Chapter 23: The Empress Of Night

••{RHIANNON’S POV}••

I’d be lying if I said I haven’t thought about jumping through that window again.

It’s not because I want to escape Azræl this time.

But because everything he told me three nights ago shook me to my very core.

Whenever I close my eyes, I see the nightmare he described. Flames consuming the entire world. Kingdoms reduced to ashes. People screaming, and crying as everything they love is torn away from them.

I see Astragarde in ruins.

I see my father, Rayn, Jesenya, and Darren lying dead among the wreckage.

I haven’t slept at all since that night.

Every time I close my eyes, the same images return, and the weight in my chest becomes harder to bear.

But Azræl’s revelation left me with something other than fear and despair.

It forced me to face a truth I never wanted to accept.

Maybe I’m better off with Azræl than I would be anywhere else.

And if marrying him is what keeps my family alive... if it protects Astragarde and prevents Samæl from destroying everything I love...

Then I’ll do it.

I will marry Azræl Bloodbourne.

The seamstresses move swiftly around me as they fasten the final pieces of my wedding gown, but my attention is focused somewhere else entirely.

"Your Highness," says the head seamstress. "We’re finished."

My breath catches the moment I see myself in the mirror.

The bodice of the gown hugs my figure, leaving much of my cleavage exposed. Black feathers rise from the waist, climbing upward along my torso before parting at my chest. They fan outward on either side like the wings of a bird in flight.

The front of the skirt pools at my feet, while the back stretches behind me in a long, sweeping train. Beautiful floral patterns are embroidered across the black fabric, winding over the bodice and spilling down the length of the skirt. Countless tiny crystals are scattered among the embroidery, catching the candlelight with every movement and making the entire gown shimmer like a night sky filled with stars.

"It’s beautiful," I whisper, almost breathless.

The head seamstress smiles. "We knew you would love it, Your Highness."

One of the others gasps suddenly, her brows lifting like she just remembered something.

She hurries to a nearby table and returns with a black lace veil and a matching pair of gloves. The seamstresses quickly help me put them on before stepping back to admire their work, their faces filled with awe.

"Princess," says one of them. "In all my years, you are by far the most beautiful bride I have ever seen."

The doors swing open and I turn just as Nayeesha steps inside.

She lingers by the door for a few heartbeats, her gaze slowly sweeping over me from head to toe before turning toward the seamstresses.

"Leave us," she says quietly.

They walk quickly, slipping past her and shutting the door behind them.

"You are absolutely stunning," Nayeesha says as she walks toward me.

My gaze falls to the floor and I say nothing in response.

"It’s time for the ceremony," she adds.

I slowly lift my head to meet her gaze.

"I know you’re nervous," she says softly.

"I really am," I whisper.

"It’s going to be alright," she assures.

I give her a nod, but as soothing as her voice sounds, it does nothing to calm my nerves.

She holds out her hand to me. "Come, let’s go."

I hesitate for a heartbeat before taking it, then we leave the room together.

As we walk through the castle halls, my heart hammers violently with every step I take.

We pass beneath towering stained-glass windows, each one portraying hauntingly beautiful scenes, like ængels falling in spirals of fire, vampires standing before burning kingdoms, an eclipsed sun hanging above a sea of blood, and a king seated upon a throne surrounded by skulls.

We continue down the halls for what feels like an eternity before finally stepping into a vast courtyard.

A full moon shines bright above the castle with countless stars scattered across the night sky.

A long aisle stretches across the courtyard, covered by a deep black carpet that leads all the way to the altar.

Azræl stands at the end of the aisle, dressed in a black and gold coat. A black cape hangs from his broad shoulders, pooling at his feet and stretching wide across the floor. His hair is smoothed back from his face, and a golden crown sits on top of his head, studded with rubies.

Rows of red roses line both sides of the aisle, their petals standing out sharply against the darkness. Tall golden candelabras are placed between them, each one holding dozens of flickering candles that cast a warm glow across the courtyard.

For a moment, I simply stand there, staring.

It’s beautiful.

Beautiful in a way that terrifies me.

As soon as the guests notice my presence, conversations start fading into whispers until the courtyard falls dead silent.

I swallow, but it does nothing to ease the tight feeling in my throat.

The moment Nayeesha lets go of my hand, I instantly grab hers again. She gently frees herself from my grip and leans in.

"Everything is going to be fine," she whispers in my ear.

Then she steps aside and gestures me forward.

As I look around at the guests staring at me, and at Azræl who is waiting for me, I want to turn around and run back to my chambers.

But when I look at Nayeesha and she says,

"Remember why you’re doing this."

It gives me the courage to take the first step.

Normal weddings happen under the sun. It’s a celebration filled with warmth, music, and life.

But here there’s no choir.

No music.

Only silence.

It reminds me of a funeral.

It’s so quiet that I can hear my own pulse roaring in my ears.

My knees shake with every step I take, and I fear they might give out before I reach the altar.

But thankfully... they don’t.

Azræl holds out his hand as I approach.

I take it, then he gently wraps his fingers around mine.

For a few heartbeats, he stares at me with nothing but awe in his golden eyes.

"You look as if you fell right out of the heavens," he mutters under his breath.

My lips part, but I can’t really think of anything to say.

"Your Majesties," the priest murmurs. "Let us begin."

Hand in hand, Azræl and I turn to face him.

"In the name of our Lord, Ægon, God of Hell," the priest begins, his voice echoing across the courtyard. "We are gathered here to unite these souls in the covenant of night. Let no light sever what darkness has bound."

"So shall it be," the guests say in unison.

My heart sinks to the pit of my stomach.

Ægon.

The Devil himself.

The enemy of Astoria, Queen of the Heavens and Mother of All Creation.

The one mankind prays they never meet in life or in death.

I don’t even realize my hands are shaking until Azræl gently squeezes the one he’s holding.

The priest lifts a chalice and hands it to Azræl.

Azræl brings the chalice to his lips and takes a long drink before handing it to me.

Just as I lift it to my face, a metallic scent hits me and I freeze.

It’s blood.

I glance at Azræl with wide eyes but he gives me nothing more than a single nod.

My hands shake as I raise the chalice beneath my veil. As soon as the rim touches my lips, my stomach caves violently and bile instantly rises up my throat.

I immediately swallow it down and squeeze my eyes shut, quickly taking the smallest sip and handing the chalice back to the priest.

My stomach twists with disgust as the blood trickles down my throat. And as I fight not to wretch my guts out, the priest begins saying the vows.

"Azræl Bloodbourne, Dark Sovereign of the Empire of Night," he says. "Do you wish to bind yourself to this woman in blood, flesh, and soul? Do you swear to honor her and stand beside her for as long as you both shall live?"

Azræl answers without hesitation.

"I do."

The priest turns to me.

"Rhiannon Aurelian of Astragarde. Do you wish to bind yourself to this man in blood, flesh, and soul? Do you swear to honor him and stand beside him for as long as you both shall live?"

My gaze falls to the floor beneath my feet.

"I..."

I press my lips together, squeezing my eyes shut as they begin to sting with tears.

If I say yes... then I’m betraying Cyrus.

Worst of all, I’m betraying him for the very man who murdered him.

But then, Nayeesha’s voice echoes inside my head.

"Remember why you’re doing this."

Slowly, I lift my head to meet the priest’s gaze.

"I do."

"This union is now sealed," he says. "And by the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife."

The priest glances at Azræl and nods. "You may now kiss your bride."

Azræl turns to face me.

His golden eyes search mine for a brief moment before he slides an arm around my waist, lifts my veil then cups my cheek. His eyes drift shut as he leans in, and the moment his lips touch mine, my heart flutters wildly in my chest.

My whole body tenses at first. Then against my better judgment, my lips move with his.

I don’t understand why I’m kissing him back.

Maybe it’s the tenderness in his touch. Maybe it’s the exhaustion from fighting everything around me.

Whatever the reason, the moment our lips part, guilt rushes through me.

As a wave of applause fills the courtyard, I step away from him, averting my gaze.

"Are you alright?" Azræl asks quietly.

"I–I’m fine," I say quickly.

Azræl slips his fingers between mine, gently intertwining them before we turn together to face the guests.

They all rise to their feet and lower their heads, bowing to the Emperor...

And his new Empress.