Theophilus' POV
I'll give you a little background. My sister and I were born to the greatest leaders of the supernatural realm — a powerful vampire and a majestic phoenix. Something the world considered impossible. But my parents were never ordinary, so of course they achieved the impossible. We were twins, bound by blood and an unbreakable promise from the moment we took our first breaths, swearing we would never leave each other's side no matter what happened. She was always fascinated by the human realm, constantly talking about how her true love was waiting for her there. She dreamed of secret trips, of walking among humans as one of them, experiencing all the crazy, beautiful, and messy things the mortal world had to offer. She would spend hours imagining what it would be like to live without the weight of prophecies and royal duties hanging over her head, free to love whoever her heart chose without fear or expectation.
Everything was perfect back then… until the arranged marriage shattered it all. How could they force her to marry that notorious playboy? A man known across the realms for making life hell for every bride chosen for him. My sister was strong enough to tame him, but she was obsessed with the idea of true love. She refused to settle for anything less. Then, on the wedding day, the priestess stood up and delivered a prophecy that changed everything. In that very moment, my sister vanished, disappearing into the human world without a trace, leaving behind only confusion, pain, and a hole in my heart that has never fully healed.
I know what you're thinking. Is the same thing happening to me now? True love was never something I believed in, but my parents made an exception for me. My sister made me promise before she left that I would find my own true love. I agreed, so I could marry no one but my ordained mate. Her name is Aria Drasoli — powerful, extremely rich, strikingly beautiful, but definitely not humble and in no way supportive. She only cares about climbing to the top, and anyone can be her ladder. I know she loves me in her own way, but I can't marry someone with such a cold, calculating mindset. My sister would never approve of her. She would tell me I deserve better than someone who sees me as a stepping stone.
Derek's POV
I can't explain it, but I get this deep, uneasy feeling that we are up against forces we not only don't know, but also can't fully understand. And at the center of it all, I feel Tiana is the key. I had to protect her. No one else would. The weight of that responsibility sat heavy on my shoulders, but I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. Every time I looked at her, I felt a fierce need to keep her safe from whatever was coming.
The door opened suddenly and Becky walked in, deliberately bouncing her breasts and ass as she moved across the room with exaggerated confidence. She was voluptuous, no doubt about that, but who said I liked that type of woman? Her perfume was strong and sweet, almost suffocating in the small space. "Sir, please, I have a favor to ask you… I want to go on a break. I know I'm not allowed, but it's really important to me. I would do anything to get this break, even if it's something unholy."
I felt like bursting into laughter at her boldness. She was using that fake seductive voice again, and her hand was already reaching to loosen my tie. "Get off me before I make you," I said, my voice coming out much harsher than I intended, but I didn't care. She kept forgetting her place.
She bounced back quickly, rushing out of the room with blushing cheeks. She sure was an artist when it came to acting. But she was getting bolder by the day. And to think she interrupted me at such an important moment — I was ready to give her a beating if no one stopped me.
I sat back in my chair, rubbing my temples. The feeling of unease wouldn't leave me. Something bigger was coming. Something we might not be prepared for. And Tiana… she was right in the middle of it all. I had to keep her safe, no matter what it took. The thought of losing her made my chest tighten with fear. I couldn't let that happen. Not now. Not ever.