Whispers Behind the Door

The wind carried his words to her ears, each one striking like a match.

"The throne will not wait for you to grieve for long."

"Insolence," Catherine snapped, pushing back her chair and rising to her feet. Her glare cut through him.

"I should toss your flowers from the window and let the horses feed on them."

His lips curved into a slow smile.

"Hate me if you must, my dear. But I'm afraid those decisions are no longer yours to make."

"What?" She blinked, stunned.

He stood, brushing imaginary dust from his coat.

"The King and I have matters to discuss—for the betterment of Vesteria." He gave a slight bow. "We will meet again, my Princess."

Then he turned and walked out, unbothered.

Catherine's knees weakened. She caught the back of the chair, steadying herself.

Ellory rushed to her side. "Princess, what happened? You look unwell."

"I need my room," Catherine whispered, her gaze fixed on the spot where he had just sat.

"Very well, Princess. I shall escort you."

"No." She turned slowly to Ellory. "I'll find my own way. You tend to other matters."

Ellory hesitated, worry creasing her brow.

"Are you certain? If you're not feeling well, you can tell me. I...."

"I'm fine," Catherine said, forcing a smile. Then she turned and walked out, her steps brisk and tight.

Her heart raced.

What had her father done?

"The devil lurks in the shadows. If we must catch him, we have to follow his pattern."

Catherine stopped cold in the hallway.

No guards stood watch. Strange.

The corridor that held the King's study was always guarded—especially during private meetings.

And with what she'd just heard…

She leaned in closer to the door.

"Hmm. So that's why you sent the invitation to Nharion?" her father asked. "To lure them in?"

"Yes. They don't suspect our true intention," came the reply. "To them, it looks like humans are finally welcoming them into society."

That voice...Lord Edward.

"Vampires do exist," Edward continued. "You saw it at the ball. Even behind their masks—their eyes, their auras... they're different."

"Then how do we make sure they're all destroyed?" King Aleric asked, voice laced with urgency.

"Well, for now, we have to act as though we're reintegrating them into society," said Lord Edward. "Lure them in slowly—it's the only way to reach the majority."

"And what makes you think they'll fall for it?" the King asked.

Lord Edward sounded amused, almost smug. "Because we'll keep our enemies closer."

"And how do you suggest we do that?" King Aleric sighed. "I can't send soldiers into Nharion."

"We won't need to," Edward replied. "We're about to form a truce with Lady Lenore. She sits on the council—but she's the one they truly follow."

A long silence followed.

So long, it stretched through the hallway walls.

Catherine started to step back, thinking the conversation had ended—

But then Lord Edward added, voice lower now:

"It's the only way, My King. Lady Lenore already suspects us. She knows about the hunters. One wrong move, and it's over."

Catherine's heart pounded.

What were they planning to do?

"I heard they once had a king," said the King slowly. "What happened to him?"

"He has been in exile for hundreds of years. No one has heard of him since the last incident. Lady Lenore now rules Nharion. She has led them for many years."

"Hmm," murmured the King. "Very well. Let the hunters take the task. This plan has to go well. It is the only way Vesteria will be saved."

Catherine stepped back.

Seeing Elias had confirmed that these creatures were real. Yes, she began to believe—but each day since then, it became clearer and clearer.

The dreams that kept coming.

Elias's revelation.

The eerie presence she felt.

What was worse, the dreams repeated. The man who held her, and the silver blade in her chest.

Was it the past? Or was it a revelation?

She walked away from the study, but heard their faint whispers.

If they have such a close relation, does this mean her father really plans to marry her to Lord Edward?

"He wouldn't have been so bold if he hadn't received approval."

As horror settled, she thought about what they had discussed.

Nharion?

She had never heard of such a place. If Nharion and its people had existed for hundreds of years, why was she only hearing about it now?

Indeed, she had heard of the creatures—but she hadn't believed until she saw one herself.

She dragged her foot across the marble floor, "Ezra," she whispered.

Now she understood how Ellory and Ezra's father must have felt when he told his tale.

No one would believe mere words—until they saw.

"I want to know what Lord Edward and my father are planning," she whispered, turning down another hallway.

The devil is real, she thought. But she needed to be certain—has the devil come to destroy?

Elias had come to her, but he had not taken her blood.

She had woken with a slight headache, and he had been right next to her.

If she wanted to know more about his people, she would have to ask him. But she didn't know how to reach him; she had never thought of it before.

Ezra could help. He could tell her who those children were.

The kitchen brimmed with the scent of peppered salmon, honey, and eggs. Shrimps sizzled on the stove, and chickens roasted slowly.

Catherine stopped in her tracks, pausing thoughtfully. She was sure Ezra was no longer in the garden, so she approached the kitchen head.

Maiden Lizzy.

"Has Ezra returned from the garden?" she asked.

The elderly maiden blinked in surprise but quickly cleared her throat. "He was sent to the market with one of the cooks to fetch salt."

"Oh." Catherine's gaze fixed on the open doorway leading to the courtyard.

"Is there anything you need, Princess?" Maiden Lizzy asked. Usually, the princess was not meant to be seen in the kitchen.

Catherine waved her off and started toward the door. "No, I'm fine. I just need some fresh air."

Maiden Lizzy bowed, "very well."

"Why cook so much? Do we have many guests today?" Catherine asked, glancing back.

Maiden Lizzy smiled, "It is Queen Aleera's instruction, my Princess."

Catherine nodded, her eyes drifting back to the courtyard. The journey to town was miles away, and when deliveries ran late and the cooks had to go themselves, they usually returned late.

She needed to know now, which was why she had to step out through this back door.

"Princess Catherine." She halted at the familiar voice.

"Oh, thank heavens. I've been looking for you," Ellory hurried inside and grasped her hand. "The King has called for you."

"The King?" Catherine spun toward Ellory. "My father?"

"Yes." Ellory nodded, her chest rising and falling from the run.

"You must prepare to join the family for dinner, with Lord Edward."

"Lord Edward will stay for dinner?"

Ellory laughed nervously, "yes, Your Highness."

Catherine turned to Maiden Lizzy.

"When Ezra returns, tell him I want to see him."

"Very well, my Princess." She turned and walked away with Ellory, and now setting her mind for what to expect in the dining hall.