Chapter Three

Stefan

I hurried towards the throne room, my head filled with the magical night I had spent with Viorica. I inhaled deeply, loving the fact that my academy uniform had her scent on it. I swore as the giant castle clock counted off the half hour. I was late for my private lessons… again.

Breaking into a sprint, I reached the throne room a few moments later. I crashed through the doors, causing my uncle and father to turn.

"My apologies, Your Majesty," I bowed low, pleased that I was barely out of breath.

"You understand that these private lessons are a privilege, right?" My father asked sharply.

"Yes father, I do."

My father opened his mouth to say more but the king interrupted with a hearty laugh.

"Come now, Lucian! Don't you remember how late we always were as boys? Let's start the lesson, shall we?"

My father shot me a look that clearly said we weren't done, but said nothing more. I took my seat at the table across from my uncle. My father sat next to my uncle as a maid set a load of stale-smelling parchment on the table between us. I wrinkled my nose as the smell washed over me.

"How old do you think this parchment is, Stefan?" my uncle asked.

"Judging by its smell, I'm guessing about three thousand years."

"Correct. These papers are from the time of my father, King Dominik. There was a prophecy made that is relevant to our times now. We don't know how it's relevant, or even when it's supposed to come true. What we do know is that the only copy in existence is in these papers somewhere and that the man who made this prophecy is still here, miraculously."

I stared at the king in disbelief. The only immortals were purebloods. Most other vampires lived long enough, but none had ever survived three thousand years!

"But-How?" I managed to ask.

King Draco laughed at my puzzlement.

"Yes, this man is very old. He lives here in the castle, but he prefers to keep to himself. He made the prophecy when he was two years old, which is surprising in itself. You know that most vampires don't get their powers until they've reached maturity.

"And even so, this man is the only non-pureblood to ever live more than one thousand years. We can only think that this prophecy will come true, and that is why we need to find it and analyze it. And this is where you come in, Stefan."

My mind reeled. This was the lesson? To tell me that I was needed as a secretary? Usually King Draco's lessons were about discovering my powers or learning to take over the kingdom. But this?

"With all due respect, Your Majesty, can't we just ask the man who made the prophecy?"

The king gave me a hard look. It made my toes curl with anxiety.

"You know the gifts of foresight don't work that way, Stefan."

My chest sank as I realized he was right. How stupid of me to have forgotten. King Draco got to his feet, pushing the stack of papers towards me.

"Your objective is to find the prophecy. When you do come straight to me and your father. Then all three of us will analyze it together. Until then, there will be no point in these lessons."

I nodded, my breath catching when I saw the actual size of the stack. King Draco chuckled, coming over to clap me on the back.

"Don't worry, Stefan. I know you'll concentrate on finding that prophecy. It may be more vital than you think."

I nodded again, and my father used a cord to bind all the papers together. He used his power to make them float gently over to me. I snatched them before they could fall.

"Oh, Stefan. What was it you wanted to speak to me about earlier?"

I got to my feet, setting the papers down on the table.

"Well actually its two things that are kind of the same thing. You see, during the lesson today-"

"Ah, yes. I got a glimpse of what happened from the minds of other students. Maximus has always been outspoken, but he's not a real danger now," King Draco said, his eyes glinting red. "But it doesn't mean he can ever disrespect my daughter like that again. I plan on speaking with him about it during the course of the night."

I gave a tiny shudder from the anger in my uncle's voice. On the other hand, I was happy Master Maximus would put in his place.

"Well when Master Maximus said that, I was filled with such an anger… I've never been that angry before and I think my eyes actually turned red. But a vampire doesn't develop red eyes until they've reached maturity and recognize their powers, right?"

King Draco leaned towards me, his eyes gleaming with interest. Even my father looked at me with a speculative eye.

"You think your eyes turned red? Did the world take on a red hue?"

I nodded, taking a step back from the gleam in the king's eyes.

"But Uncle, what does all this mean?"

My uncle beamed at my father, who returned his joyful stare.

"I think, Stefan that you are close to maturing."

I gasped in wonder and excitement.

I'm finally maturing…