Chapter 16: Princess Selene

The chamber fell into stunned silence.

No one moved.

No one even breathed.

The injured scout lowered his head, trembling from exhaustion.

'Repeat exactly what he said,' Derek ordered.

'He said...' the scout whispered, struggling to remain conscious, 'Tell Princess Selene her family has waited twenty-two years for her return.'

Kira stared at the man in disbelief.

'He called me Princess Selene.'

'You're Kira,' Magnus replied firmly.

'That's the name I've always known.'

'Names can be changed,' Derek said quietly.

'Blood cannot.'

Kira looked at him.

'Do you believe them?'

'I believe someone wants you alive.'

'Why?'

'That's what we need to discover.'

The royal physician hurried inside and helped the injured scout onto a stretcher.

'He needs treatment immediately.'

'Save him,' Derek instructed.

'He may remember more once he recovers.'

After the scout was carried away, Magnus spread a large map across the stone table.

'The attacks all happened here,' he said, pointing to the northern forests.

'Every victim reported seeing the same black cloaks bearing the silver crescent crest.'

'The Shadow Blood Clan is gathering,' Derek murmured.

'Not hiding anymore.'

Kira folded her arms.

'If they're searching for me, hiding inside the palace won't stop them.'

'It will keep you alive,' Derek replied.

'For how long?'

Neither man answered.

That evening, Kira stood alone on the palace balcony overlooking the kingdom.

Thousands of lights flickered below like stars scattered across the earth.

Footsteps approached behind her.

She didn't turn around.

'You should be resting,' Derek said.

'I can't sleep.'

'Neither can I.'

For a while they simply stood beside each other.

The silence between them no longer felt uncomfortable.

'When I was little,' Kira said softly, 'my father always looked at me like I didn't belong.'

'I thought it was because I didn't have a wolf.'

'Now I'm beginning to wonder if he knew something.'

Derek rested his hands on the stone railing.

'If he hid the truth, he had a reason.'

'Or he feared it.'

'Would you fear it?' she asked.

He looked at her.

'If you truly are connected to Queen Selene...'

'Then everything this kingdom believes about its past could be a lie.'

Kira lowered her eyes.

'That's a frightening thought.'

'Truth usually is.'

A cold breeze swept across the balcony.

Almost instinctively, Derek removed his heavy cloak and placed it around Kira's shoulders.

She looked up in surprise.

'You'll catch cold,' he said simply.

Kira smiled faintly.

'Thank you.'

It was the first genuine smile Derek had seen from her in days.

He found himself unable to look away.

Before either of them spoke again, a loud bell echoed through the palace.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Magnus ran onto the balcony, breathing hard.

'Your Majesty!'

'Report.'

'Someone has broken into the royal archives.'

'Were they caught?' Derek asked.

'No.'

'But they left something behind.'

'What?'

Magnus handed him an old leather scroll case sealed with black wax.

The seal carried the silver crescent of the Shadow Blood Clan.

Derek broke it open.

Inside was a single parchment.

Across the center, written in dark crimson ink, were only eight words.

'The real heir belongs on the Lycan throne.'