Chapter 2
The Wayne family ruled Norpothia, keeping everything in order.
The marriage between our two families was always about upholding the blood bond.
Isabella herself had broken the bond.
And she'd have to face the consequences, too.
Isabella paused, her voice suddenly icy. "Tomorrow night, I'll accept Lucian's Embrace."
"Congratulations," I said.
Her expression darkened.
She turned and walked toward the door.
Her long dress swept across the carpet, like a dark red flame.
But as she reached for the doorknob, she suddenly paused.
"You're not going to take revenge on us, are you?" she asked.
I couldn't help but chuckle softly.
My voice was barely audible. "Noble bloods never speak of revenge."
I was going to take back the Wayne family's protection.
She flinched, her eyes narrowing.
She finally seemed to catch on.
But it was too late.
The door closed behind her, slow and deliberate.
The study fell silent once more.
The heavy rain continued to pound against the glass.
I stood up and walked to the window.
The main city of Norpothia was drenched in darkness.
In the distance, the church's sacred flames burned brightly.
Under the shadow of the tower, the Wayne family's Black Crow Guard began to gather.
"Your Highness." Behind me, an elder emerged, his head bowed.
"Should we revoke the Blackthorne family's protection status immediately?" he asked.
I gazed out at the churning night mist in the distance. "Rescind them all.
"Sever all ties of blood supply quotas, access to underground passages, train access, and intelligence sharing."
The elder's gaze flickered.
He knew what that meant.
The Blackthorne family would be banished from Norpothia's core power.
"Understood." His voice was low.
He bowed and quietly withdrew.
Three days later, Isabella officially became a member of the Blackthorne family.
Lucian even hosted a lavish banquet in her honor.
All of Norpothia was waiting to see how the Wayne family would respond.
But that night, the Wayne Council issued a Blood Decree.
All thirteen underground blood markets in Norpothia simultaneously severed all supply to the Blackthorne family.
No trains were allowed into their lands.
Dozens of human nobles who once depended on them cut ties overnight.
Even the Hunter's Guild started showing up at the Blackthorne borders.
Overnight, the entire Blackthorne family descended into chaos.
In the dead of night, I stood atop the castle's highest point.
The wind whipped my black robe.
Suddenly, a familiar voice sounded in my head.
It was seething with barely suppressed anger. "Cedric, have you lost your mind?"
It was Isabella.
For the first time, she initiated a mind-link with me.
I gazed at the distant church flames, my tone indifferent. "It's a family decision."
Her breathing grew rapid. "What are you really after?"
The night wind whistled through the tower.
I slowly narrowed my eyes. "What I gave up was never just about the blood bond."
The next night, Blackthorne Castle was ablaze with lights.
The sound of bells could be heard throughout the valley.
Lucian hosted Isabella's Embrace Ceremony with extravagant flair.
Nearly every noble in Norpothia got an invitation.
Some showed up for the drama.
Some came to see where the Wayne family stood.
Others were waiting for me to snap.
But I didn't show up.
Meanwhile, I was sitting in the council chamber of Wayne Castle.
Both sides of the long table were packed with elders.
The blood-crystal chandelier bathed the room in a crimson glow, and the air was laced with a faint, metallic scent of blood.
An elder quietly reported, "Your Highness, the Blackthorne family has been raising the price for blood in the underground markets for three days now.
"Their reserves are nearly depleted."
I leafed through the ledger in my hands, not bothering to look up.
"Keep the blockade in place," I said.
The elder bowed. "Yes, Your Highness."
Another elder hesitated for a moment.
He said, "Lucian's invited a bunch of clans tonight. He probably wants to use Isabella to take a shot at the Wayne family's reputation."
I closed the ledger without looking up.
"He doesn't have the right," I said.
The hall fell silent.
No one spoke.
Everyone knew the Blackthorne family's rise was built entirely on the rules the Wayne family allowed.
Now that the Wayne family's rules had been pulled back, they'd soon realize how cold Norpothia's nights could get.
They'd soon find out how unforgiving the nights in Norpothia really were.
Meanwhile, at Blackthorne Castle, the massive banquet hall glittered with gold and opulence.
A crimson carpet ran all the way up to the dais.
Countless vampires raised crystal glasses, murmuring and laughing quietly among themselves.
Isabella stood at the center of the crowd.
She wore a flowing black gown, her pale neck and shoulders almost luminous, a necklace of thorns circling her throat, the mark of her new blood bond.
Lucian stood by her side.
His long, dark-gold hair cascaded over his shoulders, and his eyes glimmered with a dangerous red gleam.
He took Isabella's hand and, for all to see, lowered his head to kiss it.
Laughter and applause broke out around them.
"Looks like Prince Cedric really got dumped."
"Lady Isabella's got some nerve."
"Earl Blackthorne's been making waves lately. Maybe he'll surpass the Wayne family."
The chatter in the hall never died down.
Isabella listened to the voices around her, her heart racing for reasons she couldn't explain.
She'd thought she'd feel satisfied.
But standing there, she couldn't help but feel like something was missing.
Almost unconsciously, she cast a look toward the entrance of the hall.
It was empty.
I didn't show up.
No one from the Wayne family was there, either.
Lucian caught her mind wandering and gently pulled her close by the waist.
"Still thinking about him?" Lucian asked.
Isabella frowned. "No."
Lucian smiled, but the smile never reached his eyes. "After tonight, you're part of the Blackthorne family.
"Don't let any other man sway you."
As he spoke, he deliberately tightened his grip on her waist.
Isabella winced slightly.
But with all the guests around, she had no choice but to endure it.
And the next moment, a commotion broke out in the banquet hall.
A voice sounded. "Blood... give me blood!"
In the corner, a low-level vampire lunged at a server.