THE REAL TEST

DAMIEN'S POV

The air is filled with the combined smells of blood and exhilaration. Today is the yearly Festival of Blood, a celebration that involved thousands of vampires all over the globe, they all celebrated their identity as vampires. Still, this year will be different. For Freda, for the kingdom, and me, this year would represent a turning point.

I Perched at the brink of the royal garden and observed them getting ready. Red glass lanterns hung from the trees, throwing everything a blood-red hue. Full and brilliant, the moon hung low in the heavens, its silver light fighting the crimson cloud below.

Today will be the announcement of Freda as my queen that would transform everything. The elders would be enraged, and Williams well, he had never kept his contempt of my decisions undercover. But I am the king. The time is here to remind them all of that.

Freda alone would be able to calm the turbulence inside me. She now anchored me in ways I never would have thought possible. But with her came a different type of struggle, a fight between the need to shield her from everything, even myself, and the darker impulses screaming inside me.

When I felt a presence next to me, the preparations were virtually finished. There was no need to look and find out who it was.
I said, "Kieran," a hushed voice.

"My Lord," he said, bending slightly. "Everything is set." The guests are coming in now, both the clan members and elders.
Still staring out at the preparations going on before us, I nodded. Tonight will serve as a test. For each and all of us.

Kieran nodded, indeed. He stopped then said, "But you should know, Damien, that some will not treat this lightly." The elders and Williams. They will not let this go unpacked without challenge.
"I know," I responded, my voice tight. Still, they will find great power in my decision. Freda is not only a queen in the title. She is my mate. My equal.
Silent for a minute, Kieran said gently, "And what of Freda? Does she know what tonight means?
I looked at him, my eyes slightly narrowed. “She’ll be strong”.

Kieran stared at me with a blank face before he talked. "Just keep in mind, Damien, strength transcends mere power. It is in knowledge as well.
“I’m sure she’ll figure it out” and Kieran used that as his cue to go. As I watched him go, his words stayed with me. knowledge. Freda deserved it, but tonight's priority was survival and not love.
I headed for the inner rooms as the last of the sunshine sank below the horizon. Freda was there, staring out the window and her shadow defined by the dying light.
"Freda," I uttered gently.
She spun, her eyes locked with me. Her eyes betrayed caution, but also a will that tightened my chest.
"Damien," she said, her voice steady.
I moved across the room to hold her hands in mine. "The celebration is just about starting. Are you ready

She turned down our clasped hands and then backed up at me. "I doubt I will ever be ready for something like this. But still, I will stand by your side.
Knowing what I asked of her, a part of me was grateful for her response and another part of me was scared but ready to protect our mate. "It will not be simple, Freda. They will assess you, and challenge you. Still, you should be strong. More than they are aware of.
She looked at me, as though looking for something there. " Damien, do you believe me?"
I was taken aback by her question. Sure, I do.
Her voice was strong as she spoke, "Then trust that I can handle this, "I won't break.”
I drew her tightly into my arms. Freda knows, indeed. Simply... I refuse to lose you.

She laid her head against my chest, and for a minute the outside world vanished. "You won't," she said softly.

But reality crashed back when the chimes rang to indicate the beginning of the celebration. I backed off, wiping a hair strand off her cheek. We should head forward.

We headed towards the great pavilion, where the event was taking place and from inside I could tell the crowd was massive through the noise. But when we arrived, the place went quiet. Every eye turned to us.

The elders stood in a queue at the far end of the pavilion, their faces incomprehensible. Among them was Williams, whose gaze seemed icy.
Freda followed me to the pavilion's central point, where a dais had been arranged. I inhaled deeply then spoke to the assembly.
"Tonight we honor the centuries-bound custom of the Festival of Blood. Still, tonight we also welcome a fresh start. Turning to Freda, I grabbed her hand. "This is Freda." my mate. And going forward from this night, your queen.
A murmur spread across the audience, some voices praising and others challenging. But the elders stayed silent, staring just at Freda.
Veresstina emerged from the crowd before I could go on.. Her very presence chilled the air.

"Damien, what a bold declaration," she pounced, venomous in her voice. But are you sure it is smart?

Tensing, I stood in front of Freda defensively. Veresstina, what are you doing here?

She grinned, but it escaped her view. "I'm here to guarantee that our customs still hold." She waved, and two attendants moved forward with a velvet cushion containing a silver chalice. "A gift from our elders."

Something felt off the instant I saw it. The chalice appeared to pulse with black energy, its surface carved with marks of ancient power.

"This is a symbol of the trust and respect the elders have for your choice," Veresstina said. She squinted and turned to Freda. Only if she is capable.

She was speaking with evil intentions. This is the last test. Freda is supposed to pass tests to become our queen.

The evil inside me started to stir, pushing me to snap out and demolish everyone who threatened her. I held it back, though, concentrating just on Freda.

Freda moved forward, stretching her hand for the chalice. But I took action before she could touch it. I snatched the chalice quickly and flung it towards the floor. The pavilion echoed the sound of breaking metal, then a startled silence.

"This is not how we will determine her value," I said, my voice strong. "I won't let you use her as a game pawn."

Veresstina's eyes blazed with rage, but before she could reply the ground beneath us shook, a deep, menacing sound sent a wave of discomfort across the assembly.
My instincts sensed something was wrong. Every muscle in my body tensing and getting ready to protect Freda, I grabbed Freda's hand tightly.

Then, from the back, a tall, black man with eyes burned like embers surfaced. Everyone became quiet for a moment before whispers began and then noise.
"Who are you?" I insisted, my voice low and lethal, making the crowd silent.
The figure halted and fixed Freda. "The real test starts now," it whispered, its voice like gravel, shuddering down my spine.
The man lifted a hand before I could respond, and dark energy permeated the air around us. I faltered, my eyes dimming as a piercing agony flashed passed me.
“Damien!” Freda’s voice was distant, fading as darkness closed in around me.
The last thing I saw before everything went black was the figure turning its gaze to Freda, a cruel smile playing on its lips.

“Let’s see if you’re truly worthy, little queen.”