Chapter 13: The Woman Who Knew Her Mother

Kira stared at the elderly gardener.

The old woman's silver hair was neatly braided beneath a faded scarf, and despite the wrinkles on her face, her emerald eyes were remarkably clear.

'You knew my mother?' Kira asked.

The woman nodded slowly.

'Long before you were born.'

'Who are you?'

'My name is Martha. I served Queen Selene for nearly twenty years.'

Kira's breath caught.

'That's impossible. Everyone said Queen Selene died years ago.'

'Many people believed that because they were meant to.'

Before Kira could ask another question, Martha glanced around the empty garden.

'Walk with me. There are ears everywhere in this palace.'

The two women followed the stone path beneath the moonlit trees.

After making sure no one was nearby, Martha spoke quietly.

'Queen Selene wasn't weak.'

'She was one of the strongest women this kingdom had ever known.'

'Then why does no one speak about her?'

Martha sighed.

'Because someone erased her from history.'

Kira felt chills spread through her body.

'Why?'

'I don't know the entire truth,' Martha admitted. 'But I remember the night she disappeared.'

'What happened?'

'The palace was surrounded by soldiers. Everyone believed enemies had attacked.'

'But there were no enemies.'

'It was someone from inside.'

Kira's heartbeat quickened.

'Did Queen Selene have a child?'

The old woman looked directly into Kira's eyes.

'Yes.'

Kira froze.

'A baby girl.'

'What happened to her?'

Martha's eyes filled with sadness.

'She vanished that same night.'

'No one ever found her.'

Before Kira could process the revelation, hurried footsteps echoed through the garden.

Magnus appeared between the trees.

'Your Majesty,' he called.

'His Majesty has been looking everywhere for you.'

Martha immediately lowered her head.

'I should return to work.'

She turned to leave.

'Wait,' Kira said.

'Will I see you again?'

The old woman smiled faintly.

'If fate allows it.'

She disappeared into the darkness before Derek arrived.

The Lycan King stopped in front of Kira.

'You shouldn't wander alone after what happened.'

'I wasn't alone.'

'Who was with you?'

Kira glanced toward the path Martha had taken.

It was empty.

'An old gardener,' she answered.

'She said she served Queen Selene.'

Derek frowned.

'Describe her.'

Kira did.

As she spoke, Derek's expression slowly changed.

'That's impossible,' Magnus whispered.

'Why?' Kira asked.

Derek answered quietly.

'Martha died fifteen years ago.'

The words hit Kira like ice.

'No...' she whispered. 'I spoke to her only minutes ago.'

Magnus immediately ordered nearby guards to search the gardens.

They returned fifteen minutes later.

'No one's here, Your Majesty.'

'We searched every path.'

Kira looked around in disbelief.

The bench where she had spoken with Martha was still there.

But resting on it was a single fresh white lily.

Its stem was tied with a tiny silver ribbon.

Derek picked it up slowly.

Wrapped around the ribbon was a note written in elegant handwriting.

'Protect her before the next full moon.'