Chapter 37
Kira woke to the soft knock on the bedroom door. Sunlight poured through the tall windows in pale gold ribbons, warming the white sheets tangled around her legs. She rubbed her eyes and sat up, still half-lost in the strange, heavy dream where she had been running through endless corridors while someone watched from the shadows without moving.
“Come in,” she called.
Two maids entered, carrying a garment bag.
“Good morning, Your Highness,” they greeted in unison.
“Good morning,” Kira replied in a still groggy voice, noting Mara’s absence. “What about Mara p>
“She is not feeling well,” one of the maids replied.
“Oh, is it pretty serious p>
“Nothing serious,” replied the maid. “It’s that time of the month p>
Kira relaxed and smiled a little. “Does she have a remedy for relief?” The maids nodded. Kira made a mental note to check up on her personal maid after freshening up.
“Miss Ruby selected your attire for the ceremony,” the other maid said.
Kira swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood. The maids unzipped the bag carefully. Inside hung a bright, Barbie-pink tulle gown with puffy sleeves and shimmering sequins. It looked like something a toddler would wear to a birthday party, not a Queen to an ancient, Lycan ceremony.
Kira stared at it in disbelief. “You’re joking p>
The maids’ cheeks turned pink. “I’m afraid not, Your Highness,” the second maid whispered.
“I’m not wearing that,” Kira said firmly. “Go back and find something else. Anything else. A simple white gown, a dark blue silk, anything but… this p>
The maids looked at each other, trembling. “We are so sorry, Your Highness, but this is the only option available. Miss Ruby was very specific p>
Kira clenched her fists. She could picture Ruby’s satisfied little smile when she picked it out. The dress screamed “look at me” in the most embarrassing way possible. She wanted to scream at the girls, but their nervous eyes stopped her. They were only doing their job.
“What time is the ceremony?” she asked.
The girls exchanged looks. “We’re not aware, Your Highness,” the first girl said.
“Fine,” Kira said quietly. “Thank you. Leave it on the chair.” She picked up her phone from the nightstand. Two unread messages waited on the screen.
The first was from Ruby, short and formal: ’Your Highness, the Queen’s Blessing Ceremony begins at 4:00 p.m. sharp. The car will collect you at 3:30. Please be ready p>
Kira rolled her eyes. “I’ll just get something else for myself before the ceremony then,” she muttered. “You may leave.” Kira waved them away.
The maids bobbed another curtsy and slipped out.
The second message was from her best friend, Jessica. Kira’s breath hitched as she read it: ’Kira pls come to campus ASAP. I’m in trouble. Meet me at the old fountain near the library. Hurry p>
Kira’s heart began to hammer against her ribs. Jessica never sent messages like that. Never. She was the only person who truly cared for her without a contract or a title involved.
“Your Highness?” a maid said, stepping back into the room with a tray, startling Kira. She looked up.
“You look pale, and it’s normal for the first day of the ceremony for the queen. I’ve brought you some calming herbal tea. It’s a special blend for the nerves. It has worked through the years p>
Kira took the cup gratefully, the warmth seeping into her palms. She was going out of her mind about Jessica—what kind of trouble? Something dangerous? The tea smelled soothing, floral and sweet. She gulped it down in three swallows, feeling the heat spread through her chest like a small comfort. “Thank you,” she murmured.
The maid smiled softly and left.
Kira rushed into the bathroom, splashed cold water on her face, and threw on a simple grey tee and black leggings. She didn’t care about looking like a Queen right now. She cared about Jessica.
She ran out into the hallway, looking for Connor. He was usually outside her door to escort her. But the hallway was empty.
“Where is Connor?” she asked a passing guard.
“I haven’t seen him this morning, Your Highness,” the guard replied stiffly.
“And the King p>
“His Grace left an hour ago for a meeting with the Council of Elders p>
Kira bit her lip, wondering how she would leave the palace without Connor. Derek wouldn’t let that happen and given the impending ceremony, he might not want her leaving the palace at all because he wouldn’t give a damn about her best friend. But she couldn’t wait. If Jessica was in danger, every minute counted. She couldn’t call a palace driver; they would report her to Derek immediately. Instead, she opted to go on her own.
She ran through the side gates, avoiding the main security. A quick walk to the outer gate, a short jog to the main road, and she flagged down a passing cab.
The drive felt like it took hours. As the car sped away from the palace, Kira felt a strange, nagging sensation in her chest. She reached into her bag to check for a follow-up text from Jessica, or call her at least, only for her blood to run cold.
Her phone wasn’t there.
She frowned, wondering if she had left it on the nightstand. A cold sweat broke out on her neck. She had been so panicked, she must have left it, although she was confused if she had shoved it into her handbag after drinking the tea or not.
“Dammit, Kira,” she whispered to herself.
When the cab finally pulled up near the campus entrance, Kira paid in cash, thanked the driver, and ran toward the old fountain. The place was quiet. Mid-morning classes had already started. A few students sat on benches with books, but no sign of Jessica.
Kira turned in a slow circle, scanning every path, every bench. Nothing. Her heart started to race harder.
“Jessica!” she called out, her voice echoing off the open space. “Jessica, where are you p>
She checked the library entrance, the cafeteria, and the benches near the fountain. No Jessica. Her panic began to transform into a strange, hollow confusion. She spotted the old red phone booth near the library steps. Luckily, she knew Jessica’s number by heart. With trembling fingers, she put in some coins and dialed.
The phone rang twice before Jessica picked up.
“Hello?” Jessica’s voice sounded perfectly normal. There was the faint sound of music and laughter in the background.
“Jess, it’s me. Oh my goddess, are you okay?” Kira gasped, gripping the phone cord so hard her knuckles turned white.
“Kira? Is that you? Yeah, I’m fine. Why are you shouting p>
Kira froze. “The text, Jessica. You said you were in trouble. You told me to come to campus, meet you at the fountain p>
There was a pause on the other end. “What text? K, I haven’t texted you today. The last time we spoke was yesterday about the fundraising event we’re planning for next month. I’m literally at some funfair right now having a muffin p>
Kira’s stomach did a slow, sickening roll. It wasn’t just nerves anymore. “You didn’t send a text?” Kira whispered.
“No. Are you okay? You sound weird p>
Kira didn’t answer. A sudden, sharp cramp twisted her intestines. It felt like a hot iron was being pressed into her gut. Her head began to swim, and the morning sun suddenly felt blindingly bright, turning the world into a blur of white light.
“K?” Jessica’s voice sounded miles away. “Kira, what’s going on p>
Kira tried to speak, but her throat felt like it was closing up. It was thick, as if she had swallowed cotton. She leaned against the glass of the phone booth, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The booth seemed to tilt.
“Jessica Kira choked out. Her voice was a broken rasp.
“Kira, you’re scaring me! Where are you p>
She forced the words out. “Old… fountain… near the library… booth p>
Her knees buckled. She tried to hold onto the phone, but it slipped from her fingers, dangling by the cord and swinging back and forth.
Jessica’s voice still coming through, tinny and frantic. “Kira? Kira! Answer me p>
A wave of intense nausea hit her, and she gagged, a bitter fluid rising in her throat. The world narrowed to a spinning tunnel. Her stomach heaved again. She tried to stand, but her arms wouldn’t hold her weight. She slumped sideways, shoulder hitting the glass wall, then slid all the way to the floor.
Darkness rushed in from every side, fast and quiet, and swallowed her whole.