CHAPTER FIVE
1196 Words
Queen Nikita's POV
"Not right now," I muttered to myself as I walked through the palace halls.
"Sorry, my Queen," one of my helpers said, bowing slightly. "But you'll need to start preparing for tonight."
"Tonight?" I asked, confused.
Then it hit me.
"Oh, shit." I sighed, running a hand through my hair. I had almost forgotten—I was supposed to have dinner with my family tonight. Not just my family, but the members of my council as well, the vampires I considered family.
"Yes, my Queen," she said, watching me expectantly.
"Right, I'm going. Thank you." I turned to leave, but she spoke again.
"What about your visitor? Should we get her ready for dinner?"
I hesitated, my mind racing. Ziaani wasn’t ready for this. She didn’t know the truth yet, and she couldn’t find out—not now. If the council started asking questions, things could get complicated.
After a moment, I nodded. "Yes, get her ready. Make sure she looks presentable."
"Yes, my Queen," she replied, bowing before heading toward the garden.
Once I reached my chambers, I sank onto my bed, rubbing my temples. How was I going to introduce Ziaani as the chosen one? As my mate?
A feeling I hadn't experienced in a long time crept into my chest—worry.
This dinner needed to go perfectly, but she wasn’t ready. And if they told her the truth or started questioning her, everything could fall apart.
"f**k," I muttered under my breath.
I needed a plan. Fast.
---
Ziaani's POV
What is happening?
I just want to go home.
My dad must be worried sick. Even if I do go home, he'll be disappointed I missed my last track race. Wait… was it last Friday? Or is it this Friday?
I had no idea how long I’d been here. Everything about this place was confusing.
Still lost in thought, I barely noticed someone approaching me.
"Sorry to disturb you, Luna, but I’m here to help you get ready for tonight."
I blinked at her. "Luna?" I repeated, confused.
She didn’t respond—just looked at me like I was the one saying something weird.
"Wait… tonight? What’s happening tonight?" My chest tightened with unease.
"The dinner. Our Queen didn’t tell you about it?" she asked, still looking at me like I was supposed to know.
"She definitely didn’t," I mumbled.
"Is there anything I can explain? Since you're confused—"
"How did you—" I started, but then it clicked. "Oh, right. Vampire hearing."
I exhaled sharply. "Okay, so what exactly is happening tonight? Why do I have to get ready? Isn't it just going to be me and the Queen?"
"No, Luna. The council is coming to celebrate your arrival. Everyone is eager to meet you… you being the chos—"
"Shouldn't you be in the kitchen?" the Queen’s voice suddenly cut through the air, making the girl flinch.
She bowed immediately. "Yes, my Queen." Then, without another word, she scurried off.
I turned toward Queen Nikita as she walked up and sat beside me.
"I'm sure you're confused about the dinner," she said.
I scoffed, not looking at her. "That's not the only thing I'm confused about."
Silence settled between us.
And for once, she didn’t have a response.
As we sat in silence, I finally broke it.
“What’s the dinner about tonight? I can tell it’s something big.”
“It’s nothing,” the queen said. “Just some family and my council members coming over for dinner to discuss the next course of action.”
“Nothing?” I asked, confused.
“Yes, its nothing just on —what the next steps should be.”
“Aren’t you the queen? Shouldn’t you be making the decisions?”
She sighed. “You have a lot to learn about being queen. It’s not just about making decisions. Yes, I am the one they take orders from, but those decisions must go through my council members first.”
I frowned. “Then what’s the point of being queen if you have to ask for permission to rule your own kingdom?”
“It’s not asking for permission,” she corrected. “It’s about making sure I make the right decisions. The council helps me finalize my choices and the plans for the kingdom.”
I still didn’t get it. “If you’re the queen, shouldn’t everything you say go?” I challenged, looking her in the eyes.
“Yes, but a queen can’t just make dramatic decisions on a whim. The council ensures the best path is taken.”
“So... it’s boring being queen,” I muttered.
She shook her head. “No, it’s more complicated than that.”
“Oh, come on,” I scoffed. “You just sit there, make decisions, and—oh yeah—kidnap people while you’re at it.” I looked away, feeling a surge of irritation.
The queen’s voice was firm but calm. “It’s not as easy as you think, Zianni. You wouldn’t understand… but hopefully, you will one day.”
“Let’s hope it’s soon,” I said sarcastically.
“Why?” I asked. “Why do I need to understand? I’m not a queen.”
She hesitated, stopping herself from saying something. Instead, she simply said, “You’ll understand one day. Now, get ready for tonight.” Her tone had turned cold.
“Wait, what?” I asked, my stomach twisting with unease. “Why do I need to get ready? I’ll just be sitting in the room the entire time. It’s not like I’ll be having dinner with you guys… right?”
The queen looked at me, her expression unreadable. “Relax. I just want you to meet some people, that’s all.”
“You mean vampires,” I corrected.
“What’s the difference?” she asked.
I gave her a pointed look. “Vampires are blood-sucking monsters. People are humans—with compassion. And we don’t kill for fun.”
“For fun?” she repeated, raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah. I’ve read all about vampires. I know what you guys are like.”
“You need to stop reading lies,” she said, shaking her head. “Are humans always this gullible?”
“No, we’re just not monsters,” I shot back, looking away.
“Monsters?” she murmured, reaching out and gently turning my face back toward her.
Her gaze locked onto mine, and for some reason, it sent a strange feeling twisting in my stomach—one I didn’t understand and definitely didn’t like.
She cupped my face, her voice softer now. “I know you’re worried. Just know that nothing will hurt you… or anyone else, for that matter.”
Then, she stood up and held out her hand. I hesitated for a second before grabbing it, letting her pull me up as we walked through the palace.
After a moment, she turned to me and said, “Don’t forget—you’re a Luna.”
Before I could ask what that meant, she vanished in a flash, leaving me confused.
Luna? What did that even mean?
- Writer
