Growing up without a mother or siblings left Saylia feeling very alone. Her father could only do so much and no nanny or maid could ever actually replace a parent’s love.

Nik stood nearby, watching the princess. Saylia patted the bench next to her, motioning for Nik to sit.

“I’m sorry you had to hear that, Nik. Your life isn’t expendable and humans aren’t insignificant. You are as important as any vampire.”

“It isn’t the first time I’ve heard that and I’m sure it won’t be the last.”

Saylia sighed, leaning back against the bench. “It shouldn’t be something you have to hear. I hate the way humans are treated in this kingdom and I wish I could change it.”

“Once you take the throne you could.” Nik said quietly.

Saylia scoffed. “You just heard what my future husband thinks of humans. He agrees with my father. And once I’m married to him I’ll have even less power than I do now.”

Nik got off the bench and kneeled on the path in front of Saylia. She took the other woman’s hands in her own and looked deeply into the violet eyes. “Princess, you are the most intelligent person I’ve ever met. You are worth more than just being someone’s bride. Than being some trophy for a duke's son. You have a mind that could change the lives of the people. Don't let them squash the fire within you."

At this point Saylia was crying. As she looked into Nik's golden-hazel eyes, she saw the sincerity in what Nik was telling her. But there wasn't anything she could do. She could never take the throne without a husband and her future husband had the same hatred for humans that her father did. She took her hands away from Nik, wiped the tears from her eyes, and looked away. She said nothing as Nik rose and sat next to her again on the bench.

They sat there in silence for what felt like an eternity. Neither wanted to say anything. Saylia didn't know what to say to Nik and Nik felt like she had overstepped her boundaries. Eventually, the two looked at each other and Saylia gave Nik a slight smile.

"I think I should head to my study for a bit." Saylia said as she stood. Nik nodded and followed the princess to her personal study. Nik stood guard outside, sensing that Saylia would have wanted to be left alone.

This wasn't what Saylia wanted but she was too scared to ask Nik to come in. She had never felt so connected to another person before. She had never really had a friend - especially not one that seemed to actually value her for her mind more than her position.

That night, after the princess retired to her bedroom for the evening, Nik slipped out of the castle. She was great at sneaking around. Something she learned as a child slave and retained up to this day. She traveled through the darkness to a cabin deep in the woods outside the castle and the capital city. This cabin looked abandoned and dilapidated from the outside, but on the inside was a small gathering.

A gathering of leaders of the Revolution.

Nik entered the cabin and lowered her cloak hood. She was greeted by Ainsley, a half-vampire half-human member. She was who recruited Nik into the Revolution six years ago when Nik officially became a royal knight. They had been slowly working into higher and higher ranks of the Red Kingdom - though it was hard to breach into the noble houses. There were about 15 members of the Revolution inside the small cabin.

"Nik. I'm glad you made it here safely. I'm sure it wasn't easy sneaking away from the palace." Ainsley hugged the knight.

"It never is. But it's worth it. We don't have meetings often and I know they're important when we do." Nik returned the hug. Ainsley had been her closest friend for most of her life. She was the daughter of the baron who owned Nik as a child and a human slave. She was a bastard half-breed that the baron refused to acknowledge the existence of. When Ainsley approached Nik about joining the Revolution Nik didn't question her. She knew the cause was worthy when her friend deemed it so.

"Have you heard what this meeting is about?"

"No. The message was as cryptic as usual. Do you know?"

Ainsley smiled. "We finally get to meet the heads of the Revolution."

Nik was stunned. The leaders of the Revolution were only known by a few top members. Their identities were kept under lock and key. The only reason that damned son of a duke knew that the leaders were a married couple was because they wanted people to know that.

If they were appearing now, this meant that something huge was going to happen. That the Revolt was coming.

Nik just hoped that Saylia would stay safe through it.

"Do you know who they are?" Nik asked Ainsley.

Ainsley smiled again and shook her head. "No, but Viktor - the vampire who recruited me - has known both of them since the Revolution began. He told me it was time for them to come into the light.

Nik's eyes widened. She'd met Viktor a couple of times at previous meetings but he was almost as elusive as the top leaders.

The chattering in the cabin died down as they heard the clopping sound of hoofbeats nearing the structure. The door opened and two cloaked figures entered. They lowered their hoods and Nik saw a human woman and a vampire man.

"It's so lovely to finally be able to meet you all." Prince Alaric said.