She stood glaring at him. His face showed no emotion, but she could read the smirk in his eyes.
“No.”
“You have no choice I'm afraid.”
Alika stood behind her, head down. Tara shook her head. He handed her the dress, just looking at her in the same way he always had; distant but warm.
“Either আপনি put is on অথবা I will do it for you.”
She glared at him, but took the garment.
“I swear Kuran. One day, I'm kicking your ass.”
“As আপনি say. I wait for that দিন with eagerness. Now hurry. Lord Vale will be here soon. And we both know how he expects to see you.”
Their eyes met for a সেকেন্ড and she nodded in surrender. He placed a gentle চুম্বন to her head before leaving. Once the door was shut, she locked it. Alika waited for her.
“Help me please. I have no desire to be a vampire's meal tonight.”

She waited পরবর্তি to Satstruiku's so-called throne, sword ready for any sign of trouble. She was not happy with the dress she had been forced to wear, but her weapons made her আরো comfortable. Her eyes watched the procession as আরো ভ্যাম্পায়ার than she had seen gathered in the same সিংহাসন room they had used for generations. The servants and warriors came first, then those in the court. A few আরো nameless dignitaries, and then she saw him.
His hair was the same moonlight silver she had remembered and his amethyst eyes looked at her in approval. He came অগ্রবর্তী and Satstruiku stood to greet him. Tara came down দ্বারা his side, playing the faithful servant but হৃদয় beating hard in her chest. Face to face, the two men from her past shook hands. Chills went up her spine. It was really happening. She almost couldn't believe it. But here was her proof. Two enemies had come together for war.
“Vale, come talk with me in my chambers. Tara, আপনি come too.”
Her thoughts broke away as the dignified Lord Vale looked her over again. She nodded to both of them and followed as Satstruiku lead the way into his room. Once they entered, Tara locked the door.
“It's a surprise আপনি agreed to our contract, Lance Vale. What was the reason?”
The two looked at each other. When he spoke, Lance's voice held the same charm as Satstruiku's, but with আরো warmth.
“I heard আপনি had something I want. I've come to retrieve it.”
Satstruiku sat in a chair, pulling Tara into his lap in one smooth motion.
“I'm afraid, Lance, that আপনি can't have her. আপনি see, she is my lamb.”
Lance's eyes narrowed a bit.
“You গাউন her from her rightful owner, as আপনি have everything else.”
“Begging your pardon's my lords,” Tara began, moving away from both of them. “But I belong to no one in this room. And if আপনি wish to speak to me, use my name.”
Satstruiku smiled down into his glass and Lance studied her for a long moment. Eventually, he spoke to her with true sincerity.
“And what name do we use for a lady of court such as you?”
Her eyes narrowed.
“Yes. Please tell us,” Satstruiku said, his voice dripping with pride.
It clicked the moment her eyes locked with his. Not only was he mocking her, but he was provoking her. The reason was clear. She struggled to hold it back, but already knew it was of no use. He had played his cards well and won. She had made the mistake of holding her cards too long. And the secret she had tried to keep was now blown wide open.
“You may call me Lady Tara, Daughter of the King and rightful ruler to the throne.”
The two brothers looked at each other, one smug, the other shamelessly annoyed. She turned her head from them, feeling the change already. At that moment, she could hear the prophecy run into her thoughts as reality set in. She was a prisoner in their game of war.