Spurned Queen

Chapter 33: I Meet My Daughter

Aevran

I made my way to the correct receiving room. Kjord and Imogen were there, as well as four guards. I motioned for them to let the child in.

The door opened, revealing one of my guards leading her by the arm. It was undoubtedly her— exactly as my mate described. Her hair was straighter and shabbier than I had thought hair could be. Her big eyes wandered about the room, taking in the tapestries, guards, and myself. She was a beautiful child. My eyes latched onto the guard's large hand gripping her arm and narrowed.

"Did I or did I not order that not a hand was to be laid on her?" I growled.

"Sorry, Your Majesty." He removed it promptly.

The girl looked at me and... smiled. "Hello sir. Are you the king?"

Her voice... so soft. It was nostalgic of a wool blanket.

I managed a smile back, intrigued. "Hello yourself, and yes, I believe I am."

"Cool. So this whole place belongs to you?"

"Technically, yes," I nodded.

"It's very nice," she complimented. What a polite little imp. I smiled again.

"Thank you, child. What is your name?"

She hesitated. "Kaiden," she replied. "What's yours?"

"Aevran. You may call me that. Can you come up here, Kaiden?" I requested nicely.

She obeyed without hesitation. Apparently she had no sense of self-preservation, walking up to the throne of the Vampire King without a hitch. Everyone else in the room watched in silence. She stood before me and looked right into my eyes, never dreaming that she should be afraid. I resisted the urge to pat her hair.

"So tell me Kaiden, what are you doing here? You really shouldn't be here. You're a little witch, and this is vampire territory."

I caught the telltale flutter of a lying heart before she even opened her mouth. "It's a long story."

Ah, there was the sense of self-preservation. Only that this time she was protecting Alexa. Maybe I could pry that secret out of her.

But she was a witch. I wondered why Alexa had her. A witch orphan getting adopted by a werewolf? On the brink of war between shifters and wielders? Hmm, that was something I would need to think about.

But for now, I focused on Kaiden.

"A long story, that I will need to hear soon. So tell me. What can you do?"

Another falter in her heartbeat. "I can grow plants."

"Ah, like an elf. Is that true, dear child?" I narrowed my eyes.

She nodded with certainty but didn't offer to show me.

"Show me," I demanded.

She seemed sullen as she obeyed, her eyes darting briefly to Imogen and Kjord. Her eyes burned white like all witches when they used their powers. And there in her hand sat a small flower.

I took it from her and crushed it between my fingers. There was moisture, which meant this was a real plant. It was the morning glory that blooms on sweet potato vines, meaning that this child could produce food.

Interesting...

"Is that all that you can do?" I wondered aloud.

"Yes," she answered too quickly, and it was a lie.

"Can you make large plants?" I asked curiously.

"No, only small vines and flowers."

Lie.