Defying the Lycan King (Kira and Derek) novel Chapter 37

Chapter 37: Jessica’s Text

Kira woke to the soft knock on the bedroom door. Sunlight poured through the tall windows in pale gold ribbons, warming the white sheets tangled around her legs. She rubbed her eyes and sat up, still half-lost in the strange, heavy dream where she had been running through endless corridors while someone watched from the shadows without moving.

"Come in," she called.

Two maids entered, carrying a garment bag.

"Good morning, Your Highness," they greeted in unison.

"Good morning," Kira replied in a still groggy voice, noting Mara’s absence. "What about Mara?"

"She is not feeling well," one of the maids replied.

"Oh, is it pretty serious?"

"Nothing serious," replied the maid. "It’s that time of the month."

Kira relaxed and smiled a little. "Does she have a remedy for relief?" The maids nodded. Kira made a mental note to check up on her personal maid after freshening up.

"Miss Ruby selected your attire for the ceremony," the other maid said.

Kira swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood. The maids unzipped the bag carefully. Inside hung a bright, Barbie-pink tulle gown with puffy sleeves and shimmering sequins. It looked like something a toddler would wear to a birthday party, not a Queen to an ancient, Lycan ceremony.

Kira stared at it in disbelief. "You’re joking."

The maids’ cheeks turned pink. "I’m afraid not, Your Highness," the second maid whispered.

"I’m not wearing that," Kira said firmly. "Go back and find something else. Anything else. A simple white gown, a dark blue silk, anything but... this."

The maids looked at each other, trembling. "We are so sorry, Your Highness, but this is the only option available. Miss Ruby was very specific."

Kira clenched her fists. She could picture Ruby’s satisfied little smile when she picked it out. The dress screamed "look at me" in the most embarrassing way possible. She wanted to scream at the girls, but their nervous eyes stopped her. They were only doing their job.

"What time is the ceremony?" she asked.

The girls exchanged looks. "We’re not aware, Your Highness," the first girl said.

"Fine," Kira said quietly. "Thank you. Leave it on the chair." She picked up her phone from the nightstand. Two unread messages waited on the screen.

The first was from Ruby, short and formal: ’Your Highness, the Queen’s Blessing Ceremony begins at 4:00 p.m. sharp. The car will collect you at 3:30. Please be ready.’

Kira rolled her eyes. "I’ll just get something else for myself before the ceremony then," she muttered. "You may leave." Kira waved them away.

The maids bobbed another curtsy and slipped out.

The second message was from her best friend, Jessica. Kira’s breath hitched as she read it: ’Kira pls come to campus ASAP. I’m in trouble. Meet me at the old fountain near the library. Hurry.’

Kira’s heart began to hammer against her ribs. Jessica never sent messages like that. Never. She was the only person who truly cared for her without a contract or a title involved.

"Your Highness?" a maid said, stepping back into the room with a tray, startling Kira. She looked up.

"You look pale, and it’s normal for the first day of the ceremony for the queen. I’ve brought you some calming herbal tea. It’s a special blend for the nerves. It has worked through the years."

Kira took the cup gratefully, the warmth seeping into her palms. She was going out of her mind about Jessica—what kind of trouble? Something dangerous? The tea smelled soothing, floral and sweet. She gulped it down in three swallows, feeling the heat spread through her chest like a small comfort. "Thank you," she murmured.

The maid smiled softly and left.

Kira rushed into the bathroom, splashed cold water on her face, and threw on a simple grey tee and black leggings. She didn’t care about looking like a Queen right now. She cared about Jessica.

She ran out into the hallway, looking for Connor. He was usually outside her door to escort her. But the hallway was empty.

"Where is Connor?" she asked a passing guard.

She frowned, wondering if she had left it on the nightstand. A cold sweat broke out on her neck. She had been so panicked, she must have left it, although she was confused if she had shoved it into her handbag after drinking the tea or not.

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