Darkness was the first thing that greeted her when she drifted back to consciousness. Her eyes fluttered shut again almost instantly as a sharp, throbbing ache exploded behind Aliana’s temples, sending pain lancing through her skull.

Her eyelids felt impossibly heavy, but the moment she forced them open once more, her vision slowly adjusted to the darkness. Faint moonlight spilled through a small window high above, revealing rough stone walls and a place she had never seen before.

The air she breathed was musty and salty, a stark contrast to any environment she had ever known, causing her nose to crinkle in disgust. As her mind struggled to pierce through the thick fog of whatever substance still lingered in her body, the rhythmic sound of waves crashing against a rocky shore nearby reached her ears.

Aliana shivered.

The icy night breeze slipped through the room and kissed her exposed skin, raising goosebumps along her arms.

’Where am I?’ The question surfaced through her muddled head, bringing with it a growing sense of dread.

She tried to move.

The moment she pushed herself up, a harsh metallic clank shattered the silence as something heavy yanked against her wrists.

Her heart lurched.

Looking down, she found herself still dressed in her custom-made red engagement gown. The breathtaking masterpiece was now ruined, its luxurious fabric damp and stained from the cold stone floor beneath her.

Then her gaze dropped further.

Chains. Heavy metal chains bound her arms.

Panic erupted inside her chest, tearing away the last remnants of her drowsiness. Her pulse thundered in her ears as she instinctively tugged against the restraints, only to be met with another cruel rattle of metal.

Her throat felt unbearably dry.

As she licked her cracked lips, a metallic taste spread across her tongue.

Blood.

The realisation struck her like a physical blow.

That was the exact moment the events of the party came crashing down on her. The music, the crowd, the trap... it all rushed back at once.

And only a single, trembling word escaped her lips into the cold dark. "Gav."

...

Hours ago...

Aliana stood before the grand mirror, her breath catching ever so slightly as she stared at the woman reflected back at her. Around her, designers and makeup artists stepped away one by one, having finally completed their masterpiece.

For a moment, even the room seemed to fall silent. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"You are absolutely breathtaking, Miss Vanderbilt! You truly own this gown! Your fiancé is going to forget how to breathe the moment he sees you!" her designer, Alan, declared dramatically, pressing a hand against his chest while his assistants nodded in fervent agreement.

And for once, none of them were exaggerating.

Aliana looked breathtaking in a dramatic crimson gown that seemed crafted from velvet and fire.

The strapless dress hugged her figure flawlessly, its sweetheart neckline accentuating her graceful curves before flowing into a magnificent mermaid skirt of cascading burgundy tulle. The voluminous train swept behind her like a crimson wave, creating a striking sense of movement with every step she took.

Long black opera gloves added a touch of timeless sophistication, contrasting beautifully against the rich red fabric. Her blonde hair was styled in soft curls at the bottom, falling like a golden waterfall against her shoulders and making her features stand out against the dark fabric.

Light makeup enhanced her natural beauty, while bold red lips added a touch of drama. With her features delicately sharpened, she looked almost ethereal, as though she had stepped straight from the pages of a fairy tale.

Diamond earrings sparkled at her ears, while a delicate necklace rested against her throat, catching the light with every breath she took.

For a brief moment, Aliana simply stared.

She had worn countless expensive gowns throughout her life, but this one felt different.

This one had been chosen for her.

A soft smile curved her lips as her fingers lightly brushed the fabric.

The gown had been specially commissioned by Gavriel.

’He really does have impeccable taste,’ she thought, unable to suppress the warmth that spread through her chest as she silently awarded him several brownie points.

Just then, a knock echoed through the room.

Before anyone could respond, the door opened, and Jade stepped inside. Dressed in a stunning olive-green gown that perfectly complemented her striking eyes, she looked elegant enough to turn heads herself.

"Ali... it’s time! Are you ready...?"

Jade’s excited voice abruptly trailed off the moment her eyes landed on her friend. It was as though all the words had suddenly deserted her as she stood frozen in the doorway, staring at Aliana in utter awe.

"How do I look?" Aliana asked with a shy smile.

Jade raised both hands close to her face and let out a breathless laugh.

"Oh my God, Aliana! Y-you look ethereal!"

Her voice cracked with overwhelming emotion as tears gathered in her eyes.

Quickly making her way over, she took Aliana’s hands in hers and gave her a thorough once-over, her gaze travelling from her perfectly styled hair to the magnificent crimson gown.

A proud smile spread across her face before she clicked her tongue lightly.

"Ah, Gavriel is going to be completely floored when he sees you."

"That’s exactly what I said!" Alan chimed in dramatically from behind them.

A faint blush immediately crept onto Aliana’s cheeks, earning a knowing grin from Jade.

Just then, Jade’s phone began to buzz. She glanced at the screen and realised Nigel was calling. Answering quickly, she assured him they would be down in a minute before ending the call.

"Oh right!" Her eyes widened. "I completely forgot! We need to leave now. Your parents said the guests have already started arriving at the mansion."

The reminder made the reality of the evening settle over Aliana once more.

Jade quickly but carefully ushered her towards the door, mindful of the train trailing behind her.

Aliana nodded before suddenly pausing and glancing over her shoulder. "My phone."

Jade immediately looked around the room before spotting it resting on the edge of the bed.

"Got it!" she said, snatching it up. "I’ll keep it with me. You’ll need both hands just to manage this dress."

Aliana let out a small laugh before allowing herself to be guided out of the room.

With that, they headed downstairs, where the men were already waiting.

Down in the grand foyer, Gavriel stood with Nigel, Cillian, and Winston.

All of them were dressed in immaculate suits, but the one who stood out the most was undeniably Gavriel.

Tailored to perfection in a custom black tuxedo, he exuded a calm, regal aura, looking every bit like the most dangerously handsome prince anyone could ever lay eyes upon.

Nigel ended his call with Jade and informed the group, "They will be here in a minute."

As the seconds ticked by, Gavriel grew increasingly impatient. He lifted his hand to check the time on his vintage Patek Philippe watch just as the sound of footsteps echoed from above.

Then footsteps echoed through the foyer.

His eyes immediately lifted, only for disappointment to flicker across his blue eyes when a group of makeup artists and designers descended the staircase instead of the one person he had been waiting for.

The crew greeted him politely, though more than a few pairs of eyes lingered on him far longer than necessary. Some openly admired him while others looked moments away from asking for a photograph.

Sensing his master’s rapidly dwindling patience, Winston quietly stepped forward and efficiently guided the group out of the mansion.

The foyer gradually fell silent once more.

Then came another sound of two distinct pairs of footsteps, and Gavriel’s gaze returned to the staircase almost instantly.

The moment the figure appeared at the top of the stairs, the world around him seemed to fade into the background.