Seren found herself staring into the most striking pair of blue eyes she'd ever seen—icy blue of winter skies, but deep sapphire that seemed to hold flecks of silver light. His face was a masterpiece of masculine beauty: sharp cheekbones, a strong jaw softened by lips that curved naturally upward as if he found the world perpetually amusing. He definitely couldn't be Alaric; this one looked younger, maybe 26?.
Those mesmerizing blue eyes swept over her face with undisguised appreciation, taking in every detail with the confidence of someone accustomed to looking his fill. Then his lips curved into a smile that was pure sin wrapped in boyish charm.
"You're pretty," he said, his voice carrying a playful lilt that made the simple compliment sound like the most natural observation in the world.
Seren blinked, caught completely off guard. Of all the things she'd expected to hear from a member of the royal household, a casual compliment delivered with such disarming charm wasn't one of them.
"I—thank you?" she managed, still gripping the door handle.
Without waiting for an invitation, he stepped smoothly past her into the chamber, carrying the tea service with practiced ease. "The servants were totally freaked out about coming up here. You should've seen them practically shoving the tray at me." He set the silver tray on the small table near the windows, grinning over his shoulder. "I volunteered though. I was curious."
Seren found herself closing the door and staring at him. "Curious about what?"
"About you, obviously." He turned to face her fully, and that smile should probably be illegal. "I'm Darius, by the way. Prince Darius Venemore," he said, executing a theatrical bow that was just mocking enough to be charming. "Younger brother to your absent mate, second heir to the Northern Wolflands, and apparently your tea service today."
The family resemblance was unmistakable now that he'd introduced himself, she'd seen pictures of Alaric. But where she imagined Alaric to be all sharp edges and barely contained violence, Darius radiated an easy confidence that made her instinctively want to trust him.
Which was precisely why she shouldn't.
"Oh." Seren's eyes widened. "Oh shit. I mean—sorry, I didn't—"
"Relax," Darius laughed, the sound warm and genuine. He gestured to the chairs. "Come on, sit. You look like you're about to bolt."
She did feel like bolting, but something about his easy confidence made her move toward the table instead. "I was expecting maybe a maid or something, not a prince bringing me tea."
"Alaric doesn't really do the whole formal introduction thing," Darius said, pouring tea with surprising skill. "He's more of a 'figure it out as you go' kind of guy. Always has been, even as children." He handed her a delicate porcelain cup, and when their fingers brushed, Seren felt a little shock shoot up her arm that made her nearly drop it.
"Careful," he said softly, his eyes dancing with amusement. "It's hot."
Seren took a sip, trying to ignore how her heart was racing. This was the first time she was this close to a werewolf. And a dangerously handsome one at that. "This is really good."
"I have many hidden talents," Darius said, settling back in his chair with that lazy confidence that probably made girls swoon regularly. "So, brave little witch, what do you think of our charming castle so far?"
"It's..." Seren searched for words. "Intimidating. And everyone keeps staring at me like I'm going to hex them or something."
"Aren't you?" His grin widened. "I mean, you could probably take out half the guard if you wanted to, right?"
"I'm not going to hex anyone!" Seren protested, then caught the teasing look in his eyes. "You're messing with me."
"Little bit," he admitted cheerfully. "But seriously, you've got everyone on edge. The scary witch who's supposed to tame the big bad wolf prince." He leaned forward slightly. "Between you and me though, I think they've got it backwards. I think you're the one who should be worried."
Something in his tone made Seren's stomach tighten. "What do you mean?"
Darius was quiet for a moment, his playful expression becoming more serious. "Alaric's been alone for a long time, really alone. By choice. He thinks caring about people makes you weak, and the idea of having a mate, especially a witch mate, is probably his worst nightmare."
"Great," Seren muttered. "So he's going to hate me."
"Maybe," Darius said honestly. "But here's the thing, it doesn't have to be that way."
"What do you mean?"
"Well," Darius said, and there was something different in his voice now, something that made her look up at him sharply. "The Moon Goddess chose you for Alaric, sure. But that doesn't mean you don't have other options."
Seren nearly choked on her tea. "Other options?"
"Think about it," Darius continued, his blue eyes fixed on hers. "You and Alaric are natural enemies. Your people have been fighting for decades. But you and me..." He paused, that wicked smile returning. "We could probably burn this whole kingdom down together."
"Darius—"
"Just think about it," he said, his voice taking on a sing-song quality that suggested he was enjoying her flustered reaction way too much. "A werewolf and a witch. Imagine the chaos. Our kids would be absolutely terrifying. They could probably take over both kingdoms by the time they're ten."
Despite herself, Seren felt her lips twitching. "You're insane."
"Probably," he agreed cheerfully. "But I'm also devastatingly handsome and considerably more fun than my brooding brother. Plus, I actually want to talk to you instead of treating you like some kind of unwanted burden."
"And what would you get out of this hypothetical arrangement?" Seren asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
"A queen who could actually keep up with me," Darius said, his expression shifting to mock seriousness. "Someone who might actually appreciate my wit. And maybe..." He leaned closer, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "A chance to finally prove I'm the better Venemore brother."
Seren stared at him. He's definitely a player. She concluded. "You're competing with your brother. Through me."
"Maybe a little," Darius admitted with a sheepish grin. "But mostly I just think the Moon Goddess has terrible taste in men. I mean, really? My antisocial, grumpy brother over charming, gorgeous me?" He gestured to himself with exaggerated flourish. "It's like she wasn't even trying."
Seren couldn't help it, she laughed. Bright and surprised and completely genuine.
"Oh my God," she said, shaking her head with a grin, "you're so full of yourself."
"I prefer 'confident,'" Darius corrected, looking pleased that he'd made her laugh. "False modesty is boring. I'd rather just be honest about how amazing I am."
"Amazing," Seren repeated, still grinning despite herself.
"Absolutely. White hair, killer smile, eyes that could make angels weep, I'm basically a gift to womankind." He paused, then added with theatrical solemnity, "It's really a public service, being this attractive."
"You're ridiculous," Seren said, but she was still smiling.
They both dissolved into laughter at his outrageous claims. When it faded, she caught him looking at her with those piercing blue eyes, and suddenly she felt uncomfortable under his gaze. She would meet his eyes, then look away, trying to find something else to focus on. He was too handsome for her own good.
I shouldn't go falling for this guy before my actual mate arrives, she thought desperately.
"Welcome to Alarist Castle, by the way," Darius said, breaking the charged silence. "I hope you'll get used to it over time."
"You hope?"
"If you can last more than a day, honestly."
Seren looked at him as though asking him to explain further. "Can you tell me a little more about Alaric? My fated mate?"
"Oh, you'll find out for yourself soon enough." He shrugged. "Let's just say my brother isn't known for his people skills."
"You really think he's going to be that bad?"
"I think he's going to see you as a problem to be solved," Darius said honestly. "But me? I see you as the most interesting thing to happen around here in years."
Seren felt heat rise in her cheeks at his blatant flattery.
"Alaric has spent thirty years defying fate, the Moon Goddess, and anyone who dared suggest he needed a mate," Darius continued, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "Now here you are, pretty as a picture and twice as dangerous, I'd wager."
"You seem very certain of my danger level for someone who's known me for all of five minutes," Seren said, trying to deflect the compliment.
"Call it instinct." His blue eyes sparkled with mischief and something more dangerous lurking beneath the surface. "Besides, you'd have to be dangerous to survive what's coming. My brother isn't exactly known for his... gentle nature."
Seren was deep in thought when Darius suddenly stood up. "I should go. If he sees me here, I'd be a dead man by midnight."
Seren laughed, unsure if he was joking. He had to be. No brother would actually... Then again, this was the infamous Wolf King.
Darius moved toward the door, then paused and looked back at her with those devastating blue eyes. "But Seren? Try not to let him break your spirit before I get a chance to properly corrupt you."
"What?" Seren found herself laughing again, shaking her head. He is truly insane.
He chuckled before closing the door behind him, leaving her alone with that infuriating, charming smile burned into her memory.
The chamber felt a little colder after he left.
Seren sat down, her thoughts swirling. Prince Darius was everything she'd imagined King Alaric wouldn't be. He was warm, funny, willing to actually talk to her like she was a person instead of an obligation. And that scared her more than she wanted to admit.
Not because he threatened her with power. But because his charm was a weapon all on its own.
And now she wasn't sure who the real danger was; the cold king she hadn't met, or the smiling brother who already had her spinning. I'm here for a purpose and I shouldn't be scared or bothered. She reminded herself.