Zeke walked in front of Serenya, leading her toward her room with a group of maids following closely behind. Serenya had only a thin bedsheet covering her body, thanks to Kaelen. She clutched the fabric tightly around herself as they made their way through the corridor.
She noticed the nobles staring at her as they passed.
Some looked at her with pity.
Others simply laughed.
She couldn't care less about what they had to say.
If she wanted to survive this place, she had already decided she would have to accept whatever came her way with indifference.
Zeke stopped in front of her room door.
He turned around and looked at her, then at the maids.
"Prepare her and teach her what she needs to know about the ceremony."
With that, he turned around and left.
Immediately, the maids rushed into the room with makeup, dresses, jewelry, and everything else they needed to prepare her.
Serenya stepped inside.
She barely had time to sit before one of the maids began pulling the sheet from her body.
Serenya immediately grabbed it.
"What are you doing?"
"You must bathe before the ceremony, Your Highness."
She reluctantly loosened her grip.
Fine.
She was too tired to argue about a bath.
Her eyes moved toward the clothes the other maids were bringing out.
She frowned.
None of them looked like ordinary ceremonial dresses.
They were all black robes embroidered with silver threads.
And every single one carried the same symbol.
A dragon.
Serenya stared at them.
Why dragons?
She had seen the symbol everywhere since arriving in Veyr, but there was something different about seeing it on these robes.
It wasn't decorative.
It felt almost... alive
"Why are there dragons everywhere?"
The maid holding the dress hesitated.
"They represent Veyr."
Serenya's eyes narrowed.
"What exactly is this ceremony about?"
The room went quiet.
Too quiet.
She looked around.
Nobody seemed willing to meet her eyes anymore.
Serenya's suspicion deepened.
What exactly were they hiding?
One of the maids quickly turned toward the bathing room.
"Your Highness, the water is ready."
Serenya stared at them for another moment.
She didn't like this.
Not one bit.
But she had learned something since coming to Veyr.
The more she pushed, the more people shut their mouths.
So she said nothing, instead she turned and walked toward the bathing room.
After the bath, the maids dressed her in the Veyrian ceremonial robe.
They braided one side of her silver hair, leaving the rest loose over her back. Silver ornaments were placed between the braids before they began painting strange markings across her hands and forehead.
Serenya watched them through the mirror.
"What are those?"
"Ancient symbols, Your Highness."
That was all she got.
Of course.
Another question nobody wanted to answer.
The maids finished the last of the markings before stepping away.
Serenya looked at herself in the mirror.
For a moment, she simply stared.
Her silver hair fell over her shoulders, contrasting against the black robe. The silver embroidery shimmered whenever she moved, making the entire thing look strangely beautiful.
She raised one hand.
The dragon markings painted across her skin looked almost alive.
She slowly traced one with her finger.
In Ariathen, they had made her study everything about Veyr before the engagement between her and Kaelen.
Its history and traditions, even their customs and religious practices.
Her father had wanted her prepared for everything.So how had she never heard of this so called blood rite??
Her brows creased
The whole thing sounded devious.
And the fact that nobody was willing to give her any information about it was even more disturbing.
What if she was just walking into a trap?
"You look beautiful, milady."
The voice came from behind her.
Serenya immediately turned around.
When she saw Zara, a smile flashed across her face.
"I'm sure the heavens are jealous," Zara teased.
Serenya rolled her eyes.
"You really think so?"
"Absolutely, Your Highness."
Zara walked closer, looking her over.
"If I were a man, I'd be on my knees already."
Serenya laughed.
"You're ridiculous."
"I'm only telling the truth, milady."
Zara smiled as she walked around her, adjusting the braid that rested over Serenya's shoulder.
For the first time since she had left Kaelen's room, Serenya felt some of the tension leave her body.
Zara was always like this.
Cheerful.
Playful.
Always finding a way to make her smile even when she didn't feel like it.
It was one of the reasons Serenya had grown so attached to her.
Her fingers brushed over the markings on her hands.
"Tell me something, Zara."
"Hmm?"
"What exactly is the Blood Rite?"
Zara's hands stopped.
The smile disappeared from her face.
Serenya frowned.
"Answer me."
"It's nothing, Your Highness. Just an old tradition of Veyr that's been passed down for generations."
She paused.
Serenya watched her carefully.
There was something wrong.
Zara's face had suddenly gone pale.
She was trying so hard to hide it, but Serenya could still see the fear in her eyes.
"Princess "Zara's voice dropped.
"Please don't interfere.....N-no matter what happens."
Serenya's brows drew together.
"Why are you saying that like something terrible is going to happen?"
"I'm just making sure you have an open mind."
Zara forced a small smile.
"Their norms might seem strange, but they're for the good of the kingdom."
Serenya studied her.
For the good of the kingdom....?
Then why did Zara look like she was about to cry?
Her gaze dropped.
Zara's fingers were trembling.
Serenya noticed it immediately, though she said nothing at first. There was something in the way Zara held herself—too controlled, too careful, like if she loosened even a little, she might fall apart.
She was about to ask again when a loud drum echoed through the palace.
Boom.
The sound hit like a pulse through stone and bone.
Both women turned toward the window at the same time.
Another drum followed.
Boom.
This one felt closer. Heavier. Like the city itself was being called to attention.
The sound echoed throughout Veyr, rolling through the streets like an unseen tide.
"It's time," Zara said quietly.