Moonbound and HellMarked

“Don’t pour that!” the head servant barked, her voice sharp enough to sting. A splash of honeyed wine ran down the side of the goblet I was holding. “By the Moon, Aria, can you stop daydreaming for one moment?” “I’m sorry,” I murmured quickly, wiping the mess with trembling hands. Today was the Unity Festival. The whole castle had been awake since dawn, banners flying from every balcony, servants running everywhere. Everyone was excited. I was too—though not for the same reason as the rest. I was just hoping to see him again, even for a minute. “I’m sorry,” I murmured, wiping the mess with a cloth that smelled faintly of lemon oil. My hands trembled and the cup almost fell. “What else would she do?” one of the girls laughed, her voice full of mockery. “Probably imagining herself dancing with one of the princes tonight.” A few others laughed. I didn’t answer. If I talked back, she’d report me to my step mother, and I couldn’t afford another punishment. Born to a noble werewolf family but from the womb of a w***e, I had been stripped of my name, my title, and my place in society. My father, Lord Wynter, had never claimed me. His wife made sure I paid for my mother’s actions. I had learned to be quiet. To make myself small. And to be completely invisible. “I’m really sorry,” I said softly, mostly to myself. They ignored me and went back to gossiping, their voices rising as they spoke about the royal princes who were coming for the ceremony. I went back to cleaning the silver trays, pretending not to listen. But my mind wandered anyway. When the Unity Festival was announced, I’d begged to be allowed to follow the Wynter servants to the castle. My step mother had laughed in my face and accused me of wanting to seduce one of the princes, just like my w***e mother. But I’d knelt anyway and begged until she finally said yes, I knew it was only because she wanted me further humiliated in front of more people. Maybe I should’ve stayed behind, but I still did all of that anyways, because I knew Prince Jesse would be here tonight. The thought made my chest tighten. I’d seen him once, years ago, when I had just being bullied by my step siblings. He had visited for a hunt, young and proud, the Lycan heir everyone spoke about. I’d been hiding behind the stables, but he had seen me. He didn’t look away in disgust like others did. He had smiled and said, “You shouldn’t hide, then he cleaned my face with his hands and handed me a steamed bun.” I’d never forgotten that moment. By the time the sun dipped low, the castle was filled with music and laughter. The head servant shoved a tray into my hands. “The nobles in the west hall need refills. Don’t dawdle, and keep your head down.” “Yes, ma’am.” The west hall looked like a dream. Golden light, laughter, jewels, wolves in human form, beautiful and cruel. My plain linen dress made it so obvious that I didn’t belong in contrast to their beautiful clothings. Then I saw him. Prince Jesse entered through the super large doors, earlier than the others, surrounded by guards. His silver hair was longer now, and his brown eyes seemed even more round. He looked every inch the Lycan heir, he was cold, confident, and untouchable. I should have stayed where I was. I should have just watched. But my feet moved before I could stop them. “Your Highness,” I said quietly, bowing my head as I stepped forward. “Welcome.” He looked at me for a heartbeat too long. Then his face went blank. “Thank you,” he said politely. “You’re one of the servants?” The words hit hard. “Yes,” I whispered. He nodded and turned away for a moment, already greeting another noble. Whatever I had remembered had clearly meant nothing to him. “Be careful with that tray,” he said without looking back. “You seem nervous.” “I’m fine, Your Highness.” He didn’t say another word and walked away. I turned before anyone could see the sting in my eyes. The herald’s voice echoed through the hall as the other princes arrived. Prince Damien and Prince Kieran, his brothers. The hall grew quiet as their power filled the air. I’d never seen them before, but their presence made my heart race. The Luna of the kingdom, radiant in her white gown, raised her goblet. “On this night of Unity,” she said, “may the blood of Lycans stand as one beneath the moon.” The crowd cheered. I stayed behind the wine barrels, pretending not to exist. Then the music stopped. Someone gasped, “The moon! It’s turning red.” I looked up. Through the glass dome above, the full moon was turning completely crimson. A hush fell over the hall. Then heat tore through me. My skin burned. The tray I was holding slipped from my fingers and shattered. Pain shot through my veins, painful and sharp. I looked down and saw faint marks glowing on my wrists and collarbone, strange, purplish marks that seemed to have a heartbeat. I don’t know how all the attention turned from the moon to me, but gasps filled the hall, and everyone was looking at me. I heard someone shout my name, but the sound faded. All three princes had turned toward me, their eyes filled with surprise. They looked as shocked as I felt. The marks grew brighter. My vision spun. The music, the voices, the light, it all blurred together. The last thing I saw before the darkness closed in was Jesse and his brothers standing motionless, their gazes locked on me. Then everything went completely black.