+ Initiation +

Luna might have been rash in her decision to accompany Cederic into the Winter Woods.

"Cederic, where are we headed?"

He nonchalantly shrugged, his indifference palpable. "You're unnerving me," she confessed softly.

"To think my mere presence doesn't terrify you!" Cederic retorted with a playful smile. "Seems my reputation isn't as fearsome as I believed."

His gaze raked over her, assessing, as if appraising a piece of merchandise, perhaps a horse at a market, or something even more degrading. He let out a soft chuckle.

"Should I interpret that as a threat?"

"Only time will tell, My Lady," Cederic replied enigmatically.

After traversing a seemingly endless icy terrain, Cederic signaled for a halt with a raised finger. His attention was focused on the skeletal branches of the bare trees, and for a moment, Luna wondered if he was communicating telepathically with someone unseen.

A rush of adrenaline propelled her into action. She spurred her horse, urging it into a swift gallop, only to be intercepted by a cloaked rider, with three more shadowy figures trailing behind him. They emanated an air of menace, and Luna couldn't help but wonder if this was another of Cederic's schemes to punish her for her defiance.

Heart pounding, a sense of foreboding settled in her chest. She yanked the reins, intending to reverse her direction when a familiar voice halted her.

"Where do you think you're headed, young one? It's just me!"

Regardless of the voice's owner, Luna wasn't about to forgo any chance she had to flee from this treacherous kingdom.

Luna felt the urge to flee, as though a specter was at her heels.

"Luna!" Cederic's voice rang out, tinged with desperation.

"High Priestess!" Another voice, more mature and familiar, caused her to halt. She gently pulled back on the reins, looking over her shoulder in surprise.

"Fei?"

He nodded, trotting closer. "Yes, it's me, High Priestess." Drawing back his hood, he fully revealed his features.

"Why are you skulking around so covertly?" Luna demanded, her voice shaky from the unexpected encounter. "You nearly scared me to death."

"My apologies, High Priestess." His regret seemed genuine, but it did little to clarify their mysterious presence.

Luna, despite the lingering chill on her skin, pressed on. "Where have you been, Fei? Cederic and I have been scouring the woods for you for what feels like an eternity!"

His eyes gleamed with mischief. "Oh, just around," he replied evasively, while the palace guards formed a protective circle around them. "Finalizing preparations for your initiation as the new High Priestess."

She raised an eyebrow, curiosity and apprehension mixing within. "What sort of initiation?"

"A time-honored ritual all High Priestesses must undergo on the first evening of their mission."

She knit her brows in confusion. "Then why are we congregated in this remote location? What's required of me for this mission? Why are both you and Cederic here, and who else is involved?"

A voice, smooth yet unmistakably authoritative, emerged from one of the cloaked figures. "It's in your best interest to remain uninformed for now."

It was Jon, the Vampire King's trusted advisor. "Some things are best learned in due course."