"It's time," Zara said quietly.
But her voice didn't sound ready. It sounded like she was trying to convince herself as much as Serenya.
She stepped forward and carefully adjusted the last part of Serenya's robe, her hands lingering just a second too long at the clasp. Serenya could feel it—the hesitation, the unspoken worry—but Zara said nothing more. Instead, she turned her face away quickly, as if afraid Serenya might see too much.
Then she led her outside.
The cold air hit Serenya first.
A royal carriage stood waiting in front of the palace, as if it had been there forever, as if it belonged more to the night than to the living world.
Its black body was decorated with silver dragon carvings that caught the firelight and seemed to move when she wasn't looking directly at them. Two black horses stood at the front, unnaturally still, like they were holding their breath.
Levai was already seated on the rider's seat.
When he saw Serenya, his eyes couldn't leave her. They moved over her ceremonial robes to her hair and then her face. She looked like a goddess that just emerged from the heavens.
"You look beautiful, Your highness" he couldn't help but compliment her .
"Thank you, Levai" She flashed a smile. Levai grinned, she remembered my name!!!
Zara stepped forward before Serenya could respond further. Her hands were steadier now, but her eyes weren't. She helped Serenya into the carriage with practiced care, like she was trying not to think about what came after.
"Be careful, milady," she said softly.
Serenya paused, looking back at her.
For a moment, she almost said something else. Something reassuring. Something honest.
Instead, she only said, "I'll be fine."
Zara smiled at that—but it didn't reach her eyes. There was still fear there. Deep, quiet, and stubborn.
The carriage began moving.
Serenya turned toward the window, watching the world shift into motion.
Drums echoed throughout the city as they passed.
Each beat felt like a countdown she couldn't see the end of.
Fires had been lit along the road, creating a trail of flickering light that stretched toward the ancient palace at the heart of Veyr. The flames danced against the stone buildings, casting long shadows that made everything feel older than it should have been.
The entire city seemed to be holding its breath.
People stood along the streets in ceremonial clothing, watching silently as the royal carriage passed. No cheers. No whispers. Just eyes—countless eyes—following her like she was already part of something she didn't understand yet.
Serenya's fingers tightened slightly in her lap. Tightly bracing herself for what's to come
---
The carriage eventually stopped.
The silence outside felt heavier than the ride itself.
Levai climbed down first, then turned and opened the door for her with a formality that felt almost too careful.
Serenya stepped out.
The moment her feet touched the ground, she felt it—the weight of the crowd.
The first thing she noticed was the enormous gathering before the ancient palace.
Nobles.
Guards.
Servants.
All arranged like pieces in a ritual that had been rehearsed for generations.
And at the center of it all stood three elderly men
The first was an old man with long white hair and a stern expression that made the air around him feel colder.
The second had a warmer appearance, offering her a polite smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
The third simply watched her with quiet curiosity, as if she were a problem he was still trying to solve.
Levai leaned closer, his voice low.
"Those are the elders. They are the leaders of Veyr"
Serenya nodded
The three Men stepped forward.
"I am Drago," the second elder said with a slight bow, he looked younger than the rest of them but his presence was too suffocating not to be
"It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Princess."
The other elder smiled faintly.
"I'm Draxen. Welcome to Veyr."
Serenya returned a polite nod, though her chest felt tight.
"Thank you."
Then her eyes moved to the man standing between them.
He didn't smile
He simply looked at her with a stern expression, the way his stare lingered on her made her nervous in a way she couldn't explain. Amongst all three, she could tell that he was the strongest. she had never felt this kind of energy before, not even Zeke or kaelen could compare to the immense power she was sensing from this man
"This is Avalon," Drago said.
"The High Elder."
"Princess Serenya of Ariathen." Avalon finally spoke.
His voice was cold. Not loud, not angry—worse. Controlled. Detached. Like her name meant very little to him.
"Welcome to Veyr."
Serenya felt it immediately—the bitterness underneath the words, sharp enough to notice even if no one else reacted.
Still, she smiled politely.
"Thank you, High Elder."
For a brief moment, something flickered in Avalon's eyes. Was it anger or pity?. She couldn't tell, it moved too fast for her to see.
"I hope you enjoy the ceremony"
Then he turned away as if she was wasting his time
Serenya frowned slightly.
What was his problem?
Before she could dwell on it, the atmosphere shifted.
The crowd went silent all at once.
Every head turned toward the entrance.
The sound of approaching hooves echoed through the courtyard, growing louder with every passing second.
A white carriage emerged from the darkness and came to a slow stop before the palace.
Zeke climbed down from the driver's seat and opened the door.
A pair of polished black boots touched the ground first.
Then Kaelen stepped out.
The courtyard went completely silent.
He wore a ceremonial black and gold coat, the intricate embroidery catching the firelight in sharp, deliberate patterns. It made him look less like a man and more like a figure carved from authority itself.
Kaelen walked toward the throne without saying a word.
He didn't have to.
The moment he stepped into the hall, everyone bowed.
Serenya watched them carefully.
So this was what he was like in front of his people.
There was something different about him here.
He seemed more commanding and untouchable.
Kaelen climbed the steps and took his place on the high throne.
Serenya remained standing, glancing around, wondering what she was supposed to do.
Levai gave her a gentle nudge
"Your place is beside him," he whispered.
Serenya looked at him.
Then at Kaelen.
Of course.
She sighed inwardly before walking toward the throne.
She took her place beside him and slowly lowered herself onto the seat.
For a moment, she kept her eyes forward.
She could feel the weight of everyone watching them.
Then, despite herself, she glanced at Kaelen.
And froze for half a second, she couldn't breathe
He looked...
Handsome.
The black and gold ceremonial coat suited him far too well, emphasizing the sharpness of his features and making him look every bit like the prince of this strange kingdom.
Serenya quickly looked away.
What am I doing?
This was Kaelen.
The same man who had humiliated her only hours ago.
She shouldn't be admiring him.
Especially not now.
She forced her attention back toward the ceremony.
Avalon stepped forward.
In his hands was an ancient ceremonial blade.
Serenya's eyes immediately settled on it.
The blade looked old.Strange markings covered its surface, glowing faintly beneath the flickering firelight.
She frowned.
What kind of ceremony required a blade like that?
Avalon slowly raised it above his head.
The entire hall fell silent.
Serenya's heart began to beat faster.
She didn't know why.
Nothing had even happened yet.
Then Avalon spoke.
"LET THE BLOOD RITE BEGIN!"
The words thundered through the hall.
And for some reason, Serenya felt a chill run down her spine.