The Tears Under Moonlight - Ariana ran. Her breath ragged. Her heels clacking against the cold marble of Lucien's castle steps. Rain began to pour harder—soaking her gown, her mask, her hair. But nothing could wash away the sting in her neck… or the ache in her heart. She didn't stop until she reached the woods that separated Lucien's kingdom from her own. Her body collapsed beside a tree, knees sinking into the mud, the bite on her neck still fresh, still bleeding faintly. Her trembling fingers pressed against it. "I thought you'd changed…" she whispered to herself. The wind howled above her, swaying the trees like ghosts dancing in mourning. She remembered his eyes—how warm they'd been just moments before the darkness took him. That smirk. That charm. That gentleness… all replaced by hunger. She wanted to scream. But all she did was cry. Tears rolled freely now, mixing with the rain. "I stayed still… I let him… because I thought he cared," her voice cracked. A soft rustle in the leaves made her flinch. But it was only a passing animal. She was alone. Ariana pulled her knees to her chest, curled up in her soaked dress, shivering. The wine in her blood made her dizzy. The bite made her weak. And yet… even now… she didn't hate Lucien. She hated what he had done. Hated that he lost control. But deep in her chest, beneath all the fear and pain… she still… wanted him to be the one. "Why… why do I still feel this way…?" she murmured. She closed her eyes, the rain lulling her to sleep in the middle of the forest, unsure of whether the sunrise would bring comfort… or consequences.
The Return of the Broken Flame - The storm raged on as the three cloaked men galloped through the forest, Ariana's unconscious body cradled between them. Her skin was cold, her dress drenched, and her jacket tightly wrapped around her neck—as if guarding a secret. When they arrived at the palace gates, the guards shouted in alarm. Within moments, Edward and Rowan burst through the grand doors. Rowan's eyes widened at the sight of her limp form, and Edward's heart dropped. "What the hell happened to her?!" Rowan demanded, panicked. "We found her in the woods, collapsed. She was shivering, drenched in rain… and there's blood," said one of the men. "Take her upstairs. Now," Edward ordered, teeth clenched. They carried her gently, and Edward refused to leave her side. He dried her hair, covered her with thick blankets, and held her hand as if grounding her soul to this world. Rowan paced the room, fists clenched. "She's hurt. I told you he would…" "Don't. Not now. Look at her, Rowan," Edward interrupted. Rowan looked. Ariana, their precious princess, lay pale and still in the massive bed, her breathing shallow but steady. The jacket clung to her tightly—too tightly. And Rowan noticed the subtle wince on her face even in sleep. He stepped forward, reaching to pull back the collar. "Don't touch her," Edward snapped. Rowan glared. But Edward's eyes were fiery with a quiet protectiveness. "She'll tell us… when she's ready." They both fell silent. Hours passed. The rain lightened. Finally, as the sky blushed faintly with morning, Ariana stirred. Her lashes fluttered. Her fingers twitched. Edward leaned closer, voice gentle. "Ari… it's me. You're safe." She opened her eyes slowly, disoriented. The ceiling above wasn't Lucien's. The bed was familiar. So were the warm hands holding hers. A tear slipped from the corner of her eye. "I… I didn't mean to fall asleep out there," she said weakly. "You came back. That's all that matters," Edward replied softly. Rowan stood in the shadows, arms crossed, jaw tight. He waited. But the question burned in his chest: What did he do to you this time?
The Truth Unraveled - Ariana trembled under the weight of her emotions. As soon as Rowan left the room, she turned toward Edward, her voice shaking with restrained sobs. "Big brother… I—I liked Lucien. I really did… but now…" her voice cracked. She pulled her jacket aside, revealing the deep bite mark on her neck, raw and red. Edward's eyes widened, fury mixing with sorrow. Ariana collapsed into his chest, sobbing uncontrollably. "I didn't ask for it… I told him no… I'm scared, Edward. I'm so scared of him now… I don't want to see him again. I can't!" She shook as Edward gently wrapped his arms around her. "Please… don't tell Rowan. If he finds out… he'll kill Lucien. I don't want that…" But the moment shattered. A voice, cold and sharp from behind, broke the silence. "Tell what?" Ariana froze in Edward's arms. She slowly turned, her tear-streaked face pale with fear. "It's nothing—Rowan—I—" she stammered. He approached with fire in his eyes. "Did. He. Bite. You?" Ariana looked away, trembling. Her silence was answer enough. Rowan stepped forward. With firm hands, he pulled the jacket from her shoulder—exposing the mark. The room fell into a tense, suffocating silence. "He bit you. After everything… he still dared—" "No! Rowan, please—don't hurt him! Please! He didn't mean to! He was drunk, I… I stayed still… I thought I could handle it… I was wrong…" she cried out. Rowan's fists clenched tightly. His fists trembled at his sides. But he didn't scream. He just stared—silent, unreadable. "She needs rest. Not rage," Edward said quietly. "He's not getting away with this," Rowan replied. "Please," Ariana whispered through sobs. The girl who had once danced under moonlight, who had once whispered that she liked a vampire prince, now lay shivering with fear of the very boy she once admired. Rowan looked at her—this time not as a stubborn girl—but as someone who had been hurt. Deeply. He turned without another word and left the room, his cape trailing behind like a storm in retreat.
A Prince's Gentle Vow - Ariana sat hunched on the bed, still trembling—her breath shallow, her eyes glazed from tears. Rowan stood in the soft candlelight, the fury in his eyes now melting into something deeper… more vulnerable. He stepped closer, kneeling by her bedside. Then, leaning in gently, his voice calm yet pained, he tilted his head ever so slightly and whispered, "Ari… if you're scared, don't hide things from me. I'll spare him… if it's for you." His fingers brushed a strand of her hair away from her face. "It hurts when you hide anything from me, you know? I'm your prince here, right?" He offered a faint smile, the kind he used to give her when they were younger—when everything was simple. "And… I still love you." Ariana's lip quivered, and her voice broke as she replied, "I'm sorry… I thought you might really kill him if I told you. And I—I didn't want that. I didn't know what to do, Rowan." Rowan exhaled slowly, then gently took her hand in his, pressing it lightly between his palms. "You don't have to know everything, Ari. Just don't carry it alone." He gave her hand a light squeeze. "And don't worry about Lucien. I will protect you… from him, from anyone. Even from yourself, if I must." Ariana looked up at him, her expression a mix of guilt, sorrow… and comfort. For a moment, the storm in her heart calmed just a little. "But if he dares bite you again, drunk or not… I'll break every fang in his royal mouth," he added, voice playful. He winked—only half-joking. Ariana let out a tiny laugh through her tears.