The Emperor's obsession

The guards dragged Elarynth out of the dining hall, her cries echoing like a haunting requiem against the cold marble walls.

"Father! Mother! Please help me! Your Imperial Majesty—please!" she sobbed, her voice unraveling in hysteria as she was yanked down the corridor.

The heavy doors shut behind them with a chilling finality. Serenya sat frozen, her heart thudding like war drums in her ears. Her gaze flicked to Prince Kael, who looked back at her, concern etched into every sharp line of his face.

Zareth reclined lazily in his seat, lifting a goblet to his lips as though nothing had happened.

"Now, where were we?" he drawled, his blood-red gaze fixed solely on Serenya. A crooked smile curled on his lips, dripping with dark amusement.

Murmurs fluttered around the table like startled birds.

"Foolish girl, to lie to His Imperial Majesty's face," one of the vampire nobles muttered, and the others murmured in agreement.

"What do you think will happen to Elarynth?" Thirena whispered to Naerya.

Naerya shook her head. "I don't know."

Serenya's fingers trembled under the table. She dared not speak out for her sister. Not here. Not now. The wrong words would be a death sentence.

Across the room, one of the elegantly dressed noblewomen turned sharp eyes toward Serenya.

"Your Imperial Majesty, if I may?"

Zareth, slicing effortlessly into a piece of rare steak, nodded without looking up.

"Does that mean Princess Serenya is the lady who has caught your eye?" she asked, her voice thinly veiled with venom.

Serenya clutched her gown beneath the table, praying he was jesting. But Zareth raised his head, lips glistening from the wine, and said,

"She is. And I plan on making her mine."

Gasps skittered around the hall like glass cracking under pressure.

Serenya jolted upright. "I—I am already betrothed to another," she said, her voice soft but steady.

Prince Kael stood, his tone firm. "Forgive me, Your Majesty, for speaking out of turn, but Princess Serenya is my promised bride."

King Rajan rose, his robes rustling. "Your Imperial Majesty, my daughter has already been pledged."

Zareth chuckled, low and velvet-slick, his gaze never leaving Serenya.

"So, you're rejecting me, little dove?"

Serenya swallowed hard. "I—I plead, Your Imperial Majesty, to choose another."

His crimson eyes darkened, the smile fading into something unreadable. He lifted his goblet and murmured,

"Then let's finish with the food."

The hall fell into silence. The clatter of cutlery resumed, but Serenya couldn't eat. Not with the weight of a god staring at her.

---

After the excruciating breakfast, the Vayrana family gathered in their assigned wing. King Rajan paced.

"I will speak to the Emperor to release Elarynth."

Before he could act, a servant arrived, kneeling.

"Your Majesties, His Imperial Majesty summons all to the court. He will pass judgment on Princess Elarynth."

They rushed to the throne room.

Serenya entered with her family to find Elarynth at the center, bound, her veil gone, her face streaked with tears and makeup. Her eyes darted to her parents, then locked on Serenya in raw desperation.

"Serenya," she whispered brokenly, "please... don't let them hurt me..."

Zareth smelled her before he even saw her.

Lotus blush.

His favorite scent. One he associated only with her.

Serenya's wide, innocent eyes landed on her sister.

"Elarynth!" she cried, rushing forward, only to be shoved back by a guard.

Zareth's voice cracked like thunder.

"Touch her again, and I'll rip your hand off."

The guard dropped to his knees. "Forgive me, Your Imperial Majesty!"

The rest of the royals filed in, including Kael, who moved quickly toward Serenya.

"Are you alright?" His face was etched with concern.

"What will happen to my sister?" she whispered.

Kael's jaw tightened. "She lied to the Emperor. The punishment will be severe."

Kael held her hand to comfort her, and Serenya sighed—needing the brief moment of warmth.

Zareth's nostrils flared at the sight of Kael touching what belonged to him. His gaze narrowed, darkening like a storm brewing at sea.

"Serenya," he called from his obsidian throne, his voice silk over steel. "Come here."

Everyone turned to look at her—the girl who had caught the Emperor's attention.

She hesitated, her feet rooted, before slowly walking to stand beneath the stairs before the throne.

"Closer," he commanded.

Her fists clenched as she moved forward, every step a betrayal to her pride. She stopped five stairs away from him.

"We can do this all day," he said smoothly, the corner of his lips raising. She glared at him.

She took four more steps and stopped again, leaving space between them.

He extended a hand. "Give me your hand."

She shook her head slightly. "Your Imperial Majesty, I'm already betrothed—"

"Your. Hand."

His voice carried no room for argument.

Reluctantly, she placed her delicate fingers in his. His long fingers clasped around hers, and he tugged her forward with one firm pull, forcing her to sit on his lap.

Gasps echoed like thunder through the throne room. Her cheeks ignited with heat, eyes wide in humiliation. She tried getting up, but his hand circled around her waist, pinning her in place.

"Sit still," he whispered into her ear, his breath hot and intoxicating. She shivered, body tense.

Kael's fists clenched. He wanted to yell, to break decorum—but with Zareth's gaze boring into him, he looked away.

Cassian stepped forward and announced,

"We gather to witness the punishment for those who dare lie to the Emperor. What shall be the price?"

Murmurs rose like wildfire.

"Her tongue should be removed," someone said.

"She should be beheaded!" another added.

Serenya turned pale.

Elarynth's eyes widened with terror.

"No... please... I only wanted to save my sister," she whimpered still lying. "I didn't know— I didn't think—"

Zareth raised a single hand, and silence returned.

His crimson eyes turned to Serenya. He caressed the back of her hand with slow deliberation, then asked,

"What do you think, little dove? What punishment suits a liar best?"

The court held its breath.

And Serenya trembled in his arms.