Chapter 90

I stood frozen on the threshold of my chamber, unable to move. The anguished cries of Keziah echoed through the corridor as the guards dragged her away. Only when their footsteps faded into the distance did I glance at my clenched fist, my nails pressing into the flesh of my palm, blood gathering beneath my skin. A tremor coursed through my body, but was it the adrenaline, or was it the unsettling realization that I had just committed an unforgivable act for the first time in my life?

Before I could dwell on the chaos within me, a sudden, rhythmic clapping broke my thoughts. I spun around, searching for its source, and there he was—approaching with an unshakable grin plastered across his face. I recognized him instantly from the coronation. He had been standing near the podium, glaring at Selene, his eyes brimming with disdain. And now, he was heading straight toward me, his blue eyes fixed on mine, glowing with an intensity I couldn’t place.

"Bravo!" he exclaimed, his voice thick with mock admiration. "You’ve been in the palace all of one day, and already you've managed to condemn Selene's favorite maid to death. Well done!" He burst into laughter, a sound sharp and brimming with something darker.

I noticed how his jaw tightened at the mention of Selene’s name, confirming what I suspected: he wasn’t exactly fond of the new queen. I studied him more closely. His complexion was pale, but he didn’t strike me as one of those immortals—at least not the type I’d been warned about.

"Who are you?" I asked, narrowing my eyes, cautious.

His laughter died, and a radiant smile took its place. "I’m Varen—or should I say, Prince Varen. A pleasure to meet you, Lady Thalassa."

My lips curled into a sardonic smile. I hadn’t expected that.

"The pleasure is mine, Your Highness," I responded with a mock bow.

He snorted, brushing off my formality with a casual slap on my shoulder. "No need for such nonsense." Without waiting for a response, he entered my room, turning to look at me expectantly.

I hesitated for a moment, curiosity winning out as I followed him in and shut the door behind me.

"So, what brings the Prince to my humble chamber?" I asked, my voice laced with playful curiosity.

"Boredom, curiosity... I needed some entertainment, and you’ve certainly delivered." He glanced around, his eyes twinkling with amusement before he took a seat at the table. "By the way, what did you think of your sister’s little scheme?"

I stiffened at the question, my teeth gritted. "It wasn’t funny," I muttered.

Varen casually picked up a broken shard of the bloodied plate still lying on the table. "No, it wasn’t," he agreed with a nonchalant shrug. "But I figured that this idiotic little bitch would try to assert her superiority in the most pathetic way possible. A foolish plan, poor execution... but I suppose they got what they deserved."

"They?" I asked, sitting beside him.

"My sister and Keziah." His voice turned cold, the mention of Keziah filling him with a venom I didn’t expect. "I’ve always hated that pompous little maid and her absurd belief that she was somehow better just because she had more vampire blood running through her veins. It’s satisfying to know that she’s finally going to die."

I sighed, bracing for the inevitable. "If she’s really trusted by Selene’s maid, she might be spared. The Queen could speak up for her."

Varen laughed bitterly, shaking his head. "You don’t know my sister, do you? She wouldn’t defend anyone, not unless it served her own needs. She’s the most self-centered person I know."

"Clearly," I commented, sarcasm dripping from my words.

"What tipped you off?" His grin was sly as he caught my tone.

I met his gaze, a smile tugging at my lips. In that moment, I couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of camaraderie with him. It wasn’t just his hatred for Selene that intrigued me—there was something else. Something more.

"By the way," he said, breaking the silence, "you’re human, right? So, how did you manage to take down someone as strong as Keziah? I’ve seen her fight, and she took down a well-built mix-breed without breaking a sweat."

I hesitated, uncertain how much to reveal. Telling him I was in the midst of some transformation I barely understood myself didn’t seem wise, especially to someone I barely knew.

"I... was trained by a werewolf from a young age," I said, forcing a casual smile, hoping he would buy it.

He raised an eyebrow, sizing me up. "You? A workout enthusiast?" He chuckled.

"I didn’t exactly train to be a fighter," I said with a wry smile. "Mostly, I was just trying to escape the wolves."

He let out a low chuckle. "So, you ran from wolves only to get caught in a much bigger mess?"

His tone was laced with irony, and I couldn’t help but smirk. "I would’ve taken the mess, had it not been for your precious sister and her insatiable hunger for power."

"Trust me," Varen snorted, "she’s only one of your problems."

The weight of his words sent a chill through me. "What do you mean?"

Leaning closer, his eyes darkened as he spoke with quiet intensity. "Let’s strike a deal. I have access to parts of the palace that my sister would rather keep under wraps. I know more than she’d ever want anyone to, and I can help you gain the support you need—among the semi-nobles, the powerful half-breeds. All the right people."

I narrowed my eyes, suspicion creeping in. "And what’s in it for you?"

He shrugged casually. "When you rise to power, you can protect me. From the assassins, from Selene. I’ll need it."

A spark of realization hit me, and I couldn’t help but ask, "Your sister wants you dead?"

Varen’s laughter was cold, devoid of any humor. "She wanted me dead before I was even born. My mother was human, and she tried to poison her repeatedly. She finally succeeded when my mother was nine months pregnant. I survived, but she didn’t."

My chest tightened as I absorbed his words. Our lives, it seemed, were more alike than I had imagined.

"And your father?" I asked, the question hanging in the air.

"Yes, he knew. He imprisoned her for five years, but he couldn’t punish her the way she deserved. He loved her too much. After her release, I was under his protection, so she couldn’t touch me. Until now..." The bitterness in his smile said it all.

His words resonated with me in a way I hadn’t expected. I hated being dependent on Hadrian, always waiting for him to rescue me. Varen’s offer felt like a lifeline—support from others could elevate my standing, protect me, give me power. One ally wasn’t enough, not when my position was so fragile.

I met his gaze, the corner of my mouth curving into a calculated smile. "Alright. Let’s make an alliance."