The Kingdom of Ora glittered that night, its banquet hall alive with music and laughter. Crystal chandeliers spilled golden light across rows of kings and queens, lords and ladies, all gathered to celebrate the coming of age of King Daren's only daughter.
Yet the king himself did not smile. He sat upon his high-backed throne, his fingers drumming against the armrest, worry tightening his brow. Sedora had not appeared.
Leaning toward his most trusted guard, he whispered, "Raymond."
The tall warrior bowed instantly. "Yes, Your Majesty."
"Find my daughter. She should have been here an hour ago. It is her day, and the world waits for her."
Before Raymond could respond, a scream split the hall.
"Somebody help! They took the princess!"
Every noble froze. Heads snapped toward the sound. Maria burst into the hall, blood staining her sleeve and gown. She collapsed dramatically onto the floor, sobbing in terror.
King Daren shot to his feet, his heart slamming against his ribs. He ran toward her, ignoring the shocked murmurs of the guests.
"What happened? Where is Sedora?" His voice cracked with fear.
Maria clutched her bleeding arm, tears streaking her cheeks. Before she could say more, her body went limp.
"Take her to the royal physician!" King Daren barked. His throat burned with panic. "Search for my daughter—NOW!"
The banquet dissolved into chaos. Guards swarmed through the palace, blades drawn, while maids scurried with frightened whispers. Daren himself strode down the corridors, his steps heavy. He entered Sedora's chamber, finding it empty—her scent faint, her presence gone.
His fists clenched. "Lock every gate!" he roared at the nearest guard. "Seal the city! No one leaves until my daughter is found!"
When the guards scattered, silence filled the room. Daren stood alone, shaking. He thought of his late queen, Sarah, the woman he had loved beyond reason. Grief crushed him.
"Sarah," he whispered into the shadows. "I have failed you. I have failed our child."
He buried his face in his hands, shoulders quaking, until the echo of approaching footsteps forced him to stand tall. He wiped his tears and straightened his collar.
General Xavier entered, flanked by five soldiers. The general bowed low. His broad shoulders and scarred jaw carried the weight of a man who had lived for war, but his eyes were sharp with sorrow.
"My king," Xavier said, voice tight. "I came as soon as I heard. Soldiers are scouring the grounds. If Princess Sedora was indeed taken, the kidnappers cannot have gone far. I swear, we will find her."
Daren's lips trembled, though he forced steel into his tone. "Is the handmaiden awake? I must speak with her."
"She is weak, but awake," Xavier confirmed.
Together, they went to Maria's chamber. The maid lay upon her bed, bandaged and pale. As soon as she saw the king, she dropped to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Rise," Daren ordered. His voice was steady but his eyes betrayed his desperation. "Tell me what happened. Spare no detail."
Maria clasped her hands like a penitent. "My lord… the princess confided in me this morning. She said she despised Prince Taxi and feared you would force her to marry him. She spoke of escape, of love. She said she found a man—a werewolf." Maria sniffled, lowering her eyes. "I begged her not to go, but she packed her belongings. When I tried to stop her, he stabbed me. I could do nothing… I am so sorry, my king."
The hall fell silent.
King Daren staggered back, disbelief wrinkling his brow. "No… Sedora would never harm you, never abandon her people. And I would never force her into marriage. Did she tell you where this… werewolf was taking her?"
"I do not know," Maria whispered. "Perhaps to the Werewolf Kingdom. Forgive me, my lord… it is my fault." Her body slumped, feigning another fainting spell.
Xavier stepped forward, his jaw tight. "Your Majesty," he murmured low, careful not to be overheard, "her story is… inconsistent. When I questioned her earlier, she claimed armed men took the princess. Now she says Sedora fled with a lover. Why would she change her account?"
Daren's gaze hardened. "She has served Sedora since childhood. She would not betray her." His voice wavered, red-rimmed eyes betraying the grief behind his words.
"My lord," Xavier pressed, "I mean no insult, but something is amiss. This handmaiden knows more than she admits."
Daren exhaled heavily. "We shall speak further in the courtroom. Let the girl rest."
Together, they left the chamber. As they walked, Xavier's voice grew grim. "If the princess has truly been taken to the Werewolf Realm, we must prepare for war. Those animals will not keep her from us."
Before Daren could reply, his vision swam. The world tilted. With a strangled cry, he collapsed.
"Help! The king has fallen!" Xavier bellowed, dropping to his knees beside him.
---
Desert of Motah
A rattling of wheels. The crack of whips. The groan of iron cages.
Sedora's eyes fluttered open to darkness broken by thin rays of moonlight. Rough metal bars pressed against her skin. Her body ached, her mouth dry.
She pushed herself upright, realizing she was chained inside a cage that jolted with every turn of the wagon wheels. Her stomach twisted when she saw she was not alone—seven girls huddled beside her, their faces pale with fear. One was a child, no more than nine, her limbs thin as reeds. The girl lifted a fragile hand and waved weakly.
"Please… where are we?" Sedora whispered.
No one answered. Until one girl leaned forward, her eyes soft.
"I'm Clara," she said quietly. "From Ora. We're in the Desert of Motah. They're taking us to the Vampire Realm." She extended a hand, forcing a small smile.
Sedora hesitated, then clasped it. "I'm Princess Sedora… how far are we from Ora?"
Clara's eyes widened. "Your Highness… you've been unconscious for four days. We are very far from home."
A mocking laugh broke the air. Another girl in the cage smirked. "A princess? Wonderful. Then perhaps you'll order tea and cakes, and we'll all be free."
"Faith," Clara muttered, giving the girl a warning tap.
Faith only shrugged. "She should know where she is. Dreaming won't save her."
Sedora's heart pounded. The nightshade, Maria's betrayal, the rough hands dragging her away—all of it replayed in her mind like a nightmare she could not wake from.
A rider approached, his horse snorting clouds into the cool desert air. He tugged the reins, and the wagons ground to a halt.
"The princess is awake," he sneered, his eyes raking over her.
Sedora's hope surged. "You know me? Please! Take me back to Ora. My father will reward you—anything you ask!"
The man chuckled darkly. "Oh, princess. We've already been paid. And your father would see us executed. So keep quiet."
"I'll give you more! Gold, land—"
His laughter grew harsher until tears streaked his face. "Such arrogance. One more word, and I'll silence you myself. Perhaps with a cork. Or something… larger." His men chuckled obscenely.
Revulsion washed over Sedora. Her stomach churned. Clara grasped her trembling hand. "Don't speak. These men are monsters. You'll only make it worse."
The rider leaned close, his stare hungry. "From now until we reach the Vampire Realm, I am your king. You will call me my lord. Understood?"
The girls whispered in unison, voices broken. "Yes, my lord."
All but Sedora.
Her silence did not go unnoticed. The man's lips curled into a cruel smile.
The wagons rattled forward once more, the night heavy with fear.