchanged glances. "Are you… gay?" they asked together.
"Uhmmm… yeah," Anesthesia admitted shyly.
"Okay," they both said in unison.
Anesthesia blinked. "Really? You're okay with it?"
"Yes," they said again. She smiled brightly, relief flooding her heart.
Moments later, the black carriages arrived. Guards flanked the doors. A maid held an umbrella as Queen Olydia descended gracefully with Adris in her arms, followed by Xoni—deadly and radiant in a black suit, her hair tied in a red-and-black bun.
Finally, King Xavi stepped out, gum in his mouth, a smirk on his lips.
The Negotiation
Inside, the families sat. Hendrick and his children bowed respectfully.
Xavi crossed his legs, surveying the room. "Where is Josephine? Has she woken since last night's incident?"
"She has not," Ceillie admitted softly.
Xavi leaned forward. "King Hendrick, remember when I said I had something to discuss with you about your daughter?"
"Yes…" Hendrick replied cautiously.
"You know the kind of man I am. When I want something, I get it," Xavi said flatly.
"What do you want?" Hendrick asked.
Xavi's smirk widened. "Your daughter, Josephine."
The entire family froze.
"What!?" they cried together.
"Yes. I want her hand in marriage. And while we're at it, my sister Xoni wants Anesthesia. So, two hands for two of us."
Josephine Wakes
Upstairs, Josephine stirred at last. She opened her eyes, groggy but alive.
Her maid Assia rushed to her. "Good morning, Ms. Josephine."
Josephine yawned as Oliver entered with Adris.
"Babababa!" the baby babbled happily, clapping his hands.
Josephine smiled warmly, lifting him into her arms. He kissed her cheek, and she kissed him back.
"Come downstairs," Oliver said. "Father and King Xavi are waiting."
After bathing, Josephine vomited weakly in the bathroom. Assia tried to clean it, but Josephine gently stopped her, cleaning it herself.
Finally, she descended into the hall, wearing a long teal gown with braided hair, Adris in her arms. His eyes sparkled with pure love for her.
"Look at Adris," Xoni murmured. "He really loves her."
Josephine bowed to Xavi and his family.
"Come here, child," Queen Olydia said warmly.
Josephine glanced at Ceillie, who nodded. She stepped forward, bowing her head.
"Sit beside me," Olydia said, taking her hand. "How are you?"
Josephine signed softly: I'm fine. And you?
Olydia smiled. "I am well." She tapped Josephine's head gently.
Adris yawned, falling asleep in her arms. Josephine rubbed his back soothingly, then slipped away to the kitchen.
Xavi's gaze followed her every movement.
The Choice
At the table, Xavi spoke firmly. "King Hendrick, what will it be?"
"She's only sixteen," Hendrick said. "She won't be seventeen for 7 months."
Xavi laughed darkly. "7 months is nothing."
The room went still.
Ceillie spoke softly. "King Xavi… she is still a child."
But Xavi shook his head. "My son adores her. He clings to her hairpin every night. Only in her arms does he sleep peacefully. He wants her. And I want her, too."Xavi said in his thoughts
"Jojo!" Ceillie called gently.
Josephine emerged, chewing on a cinnamon roll. She licked her lips and placed it down, standing by Ceillie.
"King Xavi wants to marry you, love," Ceillie said gently.
Josephine blinked, stunned. She signed quickly: Are you joking?
"No," Xavi said coldly.
Josephine looked at Adris sleeping in her arms. He needs a mother, she thought. He needs love. If he grows up without it, he'll suffer. And I… I really love Adris. He's so precious.
"Yes or no, Jojo?" Hendrick asked firmly.
Josephine's hands shook. She looked at Xavi, his arms folded, eyes locked on her. Then, slowly, she nodded.
Xavi smirked. "It's settled, then."
"And Anesthesia?" he added.
"Yes," Hendrick said. "If it makes her happy."
Xoni grinned, winking at Anesthesia. "Congratulations, my wife" she said in anesthesia ears make her body tremble
Anesthesia blushed hard, hiding her face as the children cheered.
"The weddings will be next week, at nightfall," Xavi declared.
Josephine, meanwhile, stared at her half-eaten cinnamon roll. Closing her eyes, her glowing markings flared as they watched her reach her hand, and the roll lifted into her hand. She ate happily, licking her fingers.
"Jojo, what are you doing?" Ceillie asked, half laughing, half worried.
Josephine packed food into boxes, handed them to Xavi, and wrote a note:
These are for Adris. Make sure he eats them. If not… I will break your legs. It's very possible, Your Highness.
Xavi read it, chuckled, and nodded. "I will, Ms. Josephine."
Xoni scooped Adris into her arms as the family prepared to leave.
"Prepare for both weddings," Xavi commanded.
"Thank you," Xoni whispered to her brother, blushing at Anesthesia once more.
The children congratulated her joyfully—except Josephine, who hugged her quietly.
Later, Jojo fell asleep in Ceillie's arms, her storm hidden, but her fate now bound to Noctyra.