The fall of the crown

Chapter 30: The Fall of the Crown**

The King burst into crazed laughter, the sound echoing through the cold chamber like cracked bells. "You think I haven't prepared myself?" he roared. "Every sword and arrow in this castle drips with silver water!"

Damiar stared at him, eyes sharp and unreadable, inching closer with deadly grace. Azelar tilted his head, smiling faintly. "You've always been a threat to vampires, King. It's tragic—death is the only fitting gift we can offer you."

The King's smile twisted into something cruel. "The only ones dying tonight… are all of you!" He screamed the last word, just as an arrow was loosed, plunging deep into Damiar's chest.

Damiar grunted, his glowing eyes widening with fury. The King laughed triumphantly. "Silver water will kill you slowly. You've lost!"

But Damiar grasped the arrow, ripped it out without flinching, and stepped forward. He reached the King's throat effortlessly, lifting him off the ground with one hand. "You humans are fools," he snarled. Panic surged through the King's eyes. "The… silver water… it's not working," he stammered, trembling.

Azelar chuckled darkly. "You foolish insects. We're far beyond your understanding. And I doubt my prince appreciates being skewered with arrows."

Damiar's grip tightened as the King kicked and gasped for air.

In the corner, the Queen and Princess were bound with ropes, their terrified cries slicing through the room. "Please don't kill him! I'm begging you," the Queen sobbed.

Azelar turned slowly, his face mocking sympathy. "Tears? How touching. I believe you know your husband was famous for slaughtering our kind. You should weep for him—as we did for ours."

"Please," the Princess begged. "We're sorry. Just… let him go."

At that moment, Ravena entered, her presence commanding. Damiar hurled the King against the wall, cracking stone and bone, blood trailing down like spilled wine.

Then the throne shimmered no, not the throne, but the man seated upon it. His silver eyes gleamed in unnatural brilliance. He was handsome in a way that didn't belong in this realm, a specter of elegance and danger. He looked right at me.

"Levi," he said with smooth finality, "Damiar, kill them all."

Shrieks filled the hall. Knights dragged the royal family away. I stepped forward, heart pounding, eyes fixed on the man.

"You can spare them," I whispered.

"Why would I?" he asked, with a wicked smile.

"Please," I said, trembling. "The Queen and Princess. They don't deserve this."

He tilted his head, considering me. "Fine," he said coldly. "Throw them out. Let the world have them."

Then his eyes slid to my neck. "You've failed."

I met his gaze. "No I haven't. You're injured too."

He smirked. "Don't play the game like that, Princess."

Levi bowed. "We'll be leaving now, my lord."

Damiar nodded. "The others will handle what remains."

Before leaving, Damiar handed Levi a small bottle of glowing liquid. "Give this to them. They'll need it."

Levi bowed again. "Thank you, my lord."

As I looked back at the throne, the mysterious man was gone. Vanished like mist.

Night fell, and we arrived at Firecape a hidden enclave steeped in forgotten magic. A royal physician tended to Damiar's wounds. I couldn't stop staring. There, etched into the skin of his back, was a dragon tattoo—swirling, powerful, ancient. He looked like a warrior born from legend.

My face burned as I blushed uncontrollably. *What's wrong with me?*

He turned slowly, catching my gaze. I looked away, embarrassed.

The physician finished, and Damiar slid his shirt on with ease. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

Then it was my turn. As the physician treated my wounds, Damiar watched with quiet intensity. His eyes softened, and he ran a hand through his hair. "You failed again, Princess."

"I haven't," I replied. "It's just… a bruise."

"No," he said, smiling. "I told you not to hurt your pretty skin. Didn't I?"

I looked into his eyes, falling into them like a spell. He moved closer, inch by inch, until the space between us felt charged.

Then he looked up at the sky. Stars spilled across the heavens like scattered jewels.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" he said.

I blinked. "You like the stars?"

He nodded. "They remind me of someone. She loved looking at them."

"She?" I asked.

"She said they gave her peace."

I smiled faintly. "The sky… the stars… nature they give me peace too. A kind no one else can."

His smile deepened. Something inside me ached sweetly.

We both gazed skyward, side by side, silent in wonder.

Damiar had found his way back to her maybe not in time, maybe not wholly but in this stolen moment under the stars, peace touched him through her presence.