Forever Bound to the Night

A Deadly Feast

The hazel-eyed lady's gaze sliced through me like a dagger, her eyes blazing with contempt. Her scorching glare made my heart stutter, skipping a beat as if fearful of continuing its rhythm. Every fiber of her being seemed to radiate disdain, her very presence exuding an icy contemn that chilled me to the bone.

Her voice dripped with malice as she spoke, each word laced with venom. "So, you're the one," she hissed, her tone implying I was some curiositjy, a specimen worthy of scrutiny but unworthy of respect.

Her pause hung in the air like a challenge, daring me to respond. Then, her final words struck like a slap: "I'm surprised you're...human." The emphasis on the last word stung, implying I barely qualified as one.

I swallowed hard, unsure how to respond.

I heaved out a quiet sigh when Jerome intervened, his booming voice filling the hall. "Princess Larissa, I officially welcome you to our realm." He flashed me a wide smile which prompted me to form one on my lips.

I nervously bit my lower lip, the tender skin puckering beneath my teeth as anxiety fluttered in my chest. My gaze darted to Mary, who stood poised beside Isabel and three other servants, their faces expressionless. Mary's eyes met mine, and she offered a subtle, reassuring nod, her lips curving into a brief, encouraging smile.

Jerome's booming voice filled the hall once more, "It is my honor to introduce His Majesty, King Nicolas Caridale Loki II, ruler of the Lycan realm."

My eyes darted to the majestic figure whose gaze was still on me. His blue eyes commanded attention, and his chiseled features exuded power.

"Your Majesty," Jerome bowed slightly.

Next, Jerome introduced the sapphire-eyed man, "Lord Nathaniel, Beta of the Lycan realm and Head of our Security Council. Niel, as he prefers to be called, oversees our military operations and strategic alliances."

Niel's gaze met mine, his expression unreadable. He only acknowledged me with a slight nod of his head.

Jerome continued, "And this is Lucian, my son, the King's Gamma and Chief Diplomat. He facilitates relations with neighboring realms and ensures the smooth operation of our international affairs."

Lucian offered a wide courteous smile, and I returned it, sensing a hint of warmth.

Jerome paused, clearing his throat before introducing the hazel-eyed lady, "And...Lady Amber, the King's...mistress." His hesitation was palpable, and his voice dropped to a murmur, "She graciously oversees the training of our female warriors in self-defense and combat tactics."

My eyes locked onto Lady Amber, her contempt still radiating. I sensed a deeper animosity, one that went beyond mere dislike.

She's the king's mistress?

The Lycan king even has a mistress!

King Nicolas's gaze flicked to Lady Amber, a hint of possessiveness in his eyes. I don't know why but I felt a pang of jealousy in my chest.

I'm not quite surprised. She was an epitome of beauty. Even the strongest and most dangerous of men would fall at her feet.

"And lastly, my humble self, Jerome, king Nicolas's uncle and his chancellor. I am his very own personal advisor." He adjusted his surcoat and offered me a wide smile.

Lucian turned to me, his voice filled with admiration."You're breathtaking, a radiant gem that outshines the brightest stars in our realm." His words painted a vivid picture, as if the very fabric of reality had been illuminated by my presence.

I felt my cheeks flush, caught off guard by the unexpected compliment. My heart skipped a beat as I struggled to process the sincerity in Lucian's eyes.

Just as I began to respond, a low, menacing growl reverberated through the hall, silencing the room. The sound sent a shiver down my spine. I turned toward the source, my gaze meeting King Nicolas's. His eyes flashed yellow, his irises momentarily shifting to a wolf-like hue, a stark reminder of his supernatural power.

The room froze, sensing the king's unease. The air thickened with tension as King Nicolas's gaze locked onto Lucian, his expression unreadable. His eyes seemed to bore into Lucian's very soul, searching for any sign of insubordination.

Lucian bowed slightly, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. His voice was laced with a subtle amusement, a delicate balance of deference and defiance. "Forgive me, Your Majesty. I meant no disrespect." The undertone of his words seemed to say, "But I won't take it back."

The silence that followed was oppressive, heavy with unspoken challenges and hidden agendas.

Jerome cleared his throat, shattering the oppressive silence that had settled over the grand dining hall. The tension dissipated slightly as he gestured toward the row of maids, including Mary and Isabel, who stood poised and ready. "You may serve dinner now," he announced.

I exhaled a quiet sigh of relief, eager for the evening to pass. The sooner dinner concluded, the faster I could escape the watchful eyes of these wolves and seek refuge in my room.

Isabel and two other servants stepped forward, lifting the silver lids off the dishes, releasing a savory aroma that wafted through the air. My stomach growled audibly, betraying my hunger. I prayed no one noticed, but the sudden gaze of the others indicated I'd failed to conceal it.

Jerome's voice cut through the stillness, his tone tinged with amusement. "I'm guessing you're famished, Princess Larissa, considering you haven't eaten all day, from my observations." A subtle smile played on his lips.

I nodded slowly as my eyes roamed the table, laden with an astonishing array of dishes. Roasted meats, steaming stews, and savory soups seemed to stretch on forever. I wondered if six people could possibly consume such a feast in two days, let alone one evening.

But I heard that Lycans have a very large appetite. Maybe that is why there was so much food, which was more of raw meats, hearty stews and soups.

As I scanned the table again, my gaze landed on a whole roasted boar, golden-brown and glistening, a massive venison stew, bubbling with tender chunks, a platter of seared steaks, rare and juicy, hearty vegetable soups, fragrant with herbs, an assortment of breads, cheeses, and fresh fruits.

A red-haired servant, her eyes sparkling with kindness, came and served a steaming bowl of fragrant vegetable soup, garnished with fresh scallions and a sprinkle of crispy fried shallots, on my plate.

I muttered a thank you below my breath, as I gazed at the heap of food on my plate. I can't even finish half of it. I don't think I can remember the last time I was served a rich and sumptuous meal like this.

"Where's the lanky cupbearer?" I looked towards the Lycan king who has just spoken for the first time since I walked into this room. His deep, sultry voice was like a warm hug on a cold night, but with an undercurrent of danger that made my heart skip a beat.

From the corner of my eyes, a slender, youthful figure emerged from the darkness, his presence seeming to materialize from the very shadows themselves. He stepped silently into the flickering candlelight, his movements economical and fluid, and came to stand beside the imposing Lycan king.

As he halted, he executed a subtle, respectful bow, his dark head inclining slightly forward. His gaze remained cast downward, his eyelashes brushing against the sharp planes of his cheeks.

"You know what to do," the Lycan king said lowly, his voice sharp and authoritative.

As the Lycan king's command died down, the slender cupbearer stepped closer to me, his movements fluid and unobtrusive. He reached for a spoon on the table, his fingers closing around it with precision. With a subtle nod, he scooped up a spoonful of the fragrant vegetable soup from my plate.

Time seemed to slow as he raised the spoon to his lips. A few seconds passed, and then his expression transformed from serenity to shock. His eyes widened, and his face contorted in agony. He started coughing violently, his body shuddering with each convulsive gasp.

The spoon clattered to the floor as he clutched his throat, his knuckles white with tension. His eyes rolled back, and his knees buckled. He crumpled to the ground, his body spasming uncontrollably.

I stared, frozen in horror, as the cupbearer's face turned blue. His desperate gasps grew fainter, and his body went limp. Lifeless eyes stared up at me, and I felt a chill run down my spine.

As I rushed to help him, a firm hand grasped my shoulder, holding me back. Lord Niel's grip was like a vice, his fingers digging deep into my skin. His eyes locked onto mine, a silent warning to remain still.

Lady Amber's gaze locked onto mine, her hazel eyes flashing with malice. "Looks like someone wants you dead, Princess," she spat, her voice dripping with venom.

The reality hit me like a tidal wave - my food was poisoned.