Chapter 10: Intrigues and Suspicions

The Darkhaven palace buzzed with activity, though the air was heavy with unspoken tension. Aurora's attempted escape had not gone unnoticed, sparking both irritation and curiosity among the royal family.

Zach sat in his study, Jaiden leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

"Our cousins and Mother are arriving shortly," Jaiden said, his tone calm but edged with concern.

Zach's expression remained neutral. "And?"

Jaiden sighed. "Mother wants an update on the hunter's situation, especially after the escape attempt. Liana will definitely weigh in, and Lucian… well, he'll want to poke around where he doesn't belong."

A rare smile flickered on Zach's face. "Let the boy have his fun. He's harmless."

Jaiden arched a brow. "Maybe to you. But he idolizes you, Zach. Be cautious about what you let him see. He mimics everything you do."

Zach's smile faded as he leaned back in his chair. "What I do, Jaiden, is handle our affairs. The hunter stays because she holds answers. Killing her gains us nothing."

Jaiden frowned but nodded. "Just make sure this doesn't backfire. You're balancing a thin line."

The grand doors of the throne room opened, revealing Queen Seraphina Darkhaven. Her regal demeanor radiated authority, her silver-streaked hair and piercing eyes commanding respect. Walking beside her was Liana, her composed but sharp-eyed niece, and trailing slightly behind was Lucian, her spirited young son.

Zach stood to greet them, his crimson eyes steady as they entered. "Mother. Liana. Lucian."

The queen offered a curt nod. "Zachary. I trust you've dealt with the fallout from the hunter's escape attempt?"

Zach inclined his head. "It's under control."

"Under control?" Liana interjected, her tone sharp. "A human hunter breached your guards and nearly escaped. If she had succeeded, the entire palace could have been exposed."

"She didn't succeed," Zach replied evenly, his gaze unwavering.

Lucian, wide-eyed and curious, stepped forward. "Did she really try to escape? How? Did she fight the guards?"

Jaiden chuckled, ruffling the boy's hair. "You've got too much imagination for your own good, Lucian."

"But she's a hunter!" Lucian insisted, looking up at Zach. "Isn't she dangerous?"

"Enough, Lucian," Liana said firmly, pulling him back beside her. "This isn't a storybook adventure."

Queen Seraphina's sharp gaze returned to Zach. "You're sure keeping her here is wise? The longer she stays, the more of a liability she becomes."

Zach's jaw tightened. "She's more valuable alive. Killing her would gain us nothing."

Liana folded her arms, her expression skeptical. "I hope you're right, cousin. For all our sakes."

Aurora paced the small confines of her cell, her frustration mounting with each passing hour. The failed escape attempt weighed heavily on her mind, but she refused to dwell on it. If anything, it only fueled her determination to try again.

The sound of approaching footsteps made her turn, her eyes narrowing as Kayla appeared once more.

"You again," Aurora muttered, crossing her arms. "Do you ever get tired of loitering around my cage?"

Kayla smirked, though her eyes betrayed her irritation. "I'm here to ensure you don't try anything stupid again, hunter."

"Oh, don't worry," Aurora quipped. "I'm fresh out of stupid ideas. But give me an hour, and I'm sure I'll come up with something new."

Kayla stepped closer, her voice low. "You're lucky Zach spared you. If it weren't for him, you'd have been sucked dry by now."

Aurora rolled her eyes. "Wow, how original. Tell me, do you vampires have a handbook for clichés, or is it just instinctual?"

Kayla's composure slipped momentarily, but she quickly recovered. "You should be grateful."

"Grateful?" Aurora snorted. "You people killed my family. Don't expect me to bow and thank you for throwing me in a cage instead of a grave."

Kayla's eyes flashed with anger, but before she could respond, footsteps echoed down the hall.

"Kayla," Guards voice called, sharp and commanding. "Enough."

Kayla stiffened, glancing over her shoulder at the guard before retreating without another word.

---

Later that evening, Seraphina confronted Zach in his chamber.

"You're too close to this," she said without preamble, closing the door behind her.

Zach looked up from his desk, his expression guarded. "Close to what?"

Seraphina sighed, sitting gracefully on the edge of a nearby chair. "The hunter. She's different, isn't she?"

Zach's gaze flickered, but he said nothing.

"You feel it, don't you?" the queen pressed. "The bond."

"She's human," Zach said finally, his tone clipped. "Humans can't feel the bond."

"But you can," Seraphina countered. "And that means something."

Zach stood, his frustration evident. "It means nothing, Mother. She's a tool, nothing more."

The queen studied him for a long moment before rising. "Be careful, my son. Denying the bond doesn't break it. And if she is your mate, protecting her won't be enough. You'll need to win her trust."

Zach didn't respond, his thoughts a turbulent storm.