Luana washed her hands and splashed water on her face. Patting it dry with a knitted small cloth, she noticed the fine tremor that ran through her hands. She was going to Vampire City. No, going to see how things are. It's been two months since she left Vampire city and she didn't even know if she was making a good decision by going there.

They may not get along, but he trusted her, right?

But no, why would he trust her? After all, he didn't want her. And honestly, who could blame him?

She wasn't going to rekindle her love for him but she knows that merely seeing him would bring back lost feelings. 

Tears pricked her lids once again as the volley of doubts waged war against her. What would it take to make him love her? 

He admired strength. She'd tried to be strong.

He admired authority. She made sure everything she did was to keep Vampire city in order. 

"Why?" She whispered to her face reflecting in the stream she had stopped by to wash her face and hands.

Her horse whined behind her in response. Obviously. Because he never loved her. 

Except she wasn't going there for him but Chloe. She had to shut that woman up. After bumping into her one night when she was drunk and had just left the club with Reyns, she knew she was in trouble. Chloe and every other person in Vampire city never knew she had come there. They all thought she was either with her Father or she had gone somewhere else. Or so she thought since Chloe had seen her last night. 

She pushed the napkin into her back pocket and drew in a steadying breath.

She could do this. She had to come to an agreement with Chloe.

Shelbrooke had made sure she resolved to do just that. She would make Chloe shut up and that was it. Period.

Decision made, she turned to go and mount her horse.

"Are you sure you wanna climb that horse or you're going to stay calm and let us talk this through?"

She froze and raised her hand as a long sharp sword stretched the length of her neck. 

She knew that voice. It belonged to Chloe. She couldn't miss the warmth.

"I appreciate the fact that you're giving me options but I wouldn't like to have my head chopped off by a bitch who doesn't know her place."

The owner of the sword turned. It was definitely her. And she had on a straight face. She knew the meaning. She was a traitor.

"I didn't expect anyone to throw a welcome party for me by the time I come back here but then you're here to welcome me with this. No offense but thanks." She mocked, tilting her head to the side.

"It's best you know what will be your fate but I can't let you reach Vampire City," Chloe said.

"Why?" Luana asked, hands still raised.

"Why? You're asking me why? Because clearly, you're no longer playing games but you're hell-bent on killing and destroying Vampire City."

"Look who's talking. Chloe, we are the same."

"Never!" She pointed the tip of the sword towards her throat and Luana knew if she wasn't careful, it would only take seconds before the sword went through.

"We're not the same."

"Oops!" She muttered, clicking her tongue. "I forgot. You're right. We're not the same. In terms of committing a crime, you're way higher than I am. I mean, who plotted against Wikh and killed him? Oh." She crumpled her face in pity. "Poor man. Who plotted a revenge scheme against the King and his successor? Who started conniving with Shelbrooke? Or you forgot you introduced me?"

Slowly, Chloe's arms were dropping and she knew she was hitting the spot. Luana balanced on her leg, swaying her hip to the side.

"Chloe, we're fighting for the same thing."

"And I said no!" Chloe snapped, raising the sword at her again. Her eyes were red and teary. "I had a reason. A good one. I lost the two most important people in my life. My sister and my husband. All because of the late King's decree, I couldn't save her. I watched her die when I could save her. You don't have a reason."

"You're mistaken. I do have a reason. Do you know what it's like to waste your time for someone and then get betrayed by that same person?" She asked, swallowing hard.

"You're asking me?"

"I left Abbalong thinking I was going to become Queen as he promised me. For once, I thought I had found the one. I thought I had seen someone who would accept me for who I am. Only for him to choose that woman over me. I left my family, my position, my life!" She was feeling emotional already but she pushed it. "For him." She whispered lastly.

"Why didn't you go back the moment you noticed he had no use of you?"

"Because I was madly in love with him."

"I don't believe you."

Luana moved her neck closer to the tip, her skin feeling the sharpness and she could feel something wet drop on the sword. Chloe's eyes widened.

"I was willing to die for him." 

Chloe dropped the sword, looking up at her.

"So, you're working fully for Shelbrooke?"

"Yes. For the same objective that you had."

"Luana, you shouldn't."

"I have a proposition."

"You're not thinking of making me be by your side during your evil doings, are you?"

"I didn't expect you to give in to that but now that you're saying it. I'm sorry but you'll have to do it."

"No."

"If only you'll keep quiet and vindicate me in Vampire City, I'll keep yours. Scratch my back and I do yours."

Chloe let out a shaky breath and she smiled crookedly, glad that her plan worked.

"Remember, you have Lyne. Imagine how heartbroken she will be when she finds out about the kind of person she had trusted all this while."

She moved closer to Chloe and took the sword from her already loose hands, putting her lips to her ear.

"And your puppet?"

Luana chuckled before swaying to her horse with confidence.

"Nice talk, Chloe. Adios."

With that she rode away, feeling the wind biting through her skin over the green fields. One person down, one plan successful. Right now, the only thing on her mind is to be the eyes and feet of Shelbrooke and win Zeidan's trust back.

Zeidan. 

She whispered in her mind as she thought about him, closing her eyes. Could she really push this man off her mind? She would try. Opening her eyes, she propelled her horse forward.

"Hiyaa!"