We arrived on the side of a muddy riverbank. I stumbled, falling forward into Noel's arms. It took several moments for me to gather my bearings; going through the gateway was like being sucked into a tornado.

Straightening, I took in my surroundings.

The river snaked through a massive grassy field. Above us, a moon dominated a black night sky which shimmered with millions of stars. In the distance, I saw a shadowy forest on the horizon.

So far, it didn't look too far off from my world; only . . . it was more. The river was an odd shade of blue; a deep emerald which was visible even in the darkness. The moon was enormous; at least ten times the size of the moon on Earth. And the stars . . . there were a multitude of them, more than I'd ever seen, even on the clearest night in the most rural parts of Pennsylvania. A sweet and unfamiliar scent hung in the air; a mixture of honey and strawberries.

"Welcome to Velar," Xavier said, gesturing around the grassy field. "Or rather, the lonely outskirts of Velar."

"How do you feel, cherie?" Noel asked with concern.

"Like I just got off a rollercoaster," I said.

I turned towards the gateway we'd stepped out of. Though I couldn't see the vortex, I sensed it, that swirling pull of wind hovering in midair.

Turning back to face them, I frowned.

"I don't understand. It was morning back in our world."

"Our days and nights are much longer," Gabriel said, and his eyes darkened with mischief as he added, "The long nights might be a benefit to us."

As I flushed, I heard a voice behind us.

“Gabriel Elouan Clidnol Doirend!”

I whirled. A small boat glided up the river towards us. With its length and curved edges it reminded me of a Venetian gondola. A sturdy woman who looked to be in her early fifties manned the oars; she had dark hair shot through with silver, and warm brown eyes. She wore a long gray cloak over a simple brown dress. "Thanks to the goddess. I didn't think you'd make it back."

The vampires grinned as her boat reached us.

"Liana, this is Berenzi," Gabriel said. "She's the housekeeper at our estate. Been with me since I was a child."

"And I worry about you like a mother," she grumbled. Her focus was still on the vampires; she'd barely looked at me. "Fae came to the manor the other day. They were looking for you."

The vampires exchanged an uneasy look.

"We had a run-in with Edelnar in the gateway city," Gabriel said. "We'll tell you about it later."

"You better," she said. She turned to me, and her expression softened. "Liana. It's an honor to meet you. These four have been talking about you for years."

A flush spread across my cheeks. Though I knew they were aware we were mates long before I did, it still felt mind-boggling.

"Nice to meet you, Berenzi," I said.

"Let's get you all to the manor," Berenzi said, taking in our surroundings with unease. “Dark fae are on the loose. It may not be safe out here."

"Why didn't you bring the guards with you?" Gabriel asked.

"I wanted to greet you on my own," Berenzi said stubbornly. "I can handle any fae who comes my way."

Gabriel stepped forward, placing his hands on my waist and lifting me up into the boat. As the others climbed inside, Xavier smiled at Berenzi.

"They wouldn't hurt you. You're half fae," he said.

I stared at Berenzi, gobsmacked. She was half fae? Was the other half, human? Vampire?

"Our Liana has much to learn about our world," Noel said, his silver eyes twinkling as he took in my startled expression.

"I'll be happy to teach her," Berenzi said, giving me a kind smile, and I already felt myself warming to her.

She steered the boat around, gliding it back up the river. I moved to the edge of the boat, taking in my surroundings and inhaling the sweet scent of the air.

"It's a flower called athismus,” Adrian said, coming to stand next to me. "It grows a lot in this part of Velar."

"What part are we in?" I asked.

“It’s called Iasau, but the common name for this region is the grasslands,” Xavier replied. "Our manor is just outside the capital city of the region. The population is mostly vampire, but some fae live there as well."

"The cities are still mostly segregated," Gabriel added, shaking his head with disapproval. "Fae towns and cities, vampire towns and cities. The Supreme Council is trying to change that." At my questioning look, he continued, "The Council is like the government in your world. Because of the Council, fae and vampires came to a truce. The Council also decreed the mating bonds between the two races."

I nodded, trying to file this away to memory. I wished I had my phone or a notebook to take notes.

"Are the cities like the cities of the human world?" I asked. "Skyscrapers? Cars? Technology?"

"You won't find human technology here," Adrian said, shaking his head. "But we have magic."

"Which is better," Noel added, grinning. "Take a look at the river."

I looked down and gasped. As the boat glided through the water, miniscule electrical sparks shot out of the water.

"Magic is imbued in our word," Noel said. "It's our technology."

I took a breath, trying not to feel too overwhelmed. I couldn't believe a month ago I was living an ordinary life in Pennsylvania, expecting to settle down with Brian and work at a local museum. A tinge of anger towards Alice hit me. She could have told me something instead of keeping me in the dark.

"You're here now, cherie," I looked up. It was as if Noel had sensed my thoughts, and he studied me with concern. "That's all that matters."

The boat soon approached a sprawling estate. I shook my head in amazement as I took it in.

It was half castle, half mansion, and it made their home in New Orleans look like a hut. The estate seemed to stretch for miles, its dark-gold brick exterior seemed to gleam in the moonlight, and two circular towers were situated at both ends.

Berenzi drew the boat up to a small dock where a wiry young man with dark hair and a spattering of freckles was waiting. Like Berenzi, he wore a dark cloak over his gray pants and white shirt. He tied up the boat to the edge of the dock. Noel and Xavier took my hands, helping me out onto the dock as the young man studied me with wide eyes.

“Don’t stare, Adan,” Gabriel scolded.

Adan flushed, tearing his eyes away from me. He rushed forward to embrace each of them.

"We're glad you're back," Adan said, when he pulled back. "We've been worried. The Council sent —“

"Not now," Gabriel said, his voice heavy with meaning. “Berenzi told us. We’ll discuss it later.” Adan’s gaze swung to me and he fell silent. I frowned, wondering what they were hiding.

I followed Gabriel from the dock and down a narrow cobbled path to the massive iron gates of the estate, which swung open.

A dozen servants scrambled out of the front doors of the estate and into the courtyard.

"This is Liana," Gabriel said. "She’s our honored guest and is to be treated as such."

The servants nodded respectfully, their eyes settling on me in a knowing way. I looked away from their probing gazes, unsettled. Did they know I was mated to the vampires, like Berenzi?

"Berenzi will show you to your rooms," Gabriel said, turning to me. “Then we'd like to give you a tour of the manor.”

“And have dinner with you,” Adrian added, a faint blush staining his cheeks.

"I'd like that," I said. I still felt overwhelmed; I mean, I was literally in another world. My vampires were the only things familiar, even though I’d only just met them. The thought of dinner with them was oddly comforting.

“Come now, dear,” Berenzi said, and I followed her past the still-staring servants into the estate.

The inside of the estate was as grand as the exterior; gleaming ivory-marbled floors paved the circular entryway. A winding staircase stood there, and I trailed her up the stairs to the second floor.

The hallway she led me down seemed miles long, but we soon arrived at large double doors. Inside, I thought there would just be a large bedroom. Instead it was a suite of rooms. There was a study, a kitchen, a dining room, a sitting room, and an enormous bedroom along with a wide balcony which looked out onto the grass fields behind the estate.

"This—“ I whispered, taking in the bedroom. “It’s too much.”

The home I’d grew up in had been modest; two bedrooms and a small backyard. Even my one-bedroom apartment was half the size of the bedroom here alone.

"I know. I'm from a small village in the south. The biggest home there was the size of the entry way here. Nearly fell over when I first saw this place. You’ll get used to it,” Berenzi said, smiling. “Now. Let's get you dressed," she added, eyeing my jeans and black T-shirt, critically. From her expression, I assumed jeans and T-shirts weren’t typical attire in Velar.

She moved over to the closet, swinging open the doors. After a moment, she emerged with a long silk dress of deep crimson, with a plunging neckline. I stared at it, flabbergasted. This was dinner wear here?

"There are more casual clothes for you to wear, don't worry," she said. "I just think for your first dinner date with your mates . . .“

'They're not my mates," I corrected her. Berenzi frowned with confusion. "I mean, I know they are . . . in this world. But I haven't accepted the bond. Not yet."

"Why not?" Berenzi breathed, her eyes widening "They already love you. I've heard all about you for the past—“

"They don’t know me well enough to love me," I said, though my heart fluttered at her words. "I want to get to know them. And then I'll make my decision about whether I’ll accept the bond and stay.”

Berenzi studied me for a long moment, her thick eyebrows still knotted with confusion, before she relaxed.

“I keep forgetting you’ve spent your whole life in the human world," she said, shaking her head. “I’ve only heard rumors about what its like there. Noel told me about the human practice called—datring? Darting?”

“Dating,” I corrected, suppressing a giggle.

“Sounds ghastly,” she said, shuddering.

I laughed, taking the dress from her.

"I have to agree with you there."

Berenzi pointed towards a screen in the corner of the room, and I went behind it to change. "How is it done here?"

"High-born vampire and fae are mated by old magic," Berenzi replied. "The Superior Council handles those matches. The rest of us have our matches arranged for us by our kin.“

"So no one chooses their partners here?” I asked in disbelief.

"Some do, but it's rare," Berenzi said.

“Who were you mated with?” I asked. There was a long pause, and I regretted the question. “I’m sorry, it’s none of my—“

“A good man. Our parents arranged it. He was killed by—“ she stopped herself. “I need not tell you dark stories when you’ve only just arrived. Come out, let me get a look at you.”

When I stepped out, I saw Berenzi looked shaken; my question had clearly reminded her of her mate.

“I’m sorry,” I repeated. “I shouldn’t have—“

But she waved off my apology, smiling in approval at my dress.

“You look lovely, dear.”

"Is our Liana decent?"

It was Noel's voice; it came from outside the hall. My heart picked up its pace, I turned to check my appearance in the mirror.

"Indeed," Berenzi said, pride shining in her tone. "Come in and see for yourself."

I didn’t turn as they entered; freezing as I took in my reflection.

It wasn’t the dress or my appearance which caused shock to spiral through me; it was my skin. It was . . . shimmering.