CHAPTER 4: THREE YEARS LATER

KIERAN POV

The trumpets sounded before I could even see the palace. I lifted my head as the gates came into view, and the roar of the crowd grew louder.

“Crown Alpha!”

“Welcome home!”

“Victory to Prince Keiran!”

The horses moved steadily beneath us as we passed through the outer gates. Soldiers rode behind me in formation, their armor marked with the colors of our kingdom. Banners hung from the towers, and people filled both sides of the road, cheering as we rode toward the palace.

Three years and It felt like I had been gone for a lifetime.

Three years of battles, training, negotiations, and finally a victory that had brought peace after generations of war.

I should have been thinking about the victory, Instead, one thought kept coming back to me.

Neira.

I hadn't seen her in three years, I had imagined this moment more times than I could count. I had imagined finding her waiting for me, I imagined the look on her face when she saw me.

Most of all, I had imagined pulling her into my arms and forgetting that hundreds of people were watching.

The palace gates opened wider, My mother stood at the top of the steps, beside her stood a woman I didn't recognize. She wore a deep blue gown, and her dark hair was pinned neatly behind her head. Several elders from the High Council stood around her.

I slowed my horse, My mother smiled. The woman beside her smiled too.

I frowned and looked toward Draven, he gave me the same look I was feeling. Who was she?

I dismounted as the crowd cheered again, Draven stepped down behind me and leaned closer.

“Try smiling, Your Highness.”

“I am smiling.”

He looked at me.

“You look like you're about to execute someone.”

I frown, “I don't see Neira.”

He gave a small nod. “Oh. That explains it.”

I ignored him and walked toward the palace steps. My mother came down to meet me.

“Welcome home, Prince Keiran, my child.”

She kissed my cheek before stepping back.

“You have made your kingdom proud.”

I bowed slightly. “I did what was expected of me.”

Her eyes moved over me. “You did more than expected.”

Then she turned toward the woman beside her.

“Allow me to introduce you.”

The woman stepped forward. “Prince Keiran.”

She lowered her head.

“My name is Varessa Drake.”

I looked at her for a moment, then I let out a slow breath.

“Mother, where is Neira? Isn't she supposed to come down and welcome me? I don't see her around.”

My mother gave a small laugh, ignoring what I had just said. “Son, this is Varessa. You should meet her.”

She leaned closer and lowered her voice. “The elders are watching. Play along, would you?”

I forced myself to look at the woman in front of me.

I held out my hand. “Varessa, is it?”

She placed her hand in mine immediately.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

She smiled, her cheeks turning slightly pink.

“I have heard so much about you.”

“I hope it was mostly good.”

A few elders laughed, Varessa's smile widened.

“Mostly.”

My mother placed a hand on her shoulder. “She has been assisting with several royal matters while you were away.”

I barely listened. My eyes were already moving across the crowd, no sign of Neira. I looked at my mother again.

“Where is Neira, Mother?”

Before she could answer, another round of cheers rose from the courtyard, I looked toward the upper floors, something caught my attention.

A figure stood behind one of the balcony railings, my heart stopped.

Neira?

Even from that distance, I knew her, I couldn't see her face clearly, but I knew the way she stood, she lifted one hand and gave me a small wave.

My chest tightened, I took a step forward.

“Neira.”

My mother caught my arm. “Prince Keiran.”

I looked at her with irritation in my eyes, “What?”

“You have just returned. Come inside. Everyone is waiting for you, don't do this now.”

I looked back at the balcony, Neira was gone. I searched the windows, but there was nothing.

My smile disappeared.

“Where is she?”

My mother's expression didn't change.

“Who?”

I stared at her.

“You know exactly who I'm talking about.”

She sighed.

“Keiran, this isn't the time.”

I looked toward the balcony again.

“Why wasn't she here? You know she was supposed to wait for me. I told you while I was leaving.”

“She has duties elsewhere.”

“She knew I was coming.”

“Yes, I told her not to come down.” Her voice stayed calm. “I hope this information makes you focus on the guests waiting for you in the hall.”

My jaw tightened.

“You told her?”

“She doesn't need to be standing among the royal guests during your arrival.”

“She is not a guest!”

My voice carried across the courtyard, several people stopped talking and looked toward us. My mother's eyes hardened for a moment, but she quickly smiled at the crowd.

Then she leaned closer to me.

“We can discuss this later.”

The cheering started again, but I barely heard it, my mind kept returning to the balcony, she was there and had seen me and my mother had made sure she couldn't come down.

Then my mother spoke again.

“Keiran, you returned just in time.”

“For what?”

“The Blood Moon.”

I frowned.

“The Blood Moon is tonight?”

My mother smiled.

“Yes.”

One of the elders stepped forward.

“The entire kingdom has been preparing for the sacred ceremony.”

Another elder nodded.

“The Moon Goddess will reveal the woman destined to stand beside you.”

I looked between them, I had forgotten how quickly the palace could turn one event into a political matter.

My mother seemed pleased.

“Tonight will determine much of your future. The kingdom is eager to know who your Luna will be.”

I stared at her, I had been home for less than an hour.

“Mother, I just returned. Can't this wait?”

She raised an eyebrow.

“You want the Moon Goddess to hold still for you?”

I rolled my eyes and leaned back in my chair, then my mother's gaze shifted toward Varessa. I followed it.

Varessa lowered her eyes modestly, something about the exchange bothered me. I didn't know why.

My mother spoke again.

“Varessa will stand with the royal family during the ceremony.”

I looked at Varessa, she looked back at me and didn't turn her eyes away. Suddenly, I understood exactly where this was going and I wasn't ready to play this game with my mother.