mperor's

rse riding alongside her. She pulled Penelope to a slow trot

r answer better be good, or I'll be removing your head from your neck," she added with a ven

Nyxoria's fiery gaze swept over him. "My princess," he began carefully, "the king a

dy to fire back an insult, but then paused. As much as it annoyed her to ad

finally said, her tone begrudging. She gave the guard a sidelong glance, her expression still full of warning. "And you better be sure you do know t

shoulders clear as he avoided her direct gaze

ope into motion again. "Because I don't

it. He knew better than to test Nyxoria's temper, especially when she c

p of vampire guards stood watch, their presence immediately intimidating. The leader, a ta

nded, his voice sharp and commanding. His piercing gaze made the gua

s Princess Nyxoria. The High King is my uncle. That's all I'm obligated to tell you. As for what I want or my r

hange. "Then you won't be passing

uard beside her glance nervously at her, then at the vampire. When her laughter

usly," Nyxoria said, her voice low a

as he tried to de-escalate the situation. "Let me handle this. We're here to see

d, his tone icy. "And besides, you two are not fit to enter the Emperor's castle, so no,

dramatic frustration. "So what you're say

re replied, his voice sharp with

o I am," she said softly, her hand brushing against the hilt of her dagger. The tension between them crackled in the ai

pass through the gate without the Emperor's permissio

t to finish

e fluid motion. In an instant, she stood in front of the tall vampi

d slashed through his neck. The blade was so sharp, her movement so fast, that by the ti

fingers was the severed head of the vampire that had been talking to

to the ground with a dull t

if the air around them froze. The other vampires stood frozen, their red eyes wide with shock, their pale faces devoid o

old and commanding as she held t

e and scrambled toward the gate. He moved with such sp

ping close to its body. She didn't bother to destroy the body or head, she knew th

ost playful but carrying an undercurrent of menace,

anying her looked pale, his knuckles white as he grippe

rd gates were open

loomed ahead. It's dark stone walls seemed to absorb the light, and its towering

er confidence unshaken as she

her lips curling into a sly grin. Apologiz

st casual, as if she were merely strolling into a routine encounter. Yet deep down, a small part of her

prepared, for a simple w