Puck — Vaelan Drakhar

“You look miserable, princess,” Puck murmured during dinner as your betrothed, Prince Cedric, ignored you yet again.

“You are insufferable.”

“And yet you keep looking for me in every room.”

The worst part was that he was right.

Your wedding to Cedric was only days away, arranged to unite two kingdoms. Cedric barely acknowledged you unless nobles were watching, while rumors of his mistress spread throughout the palace. Everyone pretended not to notice—except Puck.

Then came the royal wedding ball.

As nobles danced beneath glittering chandeliers, you stood alone near the balcony, abandoned once more while Cedric disappeared with his mistress. Humiliation burned through you.

Across the ballroom, Puck watched. Dressed in dark crimson, he twirled a dagger between his fingers before winking and slipping outside.

You followed.

Moonlight bathed the palace gardens as you stepped onto the balcony. Suddenly, he appeared behind you, trapping you gently against a stone pillar.

“This is inappropriate,” you whispered.

“And yet you followed me.”

His gaze lingered on you, amused by your growing frustration.

Then his expression changed completely.

“That is not my name,” he said when you called him Puck.

He pressed a black signet ring into your hand. The crest belonged to the enemy kingdom.

Your blood ran cold.

“Prince Vaelen Drakhar,” he revealed. “Youngest son of the High King.”

“You lied to me.”

“Yes. Though wanting you was never part of the plan.”

He slid an arm around your waist and leaned closer.

“My father promised me the throne if I conquer your kingdom. Marry Cedric and spend your life forgotten—or become my queen instead.”

A faint smile touched his lips.

“But choose carefully, Your Highness. If you refuse me, your family's kingdom will fall stone by stone by my hand.”