Chapter 21
~ The Vampire Realm ~
Erin's POV
As soon as we reached the entrance of the massive golden forest, a glowing path opened on its own. The air shimmered and, the moment I stepped forward, they appeared.
The Goldren's—my creations.
They emerged from different parts of the forest and knelt before me as one.
"Welcome back, Queen Erin," they said in unison.
The sight stole the breath from my lungs.
My power pulsed violently, rushing through my blood like recognition. It didn't feel strange. It felt right… natural. My magic remembered them, and they remembered their creator.
Suddenly, I could feel all of them—their emotions, their breathing, even the way their hearts beat. Every Goldren was connected to me. Not by blood, but by magic. My magic.
A memory flashed across my mind.
I was sitting on a throne, commanding a Goldren who kneeled beside me.
The image vanished as fast as it came, but it was enough to make my heart squeeze.
The Goldren's were beautiful. Small bodies, silver wings, golden eyes that sparkled with innocence. The females were adorable—almost fairy-like. But something didn't fit.
They were supposed to be an army, so why did they look like little fairies?
Then I remembered the first time I arrived in the vampire realm. One Goldren—tall, grown, human-sized—had bowed and apologized for failing to protect me during the war. He had no wings then. No small form. He looked like a soldier.
As I thought about it, that same Goldren stepped forward now. His form was tall and human, dressed in black with golden markings across his chest. He knelt deeply.
I frowned. Why was he different? Was he a leader? A general? Someone important?
Mars noticed my expression and finally smiled.
"To think you'd forget this part. Every Goldren can change into human form. They're stronger like that—especially if they reveal their wings and pointed ears. The smaller form is easier and lighter, so they use it for everyday life. Their human form is only for battle."
He nodded toward the one kneeling in front of us.
"As for him, he's not just anyone. He's their commander—the one who gives orders when you're not here. They call him Dark Lighting."
Dark… lighting?
I turned to Mars slowly.
"How do you know all of this?"
Mars blinked, caught off guard.
"Everyone knows," he said after a breath. "Dark Lighting's reputation runs deep. Even some in the Elven realm know his name. On the battlefield, he moves like a flash—one strike, and the enemy is gone. They only see a streak of dark lightning before they die. He's… a monster in battle."
A monster?
I looked at the Goldren's again—cute, tiny, sparkling.
Monsters?
I guess power didn't always come in terrifying shapes.
I cleared my throat, unsure how to speak to an army that bowed at my feet. But the words came naturally—powerful, commanding, familiar.
"Rise."
They lifted their heads, eyes gleaming with tears. Their emotions poured into me like waves. Loyalty. Love. Relief.
"We are sorry we failed you," they said softly. "We are grateful for your return, Queen Erin."
I swallowed hard.
No one had ever said something like that to me in this life. I wasn't used to it. But somehow, my heart understood.
"No need to apologize," I said. "I am grateful you all waited. But my powers were sealed. My memories too. It might take a little time before everything returns. Please be patient with me."
I let a small thread of my power flow toward them. Eric once told me that giving them even a drop made them stronger.
They absorbed it instantly, expressions deepening into devotion.
"Thank you, Queen Erin," they whispered.
Then one of them stepped forward.
A tiny one with bright wings and the biggest golden eyes.
"Shall we take you to the throne room?"
The throne.
The one from my visions.
Dark Lighting—now in his human form—moved behind me protectively. His presence was heavy, but comforting. Like I'd known him for centuries.
I nodded.
The journey through the forest was mesmerizing. Butterflies glowed like tiny stars. Flowers shimmered under sunlight. The air felt alive—magic breathing in every leaf.
We reached a massive golden door at the center of the forest.
It was silent. Unmoving.
But the moment I stepped close, ancient inscriptions lit up, shining across the surface. The door opened by itself, and inside… everything awakened.
The throne glowed—silver and gold light wrapping around it like it was welcoming me home.
The Goldren's whispered, and the hall cleaned itself. Dust vanished. Cracked walls repaired. The entire room shifted back into its glorious state.
I walked toward the throne, feeling… drawn. Called.
The moment I sat down, my head tilted back on its own and—
A vision hit me.
And this time, it wasn't blurry.
I saw him.
The man who killed Daniel.
The one who brought terror.
The one who destroyed everything.
He was beautiful in a cruel way.
Devilishly handsome.
Silver hair.
Emerald green eyes.
Green. Eyes.
Mars' eyes were green.
Cold chills struck through me.
Was Mars related to him? His descendant? His blood?
Every dream—every nightmare—I'd only seen the silver hair and heard his voice. Never the face. But now I saw it clearly.
My heart raced.
The Goldren's sensed my fear instantly.
"What's wrong with our Queen?"
"Is she under attack?"
"Protect her!"
Several shifted into human form. Eyes glowing gold. Wings spreading. Power filled the room like a storm.
Mars moved instantly, his expression cold and deadly. Was he preparing to protect me—or kill someone?
I forced a breath.
"It's alright," I said quickly. "I'm fine. I just… saw something that startled me. We are safe."
The Goldren's relaxed, returning to their small forms again.
A tiny one flew to my side and tugged my sleeve.
"Queen Erin, we must welcome you properly!"
I blinked.
"I think you already did."
She shook her head fiercely.
"No! We mean a celebration! A real one! Tonight!"
The Goldren's murmured excitedly, wings fluttering.
I couldn't help but smile.
They waited decades for me. They deserved joy.
"Fine," I said. "We'll celebrate tonight."
They cheered softly and flew out in a golden swarm.
I turned to the tall Goldren beside me.
"Where are they going?" I asked.
He softened. "To prepare for the celebration, my Queen. They are excited. It has been… many decades. And though we survived, we have had attackers—people who didn't like that another race existed because of you. You still have enemies. They are alive. When you regain your power, they will be nothing but pests."
I nodded firmly. "Then I need to get stronger dark lighting."
He chuckled.
I narrowed my eyes. "Why are you smiling?"
"You don't need to call me Dark Lighting," he said softly. "We are not at war. You gave me a name."
A real name.
"What name did I give you?" I asked.
He bowed his head slightly.
"Theodore, my Queen."
My chest warmed.
"Oh. Theodore. That's a beautiful name."
I smiled. "Then I'll call you Theo."
His eyes softened in a way that almost looked like joy.
"Just like the old days," he whispered.