Chapter 3:
The princess stood frozen in the cold corridor, her mind still tangled in the unsettling revelation about the vampire king. Before she could process it, soft footsteps approached.
A soldier bowed respectfully. "Your Highness, His Majesty requests your presence in the chamber."
Her heart pounded as she followed, each step heavier than the last. The grand door shut quietly behind her, sealing her inside.
Her father stood by the window, the fading light casting long shadows over his face. He turned slowly, his eyes calm but carrying an unspoken weight.
"My daughter," he began softly, "there is something you must know."
She stared at him, confusion prickling her skin.
He stepped closer, voice lowering into a gentle murmur. "I have made a decision for you—one that concerns your future, and the future of our kingdom."
Her breath hitched. "What do you mean, Father?"
He reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face before resting his hand lightly on her cheek. "You will be married to the vampire king."
Shock froze her words. "Married? But… I didn't— I didn't know. Why? How—?"
He smiled faintly, eyes warm but firm. "Your mother dreamed of peace between our people. She would be so proud to see you carry that dream forward."
His voice softened even more, tinged with longing. "She believed in you—believed you were the last hope, the final light that could unite two worlds torn apart by centuries of fear and blood."
He cupped her cheek, voice dripping with tenderness and quiet insistence. "Nothing will harm you. Not while I live. And your most loyal servant, Rhys will be by your side every step of the way."
The princess's heart twisted—a mix of fear, betrayal, and helplessness flooding her senses.
"You must understand," he whispered, "this is for the good of all. And I need you to trust me."
She swallowed hard, the heavy weight of her new reality settling like chains around her.
The princess's heart twisted—a mix of fear, betrayal, and helplessness flooding her senses.
Slowly, she lifted her hand to touch the delicate necklace resting against her chest—the last gift from her mother. The cool charm felt like a fragile thread connecting her to the woman who had believed in peace and hope.
Her fingers trembled as she held the necklace close, drawing strength from the memory it carried.
With a heavy sigh and eyes downcast, she met her father's gaze. "If this is my fate… then I will do as you say."
Her voice was soft, weighted with reluctant acceptance and unspoken fears.
Her father's eyes glistened with pride and something deeper—hope, maybe, or relief.
"You are stronger than you know, my daughter. This is only the beginning."
The vampire king rode steadily through the dense forest, his cloak billowing behind him like a shadow against the moonlit night. The rhythmic beat of hooves on the soft earth echoed through the stillness.
Beside him, his closest confidant—a tall, fierce vampire with sharp eyes—broke the silence. "Why did we spare those peasants?" he asked, voice low but edged with frustration. "We could have drained them dry, taken all their strength. Why settle for a peace treaty with humans at all?"
The vampire king's gaze remained fixed ahead, calm but resolute. "We cannot waste our resources and effort chasing every fleeting threat," he said slowly. "The king spoke clearly — we need stability, not endless bloodshed."
He flicked his reins, and the horse moved faster, muscles rippling under the pale moonlight. "The real danger lies with the werewolves. Their power grows unchecked, and their warlust threatens us all."
His friend growled softly, eyes narrowing. "So, we make peace with humans to focus on the werewolves?"
"Exactly," the vampire king replied. "Let the humans grow stronger for now. After the war, when they are broken and desperate, they will remember who spared them — and who did not."
A cold smile touched his lips. "This treaty is a calculated move. We do not waste effort on those who pose little threat. We prepare for the true enemy lurking in the shadows."
Lucien his second in command spoke "what about the human princess ? This marriage to a human __
Kael lips curved into a faint smirk ,a gleam of amusement in his eyes. "She is an interesting little flame" he said with smirk "brave curious but not as fragile it seems ".
Lucien raised an eyebrow, intrigued .
The moon hung high in the midnight sky, casting a silver glow through the delicate curtains of the princess's chamber. She lay still in her bed, the soft silk sheets wrapped around her like a shroud,
Her eyelids fluttered gently, lashes trembling as if caught between worlds. A faint crease formed between her brows, betraying the stirring thoughts beneath her peaceful exterior. Her chest rose and fell in slow, measured breaths, but a subtle tension curled in the corners of her lips, hinting at the weight of the unseen journey her mind was undertaking. In her dream she stood
Alone is dark forest , surrounded by ancient trees,She found herself standing amidst towering ancient trees . The air was thick with the scent of earth and moss, and a quiet hum of life pulsed softly around her.
Her gaze drifted upward, tracing the silver light filtering through the dense canopy, when suddenly, a voice — barely more than a whisper — brushed against her senses.
"Wake…"
Its...time...
"Serenya "
The word was soft, elusive, like the rustle of leaves in a gentle breeze. It was neither urgent nor demanding, but it stirred something deep within her, a quiet urging from the shadows.
Her heart quickened, senses sharpening, as if the forest itself was calling her to remember something long forgotten.
As the voice faded, a gentle warmth blossomed against her chest. Her fingers instinctively moved to the delicate necklace resting there—the last gift from her mother.
The pendant began to glow softly, casting a pale light that pulsed in rhythm with her heartbeat. The glow seemed to respond to the voice, illuminating the forest shadows around her with an ethereal shimmer.
Suddenly, a flash of images surged through her mind—fragmented and vivid. Among them, a symbol stood out: a triangle enclosing the silhouette of a raven, its wings partially spread as if poised to take flight. The sharp lines of the triangle glowed faintly, while the raven's dark form seemed to pulse with a silent, ancient power.
The vision lingered only for a moment before fading, but its impression was seared deep within her consciousness, leaving her breathless and filled with a sense of profound mystery.
She jolted awake, her breath coming in heavy, uneven gasps. Her fingers clenched tightly around the necklace at her throat, grounding her trembling heart. The lingering image of the triangle and raven flickered behind her closed eyes, a silent reminder of the secret waiting to be uncovered.
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