Cara squeezed Elana's hand gently, to wake her as the motorcar slowed to a stop. Elana had dozed off during the journey.
"We're here, Elana," Cara whispered, still aware of the heaviness clinging to her.
Elana had looked utterly crushed back at Azael's castle but he wasn't kidding when he said it was dangerous in his territory.
Cara looked down at the wars she had fought after what she'd witnessed immediately they left Azael's castle.
She wondered if Victor truly understood the hidden horrors within the lands of Lumere.
Once they passed beyond Azael's borders, she'd recognized a familiar part of Lumere.
The last time, the dark carriage and their injured state had distracted her, but now she was certain—Azael's territory had been concealed somewhere within the kingdom's lands all along.
She stepped out with Elana, noting how refined the vehicles were, as was the one Caesar and Zane stepped out of.
Diana exited the front part of the motorcar they were in as well, her arms folded with an unmistakable frown. She looked far from pleased.
The castle gleamed white beneath the high morning sun—nothing like Azael's dark fortress, but similar in structure.
Towers and spires rose gracefully, framed by tall evergreens and soft cherry blossoms.
Petals drifted across the cobblestone courtyard.
Fountains sparkled in the light. Lavender and roses bloomed along the walls.
Cara realized how much she had missed real daylight.
The compound was wide and orderly, polished smooth by centuries of use. A few soldiers in red and white uniforms moved with quiet precision.
Even if it was unnerving how Azael had influenced their decision to come to Sirence.
It didn't seem like a bad place.
The motorcars were clearly newer inventions.
While most people still relied on horses and traditional carriages, automobiles were slowly becoming familiar—especially within military ranks.
Though not always reliable, they were faster than horses. Heavy military trucks existed as well, used to transport troops, but they were always so loud and sluggish.
These cars, however, moved smoothly. Faster and sounded better.
The drivers stepped out in tailored black uniforms and caps, military ranks marked subtly on their right chest pockets. They bowed briefly before returning to the vehicles and driving off.
It now made sense how they had managed to drive through the devastation.
The rulers of the kingdom—Evren and Thorne—were nowhere in sight. Perhaps the sun kept them away.
Two soldiers flanked Diana at once.
"You're obligated by royal order to come with us, Queen Diana," one of them said.
Cara watched the shadow cross Diana's face—her irritation melting into sadness, mirroring Elana's expression.
A reminder that none of this was by choice.
She felt bad for Diana as her life was totally at the mercy of the twins.
Diana offered a weak smile.
"Thank you," she said softly, before allowing herself to be led toward one of the towers.
**
Elana took in the scent of her new environment, though her heart felt unbearably heavy.
The space felt vast—sounds carried further than they had in the forest. Water murmured nearby.
Scents both artificial and natural. Even lavender—once her favorite—made her recoil.
She leaned into Cara's familiar scent, afraid she couldn't survive the ache Azael had placed in her heart if she was left alone.
When Diana's sad "Thank you" had come earlier. Elana wondered why before she gently asked. "What's wrong, Diana?"
"She's a captive, remember." Cara sighed. "This isn't her home."
Elana's heart broke for Diana, pitying the fact that she was at the mercy of two kings that she supposed were like Azael.
She hoped Zane and Caesar were safe.
"Welcome to the kingdom of Sirence," the voice of a man cut through the space—deep, aged, and authoritative.
"Given you are refugees and only one among you is deemed a priority, the males will be relocated to a refugee house within the city where they can stay until they're ready to find their way."
"What?" Cara whispered. Elana's fingers tightened around Cara's hand. The fear of separation curled lower in her stomach as she listened.
"We can't be separated," Zane snapped. His voice came a bit farther from her left. "We escaped together. We only have each other."
"Lady Elana," the man continued. "You are to remain within the castle grounds. Your dependence on sight is enough to keep your female companion by your side. If she chooses to stay."
Elana pressed her forehead to Cara's arm.
"Please," she whispered. "I'll go insane on my own."
Before Cara could speak, Zane burst out. "This is wrong. Humans are not objects!"
"We do not condone rebellion within castle grounds," the man replied calmly.
"It's okay, Cara." Caesar's voice said, closer to where Elana held Cara.
"Don't fucking touch me," Cara whispered fiercely, grabbing tighter at Elana's hand to signal it was Caesar she was referring to.
Were they on bad terms?
Caesar scoffed softly, "As long as the girls are safe, sir. We don't have a problem with the arrangement. But Cara here's my woman and a sister to Zane. I couldn't possibly be away from her for too long.
It'll be a little too unfair.
Perhaps the kings could consider a visit schedule while in our time here."
There was a pause.
"I will submit the issue and give you feedback from his highnesses," the man said at last.
"Will you be staying, Cara?" Zane asked, his voice trembled slightly from anger.
Elana felt bad; if it wasn't for her, he wouldn't be here, trying to protect her from situations that were obviously beyond his control.
Cara didn't respond yet. There was tension in her body—hesitation, conflict—and Elana felt it immediately. Slowly, she forced herself to loosen her grip.
"This is my fault," she said, her voice trembling, "I shouldn't be selfish. It's okay if you leave me here from now on. I'm sorry, Zane.
I'm sorry, Cara.
I'm sorry, Caesar."
Hands closed around hers at once.
"Never, sweet pie." It was Zane. "I promise you'll be free from all of this one day."
"Yes flower," Cara said, reclaiming her other hand. "Till then, I'm not leaving you."
The dam broke.
Elana cried, the sound tearing out of her before she could stop it.
Zane pulled her close, his chest solid beneath her cheek.
His warm embrace steadied her, carrying the faint scent of tobacco, sharp against the familiar scent of Wisteria that resurfaced in her memory.
Azael.
Her sobs deepened.
"Come now, Elana." Cara's hand touched her shoulder.
"My name is Eldric," the older man said more gently. "The castle is not unkind, my lady. Their majesties are fair rulers. You can also explore the city if you want to, only you'll be protected while doing so."
Elana sniffed, lifting her head slightly from Zane's chest.
"It'll be alright," Zane's voice murmured.
Their comfort felt temporary, because deep down Elana knew where her hurt truly came from.
The only man she'd ever chosen had reduced her to a slave.
A title she had run from her entire life, in a desperate bid to be enough to Naina and Israel.
Yet, in the end, she was still a slave.
**
Syrus studied the king's uneasy state upon his throne. Doubt—the downfall of a man. And Victor was heavy with it.
"Is there a problem, my king?" Syrus asked as if clueless about how his report had destabilized Victor.
"Perhaps, we should reconsider the war," Victor said. "Friendship may be extended to the Ancient. At least now, the cast is broken."
Syrus masked his disgust. Soon, he would need no king for his plans, having already partially manipulated the Ancient with his studied incantations.
"My king," Syrus said, "This is no man. It may appear as one, but it is not. I witnessed the devastation he caused. This creature cannot be reasoned with."
"I'm cautiously assessing the risk of confronting a being that controls fire and drinks blood. We don't even know the full extent of what we're going up against." Victor replied.
Syrus was aware, he had observed enough through the rain and chaos.
The cars that sped past the path, guided by the two lesser vampires.
He was closer to one enough but it hadn't sensed him as the Ancient had.
There was obviously a gap, and Syrus sought the greater difference.
Opportunity arose with the familiar white wolf that had tackled the carriage outside the cast that night.
Without the distraction, he could not have tested the unleashing incantation and partially succeeded.
Manipulation would convince the king to deploy troops as bait for the Ancients' unraveling.
"Do not fear the risks, my king," Syrus said smoothly. "I can counter his magic to some degree. Friendship comes at a cost; he is a vampire. He feeds on humans. I had intended to withhold this, but..."
"Speak Syrus!" Victor demanded, tension clear.
Syrus knew how much Victor was holding back on asking about that soldier girl.
"I strongly suspect he's been feeding off those escaped soldiers," Syrus said, feigning sorrow. "I managed to spot one, Cara I believe, looked drained and sickly before she was dragged in. I couldn't get any closer."
Victor's eyes widened. Syrus hid a grin.
"The Ancient is no ally. It's a predator to be bound—or eliminated," Syrus continued.
"I will request additional weapons for our invasion," Victor stated firmly. "I trust your magic will perform its part."
"And even more, my king," Syrus said with a bow. The moment he fully controlled this power, he would start by killing the king.