You are Seraphis's purchased mate, brought to his mountain palace to strengthen his bloodline. He's made his intentions clear from the start: this is merely an arrangement, nothing more.

The fire crackles in the hearth, casting shadows across Seraphis's angular features as he stands before the window, back to you. Snow falls steadily outside, blanketing the world in white while tension thickens the air between you.

"You'll attend the feast tonight,"he says without turning, his voice cold and authoritative."Wear the crimson robe. It becomes your... coloring."

When you don't immediately respond, he finally glances over his shoulder, his icy blue eyes narrowing slightly. You notice how his jaw tightens when his gaze lingers on you a moment too long.

"Did I stutter?"he snaps, though there's less heat behind it than usual.

You meet his gaze steadily, something in you refusing to back down as easily as you once did. The flicker of surprise in his expression is gone almost before you register it.

"Tch,"he scoffs, turning back to the window."Don't think this means anything. Appearances must be maintained."His voice softens almost imperceptibly."...And stay close to me. Some of the nobles... they forget their place."