Chapter 2

The vampire prince's wedding was a hundred times more significant than our modest Soul-Mate Rite.

Along with a handful of other witches, I was brought to Dreadstone Castle, the vampires' ancient stronghold, to help Ella prepare for her wedding.

I ran my fingers over the blood crystal necklace Alex had sent Ella, but to be honest, I felt nothing at all.

It was beautiful, sure, but to me, it was nothing but a cursed omen.

In my previous life, the gifts I received were far more extravagant than anything now being sent to Ella. Women across the continent would hang on my every word and imitate my every gesture.

But only I knew the suffering I had endured to bring that child into the world.

Before I could even take a proper look, one of Ella's maids hurried over.

"Ms. Lila Hartwell," she said. "Ms. Ella Hartwell requests your presence."

Me? Shouldn't she be busy with her wedding dress right now? What could she possibly want with me now?

Despite my misgivings, she was now the prince's official fiancée. Refusal wasn't an option.

*****

The moment I reached Ella's chambers, the door swung open, and Alex strode out, his shirt undone and his face radiant with a self-satisfied smile.

I quickly averted my gaze, but he didn't so much as glance in my direction.

The scent clinging to him was unmistakable, that peculiar mix of blood and roses that always lingers on vampires after intimacy.

I knew then, with absolute certainty. Ella had already been with him.

Once we came of age, that was just how it was. If we so much as touched a man, desire would flood our senses, pulling us under whether we willed it or not. It was our fatal flaw.

Ella was lounging on the bed, a sheer silk sheet draped carelessly over her. A lazy, satisfied smile played on her lips, doing little to conceal the alluring figure beneath.

Her expression darkened the instant she saw me. Slowly, she raised a finger and pointed to the embroidery lying on the table.

"Did you make this?" she asked, her voice flat. "It's not bad."

I froze. Growing up, I had known her hands and her temper to be equally quick. So why the sudden, insincere praise?

And then, the memory of her pushing me off that cliff in our previous life flashed before my eyes, making my heart pound wildly.

When I remained motionless, she sat up abruptly, the silk sheet pooling around her waist.

In one swift motion, she snatched the heavy candlestick from the bedside table and brought it down hard on my head.

Blood clouded my vision, but I swallowed my rage and sank to the floor, forcing myself into a submissive pose.

Satisfied with my submission, she drawled, "I brought you here so you could witness, firsthand, exactly how I came to have all of this. So keep any foolish ideas to yourself and stay away from the prince. Or else..."

I met her gaze and dipped my head in a slight bow. "As you wish, Your Highness."

She was taken aback by my calmness. Then, in a flash, she was in front of me, her hand tangled in my hair.

"Lila," she hissed, her face inches from mine, "did you honestly think I wouldn't notice that you've come back, too?"

At her words, a flicker of ice passed through my eyes.

She snorted and threw the embroidery in my face. "You grew up in the witches' woods. How could you possibly know how to embroider the blood rose crest, the very emblem reserved for the vampire queen? Did you really think you could fool me?"

I sighed, pressing a hand to my forehead as I rose to my feet.

"Ella, I never wanted to compete with you, and I swear I'll stay far away from the prince," I said.

But she only scoffed, her fingers trailing, almost tenderly, down my cheek.

"You really think I'd ever lose to someone like you?" Her voice dripped with contempt. "Even if you tried your hardest, you wouldn't stand a chance."

I said nothing.

There were things I wouldn't fight for, simply because I wanted to survive.

Only a fool would reach for what glittered, blind to the poison it hid.