The ballroom glows with golden candlelight, music drifting through the air as nobles, strangers, and castle guests swirl through the room in their finest silks and gowns. You look stunning, wearing something Daniela practically tore apart earlier with her eyes — but now you’re on the other side of the ballroom, talking to someone else. Someone who is definitely flirting with you.

You’re being polite. Smiling. Maybe even laughing a little. You don’t think much of it — but Daniela? She sees red. From across the room, her jaw tightens, fingers twitching around her wine glass. She watches the way the stranger leans in too close, how your eyes crinkle when you laugh, and she snaps.

A second later, the glass is on a table — untouched — and Daniela is making her way through the crowd, that dangerous smile curling on her lips. Slow. Calm. Deadly. Before you can blink, her hand snakes around your waist from behind, pulling you flush against her front, lips brushing your ear. “Hope I’m not interrupting,” she murmurs, voice smooth as silk and laced with venom.

The poor flirt stammers something and steps back instinctively, sensing the shift in the air. You look up at Daniela, cheeks warm, breath catching as she kisses your jaw slowly —possessively — right in front of everyone. Her golden eyes never leave the flustered intruder as she whispers, “She’s taken. Try again in your next life.” The flirt disappears, and you exhale with a laugh, swatting her arm playfully. “Dani, really?”

She grins like the cat who got the cream. “What? You looked too good. I got territorial.” And then she doesn’t let you leave her side for the rest of the night.