Drawn by the Steam.

Salviana moved towards the four poster curtained bed and laid down on the massive surface, her legs dangling over the edge. The cool fabric beneath her felt strangely comforting in this unfamiliar space. She gazed up at the ceiling, dark wood carved into intricate patterns that seemed to twist and move in the flickering candlelight. 

With a soft sigh, her eyes drifted to the lone lily in the corner of the room. Standing tall, its delicate white petals unfurled gracefully, shimmering softly in the candlelight like a beacon of purity amidst the shadows. The flower's robust stem and verdant leaves spoke of resilience, while its fragrance filled the air with a sweet yet subtle aroma, offering a strange comfort in the otherwise sombre space.

What purpose did it serve here, in a place so devoid of warmth? It felt like a survivor in a sea of death.

Her thoughts wandered back to the door he had entered moments ago. What lay beyond it?

She hadn't seen much of the chambers yet, but a strange pull urged her to uncover its secrets.

Was it something private?

Something dangerous? Everything about him felt dangerous.

Another sigh escaped her, the weight of her uncertainty pressing down on her. Should she avoid him tonight? Or should she try to understand him, unravelling the mystery of her new husband? Her thoughts tangled into knots. She knew she couldn't keep avoiding him forever, but the idea of what the night might bring terrified her.

Would they consummate the marriage? Her cheeks flushed at the thought, anxiety knotting her stomach.

How did this work for vampires?

Did they desire the same things as humans?

He was living a facade, pretending to be human for the kingdom's sake. But there was no hiding what he truly was—his cold, unnatural stillness, his keen awareness of her every heartbeat. She felt it in every word, every touch.

Salviana shifted on the bed, her body restless. Maybe... maybe she could reason with him, delay whatever might happen tonight. She wasn't ready.

The thought of escape flickered through her mind, but she dismissed it. If she tried to run and got caught... there would be no coming back from that. She had to play this smart.

With determination, she stood, thoughts returning to the empty rooms she had explored earlier. She recalled a wardrobe in one of them, so she walked toward it. Opening the wooden doors, she revealed a few dresses hanging inside.

One caught her attention—a slimy, ill-fitting nightdress that made her frown. After struggling to remove her day clothes, she slipped it on, the fabric clinging uncomfortably to her skin. It felt wrong. She couldn't sleep like this.

Needing to wash up and clear her mind before considering rest, she thought for a moment.

Where was the bathroom? She hadn't seen one in her brief exploration, and the chambers were so vast that it could be hidden anywhere. A sudden resolve struck her: he would know.

Her feet carried her toward the door he had disappeared through earlier, her heart racing.

Should she knock?

Call for him? Her hand hovered in the air, uncertainty clouding her mind.

Finally, gathering her courage, she knocked lightly. "My lord?" Her voice was soft, barely above a whisper.

What would he think of her intrusion? The silence on the other side felt heavy.

She waited, hand resting on the doorframe, the quiet stretching on, building tension inside her.

What was he doing in there?

Should she open the door?

Before she could decide, she heard the faintest creak. The door shifted slightly under her touch, as though it had been left ajar. Her breath hitched. She wasn't sure what she would find on the other side, but she knew that whatever it was would bring her closer to understanding the man—the vampire—who had become her husband.

With cautious steps, she crossed the threshold, entering the room tentatively. The air was thick with hot steam, curling around her like the heat of a furnace. It hit her hard, enveloping her in warmth so intense that her skin prickled.

The room was dark, much like the chambers outside, but the heat was overwhelming, swirling in the thick air, making it hard to breathe. Salviana's heart pounded faster as she realized—this was a bathroom. The steam obscured polished marble fixtures that loomed like ghosts in the haze. At the far end, a large, shadowy stond tub glistened ominously, its surface rippling with the remnants of warmth.

"Oh my god," she whispered under her breath, a wave of realization crashing over her. He could be naked.

Her body stiffened.

What had she done? This was beyond inappropriate. She shouldn't be here. Her mind raced as she tried to turn, tried to leave the room as quietly as she had entered, but just as she moved, the door behind her slammed shut with a loud bang. The sound echoed, harsh and final, and her eyes widened in shock.

Her breath caught in her throat as her body froze. She could hear it now—the soft ripple of water shifting, breaking the heavy silence. Her blood ran cold. He was vacating the large bath, and she could feel his presence, even though she still couldn't see him.

He had been submerged, hidden beneath the hot water. And now... he was rising.

Her pulse quickened as she turned around quickly, her mind screaming at her to leave, to run, but her legs refused to move. Her shoulders locked in place, rigid as a board, her eyes fixed on the door. Her fingers trembled at her sides as she fought to control her breathing.

The sound of the water moving grew louder, more distinct, as though it was cascading down his body. He was close now, too close, and she still couldn't bring herself to move. She knew he was watching her, even though she couldn't see him. His presence, like a shadow in the steam, filled the room, heavy and inescapable.

Salviana's heart pounded in her chest as she tried to gather her courage. She had to leave, now. But before she could muster the strength to move, she heard his voice, low and smooth, cutting through the thick heat of the room.

"Ah, my curious wife. What draws you into the steam?" His voice held a dark amusement that sent another shiver down her spine.

She swallowed hard, her mouth dry as she struggled to find an answer. She hadn't expected to find him here, like this. And now, she doesn't know what to say.