The first day wasn't so bad. The sun was already burning hot when she woke up. She dragged herself from the bed, and went to the bathing chambers. The hot water helped her relax. She wore a gown of her own choice; there was no one to order her what to wear today. She felt relieved.
When she returned to the main chambers, she saw Clara already there, setting the breakfast tray.
"Good morning, my lady."
Lyanna looked at the locked door.
"How long am I supposed to stay here?"
"His Majesty didn't specify a timeline." Clara replied. "He said you'll stay in these chambers until he decides otherwise."
"So I'm just supposed to sit here alone with nothing to do."
"You have books." Clara gestured towards the bookshelves. "He suggested you use this time to study."
Of course he did. Even my punishment has a purpose. He's forcing me to learn about vampire society while keeping me caged.
"Can I at least have paper? Something to write with?"
Clara hesitated but then spoke.
"I'll ask."
"Never mind." Lyanna sat at the table, staring at the breakfast. "I know what the answer will be."
After Clara left, Lyanna tried to open the door even though she knew it was pointless. The windows were too high to jump from. She was completely trapped.
She paced, rearranged the items on the dresser just because she wanted to do something, started out of the window at the grounds she couldn't reach.
By midday, she was banging her head against the wall out of boredom and frustration.
She picked up one of the books, a history book about vampire bloodlines, and tried to read. She made it through three pages before throwing it aside. She couldn't understand a thing.
Clara brought lunch, put it down and left without saying a word. Lyanna lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling, wondering when Azrael would end her punishment.
The second day was worse.
She felt restless and anxious. She'd never realized how much she relied on ambient noise; she missed servants moving through the halls, people talking, the general vibe of a castle full of life. Here, there was nothing.
Clara brought her meals but didn't talk with her like before. Lyanna tried asking about the castle, about what was happening outside, but Clara just shook her head.
"I'm not allowed to discuss outside matters with you, my lady."
"So what am I supposed to do?"
"I'm sorry, my lady. I'm only following instructions." She replied in a sympathetic tone and left.
Lyanna was so frustrated that she wanted to tear something apart. She was so lonely that when Clara came back hours later with dinner, Lyanna was ready to beg her to stay, to talk. But her pride stopped her.
It's what Azreal wants, and I won't give him that satisfaction.
On the third day, Lyanna woke up angry.
She was angry at Azrael for doing this, at her mother for creating this situation, and at herself for accepting his proposal.
She wanted to hit something, break something, to release the pressure building in her chest. When Clara arrived with breakfast, Lyanna was done being patient.
"I need to see him."
Clara put down the tray.
"His Majesty is occupied…"
"I don't care. Tell him I need to speak with him. Tell him I have to discuss about our marriage."
"My lady, I don't think…"
"Clara, please. I'm going mad. Please, just ask him."
"I'll relay your message, though I can't promise he'll respond."
After she left, Lyanna sat on the bed, her head in her hands. She had failed. She had given him exactly what he wanted. But she couldn't handle the isolation any longer.
Hours passed. Clara brought lunch but said nothing about the message. Evening came, Lyanna stood at the window watching sunset. Then, suddenly she heard the door open.
She turned and saw Azrael entering, composed as always. He was holding a glass of blood wine, and sat casually in a chair.
"Clara said you wanted to see me."
Lyanna crossed her arms to hide her shaking hands.
"You can't just lock me here indefinitely."
"I can do whatever I want." He sipped his wine. "I'm curious, though. What's so important that you requested to see me?"
"I can't…" She stopped, and spoke again. "Three days is enough. I understand your point. I was disrespectful, I defied you, I needed to learn the consequences. I've learnt my lesson"
Azrael tilted his head, looking at her with interest.
"Three days ago you were shouting at me about dignity and rights. You seem calmer now. Did isolation teach you something?"
Yes. It taught me to tolerate your presence and cruelty rather than loneliness. It taught me that I'm weaker than I thought.
"It taught me that I can't win against you. It taught me that fighting back will only make things worse. Isn't that what you wanted to hear?"
He put down his wine glass.
"Let me make the rules clear to you once again. You will obey me. You will show proper respect. You will submit to me without any drama or tantrums. If you do these things, you can enjoy freedom within the castle, and regular meals with me instead of eating alone. Your life will be as comfortable as it can be, given the circumstances.
But if you defy me again, if you throw things, yell or forget your place, you'll be locked away longer than three days. I can be patient, Lyanna. I can make you stay in these chambers for weeks, months if necessary. I have literally forever."
"I understand." She whispered.
"Then say that you accept it. Say you understand that this is your life now and fighting me is pointless."
Lyanna's pride screamed at her to refuse, but her mind couldn't take it anymore.
What good is pride if I lose my mind?
"I accept it." The words tasted like poison. "This is my life now. Fighting you is pointless."
"Look at me and say it again."
She looked at him with hatred in her eyes, and repeated the words.
"I accept that this is my life now. Fighting you is pointless."