Chapter 42 CHAPTER 42

Chapter 42 CHAPTER 42
Sera

I preened underneath their gazes. Viora’s smile grows wider.

“I want to raise a toast, to the new catalyst,” she began, “and the act of fulfilling our destiny.”

Oh God, what was she doing? My hand tightened around Caspian’s but he didn't move, listening to her too.

“Everyone is born with a role already written by fate. Some of us were born to rule, while others to serve. Sera’s presence in our midst today, just proves that,” she said, tilting her head. “if she had been born noble, she might have never discovered her purpose, and the kings would have never found her too. Even those,” she said, her gaze locked directly at me, “with lesser destinies are sometimes important.”

I bit the corner of my mouth. Caspian shifts beside me, his expression grim but no one moves towards her yet.

“While Sera might just be a mere blood servant, let me remind you all,” she chuckled like something was funny, “she is now one of us,” she raised the glass higher, “come join me Sera, have a drink as a formal welcome to joining us.”

I narrowed my eyes on her, hatred bubbling beneath my skin. After attempting to poison me once, she thinks I would accept something from her?

Do not appear timid.

Morgause words echoed in my heart and I sucked in a deep breath. I smiled at her, then removed my hand gently from Caspian. The crowd parted as I approached the platform, climbed it and took the drink from her hand.

Viora’s eyes are scheming, but I don't wait. I raised the glass up, a silent cheer and downed the drink.

“Thank you Lady Viora for that wonderful speech and the drink,” I said, smiling back at her. “a truly beautiful speech, but I couldn't help but disagree with you.”

A dark look crossed her face. “You see,” I turned towards the crowd, “I don't believe that destiny is fixed by some fates, I believe we can shape and make our own destiny.”

The crowd whispered. “People shape their own oaths, and sometimes, where they began is not where they end up,” I continued.

With a small smile, I shifted my gaze back to Viora. “If destiny truly worked the way you say, then everyone is born to serve, since there would always be someone higher up to answer to. The way you, my dear lady, have to answer to your cousin, Lucian.”

The hall burst into laughter.

I tilted my head, pressing on. “I am sure your destiny includes more than looking pretty and obeying orders like a puppet,” I said, locking my eyes with hers. Her face grew redder with every word, tears welling up in them and I smirked.

“But you might be right,” I said, breaking our eye contact. “Some things are actually just meant to happen.”

“Like the fate of the catalysts?” Viora blurted out. The crowd went still immediately. “If that is the case then, you really should be careful Sera,” Viora continued, her voice dripping with mocking concern.

I rolled my eyes. “I wasn't speaking about something so dramatic, Viora,” I dragged her name. “I meant, simpler inevitabilities," I said sweetly. “You know, no matter how grand a night is, we all still need sleep.”

A few chuckles broke the tension. Viora stared at me like she wanted to slam my head against the wall. “Fate can always be rewritten, Lady Viora and with all three kings' protection and my powers, I fully intend to rewrite history.”

With that, I placed the empty glass back in her hand.

A single clap cut the air. I turned and saw Dante, a huge grin on his face, his hands slowly meeting each other. One by one, the rest of the room joined in the applause. I stared at him in shock, even as the rest of the crowd continued clapping.

He knew I was bluffing but he still supported me.

“A toast,” Viora muttered, raising the empty glass up. I paid her no attention, walking down to the ground, wanting to tell him thank you for this. I never expected one of them to actually support me tonight, yet he was in so many ways.

“Everyday, your boldness continues to shock me,” someone said behind me. I turned around, seeing Felix standing, smiling at me.

Felix. Felix had used compulsion on me. I rolled my eyes and spun back, headed back for Dante when suddenly, my oath was blocked.

“I know you are angry,” Felix began, his voice low, “but believe me when I say this, I did it for your own good. You needed to see why no one could be trusted in the castle.”

“Including you?” I spat angrily. A few guests turned to us, but I reduced my voice. “You compelled me so I wouldn't trust you?”

“My words were not getting to you though,” he said. “I couldn't speak about vervain directly to you, and honestly, I wasn't sure it would work on you but surprisingly it did.”

I stared at his face. Remorse and pleadings were etched around it. “Okay,” I relented, “but why didn't you come to me after? At least an explanation?”

“I was busy,” he shrugged.

I rolled my eyes. “Well thank you,” I muttered. “Maybe you would like to dance with me? As a way of rekindling our weird friendship.”

“No thank you,” he laughed. “That display earlier was a clear message to everyone, not just those that would want to hurt you.” He glanced up, staring at something in the crowd.

“What are you…” I turned my head, following his gaze and meeting Lucian’s instead. His eyes are cold, almost hooded yet, even as he stood so far away at the entrance, I was certain he had been watching me all night.

“Felix—”

“Excuse me my lady,” Felix bowed, brushing past me. I stood alone, sighing as I watched my estranged friend join the crowd. Everyone else was dancing while I stood there, alone in the midst of my enemies.

I walked to one of the refreshment tables calmly. All sorts of food were placed carefully in golden bowls on it, the plates stacked neatly for each guest. I turned, looking for each of the kings.

Lucin was still by the entrance. He had his hands folded against his chest, a deep scowl across his face, like he hated the ball he had suggested and insisted on throwing. I scanned the crowd, locating Caspian in the east, talking to someone I couldn't recognize, his back toward me.

Dante was at the southern edge, speaking to Althea. His brows were furrowed down, like whatever he wasn't being told did not please him.

Somehow, even in this ball, the three kings had managed to stay in their separate parts, like they were on some sort of a compass. I wondered if it was part of the curse, but I shook my head, clearing all thoughts.

I turned to the table, facing the food. The Western side was the only place devoid of any king, so I faced there, staring at the big black windows leading to the dark scary night.

Okay Sera.

I shook my hair slightly, releasing it from the frustrating high bun finally for the night, bending slightly to the side as I shook it out, giving myself the chance to slip my hands in-between my breasts and pluck out the small vial I had kept there.

It was time. I picked up a plate slowly, smiling at a couple that passed me. I opened the first bow, standing over it and slowly, I opened the vial.

Now or never.

With my plate as cover, I dropped a small bit of vervain in the food. Frowning like the contents were not satisfactory for me, I moved to the next bowl.

My heart thundered in my ears even as the music grew louder. Vampires flitted past me as I moved one by one, through each bowl of food. I kept my eyes down, my face covered by the little darkness, reminding myself I was doing a good thing.

One of them, one of them might have Elena, and I was certain all of them including the kings had killed innocent people and drank their blood before. My heart cried for Dante, remembering the pain he passed through the last time, the fact he had just recovered from it.

If he was a casualty, so be it.

Finally, just one dish left. I raised the cover up, setting it down when suddenly, I am very aware of a presence by my side.

Shit shit shit. Don't panic, I thought. Don't think. Maybe they didn't see me.

I turned.

A young vampire was standing beside me. He was tall, his gaze bright black hair swept back from his face, amusement in his eyes.

His eyes dropped down, stopping briefly at my chest and then back up. The corner of his lips slowly lifted up, a dark smirk forming on them.

I froze, my throat hot as I realized, I had certainly been caught.