The road back to Velmora lay quiet beneath the hooves of the horses. The company of soldiers followed, their faces shadowed, their armor dulled with dust and leaves. The trees swayed with a mournful wind, carrying the scent of blood that only Selene and Evelyn seemed to savor.
Selene's lips curled into a satisfied smile as she adjusted her reins.
"Her scream…" she murmured, almost dreamlike, "the way she begged, the way her voice broke—it was… delicious."
Evelyn let out a sharp giggle, leaning closer.
"I swear it will echo in my mind for years. The white haired little flower, gone in such misery. Ah! I could drink to that."
Virelda rode behind, her face pale, her hands clenched around the reins. She had not spoken since they left the forest.
Selene slowed her horse until she rode beside her.
"You have been silent as stone," she said, her voice playful but edged. "Are you not pleased?"
Virelda's gaze stayed fixed on the road.
"I am… tired."
Evelyn turned in her saddle, mock disbelief lighting her face.
"Tired? Even we, who did all the work, are not tired."
She threw her head back, laughing, nudging Selene with her elbow. Both burst into cruel giggles, their laughter echoing off the trees.
Virelda said nothing.
Selene drew her reins tight, turned in the saddle, and fixed the soldiers with a sharp look.
"You remember," she said quietly, though her voice carried like a blade, "what must be told when we return?"
The men shifted uneasily, some lowering their gazes, others stiff as stone.
"Yes, my lady," one answered.
Selene's eyes lingered on each of them in turn, searching for hesitation.
"It was a beast," she reminded, her tone coaxing yet cold. "Wild, swift, unstoppable. She was taken before any of you could lift a blade."
A chorus of voices followed, low and reluctant.
"Yes, my lady."
Evelyn laughed softly beside her, tossing her hair back.
"Oh, do not tremble so. You will be praised for bravery—if you keep your tongues."
The soldiers exchanged glances but bowed their heads again.
"Yes, my lady."
Selene smiled faintly, satisfied, then urged her horse forward. The clatter of hooves swallowed the moment, but the air remained heavy—thick with fear and lies.
By the time the palace gates loomed ahead, the golden trumpets rose high in welcome. Guards saluted as the queens dismounted. Selene glanced behind her—then frowned.
"Where is she?"
Evelyn followed her gaze, startled. Virelda is no where to be found.
"She must have slipped away to her chambers." Evelyn shrugged, feigning ease.
Selene's brows furrowed.
"It is tradition to greet mother upon return. What could she be thinking?"
Evelyn leaned closer, voice low.
"Perhaps it is for the best. She has been pale all day. If she trembles before mother, she will ruin everything."
Selene smirked, reassured.
"True. I never thought she would prove so… soft."
Their giggles rang again as they entered the palace.
Inside, the air was thick with expectation. Maids rushed forward to greet their ladies, bowing low. Aurora's maids looked around, confused. Virelda's maids too. The absence was felt immediately.
Then Queen Ava entered, her presence commanding silence. All bowed deeply. Her eyes scanned the hall, searching.
"Where are the other two?" she asked.
Selene lowered her gaze, shoulders trembling with feigned grief. She sniffed, then broke into a sob.
"We arrived with Queen Virelda, mother… she must have gone to her chamber. But… but…" She paused, covering her mouth as though the words were too painful to speak. "Aurora…"
Her voice cracked. Evelyn stepped forward, clutching her chest, tears streaming that were born of craft, not sorrow.
"She was attacked, Your Majesty. A wild beast struck out of the woods. Before we could move… she was dragged away."
Gasps broke out among the maids. Aurora's maids screamed, some collapsing to the ground, clutching each other.
Ava staggered back as though struck.
"No… no! Not her, not my...!" Her hands flew to her chest, her voice rising in anguish. "And what of the soldiers? Is it not their duty—was that not the very reason they followed?"
"It happened so fast, Mother. They tried to chase her, but it was too late," Selene said, tears streaming down her face.
Ava's command cut like a whip. "Bring them all to the Grand Hall. Now!"
One of her maids ran at once to summon the king.
-
In the court chamber, Aldric sat among the lords, Kael and General Alric standing nearby. The king seemed restless, his fingers tapping against the armrest, his eyes clouded with unease. His quill had snapped earlier, and the omen clung to him still.
The doors burst open. Ava's maid fell to her knees, breathless.
"The queens have returned, Your Majesty. But—Queen Aurora is not with them. They say… she was attacked. Queen Ava has summoned all to the Grand Hall."
The chamber erupted in shock.
Aldric's eyes widened. For a heartbeat he sat frozen, his knuckles whitening against the chair. Then he rose so swiftly his seat toppled behind him.
"What?" His voice cracked like thunder. "Aurora?"
Without another word, he stormed out, Kael and the lords scrambling after him.
-
The Grand Hall stood heavy with silence. Torches blazed, their flames reflecting off the polished marble. Soldiers lined the walls.
Selene, Evelyn and the soldiers that went with them, at the center, their heads bowed in their performance of grief.
Ava sat upon the high seat, trembling, her eyes red with unshed tears.
The doors flew open. Aldric strode in, his face pale, his eyes burning. He did not greet anyone. He did not sit. He went straight to the center, his voice rough, raw.
"What happened to her?"
The soldiers glanced at one another, uneasy. One stepped forward, bowing low.
"Your Majesty… Queen Aurora went deeper into the forest. She… she told us to wait behind."
Aldric's eyes blazed.
"And you obeyed?" His voice broke, fury spilling. "You let her walk alone? My queen? With child?"
The man stammered.
"We did not wish to resist command—"
"Command?" Aldric's shout rang through the chamber. "Her command was madness, and your duty was to her safety!"
Evelyn stepped forward, her voice trembling, false tears on her cheek.
"We tried, Your Majesty… truly we did. But it happened so fast. Her cries…" She pressed her hands over her face, shoulders shaking as though grief consumed her.
Selene followed, her tone low, aching.
"She was brave, Your majesty. She fought, but the beast dragged her into the shadows. We… we could do nothing."
A silence fell. The hall held its breath.
Aldric's chest rose and fell with ragged breaths. He turned sharply, scanning the faces.
"Where is Virelda?"
Selene's eyes flicked to Evelyn before answering.
"She was… ill on the journey back. Too shaken. She went straight to her chamber."
The answer rang hollow. Aldric's jaw tightened. His instincts screamed.
He turned to Kael, voice steady though fire burned beneath.
"Lock them all away. Every soldier, every witness. Until I have the truth."
Gasps swept the chamber. Selene and Evelyn stiffened, panic flashing in their eyes, though they masked it quickly.
Kael stepped forward, snapping orders. Soldiers moved at once, seizing those at the center.
Selene's eyes darted to Evelyn. Terror flickered between them, their plan unraveling before their eyes.
From his throne of grief, Aldric's command rang out one last time.
"Saddle my horse. I ride to the forest myself. I will not rest until I find her."
The hall erupted in motion, but in the midst of it, Selene and Evelyn locked eyes—two faces suddenly pale, their cruelty drowned in fear.
They had not expected to be locked up.