In The Vipers Clan
In the Vipers Pack headquarters, where chaos and outrage reignited:
Alpha Kyros Nightshade stood atop the stone stairs of the royal gates, facing a sea of enraged pack members. His usually calm demeanor was tense with concern.
Below him, the pack's female members – mothers, sisters, and daughters of the abducted maidens – shouted angrily, their voices echoing off the castle walls:
"Justice for our girls!"
"Return our daughters, Alpha!"
"Kieran's tyranny ends now!"
The crowd surged forward, pushing against the royal guards, who struggled to maintain order. Some women broke through the lines, slashing at guards with their sharp nails or biting with venomous fangs.
Guard Captain Blake Vaughn bled from a deep gash on his cheek, shouting, "Hold the line! Alpha's orders – no retaliation!"
But the pack women were beyond reason. They hurled rocks, bottles, and torches at the gates, setting portions of the wooden structure ablaze.
Alpha Kyros Nightshade raised his hands, voice thundering above the chaos:
"Sisters, mothers – hear me! We will send emissaries to Tenebrous Kingdom. We must resolve this diplomatically. The situation is... complicated."
The crowd murmured, sensing his underlying message – Alpha Kyros's relationship to Drakon Prince Kieran.
Some pack members whispered among themselves, "He's Kieran's father... he won't act against his own son."
Alpha Kyros's expression remained stern, yet hints of paternal concern flickered in his eyes.
Calantha, mother of Avy and Kalliope, stood at the front of the crowd, her face etched with worry. She locked eyes with Alpha Kyros, seeking reassurance for her daughters' safety.
The alpha's voice echoed again through the chaos, "I will personally ensure emissaries are sent to Drakon Prince Kieran. We will bring our daughters home."
Though his words brought slight calm to the crowd, underlying tensions remained – tensions fueled by fear for the abducted maidens and wariness of Alpha Kyros's conflicted loyalties.
The pack messenger rushed forward, breathless, holding a parchment with the Tenebrous Kingdom's seal.
"Alpha Kyros, news from Tenebrous Kingdom..." he announced, voice loud enough for all to hear.
The crowd leaned in, anxious for any information about their daughters.
"The message reads: 'Drakon Prince Kieran has chosen a maiden to satisfy his... lusts. His violence was escalating, and this selection was necessary to maintain peace within the kingdom as it has always been. The remaining maidens will be returned to their respective kingdoms immediately.'"
The crowd erupted into a mix of emotions:
Some murmured happy whispers, relieved their daughters might return soon.
Others growled in anger, still fearing for their children's safety.
A few prayed fervently, hoping the chosen maiden wasn't theirs.
Many looked confused, unsure what to make of this sudden development.
Alpha Kyros raised his hands for silence, then turned to the messenger.
"Do you know the name of the chosen maiden?"
The messenger hesitated, struggling to recall. "I... think I overheard one of the Tenebrous guards mention a name... Kalliope."
The murmuring ceased abruptly, replaced by stunned silence.
Calantha's eyes narrowed slightly, her mind racing with thoughts:
"Why Kalliope... and not Avy? My beautiful Avy would have thrived in the luxury of Tenebrous Kingdom. She would have been the perfect choice to capture Kieran's heart..."
A hint of anger and disappointment flickered across her face, quickly replaced by relief:
"But thank the gods Avy was spared. Rumors say no maiden survives Kieran's... fury. My daughter is safe."
Her gaze drifted to the crowd, then back to the messenger, her expression indifferent when thinking of Kalliope:
"I suppose this means Kalliope will... occupy Kieran's interests for now."
Her voice was casual, lacking concern for the chosen maiden's fate – only relief that her favored daughter, Avy, had escaped the prince's notice.
The crowd around them began to disperse, some cheering for the returning maidens, others whispering worried prayers for Kalliope's fate...
Calantha returned home, her expression solemn as she entered the bedroom where her husband Thane lay weakly on the bed, still recovering from the attack.
Lyra tended to him with gentle care, her eyes red-rimmed from suppressed tears.
Calantha's voice was low and even as she broke the news:
"Drakon Prince Kieran has chosen a maiden from our kingdom... Kalliope."
Thane's weak gaze locked onto hers, relief washing over his face as he processed the name - not their favored daughter Avy.
"No mention of Avy being chosen?" he asked softly, his concern clearly only for their eldest daughter.
Calantha's expression remained neutral. "None. Only Kalliope was named."
Lyra's eyes narrowed, pain and anger flashing across her face as she realized their parents' relief was only for Avy's sake, not concern for Kalliope's perilous fate.
Lyra's eyes blazed with fury and hurt as she turned to her parents.
"You're both relieved because Avy is safe... but what about Kalliope? Doesn't she matter to you at all?"
Her voice trembled with accusation and sorrow.
Calantha's face twisted in rage, her words cutting deep:
"Kalliope was always fragile, a burden. She should have died in childhood – her life is barely worth mentioning!"
Lyra felt like she'd been slapped without being touched. She spun around, packing her belongings with frantic speed.
"I'll find Kalliope, protect her from people like you!"
Calantha grasped Lyra's arm, trying to restrain her, but Lyra shook her off.
Thane's weak voice intervened, his eyes filled with a mix of sadness and firmness:
"Let her go, Calantha... If she walks out that door, she is disowned."
Lyra didn't flinch, her boyish short hair framing her determined face.
"I'd rather be disowned than share blood with monsters like you."
With that, Lyra slammed the door behind her, leaving Calantha's fading voice:
"LYRA...!"
*****
In Tenebrous Kingdom
Kalliope stood trembling slightly, yet her voice was firm:
"Drakon Prince Kieran, perhaps another maiden would... suit your needs better?"
The room erupted into stunned silence.
Avy's eyes widened in horror behind Kalliope, as if thinking "What is she doing?!"
The other maidens who had been vying for Kieran's attention looked like they'd faint from outrage – everyone wanted to be chosen!
Drakon Prince Kieran's expression transformed from surprise to intense intrigue.
He took a step closer to Kalliope, his low voice sending shivers:
"No. I want you."
The grand hall erupted into a mix of emotions as the announcement echoed:
"Drakon Prince Kieran has chosen Kalliope! The remaining candidates are free to return to their kingdoms!"
Gasps, whispers, and outraged murmurs spread like wildfire.
Valerie, the vampire maiden, rushed towards the exit, tears of humiliation brimming in her eyes – her pride brutally wounded.
Meanwhile, Avy stormed towards Kalliope, anger incarnate:
"You've been pretending to be weak and fragile all along, haven't you? Feigning innocence to garner pity... and you still had the nerve to refuse him initially!"
Kalliope stood tall, puzzled by Avy's sudden venom towards her – they used to be distant but not openly hostile.
She realized Lyra's absence left her alone to face Avy's wrath... Time to defend herself.
A victorious smile spread across Kalliope's face before she delivered a brutal reply:
"Actually, Avy, I refused him because even in weakness, I have more self-respect than to throw myself at a monster like him... unlike some people who would sacrifice dignity for a prince's attention.
Avy's face turned purple with rage at Kalliope's cutting remark.
As Avy opened her mouth to unleash her rage,
The Royal Head Maid, Lady Valtira, glided towards Kalliope and bowed deeply:
"Your maiden, we serve."
Lady Valtira introduced the two maids beside her:
"Allow me to present your personal attendants: Maidens Brixa and Lyrixa. They will cater to your every need."
With that, they curtsied and escorted Kalliope out of the grand hall, leaving Avy's face beet-red with fury.
Kalliope was led into the inner palace, her eyes widening in awe:
Ancient dragon statues guarded corridors
Ancient drawings adorned the walls, telling stories of old battles and magic.
The palace was vast, with twisting passages that seemed to stretch on forever.
Lady Valtira, the Royal Head Maid, escorted her through the labyrinthine halls, accompanied by Maidens Brixa and Lyrixa.
As they turned a corner, a regal figure emerged from the shadows.
Drakon Queen Ember stood tall, her beauty striking:
Her red hair blazed like fire around her pale skin
Her sharp red eyes seemed to pierce through Kalliope's soul.
Lady Valtira and the maids dropped into deep bows before excusing themselves.
Queen Ember's neutral tone held a hint of gentle authority as she asked:
"Child, what is your name?"
Kalliope bowed respectfully before responding:
"My name is Kalliope, Your Majesty."
Queen Ember's expression remained serene.
"I am Queen Ember, mother of Prince Kieran, the Drakon heir. You have been brought to our court... unexpectedly."
Kalliope sensed a subtle tension beneath the queen's polite words.
Queen Ember continued, "Please, do not think me rude for summoning you here against your will.
Kalliope curtsied again, her voice respectful:
"No apology needed, Your Majesty."
Queen Ember's gaze lingered on Kalliope's face before she spoke again:
"My son has chosen you for a particular purpose... to be his companion, to satisfy him."
Kalliope's heart skipped a beat as she processed the queen's words.
Her face remained calm, but fear crept in like ice through her veins.
"The room assigned to you is through that door," Queen Ember said, gesturing gracefully.
Kalliope followed her gaze to a lavish chamber located down the corridor – still within the royal wing, but a slight distance from another door with a subtle dragon emblem marking Prince Kieran's quarters.
Queen Ember mentioned, "Should you need anything, do not hesitate to inform your maids, Lyrixa or Brixa."
Kalliope bowed deeply. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Queen Ember's voice was gentle but firm.
"You don't have to address me so formally, child."
With that, Queen Ember turned and glided out of sight.
Kalliope bowed slightly again before turning to enter her assigned quarters, closing the door softly behind her.
Meanwhile, unseen by Kalliope, two women stood around the corner -
an aged noblewoman with grey hair and wise eyes,
and a stunning young princess with long, brown hair and piercing green eyes,
both dressed in elegant royal attire, watching the door Kalliope just closed.
The aged noblewoman's face twisted in dark malice as she hissed:
"Queen Ember, cold as death itself, just showed warmth to that girl..."
Her voice cursed the queen with venomous tone:
"May darkness consume her soul."
Her daughter stood silently beside her, eyes fixed on Kalliope's door.
The aged woman's gaze burned with intensity:
"She threatens everything - your future, Prince Kieran... our power, Calista"
Her tone dropped to a deadly whisper:
"I will eliminate her. She must die."
Her daughter finally spoke, voice low and calm:
"Mother, she won't last a week with Prince Kieran."
The aged woman's eyes gleamed with cruel intent:
"Exactly... still, we prepare. For her funeral."