Chapter 2 - THE GIRL FROM THE FIREDraven caught Ren before she hit the floor.

“Physician!”

The palace erupted into movement.

Guards ran.

Servants shouted.

Captain Hale slammed the door shut.

Draven carried Ren himself.

She weighed almost nothing in his arms.

That terrified him more than her blood.

He placed her gently on the bed.

“Stay with me.”

Her eyes fluttered.

“I tried…”

“You're safe.”

“No.”

Ren grabbed his wrist.

Her fingers trembled.

“They know.”

“Who?”

“My past.”

Draven froze.

The physician entered.

“Your Majesty, please step back.”

“No.”

“Her wound is deep.”

“I said no.”

The physician looked at Captain Hale.

The captain gave a small nod.

“Let the king stay.”

The physician cut away the fabric around Ren's shoulder.

A long knife wound stretched across her skin.

But beneath it was something else.

A symbol.

Burned into her flesh.

Three interlocking circles.

Draven stared.

He had seen that mark before.

In records destroyed after the Great Blackwood Fire.

Captain Hale whispered,

“The Hollow Court.”

Draven's head turned.

“You're certain?”

“Yes.”

“What is the Hollow Court?”

Ren answered before Hale could.

“A group that doesn't belong to any kingdom.”

Her voice was weak.

“They collect bloodlines.”

Draven's eyes narrowed.

“What bloodline?”

Ren looked at him.

“Royal ones.”

Silence filled the room.

The physician finished bandaging her.

Draven waited until everyone left.

Then he sat beside the bed.

“Tell me everything.”

Ren stared at the fire.

“When I was a child, I lived in a village beyond the northern border.”

“Where?”

“I don't know its name.”

“Why?”

“Because I was told never to say it.”

She hesitated.

“My mother raised me alone.”

Draven's chest tightened.

“Your father?”

Ren shook her head.

“I never knew him.”

“What happened to your mother?”

Ren's eyes filled with tears.

“She disappeared.”

“Because of the Hollow Court?”

“I don't know.”

A long silence.

Then Ren reached beneath her pillow.

She pulled out a small metal key.

Draven stared.

“What does it open?”

“My mother gave it to me.”

“When?”

“Before she vanished.”

Ren placed it in his hand.

“There was one thing she told me.”

“What?”

“She said…”

Ren's voice broke.

“‘One day the king of Blackwood will find you.’”

Draven stopped breathing.

“Your mother knew me?”

“I think so.”

“Then why did she never tell me?”

“I don't know.”

Draven stood.

He walked toward the window.

His thoughts were racing.

Twenty-three women had rejected him.

Nobles had mocked him.

His council had secretly challenged his authority.

Now the Hollow Court had appeared.

Ren carried his mother's pendant.

Her mother had predicted he would find her.

And someone had branded Ren with the symbol of the Hollow Court.

Too many pieces.

Not enough answers.

The door opened.

Karine entered.

Draven turned.

“No.”

Karine stopped.

“I came to speak with you.”

“You've said enough.”

She smiled.

“Then perhaps you should hear what Ren hasn't told you.”

Ren slowly sat up.

Karine looked at her.

“Do you know why Baron Silas wanted you?”

Ren's face went pale.

Karine continued.

“Not because he desired another servant.”

Draven's voice became dangerous.

“Choose your next words carefully.”

Karine smiled.

“He was searching for the last daughter of House Vael.”

Ren stopped moving.

Draven looked at her.

“House Vael?”

Karine folded her arms.

“The bloodline that vanished twenty years ago.”

Captain Hale entered.

He heard the last sentence.

His face changed.

“No.”

Karine looked pleased.

“Yes.”

She looked directly at Ren.

“She is not an ordinary omega.”

Ren's hands trembled.

Karine whispered,

“She is royal.”

Draven stared at Ren.

“Is that true?”

Ren opened her mouth.

No answer came.

Karine laughed softly.

“Ask her what happened the night Blackwood burned.”

Draven stepped toward Ren.

“Ren?”

Tears slid down her cheeks.

“I don't remember.”

Karine's smile widened.

“Of course you don't.”

Draven's eyes narrowed.

“What do you mean?”

Karine turned toward the door.

“I mean someone removed her memories.”

The room became silent.

Draven grabbed Karine's arm.

“Who?”

Karine looked at his hand.

Then back at him.

“Your father.”

Draven released her.

Karine walked away.

Ren covered her face.

Draven stood motionless.

His father's name had not been spoken like that in years.

Then Ren whispered,

“She's lying.”

Draven turned.

“Are you sure?”

Ren nodded.

“I don't know why.”

She looked into his eyes.

“But something inside me knows.”

Suddenly, the palace bells rang.

Once.

Twice.

Then ten times in rapid succession.

Captain Hale ran into the room.

“Your Majesty!”

“What?”

“The northern fortress has fallen.”

Draven's expression hardened.

“How?”

The captain held out a bloodstained letter.

“There was no army.”

“What happened?”

Hale looked at Ren.

“They opened the gates from inside.”

Draven took the letter.

At the bottom was a familiar symbol.

Three interlocking circles.

And beneath it, five words.

WE HAVE YOUR TRUE QUEEN.

Ren's blood turned cold.

Draven looked at her.

Neither of them spoke.

Because both understood the message.

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The Hollow Court had not come for Ren.

They had come to claim her throne.