Chapter 0013

It wasn't difficult for Visenya to figure out where they were headed; her heart jumped into her throat as they approached the Lycan Kingdom. As Lucian made his descent, Visenya tried to make out the dark figures down below who also seemed to be heading there.

The figures became clearer as they neared the ground, and that was when horror gripped her very soul. It was a multitude of vampires swarming towards the Kingdom gates, led by none other than Lazarus, the Vampire King.

"Lucian, please... don't do this!" Visenya begged.

Lucian crashed into the gates, minimizing them to scrap metal and debris. Visenya's guards retreated, fully aware that there was no containing the deadly dragon. Lucian approached the palace, gliding just above the ground. He materialized into his natural form mid-air, causing Visenya to tumble for a couple of feet, scraping her knees and elbows in the process.

Lucian walked right up and plucked her from the ground, hauling her towards the entrance of her palace. The guards at the doors looked frightened and confused, not knowing what move to take. They were not only facing a formidable Dragon Lord but one who held their Queen captive.

"Well, aren't you going to lay out the red carpet and give me a proper welcome?" Lucian taunted.

The guards trembled in fear, uncertain of how to respond.

"Open the doors," Visenya ordered.

Reluctantly, the guards obeyed and swung open the grand palace doors. Lucian seized hold of the short chain on Visenya's collar, parading her inside like some prized pet. A defensive line of guards stood near the entrance with Caspian at its forefront. He looked at Lucian with pure hatred, and Lucian returned the same despising stare.

Lucian decided he would have a little fun by taunting Caspian. He tugged Visenya closer to his side by the chain of her collar, causing her to yelp in pain as the spikes dug into her flesh. "Kneel to your master, dog," he commanded her, not once breaking eye contact with Caspian.

Visenya complied immediately and fell to her knees, bowing her head at Lucian's feet. Caspian's eyes grew even darker as he shook with rage, wanting nothing more than to kill Lucian where he stood. Lucian only shot him a sinister-looking smirk as he reveled in his own sick glory.

"Let her go, Lucian! This is madness!" Caspian protested.

"Where is she?!" Lucian roared.

"Where is who?" Caspian replied.

"Queen Sarai!" Lucian exclaimed.

Visenya's head shot up at the mention of her mother's name. "Lucian, please... leave my mother out of this..."

"You be silent!" Lucian barked.

"I'm here," Sarai revealed, stepping out into plain sight.

Lucian's fury ignited at the mere sight of Sarai. He glared at her with eyes ablaze and marched straight towards her. With a vice-like grip, he seized her throat so tight that her neck was on the verge of snapping.

"Lucian!" Visenya's voice echoed in a desperate plea. "Please, don't hurt her!"

"Were you in on it?!" Lucian's voice thundered with a volatile mix of rage and anguish. "Did you know that your mate was planning to kill everyone that ever mattered to me?!"

Sarai gasped desperately, struggling for even a single breath. "If... if I confess... will you... release my daughter?"

Lucian's piercing gaze locked onto Sarai's, and it was clear that she would say anything to protect Visenya.

He drew her closer until their faces were mere inches apart. "Why do I have a feeling that you already know the answer?"

Tears streamed down Sarai's face as she comprehended his insinuation. "Please... she is too pure-hearted… to endure your cruelty."

"Let my mommy go!" Synora's voice echoed through the room.

Lucian released his grip on Sarai, causing her to crash to the ground as she desperately gasped for air. Synora, her eyes filled with tears and trauma, rushed to Sarai's side, wrapping her arms protectively around her.

"I told you to stay in the bunker," Sarai rasped, her words barely escaping her throat.

Just as the tension in the room reached its peak, Lazarus made his grand entrance, capturing everyone's attention. His applause filled the air as if he had just witnessed the most awe-inspiring performance imaginable. "How very moving," he mocked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

He stood over a kneeling Visenya, their gazes locked in a fierce scowl. "Did I hear that correctly? The part about Visenya being too pure-hearted?" Lazarus scoffed. "Was she too pure-hearted when she invaded my kingdom and mercilessly killed hundreds of my people? Was she too pure-hearted when she condemned us all to a slow and agonizing death? If you ask me, she deserves every ounce of what's coming to her. I hope she pleads for death when the Dragon Lord is through with her!"

"We tried to find a compromise with you, Lazarus! But you rejected any notion of it... You brought this invasion upon yourself and your people!" Caspian interjected.

Lazarus sneered at Caspian, and in the blink of an eye, he sped over to him, effortlessly lifting Caspian by the throat. However, due to his weakened and malnourished state, Lazarus proved to be no match for Caspian.