The Bride He Hates-Chapter 32: What Did You Feel?

The journey back to Thornfield took three days instead of the two, the dead guards’ bodies had slowed their pace.

The somber mood affected everyone. The warriors spoke in hushed voices. Even Adrian remained quiet and withdrawn, occasionally checking on the wrapped bodies ensuring his dead warriors were being treated with proper respect.

Lyanna rode beside Azrael at the front. But unlike earlier, this time he seemed more present, and more willing to engage. Lyanna started a simple observation with him on their second day of travel.

"The rogues we killed, they were all young vampires, right? Recently turned, within the last decade or two?"

Azrael glanced at her with curiosity.

"Yes. How did you know?"

"From their behaviour. They were feral and had no strategy, or coordination. They were just hunting and feeding. Adrian mentioned once that older vampires retain their intelligence and self-control even if they don’t follow court orders. These rogues had lost that completely, which means they were turned and then abandoned before they learned control."

"That’s correct. Victor’s intelligence confirmed most of them were turned within the past twenty years, probably by a vampire who didn’t want the responsibility of teaching them, or who was killed before they could complete their education."

"I think the rogues likely emerged because of poor resource distribution in the border territories. Without access to willing donors, vampires are more likely to turn rogue."

"You might be right. Border territories have always been difficult to govern. They are too far from central authority, too close to human kingdoms, and too easy for vampires to operate independently. If we improve resource distribution, establish stronger court presence in those areas, provide alternatives to hunting..." He trailed off, then turned to look at her. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"That’s actually good strategic thinking. I’m almost impressed."

"Almost?" Lyanna couldn’t help but smile despite the somber circumstances.

"Don’t let it go to your head. You just had one good insight. Don’t expect me to start consulting you on all policy matters." He shrugged.

Azreal still didn’t end the conversation. Instead, he continued discussing the border territory problem, asking her opinions, and actually listening to them.

This version of Azrael, who listened to her was appealing. She could see glimpses of the brilliant strategic mind that had made Thornfield the most powerful vampire court and could understand why people respected him despite his cruelty. And the worst part, she was enjoying the conversation.

On the third day, they stopped at a human village near Thornfield’s border to resupply. The journey had drained their provisions, and the horses needed rest.

The village was small. The villagers’ reaction to their arrival was mixed. There was fear, obviously. Some people went back to their homes, closing windows and doors. Others watched from a distance with curiosity.

But when they saw Lyanna, the dynamic shifted. A human woman travelling with vampires, riding beside their king was surprising for them.

An old woman pushed through the small crowd that had gathered, approached Lyanna with malice, and spat at her feet.

"Traitor." The woman hissed. "Sleeping with bloodsuckers. Betraying humanity for a crown and a soft bed. Whore."

Lyanna glanced at Azrael whose hand moved towards his sword. Before he could move, Lyanna stepped forward, standing between Azrael and the old woman.

"I was born human, raised human, and hence, understand human fears and concerns." She sighed. "But I’m also married to a vampire king, a king who just killed rogue vampires that were killing your people."

She gestured to the wrapped bodies on the wagon.

"Two of our guards died protecting me during that operation. Vampires died to make your borders safer. So you can judge me by my actions and my marriage, but not by assumptions about my character or motives."

The old woman remained skeptical, and hostile, but she didn’t say anything more.

"We’re not asking you to love vampires. We’re not asking you to trust us blindly. We just want you to know that some vampires don’t want wars."

A younger man stepped forward, who happened to be the village head.

"Your Majesty, we’re grateful for Thornfield’s intervention against the rogues. Our losses have been significant."

The tension eased slightly. Thornfield’s supplies were replenished, and the vampires remained civil despite the insult to their queen.

When they resumed travel, Azrael rode in silence for nearly an hour.

"Why did you defend our marriage in front of humans?"

Lyanna had been expecting the question.

"Because it’s mine. I may not have chosen it willingly. But I’ve made vows. Those villagers can’t understand our situation. They see a human woman who married a vampire king and assume weakness, treachery, or that I was somehow seduced. They think of me as a traitor or a victim. I won’t let them define me that way."

"You continue to surprise me. I keep expecting you to break, to beg for freedom, to hate everything about this life." He turned to look at her. "But you’re thriving instead."

There was admiration in his tone, and Lyanna didn’t know how to handle it. Compliments from Azrael were unheard of.

"I don’t know if I’m thriving. I feel like I’m barely surviving, just managing to stay ahead of the next test, punishment or political complication. But I refuse to be destroyed by circumstances."

"And that is exactly why you’re more interesting than anyone I’ve encountered in centuries."

They reached Thornfield at sunset. The gates opened as they reached and the procession made its way into the courtyard where castle staff had assembled to greet their king and queen.

Helena stepped forward and immediately noticed the wrapped bodies. Her expression tightened but she composed herself.

"Welcome home, Your Majesty. The court has been running smoothly in your absence. Some matters require your attention, but nothing that can’t wait until you’ve rested from your journey."

She proceeded to give him a brief report. Victor appeared without warning and spoke quietly to Azrael.

"Your Majesty, there are intelligence matters we should discuss privately."

Azrael nodded and dismissed most of the assembled staff. The dead guards’ bodies were taken to be prepared for funeral rites. The warriors who’d accompanied the mission were given leave to rest and recover.

Lyanna went to her chambers. The royal chambers felt both familiar and strange after three days. She washed away dirt, sweat and the lingering residue of violence, letting the hot water ease her tensed muscles.

She should have collapsed into bed after dressing, but instead, she was too restless to sleep. She picked up one of the books and started reading it.

Hours passed. The castle became quiet as night deepened. When the door finally opened, Azrael entered quietly, trying not to wake her if she’d already gone to sleep.

He stopped when he saw her still awake, sitting on a chair with a book in her lap.

"You waited for me."

Lyanna didn’t answer, because she didn’t have an answer. Azrael walked and stopped in front of her.

"The next few weeks will be busy. There’s a gathering of all four major courts. Every ruling vampire will be here, including..." He paused. "Queen Elise. She’ll try to undermine you again. We humiliated her at the wedding, and she’s not the type to forget or forgive. You’d better be prepared for the political games she’ll play."

Lyanna closed her book, putting it aside.

"Then prepare me. Teach me how to handle her. What strategies would work against someone like her?"

He smiled.

"But you’ve proven you can defend yourself physically and in verbal confrontations with hostile humans. Now I want to see if you can survive vampire court politics when you know someone is trying to destroy your reputation."

He walked closer and sat on the edge of the chair near her chair.

"But first, there’s something I need to know. That moment in the tent, when I held you after the rogue attack, did you hate it as much as you should have?"