Chapter 36: Shadows in the Throne Room
In the Queen's Chambers, the air was thick with ancient perfume and silent tension. Queen Nyara sat gracefully on a velvet chair, a porcelain cup of dark tea held between her pale fingers. Her gaze, sharp and unblinking, seemed to pierce through the walls themselves. Her lips curled into a slow smile, revealing the edges of her glistening fangs.
"Do you sense it, Ezryn?" she asked, her voice calm but chilling. "The witch's blood that clings to her like smoke?"
Prince Ezryn, seated across from her in silent thought, raised his eyes. "Of course, Mother," he said slowly. "There's more to her than what meets the eye. I can feel it — something ancient."
Nyara's eyes gleamed. "I think the High Council must hear of this. The witches and vampires have never shared ground — not without blood. What Damier sees in her, I do not understand."
"That's exactly what we must uncover," Ezryn said, his voice tightening. "Damiar is merciless. He cares for no one — he's a devil dressed as a man. If this Ravena has caught his eye… she must be more dangerous than she appears."
The queen nodded thoughtfully. "The Kingdom of Peace and Light, harboring a witch… I wonder if they even know the truth."
Ezryn narrowed his eyes. "She was known as cursed. An outcast. A child touched by darkness itself — they may have called her a knight, but they raised a storm under their roof."
Nyara chuckled darkly. "And the High Elders… oh, they will not like this. They will never allow a witch to become queen."
Ezryn leaned forward, tense. "Are you suggesting… marriage?"
A wicked glint lit her eyes. "What better way to test Prince Damiar's loyalty to her? Let the High Elders decide. Let them see who she truly is. If Ravena is truly the one he favors, he will be forced to act."
"Mother," Ezryn hissed, "he would never agree to marry her — he barely tolerates the court."
Nyara raised a brow. "That's where you're wrong, my son. He may not bow to kings, but he would not dare dishonor the Elders. They are greedy and power-hungry, yes — but they hold sway over succession. And they want him as king."
Ezryn scoffed. "He doesn't even respect them."
Nyara's smile deepened. "Exactly. That's why we must push. Force him to reveal his weakness. If he truly cares for the girl… he'll protect her. And that… will cost him."
Ezryn looked uncertain, but intrigued. "He let her into the army. That alone is madness."
"Not just the army," Nyara said with a quiet laugh. "The Knights of Death. The bloodline knights. No one outside the vampire bloodline has ever stood among them. And yet…" She leaned back, savoring her tea. "He even placed secret guards around her — loyal only to him."
Ezryn stared, stunned. "He doesn't trust us with her."
"He doesn't trust anyone," Nyara said darkly. "And that makes her very dangerous."
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Elsewhere, in the Eastern Wing…
Solana sat in her room, staring out the tall window draped with crimson silk. Her mother, Queen Elira, paced behind her in quiet frustration.
"Mother," Solana said softly, "how long are we supposed to stay here? Treated like ornaments, with no say, no respect — as if we weren't royalty ourselves."
Queen Elira turned, her golden gown swaying. "I don't understand the meaning of this hospitality," she muttered. "They let us stay in the palace, but we're treated like shadows."
She walked over and gently touched her daughter's cheek, her voice softening. "It will be all right, my beautiful one. We must be patient."
Solana sighed. "I am a princess. Not some Lady with no title, no power. I refuse to fade into the background."
Just then, a knock echoed through the room. Queen Elira stiffened.
"Who is it?" she called out.
A voice replied from behind the door, "I bring a message for the Princess."
Solana's eyes flickered with curiosity as her mother exchanged a cautious glance with her. "Come in," the queen said carefully.
The door opened and a man in a dark tunic stepped in, bowing respectfully. "My lady, Lord Maevor requests an audience with Princess Solana."
"Maevor?" Queen Elira asked sharply. "And why would he want to see my daughter?"
The messenger looked up. "My Queen… he has returned, and he requests her presence immediately."
Solana's eyes lit up. "He's back?"
"Yes, Princess."
Before her mother could say another word, Solana stood. "I must go. Mother, I will return soon."
Queen Elira stepped in her path. "Where are you going, Solana? You don't even know if it's truly him."
Solana placed a gentle hand on her mother's arm. "It's fine, Mother. Maevor has always been kind to me. He protected us once, remember?"
The queen frowned. "I don't trust anyone here .. not even old allies. There's something wrong in this palace."
"I'll be careful," Solana said, already reaching for her cloak. "I promise."
Queen Elira stared as her daughter walked out of the room, her heart heavy. She sat back down slowly, her hands folded tightly in her lap.
"I have a bad feeling about this place," she whispered to herself.