Worlds Collide

In Visenya’s lavishly decorated chambers, anticipation lingered like a whispered secret as she readied herself for the grand royal banquet. Before an ornate gilded mirror, her gaze alighted upon the reflection in the resplendent burgundy gown that adorned her figure. The deep, rich hue seamlessly melded with her olive skin, enhancing the natural radiance that seemed to emanate from her.

The dress, a masterpiece of craftsmanship, clung to Visenya’s form with exquisite precision. The bodice, an intricate dance of golden-threaded embroidery, played with the soft lighting of the room in patterns that seemed to breathe life into the fabric.

She had decided to wear her hair down, allowing the curls to freely drape and fall gracefully to her waist. To add a touch of sophistication, she adorned the sides of her hair with delicate diamond hairpins. The sparkling gems, carefully placed along the sides of her hair, caught the light and added a subtle shimmer to her tresses, enhancing her radiant presence.

As Visenya admired her reflection, a flicker of uncertainty clouded her eyes. Her thoughts wandered to a certain someone — someone she knew she probably shouldn’t be thinking about, but she just couldn’t help herself. It came as no surprise that Lucian attracted the attention of many girls; it wasn’t a secret that he often entertained it either. This was something she had long been aware of, but for some reason, it now stirred an unfamiliar emotion within her.

Perhaps it was the memory of that stolen kiss they had shared, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow upon her heart. The fleeting moment had left her with a sense of longing, a lingering feeling that she couldn’t quite shake off. The realization that Lucian’s presence affected her in ways she couldn’t comprehend, both intrigued and troubled her.

Yet, Visenya fought against allowing her mind to wander down the path of possibilities. She knew deep down that their paths were not meant to intertwine, their destinies diverging like two streams flowing in opposite directions. This reality weighed heavily on her heart, evoking a profound sadness that she struggled to understand.

A pang of regret pierced her as she recalled the jealousy she felt when those girls practically threw themselves at him that morning. Her emotions had led her to behave childishly, and she made a personal vow that she would regain control of herself and keep things strictly platonic between her and Lucian.

As she tried to make peace with her conflicting emotions, Visenya’s eyes welled up with unshed tears. She questioned herself, wondering why she couldn’t simply let go of these feelings that she knew could never be fulfilled. In that moment, she reminded herself to focus on the one to whom she was destined to be with—the one that the gods had made especially for her.

The full moon was soon upon her. She would meet her wolf and then be able to seek out her fated mate. Finally, she would be freed from the imprisonment of this long-standing crush of hers. With a determined sigh, Visenya brushed away a stray tear that threatened to escape. She straightened her posture, allowing her royal upbringing to guide her.

Visenya’s attention was captured by a soft knock at the door. Swiftly opening it, she found her mother, Sarai, standing there, eyes sparkling with pride as she took in Visenya’s appearance.

“Wow, you look absolutely gorgeous,” Sarai exclaimed. “That dress suits you perfectly.”

A warm glow spread across Visenya’s cheeks, grateful for her mother’s kind words. “Thank you, Mother. And you look as beautiful as ever.”

Sarai flinched slightly, her hand instinctively moving to her belly.

“Are you alright, Mother?” Visenya inquired, her voice filled with concern.

“It’s just the baby kicking.” Sarai reassured, as she took Visenya’s hand and guided it to her belly, allowing her to feel the gentle movements.

A smile played on Visenya’s lips, “Starting to get restless in there, I see.”

Sarai nodded, her hand resting atop Visenya’s as they both experienced the baby’s kicks together. “Your father and I have been discussing names,” Sarai shared, her voice filled with joy. ‘For a boy, we’ve chosen Cillian. And for a girl, we’ve settled on Synora.”

Visenya’s eyes lit up, a sense of certainty washing over her. “I have a strong feeling it’s a girl. And Synora… it’s a beautiful name. I love it.”

A soft smile graced Sarai’s lips; she gently touched Visenya’s cheek. “Your intuition has always been remarkable. I believe you may be right.”

“Ah, my two radiant beauties,” King Ezra exclaimed. “How fortunate for me to have such stunning women in my life.”

“You look quite dashing, father,” Visenya complimented, her gaze appreciating the regal attire he adorned.

“Dashing indeed,” Sarai concurred, locking eyes with her mate as a mutual hunger flickered between them.

With a gentle tug, King Ezra drew Sarai close, their lips meeting in a kiss that deepened with each passing moment. Visenya, observing the affectionate display, stood by awkwardly, a faint grimace appearing on her face.

“Alright, you two, save it for your own chambers,” Visenya intervened.

“Mmm… You think we have time?” King Ezra teased, accompanied by a sly wink to his amused mate.

“Gross,” Visenya muttered. “You better get down there, father. The vampire king is expected any moment, and you must meet the Emperor in the throne room for mediation first.”

The Lycan King dismissed the notion of mediation with a scoff, his disdain evident. “There is no mediation with that vile creature. They are vermin, devoid of integrity.”

“We have to learn to coexist, Ezra.” Sarai said. “Remember, your conflicts become Visenya’s conflicts.”

A heavy sigh escaped King Ezra, a weary acknowledgment of the duty he owed to the future of his kingdom and its impending Queen. “I haven’t forgotten; she’s the reason I agreed to this in the first place.” He extended his arm gracefully to Sarai. “Shall we?”

Sarai, intertwining her arm with his, nodded in agreement. Together, they left the room, with Visenya trailing behind like a silent observer. As they stepped into the corridor, Caspian awaited, his figure distinguished in a stylish black suit.

“You look lovely,” Caspian complimented Visenya, offering his arm in a gesture that hinted at a subtle elegance beneath his composed exterior.

“As do you, Cas,” she replied with a smile, linking her arm with his as they strolled down the corridor behind Visenya’s parents. “Cas, don’t leave me alone tonight,” she implored, her tone carrying a sense of desperation. “I need my friend by my side.”

The term “friend” always struck a chord with Caspian. Despite hoping for some time that she might see him as more than just a friend, he sensed he hadn’t made much progress in that direction.

“I’d never leave your side, Vee,” he reassured, prompting a contented smile from her, as she knew she could always count on him.

As Visenya graced the threshold of the opulent throne room, her eyes were inevitably drawn to Lucian. He stood beside his father, who occupied the grandeur of the golden throne. Lucian was dressed in a black suit adorned with a burgundy trim that exuded a refined elegance—a detail seemingly woven in harmony with Visenya’s own gown.

Lucian, as handsome as ever, held her gaze with an intensity that suggested a shared enchantment. An entrancing smile played on his lips, casting a spell that threatened to unravel Visenya’s steadfast composure. For a fleeting moment, their connection lingered, both seemingly mesmerized by the magnetic pull of each other’s presence.

His smile, a potent elixir, nearly compelled her to crumble at the sight of him. Visenya felt her knees weaken, as if the weight of the moment pressed upon her. Yet, a resolute vow echoed in her mind and with an internal fortitude, she averted her gaze, a deliberate act to shield herself from the allure of his smile.

Taking her place beside her parents, Visenya buried the tumultuous undercurrents of emotion beneath a composed exterior. Caspian hesitated before settling into the seat beside her, his forehead glistening with sweat and his breath quickening as he nervously tugged at his shirt collar, as if it were too tight.

Lucian's face broke into a knowing smirk, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. The thrill of witnessing the show once again tickled him immensely, knowing that this time it would be far more entertaining than before.

"What's the matter, Cas?" Visenya asked, concern evident in her voice.

Caspian tried to brush off his unease, "I'm fine," he insisted, though his uncertainty was palpable.

As the tension in the room heightened, Emperor Caden turned to King Ezra and inquired, "Shall we proceed, Ezra?"

"Yes, Emperor," the Lycan King responded, his tone resolute. "Let's get this done and over with."

"Guards!" The Emperor called out, his voice echoing through the chamber. "Bring in Lazarus."

The doors swung open, and along came a tantalizing scent that instantly heightened Caspian's senses. A low, guttural growl escaped from deep within his chest as Lazarus and Sebastian made their grand entrance into the Throne Room.

"Did he just growl at me?" Lazarus seethed, the words slipping through his teeth with loathing.

"What’s gotten into you, Caspian?" Sarai inquired, a disquieted look on her face.

Caspian ran his hand through his hair, his eyes flickering from their usual piercing blue to an intense, unsettling black. "I... I don't know." His voice trembled.

The tension in the room grew thick, threatening to suffocate all who stood within its grasp. Just when it seemed that the atmosphere would reach its breaking point, Victoria stormed into the room, her presence like a whirlwind. Her eyes darted around, searching for something, or perhaps someone. And then, in a moment that defied the laws of time itself, her gaze abruptly collided with Caspian's, a mixture of longing and recognition flashing across her face.

The guards, trailing behind Victoria, could only offer their apologies to Lazarus, their king. "Please forgive us, Your Majesty," they pleaded, their voices laced with regret. "There was no stopping her."

"Victoria, I explicitly instructed you to wait downstairs with our guards until I sent word for your retrieval," Lazarus reminded. However, Victoria, showed no acknowledgment towards Lazarus or anyone else present in the room.

She felt her heart race as Caspian's intense gaze locked onto hers. Without hesitation, he rose from his seat, his determination evident in every step he took towards her.

"Cas?" Visenya's voice faltered, startled by the sudden change in Caspian's behavior.

Victoria mirrored his actions, closing the distance between them until they stood just inches apart. And then, as if defying all expectations, their lips met in a passionate, electrifying kiss.

But amidst the passion and stolen breaths, Lazarus swiftly lunged forward like a gust of wind. He seized Caspian and forcefully pinned him against the wall, his anger radiating through every fiber of his being.

"Keep your filth away from my daughter!" Lazarus' voice boomed with fury.