THE TEST

FREDA'S POV

I was restless even though the sun was hardly up. My head kept revolving back to the dinner with Damien. Trying to make sense of it, I had stayed up all night with Damien, it was different and genuine, the longest we’ve ever spoken. But how could I be sure of that? Particularly when every inch of this castle seemed like a trap?
I grumbled and rolled out of bed. Perhaps a stroll might assist me to relax. I hurriedly got ready, grabbing on the most casual clothing I could locate, something light and basic. I wanted no more attention than I now received.
The castle was silent as I walked to the side of the castle. I arrived at the garden, exactly where Damien had opened his heart to me yesterday night. The roses were still in bloom, their delicious aroma still permeating the crisp morning air. I followed my fingertips over the petals, my mind returning to his words.
I don't want you forced into anything," he murmured, his voice gentler than I had ever heard it. You mean a lot to me.
It was difficult to notice the sincerity in his eyes and the way he had carelessly smashed the chalice. The last thing Veresstina whispered to me rang in my ears, piercing and mocking: "He's only using you to secure his throne.".
I shook my head. Perhaps it was time I began to rely more on my instincts, but in this environment, every instinct I possessed seemed to be working against me.
Turning to return inside, I heard some noise at the front of the castle. My heart accelerated to find out what was happening. Tensed, the guards stared at a gathering of men headed toward the castle gates.
"Who are they?" Trying to keep my voice steady, I asked one of the guards.
 
"The vampire elders, Lady Freda," he said, his voice quiet. Under the direction of Lord Balen.
 
A cold crawled along my back. The old people? Here we are: My thoughts whirled in a hundred directions. With me, what was their desired outcome?
 
Damien showed up by my side looking peaceful and calm. "Stay close to me, Freda," he whispered, his voice low. They now come to see you.
See me? I repeated, my gut knot getting tighter.
Indeed, he said, grabbing my hand. Last night is something they have heard about. They want to check whether you're worthy to be by my side.
 
I choked hard, my throat went dry right away. Worthy? How could I possibly be deserving of anything this planet offers?
We strolled together to the great entrance, where the seniors stood waiting at the front, Balen was staring at me as though I were some kind of specimen if only looks could kill. The others stood behind him, and I could feel their judgment weighing down my chest.
Balen greeted Damien with a silky, commanding voice. "This is the human wolf you have decided to be our queen??"
 
Damien's slightly tightening hold on my hand was a silent comfort. Balen, yes. 
 
Balen looked at me, his lip slightly twisting. "She looks... fragile."
 
Though every bit of me wanted to shrink away, I pushed myself to stand up and meet his gaze. My voice calmer than I felt, I responded, "I may be a human-wolf as you say it," but "I'm stronger than you think."
 
A murmur rippled the assembly behind him, but Balen just arched an eyebrow. "We shall see.”
 
He turned and headed towards the castle, the other seniors trailing behind without further word. I looked at Damien quickly, and then we followed them inside. Every stride caused my heart to hammer; the air thickened with every instant that passed.
 
We finally made it to the main hall, the large area feeling even more commanding with the elderly presence. As we stopped in the middle of the room, Balen turned to face me.
 
"Freda," he said, his voice as frigid as his eyes, "you have to establish your worthiness if you are to be the queen of this kingdom. You have three great tests here. Fail, and you will be sent elsewhere from this area. Success; you might perhaps win our regard, but our leader must be one of us.
My pulse accelerated. What sort of testing is involved? Before I could inquire, Balen pointed to one of the other elders, who moved forward carrying a little wooden box. He opened it to see a silver knife, its blade shining in the light of the chandelier.
 
"Your first test, Balen said, is to take this dagger and cut your palm."
 
I fixated on the dagger while my mind flew. What kind of test involves me harming myself? This should be a game. I looked at Damien, who nodded slightly, his face strained, surely not a game.
 
With my hands shaking, I went for the dagger. The metal felt chilly on my flesh, and the polished blade let me see my reflection. I raised it slowly to my palm, cringing as I sliced. Blood started to flow practically immediately; it was painful but tolerable.
Balen eyed me attentively, as though expecting something. Nothing happened for a minute. Then, with every beat of my heart, the blood on my palm started to radiate a faint golden light.
 
The chamber echoed with gasps, horror widening the eyes of the elders. Balen's face clouded as his eyes narrowed at the image.
 
"What... what is this?" I stammered, fixed on my brilliant hand.
 
Balen remarked slowly, his voice tinged with mistrust, "It seems that you have more power in you than we expected."
 
What I was seeing hardly seemed plausible. How then might this be feasible? I was simply a human, not different. 
 
Balen's eyes locked on mine, as though he were trying to solve a riddle. "This changes things," he said, nearly to himself. "But it is not enough."
 
He turned to face the other seniors, who cast nervous looks at one another. "The next test will require more... strength," Balen said, his voice austere. "We will try your will and your capacity to bear suffering and anxiety. We would then know whether you are suited to be our queen.
 
Though I felt afraid, I tightened my hands to help me get ready for whatever was ahead. Now that things were going better than I imagined, I couldn't afford to back off. I had to prove myself to myself as much as to them.
 
I felt Damien's hand on my shoulder as the elders started getting ready for the next test. "You don't have to do this," he said with a worried voice.
 
I raised my head to meet his worried face. Yes, I do, I said, my voice strong. "I have to know my capabilities."
 
He nodded, yet the strain in his face did not relax. He seemed to want to guard me from whatever was approaching. This was something I had to deal with personally, though.
 
Now the elders were ready, circling me. Balen moved forward carrying a little vial filled with a black, whirling liquid. His eyes challenged me as he presented it to me.
 
He gave the order, "Drink this."
 
I took just enough to grab the vial, I need to be mentally prepared. I could feel the liquid inside pulsing with a life of its own across the glass.
 
I uncorked the vial and dropped its contents in one quick motion silently. Sliding down my throat, the taste burned terribly. I had a burst of energy almost immediately, then vertigo.
 
The room whirled about me, and I struggled trying to keep on my feet. Like every neuron being set on fire, pain tore across my body, acute and overwhelming.
 
I collapsed to my knees, gasping for air, and as the pain got worse, my eyesight blurred. The boom in my ears masked Damien's voice, so I could hear him yelling my name, but it sounded far away.
 
Then the agony stopped, quite as abruptly as it had started. My body shaking from the aftershocks, I was left panting on the floor. I raised my head slowly, blinking away the tears that had distorted my view.
 
The elders were fixed on me, their expressions a mix of disbelief and something else, fear.
 
"What... what was that?" I managed to gasp, sounding hoarse.
 
Balen didn't reply right away. When he did speak at last, his voice was quiet and nearly respectful. Freda, you passed the second test. The last one will be the most challenging of them, though.
 
He turned to the other elders, who nodded in accord before I could probe what he meant.
 
"The ultimate test," Balen added, staring directly at me, "will decide whether you belong here. You have to confront your biggest anxiety alone.
 
Though I pushed myself to meet his eyes, his words chilled my spine. “And then if I pass?”
 
Balen responded, "Then you will have proven yourself worthy of the throne, but his face was unreadable. Still, if you fail...“
 
He was not required to complete the sentence. Both of us knew what failing would entail.
 
Hard swallowing, my heart thumping in my chest.