THE MORNING AFTER
826 Words
Chapter Three: The Morning After
The morning after the failed ring, Kai found Nova in the training yard.
She was alone, punching a wooden post. Her knuckles were raw. Each strike was fast, precise, angry. He leaned against the gate and watched.
“You’re still here,” he said.
“We leave at noon.” She didn’t turn around. “Enjoy me while you can.”
“I’m not enjoying anything.”
She spun. Her silver eyes were cold. “Good. Because I hate you.”
“The feeling is mutual.”
She lunged.
Her fist came at his face. He yawned – actually yawned – and sidestepped. She stumbled past him.
“Nice try,” he said.
She growled and came at him again. Punch, punch, kick. He blocked lazily, almost bored. One of her kicks clipped his thigh, but he didn’t even flinch.
“You’re not even trying,” she snapped.
“Should I?” He dodged another punch by leaning back an inch. “You’re not hurting me.”
She swept his legs. He jumped over it and landed behind her.
“Too slow,” he said.
She spun and clawed at his throat. He caught her wrist and held it. She tried to pull free. He held on easily.
“Let go.”
“Make me.”
She punched his chest with her free hand. He didn’t move.
“That tickles,” he said.
She headbutted him.
His nose cracked. Blood ran down his lips. He wiped it with his sleeve, still smiling.
“Okay, that one stung a little.”
She kneed his stomach. He grunted but didn’t let go of her wrist. Instead, he lifted her off the ground with one arm. She dangled there, kicking.
“Put me down!”
“Say please.”
“Never.”
He shrugged and dropped her. She landed on her feet and immediately tried to kick his knee. He stepped back, letting her miss.
“You’re fast,” he said. “But I’m faster. And stronger. And better looking.”
“You’re insufferable.”
“And you’re still here.” He winked. “We leave at noon, remember?”
She glared at him, breathing hard. Then she turned and walked away.
Behind him, Kael appeared. “You let her hit you.”
“I wanted to see if she could.”
“And?”
Kai touched his bloody nose. “She can. But not enough to matter.”
An hour later, the vampires left.
Kai watched from the gate as Nova mounted her horse. She didn’t look back. Neither did he.
Queen Elara gave a short nod to King Theron. The vampire guards formed a column. Then they crossed the Bone Bridge and vanished into the mist.
Kai walked to the great hall. His father sat on the Wolf Throne, alone.
“They're gone,” Kai said.
“I have eyes.”
“You didn't try to stop them.”
“Why would I?” Theron poured wine. “The ring didn't bind. Let them go.”
Kai stood in front of the throne. “Father, I need to ask you about the creature. The one that killed Aunt Sera. Is it true that it's a hybrid?”
Theron’s hand stopped mid‑pour.
“Where did you hear that?” the king asked quietly.
“Old stories. I’ve heard things.” Kai held his father’s gaze. “Just tell me if it's true.”
Theron set down the cup. For a long moment, he said nothing. The fire crackled.
“I am not discussing that,” Theron said.
“Why not?”
“Because I said so.”
Kai clenched his fists. “Aunt Sera died. My mother died. Don't I deserve the truth?”
Theron stood. He was taller, broader, and his face was stone.
“You deserve to live,” he said. “That thing has killed every wolf who went looking for it. It killed Sera, who was stronger than you. It killed a hundred vampires. And you want to go hunt it because of pride?”
“I want to hunt it because it took my family.”
“Your family is here.” Theron pointed at the floor. “Under this throne. Your aunt's heart beats beneath your feet. That is your family. Not some monster.”
Kai opened his mouth.
“Enough,” Theron said. “The topic is ended. Go train. Go eat. Burn another pie. But do not speak of the hybrid again.”
Kai stared at his father. There was fear in those yellow eyes.
“Yes, Father.”
He walked out. In the corridor, Kael leaned against the wall.
“He knows more than he's saying,” Kael said.
“I know.”
“Are you going to find out?”
Kai looked out the window. The mist had swallowed the vampires.
“Yes,” he said. “But not today.”
- Writer
