Chapter 8 · She Broke My Bloodline

Chapter 8

Victoria's bloodline rejection was getting worse. With each passing day, she became even more frail.She clung to Derek's hand and managed a shaky nod. "Fine, we'll do it her way."Why should I be afraid? Everyone in the Coven knows her life is cheap. It's her honor to offer her blood to me."Derek clenched his fists and then finally nodded. "We'll do it your way. The coronation will be held in three days."I bowed and turned to leave.The moment my back was to them, a faint smirk played at my lips.Three days were enough.Caroline rushed after me, grabbing my sleeve, her eyes red as she said, "Ms. Virellian, what are you thinking? Your origin blood is almost completely drained. If they take any more, you'll die."I stopped and looked at her, asking, "Caroline, do you trust me?"She froze for a second and then nodded firmly."Then stop asking. Go help me get something ready," I said."What is it?" Caroline asked."My wedding dress.""Wedding dress?""I've kept all three dresses from the rituals. For the coronation, I want to wear the very first one."Caroline's face was full of confusion, but she still nodded.After she left, I went back to my room and locked the door behind me.I took the vial of Holy Water from inside my collar.Then I took out the old parchment from the iron box.I placed both items side by side on the table.Then I bit my finger and let a drop of my blood fall into the vial of Holy Water.The moment the blood touched the water, the liquid in the vial glowed with a faint golden shimmer.The light vanished in an instant.The Holy Water returned to its clear, transparent state.But I knew it was no longer the same.The Sanctblood Will said in a calm tone, "Holy Water Factor and your blood have fused successfully."This mixture won't harm pure Coven members, but it will irreversibly corrode the bloodline of any first embrace recipient."Just ten drops will completely exhaust a first embraced's bloodline. A single vial is enough to wipe them out completely."I capped the vial and tucked it close to my body.I didn't need the whole vial—just three drops.I mixed it with my blood and let Derek feed it to Victoria himself.He'd be the one to hurt her, and all I'd have to do was kneel.I spent the next three days doing absolutely nothing.I ate and slept, and sometimes, I just sat in the courtyard, basking in the moonlight.Victoria sent her people to rush me twice, pressing if the wedding dress was finished yet.I told them it'd be ready soon.Derek came to see me once.He stood in the doorway, watching me as I sat by the window, lost in thought."Lillian, after the coronation, is there anything you want in return?" he asked.I turned my head to look at him. "Compensation?""Yes. What do you want?" he asked.I thought for a moment, then said, "A horse. A pouch of blood crystals. And a writ of passage."His expression shifted slightly.Those three things together meant one thing. I was leaving."Lillian, that's not what I meant—" he said."You asked what I wanted, and I told you," I cut him off. "Didn't you say this was the last time?"He stood in the doorway, silent for a long time.In the end, he said nothing and turned to leave.The night before the coronation, I went alone to the highest tower of the castle.The moonlight was beautiful tonight.From up here, I could see the whole domain.In the distance, forests stretched on and on; closer by were the castle's courtyard and the square.Tomorrow, that square would be filled with the entire Coven.They'd all watch as I knelt in the Bloodbind Ritual Array, while Derek personally drained the last of my origin blood.

Chapter 8