Betrayed by her Blood. Claimed by the Night.

PE POV: The

surge of cold dread spiked through me. It wasn't just nerv

deep voice of th

nia. Just the most important, inescapable

thetic squeeze-a gesture that felt far from comforting

one, but three beautiful Princes," she chided softly, adjusting the he

puff of air. "It is,

ers, yet the tight crimson sash cinched my waist and the thin fabric closely skimmed my pronounced hips. I wasn't built like a discipli

but I gave her a pointed look. She knew exactly how I felt about my so-call

n acceptable socialite, a suitable fixture for my future consort

ve a problem with," I said

Blood Union, especially now that they had become near-strangers. This night would bind the four of us forever, irrevocably. For me, it was trading one warden

an innocent, but loaded, question: "Wh

," I said, tugging absently on the signet ring dangling from a

ure things will be different once you receive t

enever I'd asked about her arranged Binding Day. My parents proved that

g half as convinced as I needed

again, sharper this time. Mari playfu

murmured, pullin

where "Bloodline Purity and Tradition are the keys to stability." As we drew within earshot of the low, cul

mber in a warm, pulsing light. This wasn't just a ceremony; it was a political spectacle of the highest, most elab

s, full of envy. Fools. Most of them would at least be allowed to choose their own partne

ised marble dais, taking

y were. Zilo,

that temporarily smoothed my jangling nerves. H

ist with familiar anxiety. His dark eyes swept over me like a detached general inspecting a new arma

thing in his emerald-green eyes, unlike the others-a hint of simmering, dangerous heat beneath hi

to make it

rward-laconic, cold, his face stern, without a trace of

said, his voice a low, cold comm

remonial words: "Here is the tie that binds our

in contrast to my father's chill. "Lavinia," he said, his voice a dee

re faded. This isn't about the Covenant. It's about us. Maybe Mari was right.

nsorts. And then Klaus, the formidable one, stepped forward, his expression seve

e a low, hard rasp that silenced the entire hall

w, and undeniable. My father's face cont

e. But our bond is conditioned. We require her to secure the missing artifact of the Covenant-the Sanguine H

ng beat of pure, terrifying realization. This wa