Lyne could see the building before her just the way she remembered before she left for Los Angeles. The fresh air and quietness compared to the noise pollution in the city. Everything about Vampire City just screams nature without having to label it that. She still fumed and was finding it hard to suppress the urge to go and find the Spanish ninja in the temple. To fight her hard and strike a sword through her heart.

Zeidan turned off the engine and she waited for him to get down from the car to open the door for her. Well, it wouldn't hurt to do so for herself if she wasn't feeling too weak. Maybe it was as a result of numerous sleepless nights looking for evidence and whatnot, coupled with Tina's death and the awareness of their serial killer still on the loose. As well as thinking about the fact that Wikh had run away. How is he doing? Is he safe? 

"I am still wondering if I should leave you here in the car or be a gentleman and wait till you clear your head." She heard Zeidan's voice as he hovered above her through the window. She got outside herself with every energy she could muster. 

She could feel the heat emanating from her body and when Zeidan hugged her from the side, he didn't hesitate to mention it.

"Holy shit! Your skin could boil a potato!" He brushed the hair off her forehead and stared deep into her eyes.

"Are you okay?"

Lyne nodded but regretted it immediately because of the way her head was pounding.

"I'm fine."

"Okay. Let's walk inside. I'm sure it's because you need rest. Lots of it."

"How can you even ask me to rest? Maya is still on the loose!" She snapped, already losing her head. 

There was silence for a while, Lyne already feeling sorry for taking out her anger on Zeidan. He was only being caring and she had been selfish enough to act like he isn't trying to make her feel good. Tears stung her eyes but she fought them off.

"I'm sorry." She muttered, eyes plastered to her feet. She felt him lift her head with a finger under her chin.

"Don't be. I completely understand."

How could he be so compassionate? Why does he never get upset with whatever she does? She is here, almost tearing off his head for another man's crime and he's acting like it's okay. 

She simply smiled and he led her into the palace with the maids and guards bowing to salute them. Some of the maids went out to get their belongings and it all went well as they walked through the corridors to their room until she heard a familiar voice from behind. Familiar but distasteful.

"Zeidan?" 

Lyne rolled her eyes as they both turned to see Luana all dressed up in a purple royal gown and silver crown. She could feel the rage within Zeidan as he saw her with the tiara he'd warned her never to touch.

"How dare..."

"How was Los Angeles? Zeidan? Lyne? How was the vacation? Epic right?" She asked, slowly walking towards them.

"Where have you been all these while?" Zeidan asked and Luana was rattling off all the good stuff she had done for the city since he left. Who knows about the bad ones as well?

"I took care of the city and even raised the walls to avoid further attacks!"

"With which money? Please, tell me it's not from the city's treasury." Zeidan pleaded slowly, their voices were sounding distant.

"Of course not. I still have some money left. Come on, Zeidan. You know it wouldn't hurt to say," Luana cleared her throat, trying to mimic Zeidan's voice. " 'Hey, Luana. Thank you for all you've done. Thank you for holding up the city while I was away.' " 

Then she faked a courtesy, tilting her head to the side and smiling. "You're welcome, your Highness. It's been a pleasure working for you."

Lyne sighed and she knew she has had enough of all her rants. "You know, you cannot always get whatever you want no matter how hard you try. Snap out of it already, Luana. Being a Queen doesn't befit you."

Zeidan squeezed her hand gently to stop her from saying furthermore.

"Lyne. I'm sorry, how should I have addressed you? Queen Lyne? Princess Lyne?" She walked closer, a few inches away from her and she stopped. Looking down, she realized Zeidan's strong hand was standing between them.

"Stay in your lane, Luana! I've had enough of your shenanigans. I have many other problems to think about other than separating two women. And especially, one who is always thinking she is right. You went away, Luana!" He was now raising his voice and glaring at the brown wavy-haired woman before them. "We never heard about your whereabouts or how you were doing or anything. You just..." He paused and as Lyne looked into his pained face, she wondered if he truly has feelings for Luana and had been lying to her. Zeidan lowered his voice. "You just left."

Lyne slowly removed her hand from his as she stepped back, trying every possible means to avoid his eyes. 

"I'll just go into our room." He wanted to oppose that but she had turned already and was running her way to the room.

★★★★★★★★★★

Lyne looked to her side again as she lay on the bed and checked the time on the bedside clock. It's been ten minutes since she left Zeidan and Luana and much as she wouldn't like to admit it, she had hoped Zeidan would tail after her immediately after she left them both, angrily.

A knock sounded on the door and as feebly as she could, she asked the person to come in. It was her chief handmaid, Amber. She was carrying a bowl of water and a towel.

"Your Grace, Chloe has asked me to bring this to you. She says it will help you relax. You can reject it if you want." She said sweetly as she dropped the bowl of water on the ground before her.

She chuckled and managed to sit up, looking over the dark-haired slender woman crouching before her. Amber, an eighteen years old sweet girl is known for her ability to do almost everything. Including knowing what is going on around the city. She hummed softly as she washed the first feet but immediately stopped and looked up.

"Queen Lyne, when is the King going to coronate you as the Queen?"

As sweet as Amber can be, she can also be very nosy. But she was right. Zeidan should have crowned her as the Queen. Her heart skipped a beat. Was she overreacting?

"You know," she continued. "Chloe thought you looked sick when you first came in and she saw you from afar. That was why she wanted me to come to help you relax. Make sure you get a lot of rest."

"Thanks, Amber." She muttered softly.

"I like you better than Luana. She is cruel." Lyne isn't the type that is interested in gossip but Amber has a gift of entertaining listeners whenever she talks.

"Thanks. I'm flattered."

Amber smiled up at her but it didn't seem like the kind of smile one would deem pleasant. It looked like she pitied her. For what? Is there something she doesn't know going on in the palace?

"I think you deserve to know."

"Know what?" 

She looked at Amber with horror written all over her face. This can't be true. Her head pounded violently and only one person filled her thoughts. 

Luana.