Chapter 2

2.

Gareth, the God of War, and I actually shared an old betrothal.

Our mothers had been close friends and arranged our engagement before we were even born. But after my mother passed away and Blossom Palace declined, I gradually forgot all about it.

Along with the marriage contract, Gareth had sent a pair of luminous white jade bracelets that swirled with iridescent celestial aura under the sunlight.

I slipped off the jade bangles I had worn for thousands of years and put on the new ones. Turning to Phoebe, I said, "I will not take their things with me. Was it not Kendra's birthday yesterday? Give these old bangles to her."

Since I was leaving Blossom Palace for good, it was time to pack my dowry.

My late mother had not left me much. Over the years, the only priceless heirloom I kept close was a protective amulet worn against my chest.

Yet when my hand brushed over my collar, it touched empty air.

My eyes widened in shock. "Phoebe, where is my amulet?"

She looked puzzled. "You always wore it next to your skin and never took it off. How could it suddenly disappear?"

I closed my eyes and let out a bitter laugh.

Everyone in Blossom Palace knew that talisman was my greatest treasure, and Kendra was the only person who had been close enough to touch me.

No wonder she insisted on dragging me to the trial, and no wonder she deliberately provoked the alpha beast. She had intended to send me to my grave all along!

I gripped the hem of my dress as phantom agony tore through my flesh again, cold sweat drenching my back at the horrifying memory.

Yet what hurt even more was how Merrick and Corbin had merely glanced back at me before turning around to carry Kendra away.

"Celine, you have your amulet and your immortal body. You will be fine."

"Kendra's life hangs by a thread. We cannot leave her behind."

Once upon a time, a single scratch on my finger would make them frown in distress. Yet they left me defenseless before a savage monster for another woman.

I fought desperately on my own, enduring brutal mauling without ever seeing them return.

When I finally dragged my blood-soaked body out of the cavern step by painful step, I saw them lighting birthday candles for Kendra in my own chambers.

Merrick and Corbin stood on either side of her, presenting exquisite gifts with gazes so tender they could melt iron.

It was just like how they used to celebrate my birthdays.

They had completely forgotten that Celine was fighting for her life in the Demon Pit, waiting for their rescue.

In that instant, my heart felt ripped apart all over again.

Before I could shake off the nightmare, my bedroom door swung open.

Kendra strutted in, looking radiant and completely healed from the minor scratches she had received during the trial.

She crossed her arms, scanning my bandaged body and pale complexion with a condescending smirk. "Celine, why is your constitution so terribly weak?"

She lifted her chin proudly. "Unlike you, I train daily with Merrick and Corbin. My spiritual power has soared, and my wounds healed in a flash."

"If you ask me, you should stop acting like a delicate, helpless flower. It only turns you into a permanent invalid."

Phoebe turned red with fury, stepping forward and slapping her hard across the face. "Shut your mouth! You stole my lady's protective talisman, and that is why she was gravely injured!"

I let out a soft sigh. "Kendra, give me back my amulet. I will overlook everything else, but that talisman was left to me by my mother. It is sacred to me."