CHAPTER NO 14
Whispers Beneath the Moonveil
The storm had quieted, but the silence that followed was heavier than thunder. The night seemed to breathe, alive with silver fog that curled through the blackened trees of the Crimson Mountains.
Selene walked beside Nyra, her every step echoing softly in the endless dark. The path twisted like a serpent, moonlight spilling between ancient stones and horned vines. She clutched her cloak close, her pale hair damp against her neck.
The princess walked ahead tall, armored, and cold. Her red eyes glowed faintly, and though she said nothing, Selene could feel her unease.
They had survived the mountain's trials, but the world itself felt different now. The system had vanished. The whispers that once guided Selene had turned silent. Only the wind spoke now, carrying secrets neither could understand.
"Nyra," Selene whispered. "Are we lost?"
The princess didn't answer at first. Her hand hovered near her sword that old habit of control, of strength. But when she finally turned to face her, her tone softened."No. The path leads us to the Moonveil Palace. We are not lost, Selene... only being tested."
Selene's heart trembled at her voice. It wasn't the words it was the way Nyra said her name, like it mattered more than the crown or the curse.
They reached a ridge overlooking the valley. Beneath them spread the Moonveil Lake, shimmering with unnatural light half water, half starlight.
Nyra stopped suddenly, her gaze fixed on the reflection in the water. There was another figure standing behind her in the mirrored world a shadow wearing her face.
"The Mirror Queen," she said quietly. "She's awake."
Before Selene could ask, the ground trembled. Mist rose around them, and the reflection in the lake turned crimson. From the water stepped a woman made of glass and moonfire tall, regal, her face identical to Nyra's, but her eyes were white as bone.
"You've gone too far, my shadow," the figure said, her voice echoing through the valley. "You bring the cursed girl into our realm?"
Nyra drew her sword, fangs bared. "She's not cursed. She's myShe stopped herself, the word burning behind her teeth.
Selene reached forward, her hand trembling. "Please... stop. We're not enemies."
The Mirror Queen smiled, but it wasn't kind. "Oh, my dear mortal, in this world, love is the greatest war."
The ground cracked, and suddenly, they were pulled beneath the lake's surface sinking into a world of reflection and memory.
Selene gasped. Images flashed before her eyes her childhood, the cold night in the box, her father's gentle smile, her mother's hate, the laughter of the school, and the cruel boy who called her cursed.
Each memory cut her deeper than a blade.
She screamed, but no sound came. Only Nyra's hand reached through the darkness, finding hers, pulling her toward the light.
When she opened her eyes, they were standing in a vast hall made of mirrors. Every reflection showed a different version of them happy, broken, strangers, lovers, enemies.
"Is this... the future?" Selene whispered.
Nyra shook her head. "No. It's what could be. The Queen shows us what we fear most."
As they walked, the mirrors began to whisper:"You will betray her.""She will leave you.""You are not real.""You are cursed."
Selene fell to her knees, covering her ears. "Stop! Please, stop!"
Nyra knelt beside her, gripping her shoulders. "Selene, listen to me. They're lies. None of this is real."
"But what if it is?" Selene cried. "What if I am cursed? What if... what if you regret finding me?"
Nyra's gaze softened. She raised her hand and brushed a strand of white hair from Selene's face. "I never regret you. Even if the world burns, even if I fall into shadow I will never regret you."
The mirrors cracked. The whispers shattered. Light spilled through the hall like dawn breaking through centuries of night.
The Mirror Queen's voice echoed one last time:"Then prove it. When the Blood Moon rises again, one of you must die... or the curse will consume you both."
The hall dissolved into mist. They awoke beside the lake, drenched, trembling. The world was quiet again too quiet.
Selene pressed her hand to her chest, feeling the faint warmth where Nyra's fingers had touched her. It wasn't just the curse anymore. Something deeper had begun to stir something alive.
Nyra stood, her cape torn, her eyes dim. "We leave at dawn. The prophecy has changed."
Selene rose beside her, whispering, "Then we'll change it again... together."
And for the first time, the vampire princess smiled not a cruel smile, not a royal one but a fragile, human one.