I was told from a young age that our conquest would help to serve the Crimson Asa Court and farther expand our empire to heights of perfection. The birth of the Vampyre was what set our plight for dominance in motion. Lust was awe. Passion and hunger were quintessential. Those were the rules I lived by since winning the Royal Challenge and becoming Athanasia of Vampyraya, heir to the throne. All worlds would kneel before the supremacy of the Vampyre, and I alone would stand atop—or so I thought. Shade—that was the only name he went by. The moment I laid eyes on him, my whole world fell apart. I now had to struggle with my inner demons as the blood's passion rushed my veins whenever he was near. I had a choice; close myself off and focus on glory in battle—or choose him as my mate and wallow in the decadence of political puppetry. I told myself that love was an illusion, and those who succumbed to it would pay the price. Nevertheless, that price would soon be paid by me—in glory . . . or blood.