I charged through the hallway toward the meeting room, Tristan struggling to keep up. Betrayal burned in my chest. How could she make me do such a thing to those poor people? Put me in harm’s way?

  Bursting through the door, I found Fiora seated with council members and two massive guards. An instant hush swept across the room as every eye turned to me.

  “Princess?” Fiora looked genuinely shocked.

  “What are you doing here?”

  My heart raced. Important vampires stared, their gazes drilling into me. Speaking suddenly felt impossible. But I’m already here. I took deep breaths, willing my voice to steady.

  “I did what you asked,” I said, my voice shakier than I wanted. “I nearly died in the process. Someone tried to attack me. The people were so upset that a huge riot broke out. I was trampled and barely escaped.” The words tumbled out.

  “You knew this would happen. And you sent me anyway.”

  “Everyone out!” Fiora’s glare sent her subjects scurrying. As the door shut, I stood frozen. She rose from her chair, moving toward me with flared nostrils and cornered eyebrows. “Are you trying to insinuate that I set you up?”

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  “I’m saying you knew the risks and made me do it anyway. They think this was my idea. They hate me now, which I’m sure you wanted.”

  Her amused scoff cut through me. “You are to be queen someday. You’ll make tough decisions to protect the country.” She pressed forward, forcing me to stumble back. “Question me again, and I’ll snap that pretty little neck of yours before you finish speaking. Are we clear?”

  Terror gripped me. But something inside me burned. Rage. Defiance. I wanted to scream. To challenge her. To demand why innocent people must suffer. The words bubbled up in my throat—a storm of rebellion desperate to break free. But one look in her eyes silenced me. This was her expectation of me. Not a leader. Not a compassionate ruler. But a puppet. Someone who would carry out her brutal orders without question. Someone who would learn to be cold, calculated, willing to sacrifice entire communities for some greater “protection.”

  “Y-yes,” I whispered instead, the fight dying in my throat. Her smile was victory itself. I’ll have to live with this monster and hope not to upset her.

  “Now leave!” I fled, relief washing over me. I’d cheated death again. But the truth remained, sending electrical chills through my body. I’ll have to live with this monster and hope not to upset her.

  Just as I reached my floor, a heart-wrenching scream echoed through the corridor. In the distance, two soldiers dragged Fay by her arms.

  “What is the meaning of this?” she demanded.

  “Where are you taking me? I’ve done nothing wrong!”

  Mixed blood. Oh, Fay.

  For a moment, I considered intervening. But Fiora’s threat rang in my ears. Whose to say she won’t follow through if I get involved? The ruthless edict echoed—all mixed bloods cast away to Ghostun. Even innocent Fay.

  Fay’s terrified cries grew louder as the soldiers dragged her. When our eyes met, I saw pure terror. Desperation. But I stood motionless, a sullen gaze my only response. I wish there was something I could do. The soldiers bowed as they passed me, one carrying Fay down the stairs. Her screams eventually faded into silence.