(Cara's P.O.V)

"What the hell happened here?"

My heart raced as I whipped around. A shiver traveled down my spine at his tone of authority. 

Arion was the one who spoke. His russet hair was mussed up, much like the other two and eyes blazing. Their swords and clothes were drenched in blood and I felt my stomach churn at the sight.

Not because of the blood.

Oh, no. I was happy if anything.

Why couldn't that blood belong to the murderer of my parents? Their leading red eyed vampire?

I took in a breath and as my eyes took in the appearance of the midnight-black haired Prince and the amber-eyed General, I was once more sucked into the disconcerting feeling of belonging.

I felt my throat tighten, feeling the dull throb from my forearm where the bite had healed, leaving a noticeable scar but no more gushing blood.

"Well?" Damien's word was sharp and his eyes on me.

Arion was beside the standing Sera, jaw clenched. And Lucien, with practiced ease, surveyed the room.
I schooled my features into neutrality.

But won't he notice the pool of my blood right under the frame of the bed post and marring the shiny surface? The smell was enough.

I myself could smell the tang of it. The metallic buzz. Let alone all their sharpened senses of smell and Damien's vampire instincts.

Despite those thoughts and a fleeting glance towards Sera who was rolling her eyes as Arion checked her for any injuries, I couldn't help but let my mind wander back to a pair of molten gold eyes, peering at me from the form of a beastly wolf with ebony fur.

"There was a wolf here who tried to attack but you all arrived. He's gone."

Sera convincingly stated, sharing a glance with me. I didn't bother correcting her or questioning her intentions.

It was obvious that they all knew something was amiss yet couldn't see the evidence of the occurrence lying right there.

Must be Sera. She probably concealed and glamoured the room. But I'm thankful for it because I don't think I want to explain myself or my instinct to come here.

Or the strange encounter with the alluring werewolf.

I let my hand wander to my thigh, feeling the comfort of the jeweled dagger once more.

And I questioned myself again on why I didn't use it on Alpha. 

Perhaps the same reason why Lucien managed to sneak up on me and capture me.

Or how I didn't think of harming Damien when he bit me.

Or when Arion jested with me despite being a cunning Fae King.

I felt my head fill with more questions but focused back.

"And you Cara. Are you alright?" Arion'a attention now lingered on me, his deep voice making a tingle run down my spine as his storm-grey eyes raked over me from top to bottom, every inch.

"Yes."

I wondered if the slight waver in my voice was because he was checking me for injuries or something else entirely. Because this sudden heat I was feeling from his gaze shouldn't be possible.

Good thing the angle besides the window was hiding my bad arm. Still, I was convinced that Sera's illusion would be enough concealment. Her power was truly wondrous.

Damien's low growl made Arion blink once and return to stare at my face.

Apparently satisfied that I'm okay.

"Stay here tonight. Both of you." Lucien finally spoke and my eyes met his. My fingers subconsciously travelled to feel the jadeite ring on my hand.

I silently nodded, for once feeling quite overwhelmed.

A moment of undiluted silence passed before Arion took a step towards me and then stopped.

Cocking his head to the side, he let his lips curl upwards slightly as he asked me. "Who was he?"

I blinked, unsure.

He thinks I know? I've named the guy Alpha because I don't!

"We don't know, brother. But we both are tired. Today was exhausting." She put a hand on his shoulder, her lilting voice comforting.

I only give another firm nod in agreement.

Feeling a pair of amber eyes burning into my side, I tried not to visibly shudder.

Damien was still breathing ragged and his grip on his sword tightened. "We will appoint more guards to see to your safety."

"Thank you, Prince Damien." Sera smiled slightly and Damien shrugged, his eyes still electric blue. It seemed he was still angry.

"There's going to be a meeting tomorrow early. Be ready, Fae Royals." Damien's words were almost dismissive but Arion and Sera simply narrowed their eyes at him as he turned on his heel, not sparing anyone another glance.

It was clear they didn't approve of his nonchalance and lack of respect towards them when he addressed them as such.

Lucien sighed, shooting a sharp look to Damien.

Damien gave Sera a pointed look that made her look back defiantly as if to prove a point before he vanished from the room in a speedy blur.

That's when I realized he was really angry. Or something. He was concealing his emotions, going out of his way with the teeth grinding and the sharp jab. Damien was known for his reckless behaviour all over Vammal so it was no surprise when I connected the dots to his behaviour. But to witness the beginning of one of those tempests was somehow like a weight pressing down on my chest.

I swallowed the lump in the back of my throat, glancing back out once more only to see the dark cover of the night and the slight illumination of the moon now hidden behind the clouds.

"This is not over." Lucien looked straight at me and I looked back at him unwaveringly. His amber eyes held me captive and I was suddenly very conscious of his ring on my finger too.

If he had it, he would have seen through the illusion. Again.

Finally, he gave the two Fae a curt nod and with a hand on his sword, a flash of emotion clouding his face, he left as well.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to catch a glimpse of Alpha once more. I wanted to know the reason for his absurd actions. But then again, Queen Kesla and her behavior should have prepared me beforehand.

Arion started to leave as well, a blood splashed hand running through his hair.

"I'll be leaving as well." His smooth voice seemed strained. "I'll be right next door though. Don't worry." He stopped at the door for a second and looked at his sister.

Even I could interpret that look. Much like how Damien had looked at Sera.

With accusation and a promise to have a talk.

I bit the inside of my cheek as a flash of how ruthlessly they could have killed the red-eyed vampire flashed behind my eyes and I resisted the urge to make that happen.

The door closed and Sera turned to me.

"Well. We should sleep. I have a feeling tomorrow will be quite important for you."

I narrowed my eyes. I wanted to ask questions but it didn't seem like she would answer.

That was a true warning though. Yet I didn't feel threatened. But no matter what, I'm not letting my guard down.

With a headache pounding in my head like drumbeats and a tinge of pain in my forearm, I surprisingly succumbed to the pull of sleep sooner rather than later.

•○•

(Arion's P.O.V)

As the room filled, I ran a hand through my russet hair. 

Sera sat besides me and Damien and Lucien took seats opposite to us. I didn't bother looking at them as the last of the Councillors filed in. Queen Kesla sat at one end of the table in the Council room and King Harold the other. 

I had Councillor West and General Mark sit in the meeting as well. It was a necessary move as the King of Valeryn.

"Well. Yesterday's attack was more like a warning if I am correct?" King Harold directed the question to Lucien mostly.

Lucien's cold amber eyes hardened and he gave a curt nod. "Lancelot and his little band of misfits came here for something. I don't know what because they surely left empty handed. But we would be foolish to think any less of the sudden invasion of the Celeran territory despite the number of increased troops at the borders." The last sentence was spoken with an icy look directed towards Minister Gallum who simply looked at the Queen.

"I'd suggest we call in favors from the witches. This would be the best time. Spells and enchantments and defenses in response to their sister race might be helpful." Damien had a point. A diplomatic one. 

Everyone agreed and talked over each other, putting forth their ties with the handful of witches in order to gain courtly favor. But the Vampires and Witches haven't had relationships that can be categorized as civil.

More like Help-me-or-I'll-rip-out-your-throat-and-drain-your-blood from the Vampires side and the response of the Witches like Let-me-free-or-I'll-set-you-on-fire-and-scatter-your-ashes-into-the-holy-angel-river-of-Galantha.

I liked that approach though. I mean I'm just as conniving after all. A Fae is just that way and if you're a King of a Fae Kingdom, you better be ruthless.

The Fae on the other hand, our cunning nature has roped in quite a lot of those witchlings into our debts and lifetimes of servitude. And a Fae debt gone unpaid is almost an invitation for a painful death. Over the course of time, we've called in those debts in order to protect Valeryn. Both Dark and White witches alike whereas the Vampires deal with mostly the Dark Witches.

The King hummed and the meeting proceeded with us all giving different accounts of what happened and different theories over why. Sera wasn't asked to speak. As though no one knew something else had happened to her and Cara in the Royal Guest Wings last night.

"So can we count on you, King Arion?" One of the ministers spoke and I gave him a sharp smile.

"Yes, Minister. If you will return the favor that is."

Queen Kesla spoke in her lilting voice, "Of course. We need this just as much as you. And if our sources are correct, then Killian has already managed to annex Baldra in the North."

I had heard of it as well and as sad as it was, Baldra was a Northern Kingdom that was across the Green Sea and tended not to maintain any ties with the other powerful Kingdoms. Though the main four were undoubtedly Celera, Valeryn, Adalda and what was the former glory of The Land of Lea. Other kingdoms prospered as well.

Gallum nodded, his almost bald head shining under the silvery light of the chandelier high on the ceiling. "Yes, Your Majesty. We need to strengthen our defenses."

The cold Shifter General shot him a nasty look and I raised a slight brow. They never got along but I have a feeling that Lucien is blaming him in some way for what went down.

"It would have been better if the Witchlands had sent a representative. It's too dangerous to let the Kingdom of those run free."

Murmurs of agreement rose and Councillor West added, "And Adalda? What about it? Shouldn't we be joining forces with them as well?"

I sighed slightly and Lucien replied, "The Golden Pack and it's whereabouts still remain a mystery. While Adalda is not without a ruler, I can assure you that meeting with their Alpha King will be quite a herculean ask. Almost impossible."

"He's right. And so until we can secure some treaty with the werewolves, it's best to strengthen the ties we have, Adalda is not a concern for now. I myself have tried to see the Alpha but to no avail. I assure you that when the time comes the Fae will stand besides you in order to put down Killian."

Harold gave me a cold smile, his eyes determined and agreeing.

Sera nudged me, "The meeting is about to finish, are you sure?"

I nodded and stared into my sister's brown irises, "You'll support me, right?" I whispered. 

She gave me a smile that should've looked innocent but only added mystery to what she was hiding from me.

I looked away only to find Damien staring at me with narrowed eyes. I stared back not deigning to give him a reply despite knowing that he had an inkling that I had something he wouldn't like in mind.

The hour long meting folded and the signing of the treaty took place as well. 

"Well, it is a sure step to bring the two forces together. We will need all this if we intend to do even the slightest bit of harm to Killian." My General spoke up and those around the table spoke their affirmations.

"Then I conclude this meeting." The Vampire ruler's voice was strong and his eyes the same electric blue as his son. 

He turned to look at me and my court members. "Thank you for coming. We are glad for the way things have worked out."

"We agree." I gave him the nod of a King and soon the rest started to leave once the King stood up.

Without a word being spoken, even though the others left, Kesla, Damien and Lucien stayed back along with me and Sera.

When the room was empty and Sera put up an illusion ensuring that no words would escape this room, I finally looked at Queen Kesla who gave me an amused look.

I don't like accepting it, but she seemed to already know what I would propose. Ignoring the burning eyes of The Vampire Prince and the Shifter General, I leaned forward on my elbows, my hands steeping in front of my face.

This was a stupid decision. But I can't help it.

"Yes, Arion?" No semblance of honorifics. Kesla's red lips were pulled up in a threatening smirk.

I clenched my jaw. 

"Queen Kesla," I turned to lock eyes with her dark ones, overcome with a strange feeling. "I'd like it if Cara - the girl you appointed as Sera's Handmaiden - would join us in Valeryn."

"You mean leave Celera? She's a slave."

Damien's words were cutting but I paid them no heed. I already knew he and Lucien shared some strange connection with her and it wouldn't be easy.

But I had something with her as well. 

And I'd rather she stay with me than a Palace full of vampires. I can't quite explain the feeling.

I continued looking at Kesla whose smirk only grew. "Exactly. You wouldn't miss a mere human slave girl now, would you, Your Majesty?"

She showed a flash of teeth. "Of course not. She's all yours."

A weight lifted off me but the sharp breath Lucien exhaled in response almost made me think twice.

Almost.

But it was done now. Cara would be coming to Valeryn.

•○•

AN~

So what do you guys think hmm? What about Alpha? Cara's leaving? How will things be from now on? Any thoughts? Please do share!

I hope you enjoyed this long chapter too! And well......we also have crossed another milestone.

The next update will be of the Part II: Whisked Away.

So please do feel free to vote, comment and please please please share! And also vote on any other parts that you haven't! It would mean a lot! :)

Well, stay safe and till next time then!

~Skyler