Chapter 1

Everyone in the Dragon Shifter clan knew that Baxon, the third prince, loved me more than life itself.

When my Ascendance trials came, he shielded me from three lethal bolts of celestial lightning.

It cost him a thousand years of his cultivation.

To care for his broken body, I gave up my own chance to leap through the Dragon's Gate.

I thought we were the ultimate romance.

That was until his older brother came to visit him.

He sighed and looked at Baxon with pity.

"Do you really love that lowly clam-shifter so much that you would save a double who just looks like her?"

Baxon gazed tenderly at the pearl in his hand.

"Talia's power is too weak. Once Calliope transforms into a Heart-Tear, she will give her entire life's essence to Talia."

"Then, Talia won't be a bullied little shifter anymore."

"She will be my lawfully wedded wife."

The teardrop shed at death is the culmination of a Siren's entire existence.

Baxon knew that better than anyone.

So, I turned my back on him, destroyed our engagement, and prepared to ascend.

I would never look back.

1.

"Father, Mother, I've decided. When the Dragon's Gate opens again, I'm jumping."

"I'm coming back to Echo Cove to lead the Siren clan."

I sent the message through a telepathic spell.

My parents replied almost instantly.

"Callie, with your talent, you can do it. We'll be at the shore to bring you home in three days!"

The spell flickered out.

My heart felt like it was being squeezed by cold iron.

The fairy tale everyone envied was nothing but a calculated trap.

Without realizing it, I walked back toward the Glimmer Cave.

Baxon chose this place for me after he took those lightning bolts.

He said it was because the spiritual energy here was rich and would help me heal.

I used to wonder why he chose a cave so far from the Dragon Palace.

Now, looking at the swarms of clam-shifters nearby, I finally understood.

It was all for Talia.

When I stepped into the cave, Baxon was whispering sweet nothings to that pearl.

"Talia, just wait a little longer. I've already secured the engagement."

"At the wedding, I'll personally take her life. I'll turn her into an eternal Heart-Tear for you."

"Once your power is boosted, I'll marry you and bring you to the Dragon Palace!"

The pearl glowed with a sickening light.

It was a lovers' token Talia had given him.

No wonder he slept with it tucked against his chest every night.

No wonder he whispered so many romantic things to me in the dark.

I was such a fool.

He wasn't talking to me; he was sending messages to Talia through that pearl.

When he saw me enter, his warmth vanished.

He tucked the pearl into his sleeve with practiced ease.

"Where have you been? Didn't I tell you not to go out?"

"You're weak after the trials. What if a rogue shifter hurt you?"

In the past, I would have been touched by his concern.

But now, I saw the truth in his eyes.

It wasn't worry. It was impatience.

A Heart-Tear needs the Siren to die in a state of peak health to be perfect.

He wasn't worried about me.

He was worried about his precious medicine being damaged.

I forced a smile and spoke coldly.

"Since when do I need your permission to go for a walk?"

Baxon didn't expect that tone.

His face darkened with sudden rage.

"Calliope, you're getting more ungrateful by the day! I ask a simple question, and you catch an attitude?"

"No wonder the other shifters call you a cold-blooded monster. They might be right."

My chest ached, but I kept my eyes fixed on him.

His words weren't just a heat-of-the-moment mistake.

The disgust on his face was real.

He knew why I was being called those things, yet he still used it to wound me.

Did he even remember five years ago?

When he heard those rumors, he nearly killed the shifters who started them.

He had yelled at them back then.

"Whatever Calliope does, she has her reasons! She is my future bride!"

"Anyone who crosses her crosses me! Try me!"

I swallowed my tears and acted like I didn't care.

"Believe whatever they say. It doesn't matter to me."

Baxon glared at me with arrogant disdain.

"Calliope, I can call off this wedding at any time! Think carefully before you decide whether to apologize!"

I turned away and sat down, closing my eyes to meditate.

Baxon let out a frustrated growl.

"Don't you dare regret this!"