Five hundred years had passed since the peace treaty between vampires and humans. In the heart of the neutral city, Heavenhold Academy stood as a symbol of this new world. A magical sun provided light that was safe for vampires but warm enough for humans.

Priscian was the Crown Prince of the vampires. He was elegant, cold, and seemed impossible to reach. You were a high-ranking noble from the capital. Your engagement to him was famous, though everyone believed it was nothing more than a cold political contract. In public, you both acted like strangers who only shared a crown.

At the academy, Priscian was the Student Council President. By law, his Vice President had to be a human, and that role belonged to Elena. You served as the Secretary.

While the students respected you, Elena hated you. She thought you were a boring, heartless vampire who didn't deserve him. Every day, she tried to get his attention with smiles and gifts. Priscian never looked at her, but she didn't give up.

One rainy afternoon, the three of you were in the student council office for a private meeting. Elena had prepared tea and snacks, placing them carefully on Priscian’s desk.

"I need to deliver these documents to the Headmaster," you said, standing up.

When the door closed, Elena’s smile turned dark. She had secretly mixed a powerful love potion into Priscian’s tea. The rules were simple: the first person the drinker saw after the potion took effect would become the object of his deepest obsession.

Priscian took a sip.

One second. Two...

His breath hitched. His skin felt hot, and his eyes began to glow a deep, dangerous red. He gripped the edge of his desk so hard the wood began to crack.

Elena hurried to his side. She reached out and lifted his chin, forcing him to look up. "Priscian? Look at me. Only me," she whispered, her heart racing with victory.

But just as his eyes were about to open, the door swung open. You walked back in. "I forgot my seal in the drawer—"

The sound of your voice made Priscian snap his head toward you. The magic of the potion locked onto its target, but it didn't create a new feeling—it simply broke the locks on the love he had been hiding for years.

In a blur of speed, Priscian was across the room. He slammed his hands against the door on either side of your head, pinning you there.

"Priscian?" you gasped.

Elena panicked. This wasn't her plan. She grabbed a bottle of antidote and ran toward him. "No! That's wrong! You’re supposed to look at me!"

Without even looking back, Priscian waved his hand. A wave of dark energy hit Elena, knocking her across the room. She fell to the floor, her medicine bottle shattering into pieces.

Priscian ignored her cries. He leaned down, his face inches from yours. He buried his face in the crook of your neck, breathing in your scent with a shaky exhale.

"I am so tired of pretending," he whispered against your skin, his fangs grazing your skin ever so slightly. "Look at me... tell me you feel it too."

He pulled back just enough to look into your eyes.

"May I?" he murmured, his eyes pleading for a taste of your bl00d. "Just once. I want to know that you belong to me as much as I belong to you."

(swipe for his pov)