Chapter 1

My Blood Mate was the most exalted prince of the Thirteen Noble Houses of the Coven.

Derek Bennett—once so merciful, so self-proclaimed compassionate—was determined to "save" the poor woman Victoria Wooten, newly turned and unable to control her thirst for blood.

And so, again and again, he allowed her to ruin the formation of our blood bond.

The first time, she stole three days' worth of my primordial blood essence, ruining my reputation within the Coven.

Derek only said, "She's a pitiful soul, the Embrace, alone, without guidance. Lilian, you are fortunate. You still have me."

The second time, she sealed half of my bloodline power while I lay in slumber. When I awoke, I could no longer even command my servants.

Derek said, "She has yet to find her Blood Mate. Jealousy is only natural."

The third time, she poisoned the Blood Grail with withered blood toxin. I nearly had my lineage severed entirely—unable to ever bear offspring again.

*****

Derek looked at Victoria's smug grin, his voice full of indulgence. "She just wanted to copy other people's rituals, but she went too far. Blame me. I didn't teach her well enough."

After severing the bond, he was consumed by regret.

For the sake of the blood heir growing inside me, I renewed the Blood Mate bond with him.

Three years after Derek and I renewed our Blood Mate bond, Victoria kidnapped our three-year-old blood heir, Lucas, all over again.

She sent a servant with a taunting letter, demanding that Derek come to her Nocthollow and be her Blood Mate for three months.

She said she'd finally stop stirring up trouble if she could experience what a true Blood Mate bond felt like.

When the news came in, Derek was in the study, polishing his sword.

He put the sword aside, wearing a deep frown.

When he looked at me, his eyes were full of guilt and trouble—but not a trace of hesitation.

"Lillian, you know how impatient she gets. For Lucas's safety, I have to go," he said.

What a lame excuse.

I couldn't even remember how many times this had happened anymore.

But this time, I didn't throw a fit or make a fuss like before.

I just nodded, fastening his cloak for him with a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes.

He froze, clearly not expecting me to be so agreeable.

"You're really not going to stop me?" Derek asked.

After fastening the last silver button, I stepped back and said, calm as ever, "Go ahead. It's the only thing we can do. I get it."

Before this, when Victoria kidnapped Lucas, she wasn't content with just one bargaining chip. She went ahead and snatched over a dozen children from the servant families across the territory.

She said that if Derek agreed, she'd release one child every three days.

Outside the castle, the servants and lower-ranked Coven members who'd lost their children were all on their knees, pleading for mercy with their lives on the line.

They begged me to show mercy and let Derek go.

The stage was already set. How could I not play my part and see this drama through to the end?

When Derek saw my reaction, he let out a sigh of relief.

He squeezed my hand, relief and gratitude shining in his eyes. "I knew it. You're the only one who really understands me."

I had lost count of how many times I had heard that word.

The first time was on the day we sealed our Blood Mate bond.

Victoria stormed in with her servants and stole every drop of heartblood that was supposed to be my wedding gift.

She took me hostage for three days.

When they finally pulled me out of Nocthollow, I was barely clinging to life, my bloodline nearly dried up. Rumors spread through the Coven that I was ruined, nothing but a cripple.

But Derek spoke quietly, almost calm. "She's a poor soul. After her turning, no one taught her how to live. She ended up like this because she had no guidance.

"Lillian, you're luckier. You've got me. Heartblood and reputation are fleeting things. I'd never hold that against you.

"No matter what kind of people they are, I'm still their prince. Can you be understanding, Lillian?"

That was the first time I realized how much being asked to 'understand' could cut so deep.

When I came back to myself, Derek was already packed and ready to go.

He looked back at me, words on the tip of his tongue, but swallowed them.

"Lillian, when I get back, the three of us will finally live like a real family," he said.

I smiled, saying nothing.

He walked out the door, not even glancing back.

I stood on the castle balcony, watching as he mounted his horse and rode off with a handful of loyal followers toward Nocthollow.

The night wind caught his black cloak, making it billow behind him like a triumphant flag.

But the one waiting for him wasn't me. It was Victoria.

Caroline Medryn, my servant, stood beside me, her eyes rimmed red with anxiety.

"You went through so much just to bring Lucas into this world, and now she's using his life to threaten you," she choked out.

I didn't say a word.