Chapter 2

2.

The vampire prince's wedding was a hundred times more important than our simple Pairing Ritual.

My sister, myself, and a few other witches were taken to the vampires' Shadowfall Castle. We were forbidden to leave, tasked with preparing every detail for Elara's upcoming marriage.

I ran my fingers over the Bloodstone necklace Alaric had sent as a gift, feeling nothing.

It was beautiful, yes, but to me, it was a death warrant.

In my past life, the treasures I received were a hundred times more lavish than my sister's. Every word I spoke, every move I made, was copied by women across the continent.

But only I knew the price I paid to bring that child into the world.

Before I could dwell on it, one of Elara's maids scurried over to me.

"Miss Lyra, the future princess requests your presence."

Requests me? Elara should be busy with her wedding gown. Why would she summon her irrelevant little sister?

I was suspicious, but she was now the prince's publicly acknowledged fiancée. I had no power to refuse her.

As I approached her chambers, I saw Alaric walking out, his robes open, a satisfied smirk on his face.

I quickly lowered my head. He didn't even glance at me.

His scent was all too familiar―that unique fragrance of blood and roses that a vampire exudes after being aroused.

I knew instantly. My sister had already slept with him.

It couldn't be helped. An adult witch's body is not always her own. The touch of a desired man can make us lose all control. It's our fatal flaw.

Elara was lounging on the bed, a thin silk sheet draped over her, barely concealing her perfect figure.

When she saw me enter, her expression turned cold. She slowly pointed a finger at the embroidery pattern on the table.

"Did you make this? It's very good."

I stood frozen. She had spent our entire lives beating and berating me. Why would she praise me now?

The memory of her pushing me from that cliff sent a violent tremor through my heart.

Seeing my hesitation, she shot up from the bed.

She grabbed a silver candlestick and slammed it into my head with brutal force.

Blood streamed down my face, blurring my vision. I swallowed my rage and knelt on the floor.

She seemed pleased with my reaction and spoke in a lazy drawl.

"I brought you all here so you could watch how I get everything I've ever wanted. You'd better drop any foolish ideas you have. Stay away from the prince, or else…"

I looked up, meeting her gaze. "As you wish, Your Highness."

The calmness in my eyes seemed to startle her for a moment. Then she strode forward and yanked my hair.

"Lyra, did you really think I didn't know? You were reborn, too."

Hearing those words, a dark shadow passed over my eyes.

She sneered, throwing the embroidery pattern in my face. "You grew up in the witch's woods. How could you possibly know how to stitch the Bloodrose Crest, a sigil only a vampire queen can use? You dare lie to me!"

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

"Sister, I never wanted to compete with you. And I will never appear before the prince again."

She just laughed, a cruel, mocking sound, as her fingers traced my cheek.

"Do you think I'd ever lose to an ugly little thing like you? Even if you wanted to fight me for him, you wouldn't stand a chance."

I fell silent.

Some things aren't worth fighting for, especially when you want to live a long life.

Only a fool would cling to such glittering poison.