- 6 hours ago
Reborn to Marry the Vampire Duke AI DRAMA SM
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Short filmTranscript
00:00I cast the bloodthrall curse on Adrian, binding his body to mine.
00:03For that, he hates me for five long years.
00:05Before he dies, he refuses to even glance at our child.
00:08The first bond ends here.
00:10I open my eyes again.
00:11I found a way to break the bloodthrall.
00:13Blood.
00:13The blood of the one your heart truly beats for.
00:16Adrian's heart beats for Vivienne.
00:18Vivienne won't marry him.
00:19I will.
00:20This time, then scoffs, like he has just heard a cruel joke.
00:23You do that out of the goodness of your heart?
00:26What is this, another scheme?
00:27You'll have her.
00:28I cast the bloodthrall curse on Adrian, binding his body to mine.
00:31For that, he hates me for five long years.
00:34By day, he cuts me down with cruel words.
00:36Yet at night, he comes to my bed like an addict, lost in me.
00:40Later, I am pregnant.
00:41On the day of my deadly labor, he forces a witch to cast a spell.
00:44Before he dies, he refuses to even glance at our child.
00:47This cursed bond ends here.
00:49Next life, let me be with her.
00:52I'm begging you, please.
00:54Tears run down my face as I nod.
00:56Satisfied at last, he closes his eyes.
00:58The Wren family hates me and casts me out.
01:00I hate myself, too.
01:02If I had only let him be with my sister, Vivienne, none of this would have happened.
01:05The agonizing pain of the mother curse tears through my heart.
01:08I don't resist.
01:10I let it carry me after Adrian into death.
01:12I open my eyes again.
01:14Adrian pins me against the wall, crushing my throat.
01:16His eyes blood-red.
01:20The bloodthrall is acting up.
01:22His breath is heavy.
01:23His body aches to get near me, but his will resists.
01:26How dare you!
01:27Just to keep me from marrying Vivienne.
01:29You cursed me with the bloodthrost?
01:31Five years I couldn't sleep without crawling to your door.
01:34My own body betrayed everything I am.
01:36Vivienne.
01:37She's your sister.
01:38You'd watch her walk into her own grave by marrying that...
01:41That thing?
01:41The man Vivienne is meant to marry is the Duke of Ravenhollow Lord Cassian Vyre,
01:45the true power behind the blood pool.
01:47His three human brides all died on their wedding notes.
01:50Whispers say he drained them dry.
01:52Two centuries ago, the great war between humans and vampires ended with the accord.
01:56It decreed vampires may not feed on humans at will.
01:59Any who do would be put to death by the blood court.
02:01The human crown recognizes the blood court's political authority
02:04and may not refuse its marriage decrees.
02:06Countless hunters died for this peace.
02:08The greatest sacrifice came from the oldest hunter bloodline.
02:11My family, the Ashvords.
02:13For two centuries, humans and vampire lords have ruled side by side under your core.
02:18Over the years, the vampires have recovered their strength.
02:20While the hunter families have steadily declined under restraint,
02:23now the Duke of Ravenhollow asks our family for a bride.
02:26It is a pure, calculated insult.
02:28But if we refuse, humanity can't bear his wrath.
02:31Nor can we bear the price of breaking the treaty first.
02:34Father and mother have no power to fight, only to agree.
02:36But he named no specific daughter.
02:38Any Ashford girl may wed him.
02:40In my past life, I cast the bloodthrall on Adrian.
02:43What I had done could not be undone.
02:45That left only Vivian to marry the Duke.
02:47Right now, I calmly pull my wrist from his grip.
02:50Vivian won't marry him.
02:51I will.
02:53This time, I will give you what you want.
02:58Adrian freezes, then scoffs, like he has just heard a cruel joke.
03:02You?
03:03You?
03:04What nonsense.
03:05Do you even hear yourself?
03:06The Duke is a 600-year-old vampire.
03:08He killed his three wives and countless hunters.
03:11All of Ravenhollow fears him.
03:12Every family with a daughter prays to stay out of his sight.
03:16I keep my word.
03:17Seeing how sure I am, Adrian looks away in disgust.
03:20Break this damn curse.
03:21Vivian is none of your concern.
03:22I will break the bloodthrall and marry the Duke in Vivian's place.
03:26Adrian laughs again, sharp with mockery.
03:28He taps my shoulder and jerks his hand back in revulsion.
03:30You'd do that out of the goodness of your heart?
03:33What is this, another scheme?
03:35Some new way to torment her?
03:36Scorn fills his face.
03:38Poison laces his voice.
03:39He is all barbs, refusing to let me near.
03:42A sharp pain hits my chest, stealing my breath.
03:44I bury the last trace of my love for him in my eyes, looking straight at him.
03:48You'll have her.
03:49Just wait.
03:50Only seven days left until the Duke's wedding.
03:53By then, the bloodthrall inside us will reach its peak.
03:55The thrall surge will shatter both our minds.
03:58I need to act fast.
04:02I track down the hidden shop beneath gallows.
04:04Lena Black Rose hangs over the door.
04:06It never withers.
04:07Madame Voss sits behind the counter.
04:09She is the witch who helped me cast the spell.
04:11Her single eye gleams in the candlelight.
04:13Another Ashfield girl.
04:15She doesn't even look up.
04:16You hunters always end up at my door eventually.
04:19I tell her what I need.
04:20She pulls a dark red flower from a glass cloche, veins running through its petals like living
04:25flesh, the oblivion bloom.
04:26It can devour the power of the bloodthrass.
04:28Madame Voss twirls the stem.
04:29But I only have one.
04:31It breaks the bond for one person.
04:33The other suffers double the backlash.
04:35It doesn't matter.
04:37Tell me how to use it.
04:38Heart's blood.
04:39The blood of the one your heart truly beats for.
04:42Feed it to the flower.
04:44Watch the petals turn from black to red.
04:46Then eat it.
04:47The curse will break.
04:48My heart beats for Adrienne.
04:50Adrienne's heart beats for Vivienne.
04:52If I hurt Vivienne for her blood, Adrienne will probably kill me.
04:55My head pounds with exhaustion.
04:57Yet I don't stop to rest.
04:59Getting on my horse, I ride alone across the moors back to Raven Hollow.
05:02I return to Ashford House.
05:04Adrienne is already there.
05:05At once, I hold the oblivion bloom out before him.
05:07I found a way to break the bloodthrall.
05:09Feed this flower with your heart's blood and Vivienne's.
05:12Before I can finish, Adrienne strikes my hand away.
05:14The obsidian box hits the ground.
05:16The oblivion bloom rolls out.
05:17It falls into the thick bushes of the black rose garden.
05:22Are you quite finished?
05:24Heart's blood.
05:25Only you could conceive of something so twisted.
05:28You might as well just ask for our lives.
05:32We are the ones under the bloodthrall.
05:34Why do you need Vivienne's blood?
05:37You can't even make your lies sound convincing.
05:39I feel a sudden lurch, like stepping off a cliff.
05:41My throat goes tight and I swallow hard.
05:43My hands drop to my sides.
05:46The bloom drinks from the one your heart beats for.
05:49And yours beats for Vivienne.
05:51I give up trying to explain.
05:53I throw myself into the black rose bushes searching for the oblivion bloom.
05:56Thorns slash my arms and cheek.
05:58The sting comes again and again.
06:00Seeing me bleed, Adrienne jumps in after me.
06:02He hauls me to my feet and locks his arms around my waist.
06:05What are you doing?
06:06You've lost your mind.
06:07Every time he touches me, I mistake it for love.
06:10Then Vivienne appears.
06:11And every mistake shatters.
06:13I wrench free of his arms.
06:14As I fall to the ground, my palm lands upon the missing flower.
06:18A soft whimper escapes my throat.
06:20Is it joy or pain?
06:21I can't tell.
06:22Adrienne thinks I am insane.
06:23He turns and leaves without a backward glance.
06:26So I have to go to Vivienne first.
06:30The bloodthrall is acting up.
06:32His breath is heavy.
06:33His body aches to get near me, but his will resists.
06:35How dare you!
06:37Just to keep me from marrying Vivienne.
06:39You cursed me with the bloodthrall?
06:41Five years I couldn't sleep without crawling to your door.
06:44My own body betrayed everything I am.
06:46Vivienne.
06:47She's your sister.
06:48You'd watch her walk into her own grave by marrying that...
06:50That thing?
06:51The man Vivienne is meant to marry is the Duke of Ravenhollow Lord Cassian Vyre.
06:55The true power behind the bloodthrall.
06:57His three human brides all died on their wedding notes.
07:00Whispers say he drained them dry.
07:02Two centuries ago, the great war between humans and vampires ended with the accord.
07:06It decreed vampires may not feed on humans at will.
07:09Any who do would be put to death by the bloodcourt.
07:11The human crown recognizes the bloodcourt's political authority and may not refuse its marriage decrees.
07:16Countless hunters died for this peace.
07:18The greatest sacrifice came from the oldest hunter bloodline.
07:21My family, the Ashvords.
07:23For two centuries, humans and vampire lords have ruled side by side under your core.
07:28Over the years, the vampires have recovered their strength.
07:30While the hunter families have steadily declined under restraint, now the Duke of Ravenhollow asks our family for a bride.
07:36It is a pure, calculated insult.
07:38But if we refuse, humanity can't bear his wrath.
07:41Nor can we bear the price of breaking the treaty first.
07:43Father and mother have no power to fight, only to agree.
07:46But he named no specific daughter.
07:48Any Ashford girl may wed him.
07:50In my past life, I cast the bloodthrall on Adrian.
07:53What I had done could not be undone.
07:55That left only Vivienne to marry the Duke.
07:57Right now, I calmly pull my wrist from his grip.
08:00Vivienne won't marry him.
08:01I will.
08:02This time, I will give you what you want.
08:08Adrian freezes, then scoffs, like he has just heard a cruel joke.
08:12You?
08:13What nonsense.
08:15Do you even hear yourself?
08:16The Duke is a 600-year-old vampire.
08:18He killed his three wives and countless hunters.
08:21All of Ravenhollow fears him.
08:22Every family with a daughter prays to stay out of his sight.
08:25I keep my word.
08:27Seeing how sure I am, Adrian looks away in disgust.
08:30Break this damn curse.
08:31Vivienne is none of your concern.
08:32I will break the bloodthrall and marry the Duke in Vivienne's place.
08:36Adrian laughs again, sharp with mockery.
08:38He taps my shoulder and jerks his hand back in revulsion.
08:41You'd do that out of the goodness of your heart?
08:43What is this, another scheme?
08:45Some new way to torment her?
08:46Scorn fills his face.
08:48Poison laces his voice.
08:49He is all barbs.
08:50Refusing to let me near.
08:51A sharp pain hits my chest, stealing my breath.
08:54I bury the last trace of my love for him in my eyes, looking straight at him.
08:58You'll have her.
08:59Just wait.
09:00Only seven days left until the Duke's wedding.
09:02By then, the bloodthrall inside us will reach its peak.
09:05The thrall surge will shatter both our minds.
09:07I need to act fast.
09:11I track down the hidden shop beneath gallows.
09:14Lena Blackrose hangs over the door.
09:16It never withers.
09:17Madame Vos sits behind the counter.
09:19She is the witch who helped me cast the spell.
09:21Her single eye gleams in the candlelight.
09:23Another Ashfield girl.
09:25She doesn't even look up.
09:26You hunters always end up at my door eventually.
09:29I tell her what I need.
09:30She pulls a dark red flower from a glass cloche.
09:33Veins running through its petals like living flesh.
09:35The oblivion bloom.
09:36It can devour the power of the bloodthross.
09:38Madame Vos twirls the stem.
09:39But I only have one.
09:41It breaks the bond for one person.
09:43The other suffers double the backlash.
09:45It doesn't matter.
09:47Tell me how to use it.
09:48Heart's blood.
09:49The blood of the one your heart truly beats for.
09:52Feed it to the flower.
09:54Watch the petals turn from black to red.
09:56Then eat it.
09:57The curse will break.
09:59My heart beats for Adrienne.
10:00Adrienne's heart beats for Vivienne.
10:02If I hurt Vivienne for her blood,
10:03Adrienne will probably kill me.
10:05My head pounds with exhaustion.
10:07Yet I don't stop to rest.
10:09Getting on my horse,
10:10I ride alone across the moors back to Raven Hollow.
10:12I return to Ashford House.
10:13Adrienne is already there.
10:15At once,
10:15I hold the oblivion bloom out before him.
10:17I found a way to break the bloodthrall.
10:19Feed this flower with your heart's blood and Vivienne's.
10:22Before I can finish,
10:23Adrienne strikes my hand away.
10:24The obsidian box hits the ground.
10:26The oblivion bloom rolls out.
10:27It falls into the thick bushes of the black rose garden.
10:32Are you quite finished?
10:34Heart's blood!
10:35Only you could conceive of something so twisted.
10:38You might as well just ask for our lives.
10:42We are the ones under the bloodthrall.
10:44Why do you need Vivienne's blood?
10:47You can't even make your lies sound convincing.
10:49I feel a sudden lurch,
10:50like stepping off a cliff.
10:51My throat goes tight and I swallow hard.
10:53My hands drop to my sides.
10:56The bloom drinks from the one your heart beats for.
10:59And yours?
11:00Beats for Vivienne.
11:01I give up trying to explain.
11:03I throw myself into the black rose bushes,
11:05searching for the oblivion bloom.
11:06Thorns slash my arms and cheek.
11:08The sting comes again and again.
11:10Seeing me bleed,
11:11Adrien jumps in after me.
11:12He hauls me to my feet
11:14and locks his arms around my waist.
11:15What are you doing?
11:16You've lost your mind.
11:17Every time he touches me,
11:19I mistake it for love.
11:20Then Vivienne appears.
11:21And every mistake shatters.
11:23I wrench free of his arms.
11:24As I fall to the ground,
11:26my palm lands upon the missing flower.
11:28A soft whimper escapes my throat.
11:30Is it joy or pain?
11:31I can't tell.
11:32Adrien thinks I am insane.
11:33He turns and leaves without a backward glance.
11:36So I have to go to Vivienne first.
11:40The night I left my marriage with nothing,
11:42I wandered the streets of New York alone.
11:43A small ad on the side of the road caught my eye.
11:46Room and board included.
11:47That's what got me.
11:48I walked straight into the mansion of Nathan Sterling,
11:50the richest man in New York.
11:51We're locked in a silent battle.
11:53No, make her leave.
11:54I don't want her.
11:55They're all bad women.
11:56Relax, I'm not here to feed you.
11:58I'm feeding Spider-Man.
11:59Eat more.
11:59You need to be full to save the world.
12:01There's a baby Spider-Man here too?
12:03Can you share some of your food with him?
12:05Well, since Spider-Man said so,
12:07I guess you can have a little.
12:08As I said this, Luca came over and grabbed my right hand.
12:11Three days after my divorce, I was married again.
12:13The night I left my marriage with nothing,
12:15I wandered the streets of New York alone.
12:17A small ad on the side of the road caught my eye.
12:22Room and board included.
12:24That's what got me.
12:25That same night, I dragged my suitcase to the address on the ad.
12:28I walked straight into the mansion of Nathan Sterling,
12:30the richest man in New York.
12:33Mr. Sterling is looking for a mother for his child.
12:37Not a wife for himself.
12:38I need you to be very clear on that.
12:39Mr. Sterling is an exceptional man.
12:42Don't get any ideas.
12:43I kept my head slightly down, eyes forward.
12:46Honestly, this job was perfect for me.
12:48To put it simply, they just needed a high-end nanny.
12:50I had only gotten divorced that morning.
12:52Remarriage?
12:53Couldn't be further from my mind.
12:54I nodded respectfully.
12:55I understand I won't get any ideas.
12:58You have my word.
12:59But taking care of a kid and having a roof was a lifeline for me.
13:02George gave a curt nod and led me to the dining room.
13:05At a massive long table,
13:06a young father and his son were locked in a silent battle.
13:10He mansat there holding a bowl and a spoon,
13:12his expression dark.
13:13Just one bite.
13:14Luca.
13:15One tiny bite.
13:17Can you do that for me?
13:21Sir, another applicant is here.
13:23This one seems honest.
13:25That face?
13:25I'd seen it on the cover of Forbes before.
13:27Unfairly handsome.
13:29The kind of face you don't forget.
13:31What's your name?
13:32Claire Bennett.
13:33Give it a try.
13:38So this was the job interview.
13:40I had to nail this.
13:41If I could stay,
13:43at least I wouldn't be sleeping on the street tonight.
13:45I put on what I hoped was a warm,
13:46motherly smile and walked toward the boy.
13:55No!
13:55Make her leave!
13:56I don't want her!
13:57They're all bad women!
14:00So before me,
14:01this kid had already been through who knows how many stepmoms.
14:04Relax.
14:04I'm not here to feed you.
14:05I'm feeding Spider-Man.
14:06You're fine.
14:07Eat more.
14:07You need to be full to save the world.
14:09Kids who don't eat are too weak.
14:11Can't even protect themselves.
14:12Let alone own all of humanity.
14:15Oh, you want the potatoes?
14:16The boy lay there looking dejected.
14:18Potatoes give you strength.
14:19But I pretended not to see.
14:20Not until his nose turned red and his eyes got watery
14:23did I act like I just spotted him.
14:24There's a baby Spider-Man here too?
14:27Peter Parker.
14:28Can you share some of your food with him?
14:30He needs to eat so he can grow up big and strong like you.
14:34Sure.
14:36Well, since Spider-Man said so,
14:38I guess you can have a little,
14:39but don't eat too much, okay?
14:41If you get stronger than him, he'll be sad.
14:55That night I stayed in the villa.
14:57Luca and I were on the second floor.
14:59Nathan Sterling had the third floor to himself.
15:03You are never to go up to the third floor.
15:05A woman once snuck up to climb into Mr. Sterling's bed
15:07in the middle of the night and was thrown out the window.
15:11I won't.
15:12I promise.
15:13Luca was only four,
15:15but he could already sleep in his own room.
15:17That made my work a lot easier.
15:22Claire, let's talk.
15:24Sure, Mr. Stalin.
15:26You're good with kids?
15:28Have you had any of your own?
15:29No, but I helped look
15:31after my ex-husband's sister's kids for two years.
15:34Back then,
15:35my ex's family thought I didn't make enough money,
15:37so they made me quit my job.
15:38After I quit,
15:39they said I was lazy and had nothing to do.
15:41So they fired the sister's nanny and made me take over.
15:45You're divorced.
15:46Why?
15:47We came from different worlds.
15:51You know,
15:52I need to find a mother for Luca.
15:53He has no sense of security.
15:55He won't leave the house,
15:56won't go to preschool.
15:57I'm busy with work,
15:58so I need someone patient to be his mother.
16:00I'll have you sign a prenup.
16:02Everything stays separate.
16:04I understand.
16:07Rich people are all like this.
16:09My first marriage was for love.
16:11But because the gap between our families was too big,
16:13I signed a prenup too.
16:14So when the love ran out and we divorced,
16:16I had nothing left.
16:17Not even my wedding ring.
16:18Let alone someone like Nathan,
16:19a man at the very top.
16:20Of course he'd be careful about marriage.
16:22Honestly,
16:23I'd be happy just having a place to stay.
16:25We don't have to make it official.
16:26The marriage is for Luca.
16:27I want him to have a long-term mother.
16:29And marriage is the strongest contract there is.
16:31Then we'll do it your way.
16:33Don't worry.
16:34I'll give you $50,000 a month for personal spending.
16:38Mr. Sterling,
16:39can I ask,
16:40if we divorce someday,
16:41can I keep the money you've given me?
16:43Of course.
16:44That money is yours.
16:45Okay then.
16:47I don't have any needs in our sex life right now,
16:49so you'll stay on the second floor.
16:50Okay.
16:51I don't either.
16:52Just like that,
16:52three days after my divorce,
16:54I was married again.
16:55Same as the first time,
16:56no wedding.
16:58Take this.
17:01No need.
17:02For Luca.
17:04Oh,
17:05okay.
17:06Thank you for your ring.
17:13What's wrong?
17:15Claire,
17:15can you read me a bedtime story?
17:18I'll get my dad to pay you more,
17:19but if you don't want to,
17:21that's fine.
17:21Come here.
17:26That night,
17:26Luca fell asleep in my bed after his book.
17:28The next morning,
17:30when Nathan heard,
17:30he was genuinely surprised.
17:32Claire,
17:33thank you.
17:34I'll add $10,000 a month.
17:35Mr. Sterling,
17:36that's way too much.
17:38It really was.
17:39In my last marriage,
17:40I did so much more than this.
17:42During the day,
17:43I watched my ex's sister's kids.
17:45At night,
17:45I cooked for my ex,
17:46satisfying his needs in bed,
17:48then got up in the middle of the night
17:49to clean the house.
17:50I was like,
17:53It's not like we can't afford a maid.
17:55But Claire just sitting all day doing nothing,
17:57that doesn't seem right.
17:59Even after all that,
18:00when we divorced,
18:01they said I'd been living the good life for three years.
18:03And they sent me out with nothing.
18:07Mr. Sterling,
18:08that's too much.
18:09This is just what I should be doing.
18:11As I said this,
18:12Luca came over and grabbed my right hand.
18:13The women came before you only cared about pleasing me,
18:16ignoring Luca's feelings.
18:17The extra $10,000 is settled.
18:20Thank you,
18:21Mr. Sterling.
18:22From that day on,
18:23Luca was glued to me.
18:24Nathan was busy,
18:25so most of the time,
18:26it was just the two of us at home.
18:28I tried my best to play with him
18:29and made him happy every day.
18:30When he got scared,
18:31I held him tightly
18:32and comforted him gently.
18:34But he still didn't want to leave the villa
18:35until the day I needed to go to the hospital
18:37for a follow-up.
18:39Wait for me at home?
18:40I'll be back soon.
18:41He grabbed my hand and wouldn't let go.
18:43He didn't say anything.
18:45Just looked up at me with those big,
18:46sad eyes.
18:50He's afraid you'll leave and not come back.
18:53I'm not leaving.
18:54I'll be back after my appointment
18:55and then we'll read together.
18:56You play by yourself for a little while?
19:03Luca,
19:04you want to go to the hospital with Claire?
19:09My God!
19:10He is finally willing to leave the house!
19:13Yes!
19:17The night I left my marriage with nothing,
19:19I wandered the streets of New York alone.
19:20A small ad on the side of the road caught my eye.
19:26Room and board included.
19:27That's what got me.
19:28That same night,
19:29I dragged my suitcase to the address on the ad.
19:31I walked straight into the mansion of Nathan Sterling,
19:33the richest man in New York.
19:37Mr. Sterling is looking for a mother for his child.
19:40Not a wife for himself.
19:42I need you to be very clear on that.
19:43Mr. Sterling is an exceptional man.
19:45Don't get any ideas.
19:47I kept my head slightly down,
19:49eyes forward.
19:50Honestly,
19:50this job was perfect for me.
19:52To put it simply,
19:52they just needed a high-end nanny.
19:54I had only gotten divorced that morning.
19:56Remarriage?
19:56Couldn't be further from my mind.
19:58I nodded respectfully.
19:59I understand I won't get any ideas.
20:02You have my word.
20:03But taking care of a kid
20:04and having a roof was a lifeline for me.
20:06George gave a curt nod
20:07and led me to the dining room.
20:08At a massive long table,
20:10a young father and his son
20:11were locked in a silent battle.
20:14He man sat there holding a bowl and a spoon,
20:16his expression dark.
20:17Just one bite.
20:18Luca.
20:19One tiny bite.
20:21Can you do that for me?
20:25Sir, another applicant is here.
20:27This one seems honest.
20:28That face?
20:29I'd seen it on the cover of Forbes before.
20:31Unfairly handsome.
20:32The kind of face you don't forget.
20:34What's your name?
20:36Claire Bennett.
20:37Give it a try.
20:42So this was the job interview.
20:44I had to nail this.
20:45If I could stay,
20:46at least I wouldn't be sleeping on the street tonight.
20:48I put on what I hoped was a warm,
20:50motherly smile and walked toward the boy.
20:58No!
20:59Make her leave!
21:00I don't want her!
21:01They're all bad women!
21:03So before me,
21:05this kid had already been through
21:05who knows how many stepmoms.
21:08Relax.
21:08I'm not here to feed you.
21:09I'm feeding Spider-Man.
21:10You're fine.
21:11Eat more.
21:11You need to be full to save the world.
21:13Kids who don't eat are too weak.
21:15Can't even protect themselves,
21:16let alone own all of humanity.
21:18Oh, you want the potatoes?
21:19The boy lay there looking dejected.
21:21Potatoes give you strength.
21:23But I pretended not to see.
21:24Not until his nose turned red
21:26and his eyes got watery
21:26did I act like I just spotted him.
21:28There's a baby Spider-Man here too?
21:30Peter Parker,
21:31can you share some of your food with him?
21:33He needs to eat
21:34so he can grow up big and strong like you.
21:37Sure.
21:39Well, since Spider-Man said so,
21:41I guess you can have a little,
21:43but don't eat too much, okay?
21:45If you get stronger than him,
21:46he'll be sad.
21:58That night I stayed in the villa.
22:00Luca and I were on the second floor.
22:02Nathan Sterling had the third floor to himself.
22:06You are never to go up to the third floor.
22:08A woman once snuck up
22:10to climb into Mr. Sterling's bed
22:11in the middle of the night
22:12and was thrown out the window.
22:15I won't, I promise.
22:17Luca was only four,
22:18but he could already sleep in his own room.
22:21That made my work a lot easier.
22:26Claire, let's talk.
22:28Sure, Mr. Sterling.
22:30You're good with kids?
22:31Have you had any of your own?
22:33No, but I helped look
22:35after my ex-husband's sister's kids
22:37for two years.
22:38Back then,
22:38my ex's family thought
22:39I didn't make enough money,
22:40so they made me quit my job.
22:42After I quit,
22:43they said I was lazy
22:44and had nothing to do.
22:44So they fired the sister's nanny
22:46and made me take over.
22:48You're divorced, why?
22:51We came from different worlds.
22:55You know,
22:55I need to find a mother for Luca.
22:57He has no sense of security.
22:59He won't leave the house,
23:00won't go to preschool.
23:01I'm busy with work,
23:02so I need someone patient
23:03to be his mother.
23:04I'll have you sign a prenup.
23:06Everything stays separate.
23:08I understand.
23:11Rich people are all like this.
23:13My first marriage was for love,
23:14but because the gap
23:15between our families was too big,
23:17I signed a prenup too.
23:18So when the love ran out
23:19and we divorced,
23:20I had nothing left,
23:20not even my wedding ring,
23:22let alone someone like Nathan,
23:23a man at the very top.
23:24Of course he'd be careful
23:25about marriage.
23:26Honestly,
23:27I'd be happy just having
23:28a place to stay.
23:28We don't have to make it official.
23:30The marriage is for Luca.
23:31I want him to have
23:31a long-term mother,
23:32and marriage is the strongest
23:33contract there is.
23:35Then we'll do it your way.
23:36Don't worry.
23:37I'll give you $50,000 a month
23:39for personal spending.
23:41Mr. Sterling,
23:42can I ask,
23:43if we divorce someday,
23:45can I keep the money
23:46you've given me?
23:47Of course.
23:47That money is yours.
23:49Okay, then.
23:50I don't have any needs
23:51in our sex life right now,
23:52so you'll stay
23:53on the second floor.
23:54Okay.
23:55I don't either.
23:55Just like that,
23:56three days after my divorce,
23:57I was married again.
23:58Same as the first time,
24:00no wedding.
24:02Take this.
24:05No need.
24:06For Luca.
24:08Oh, okay.
24:09Thank you for your ring.
24:17What's wrong?
24:18Claire,
24:19can you read me
24:20a bedtime story?
24:21I'll get my dad
24:22to pay you more,
24:23but if you don't want to,
24:24that's fine.
24:25Come here.
24:29That night,
24:30Luca fell asleep
24:31in my bed
24:31after his book.
24:32The next morning,
24:33when Nathan heard,
24:34he was genuinely surprised.
24:36Claire,
24:36thank you.
24:37I'll add 10,000 a month.
24:39Mr. Sterling,
24:40that's way too much.
24:41It really was.
24:43In my last marriage,
24:44I did so much more than this.
24:46During the day,
24:46I watched my ex's
24:47sister's kids.
24:48At night,
24:49I cooked for my ex,
24:50satisfying his needs in bed,
24:51then got up in the middle
24:52of the night
24:53to clean the house.
24:57It's not like
24:58we can't afford a maid.
24:59But Claire just sitting
25:00all day doing nothing,
25:01that doesn't seem right.
25:03Even after all that,
25:04when we divorced,
25:05they said I'd been
25:05living the good life
25:06for three years.
25:07And they sent me out
25:08with nothing.
25:11Mr. Sterling,
25:12that's too much.
25:13This is just what
25:14I should be doing.
25:14As I said this,
25:15Luca came over
25:16and grabbed my right hand.
25:17The women came before you
25:18only cared about pleasing me,
25:20ignoring Luca's feelings.
25:21The extra $10,000
25:22is settled.
25:24Thank you,
25:24Mr. Sterling.
25:25From that day on,
25:26Luca was glued to me.
25:28Nathan was busy,
25:29so most of the time,
25:30it was just the two of us
25:31at home.
25:31I tried my best to play with him
25:33and made him happy every day.
25:34When he got scared,
25:35I held him tightly
25:36and comforted him gently.
25:37But he still didn't want
25:38to leave the villa
25:39until the day I needed
25:40to go to the hospital
25:41for a follow-up.
25:42Wait for me at home?
25:44I'll be back soon.
25:45He grabbed my hand
25:46and wouldn't let go.
25:47He didn't say anything.
25:49Just looked up at me
25:49with those big,
25:50sad eyes.
25:53He's afraid you'll leave
25:54and not come back.
25:56I'm not leaving.
25:58I'll be back after my appointment
25:59and then we'll read together.
26:00You play by yourself
26:01for a little while?
26:07Luca,
26:07you want to go to the hospital
26:08with Claire?
26:12My God!
26:14He is finally willing
26:15to leave the house!
26:18Eight years ago,
26:19I was the best
26:19savage diver
26:20on the East Coast.
26:21Then they called me
26:22a murderer.
26:23I spent eight years
26:23in prison,
26:24but I didn't kill them.
26:25Jasmine went down
26:26two hours ago!
26:27She still hasn't
26:28come back up!
26:28Go get your sister!
26:30She's not my sister.
26:31My ears are damaged.
26:32The pressure could kill me.
26:33Five million.
26:33That should cover
26:34one dive.
26:35Eight years ago,
26:36Jasmine saved my life
26:38and I married you!
26:39You got that scar
26:40saving me.
26:40For me
26:41and for yourself.
26:42That scar?
26:43She got it
26:43after I saved both of you.
26:45Ten years ago,
26:45We found the dive site!
26:47Eight years ago,
26:47I was the best
26:48savage diver
26:49on the East Coast.
26:50Then they called me
26:51a murderer.
26:51They said I cut my dive
26:53partner Zach's air hose
26:53for gold from a sunken wreck.
26:55I spent eight years
26:56in prison,
26:56but I didn't kill Zach.
26:58Jasmine did.
26:59That morning,
27:00I was getting fresh
27:00at the dock.
27:01My mother ran toward me.
27:03Elena!
27:05Jasmine went down
27:06two hours ago!
27:06She still hasn't
27:07come back up!
27:08Go get your sister!
27:11She's not my sister.
27:13And I can't dive anymore.
27:15My ears are damaged.
27:16The pressure could kill me.
27:18Severe eardrum damage.
27:20Deep pressure exposure
27:21could be fatal.
27:22I'm not refusing to save her!
27:24I'm telling you,
27:24I could die!
27:25Adrian Lane
27:26stepped out of a black car.
27:27My ex-husband,
27:29he held my old wedding ring.
27:30Bring Jasmine back.
27:32If you save her,
27:33I'll marry you again.
27:35I'm not going.
27:39You're going down Stroll,
27:40whether you want to or not.
27:43My father snatched the report
27:45and threw it into the fish blood.
27:46Prison taught you nothing.
27:48You're still heartless.
27:50Five million.
27:51That should cover one dive.
27:54Isn't she that murderer?
27:55Her sister is dying,
27:56and she's talking about money?
27:57For eight years,
27:58Adrian never visited me.
28:00Now he came to pay me to die.
28:05No.
28:08You are going down today,
28:10or I'll make sure
28:11the whole city knows one thing.
28:12You let another person die.
28:14Oh.
28:15You are my daughter,
28:17and you won't even save
28:19your own sister!
28:20Recorder!
28:22I ran.
28:23Behind me,
28:23Adrian shouted,
28:25whoever finds Elena Cole,
28:26I'll pay one million dollars.
28:29Bring her back.
28:30Now!
28:31Now!
28:32I ran back to my rental.
28:34My phone kept buzzing.
28:41I turn on the video.
28:42My mother was crying on camera.
28:44Elena killed a man once!
28:46Now poor Jasmine
28:47is trapped underwater.
28:49Elena can save her,
28:50but she ran!
28:51If anyone knows
28:52where Elena is,
28:53tell me!
28:54I'll pay one million dollars!
28:55Find her.
28:56She thinks she can hide?
28:57Elena Cole!
28:58Come out!
28:59Elena Cole!
28:59Come out!
29:07Apologize.
29:09Say you left Jasmine to die.
29:12I didn't kill anyone!
29:17If she won't walk,
29:19drag her.
29:20Dad, I could die!
29:22I could die!
29:23Jasmine may not be my blood,
29:25but she is a better daughter
29:26than you ever will.
29:31Elena,
29:32don't make this worse.
29:34Jasmine is almost out of oxygen!
29:37If Jasmine dies,
29:38I will never forgive you.
29:45Take her to the boat.
29:50Bring Jasmine back.
29:51You kidnapped me!
29:53If you save her,
29:54I'll marry you again.
29:55My hearing aid was gone.
29:56It lay on the deck.
29:57Cracked.
29:58Barely working.
29:58I crawled toward it.
30:00Adrian stepped on it.
30:01Your sister is dying
30:02and you care about this piece of junk?
30:04I need it to hear.
30:05Oh my god!
30:06You can hear me right now!
30:09Eight years ago,
30:10Jasmine saved my life
30:11and I married you!
30:13You already owe her!
30:14Now you still refuse to save her?
30:16How can a woman be this cruel?
30:18You're her sister.
30:20You're my ex-wife.
30:21Didn't you see the scar on her shoulder?
30:22She got that scar saving me.
30:24For me and for yourself,
30:26you should go down there
30:26and bring Jasmine back.
30:27That scar?
30:28She got it after I saved both of you.
30:30Ten years ago,
30:31the current dragged Adrian under.
30:33I pushed Adrian back to the surface.
30:35Then I pushed Jasmine up too.
30:36I was the one left underwater.
30:39Three days later,
30:39Jasmine stole my story
30:40and Adrian believed her.
30:42He grabbed my chin.
30:44What the hell is wrong with you?
30:45Even now,
30:46you're still trying to smear your sister?
30:48Do you even have a heart?
30:50Hey!
30:51We found the dive site!
30:54My father snatched the report
30:56and threw it into the fish blood.
30:57Prison taught you nothing.
30:59You're still heartless.
31:01Five million.
31:02That should cover one dive.
31:05Isn't she that murderer?
31:07Her sister is dying
31:07and she's talking about money?
31:09For eight years,
31:10Adrian never visited me.
31:11Now he came to pay me to die.
31:16No.
31:20You are going down today
31:21or I'll make sure
31:22the whole city knows one thing.
31:23You let another person die.
31:25Oh.
31:26You are my daughter
31:28and you won't even save
31:30your own sister.
31:31Recorder!
31:33I ran.
31:34Behind me,
31:35Adrian shouted.
31:36Whoever finds Elena Cole,
31:37I'll pay one million dollars.
31:40Bring her back.
31:41Now.
31:43I ran back to my rental.
31:45My phone kept buzzing.
31:52I turn on the video.
31:53My mother was crying on camera.
31:55Elena killed a man once.
31:57Now poor Jasmine
31:59is trapped underwater.
32:00Elena can save her,
32:02but she ran.
32:02If anyone knows
32:03where Elena is,
32:04tell me.
32:05I'll pay one million dollars.
32:07Find her.
32:07She thinks she can hide.
32:09Elena Cole!
32:10Come out!
32:10Elena Cole!
32:11Come out!
32:19Apologize.
32:20Say you left Jasmine to die.
32:24I didn't kill anyone!
32:28If she won't walk,
32:30drag her.
32:31Dad,
32:31I could die!
32:34Jasmine may not be my blood,
32:36but she is a better daughter
32:38than you ever were.
32:42Elena,
32:43don't make this worse.
32:45Jasmine is almost out of oxygen!
32:48If Jasmine dies,
32:49I will never forgive you.
32:56Take her to the boat.
33:01Bring Jasmine back.
33:02You kidnapped me!
33:04If you save her,
33:05I'll marry you again.
33:06My hearing aid was gone.
33:07It lay on the deck,
33:08cracked,
33:09barely working.
33:10I crawled toward it.
33:11Adrian stepped on it.
33:12Your sister is dying
33:13and you care about
33:14this piece of junk?
33:15I need it to hear.
33:17Oh my God!
33:18You can hear me right now!
33:20Eight years ago,
33:21Jasmine saved my life!
33:23And I married you!
33:24You already owe her!
33:25Now you still refuse to save her?
33:27How can a woman be this cruel?
33:30You're her sister.
33:31You're my ex-wife.
33:32Didn't you see the scar on her shoulder?
33:34She got that scar saving me.
33:35For me,
33:35and for yourself,
33:37you should go down there
33:38and bring Jasmine back.
33:38That scar?
33:39She got it after I saved both of you.
33:41Ten years ago,
33:42the current dragged Adrian under.
33:44I pushed Adrian back to the surface.
33:46Then I pushed Jasmine up too.
33:48I was the one left underwater.
33:50Three days later,
33:51Jasmine stole my story
33:52and Adrian believed her.
33:54He grabbed my chin.
33:55What the hell is wrong with you?
33:57Even now,
33:57you're still trying to smear your sister?
33:59Do you even have a heart?
34:01Hey!
34:02We found the dive site!
34:06I woke.
34:07It was the day of the ride again.
34:09And he had his arm
34:10around my sister's waist.
34:12She thought she'd won.
34:13It's a slow execution.
34:14I swam.
34:15The sacred reef
34:16was burning hard
34:17when I arrived.
34:18Then Thessaly pointed at me.
34:20Ash everywhere!
34:21Burned scales!
34:23It had to be her!
34:24Not one of them
34:25spoke for me.
34:26The sea serpent spoke again,
34:27quieter this time.
34:28Enough.
34:29The girl comes with me.
34:30This scene is exactly
34:32as it was
34:33in my previous life.
34:34The sky outside
34:35has turned
34:35the color of a wound.
34:37The shark lord
34:37stands before us
34:38in his full power,
34:40in surface form.
34:40But how could it be
34:41Thessaly in his arms?
34:43In my previous life,
34:44on the day of the
34:45title covenant rite,
34:46my sister chose
34:47the lionfish fay.
34:48She left
34:49the whale shifter,
34:50the one nobody wanted
34:51for me.
34:52It was fate.
34:54A drift born
34:55for a beast.
34:56Instead,
34:57I saved a shark lord
34:58by accident.
34:59He took me
35:00as his queen.
35:01After the bonding,
35:02I bore five heirs
35:03for the shark bloodline.
35:04My sister,
35:05bonded to the lionfish fay,
35:07was cast out
35:08for barrenness.
35:09And I woke.
35:10It was the day
35:10of the rite again.
35:11Everyone present
35:12is a worthy son
35:13of their bloodline.
35:14Choose freely.
35:15The hall filled
35:16with glances,
35:17with offered flowers,
35:19with quiet negotiations
35:20between bodies
35:21and bloodlines.
35:22I didn't want
35:23any of it.
35:24Then the doors
35:24blew open.
35:25He arrived
35:26in a surge
35:27of volcanic current,
35:28a shark lord,
35:29in his full power.
35:30And he had his arm
35:32around my sister's waist.
35:33Thessaly saved my life.
35:35From this day forward,
35:36she is my true mate.
35:37A shark lord,
35:38choosing one of ours.
35:40Choosing her
35:40as first and only.
35:42It hadn't happened
35:43in living memory.
35:44I knew then.
35:45She'd been reborn too.
35:47Now I looked at her,
35:48draped against the shark lord,
35:50already victorious.
35:51She thought she'd won.
35:52She hadn't thought through
35:54what it would cost her.
35:55Shark lords are
35:56of the volcanic current element.
35:57Their mates sleep
35:58in volcanic current,
35:59bathe in volcanic current,
36:01eat volcanic current food.
36:03For a bloodline like ours,
36:05deep current by nature,
36:06that's not a marriage.
36:07It's a slow execution.
36:09Last time,
36:10I had no choice
36:10but to pretend to like it.
36:12Every day,
36:12I smiled through
36:13the sacred thermal vent walks,
36:15through the scalding baths,
36:17through the meals
36:17that felt like swallowing coals.
36:19By the time I was pregnant,
36:20my core was already cracked.
36:22Thessaly was deep current too.
36:24She just didn't know
36:25what she'd agreed to yet.
36:27The whole keep celebrated.
36:28Every unmated girl
36:30in the order
36:30delayed her own bonding
36:32to help prepare Thessaly's.
36:33The gift list
36:34ran ten feet long.
36:36The high warden
36:36nearly emptied
36:37the sanctuary's vaults.
36:39I was the only
36:40unmated woman left.
36:41That made me
36:42the obvious choice
36:43for handmaid.
36:44Thessaly stood over me
36:45and smiled.
36:46Before you were the elder,
36:48I deferred to you.
36:49How does this feel, sister?
36:50I said nothing.
36:51She stepped forward
36:52and struck my face.
36:53The high warden
36:54has already agreed.
36:55You belong to me now.
36:57I'll hit you when I want.
36:58Praise you when I want.
36:59You have no say.
37:01Start learning.
37:01A courier arrived
37:03from the shark lord.
37:04A volcanic silk mantle,
37:05white as seafoam,
37:07heat-resistant,
37:07enchanted for speed.
37:09Thessaly touched it
37:10with both hands.
37:11I knew that mantle.
37:13For volcanic current bloodlines,
37:15it was a treasure.
37:16For deep current bloodlines,
37:18it was a punishment.
37:19I'd worn it
37:20every day
37:20of my first marriage.
37:21It had carved away
37:22at my core
37:23for years.
37:24Thessaly would find
37:25that out eventually.
37:26Then a girl
37:27came swimming fast.
37:28Volcanic current damage
37:29on the sacred wreath!
37:30What an awful omen.
37:31Today of all days.
37:33I didn't wait.
37:35I swear.
37:36The sacred wreath
37:37was burning hard
37:38when I arrived.
37:39Black clouds of silt
37:40screaming from
37:41inside the coral night.
37:42The Covenant Warden
37:43stood at the edge
37:44and wouldn't move.
37:45That volcanic current
37:46belongs to a shark lord.
37:48We interfere,
37:48we offend him.
37:49One of them said,
37:50Your sister's bonding
37:51is today.
37:51Don't make trouble.
37:52They're only low-rank
37:53for lilies.
37:54I looked at him
37:55for a long moment.
37:56Then I went in.
37:57The silt blinded me fast.
38:00The thermal current
38:00scorched my scales.
38:02But I was deep current.
38:03Wherever I moved,
38:04cold spread behind me.
38:05It slowed the thermal currents
38:07enough to matter.
38:08I remembered what
38:08my foster mother taught me.
38:10Clear a line.
38:11Deny the thermal current
38:13somewhere to go.
38:13I tide shifted
38:14to full form
38:15and called out.
38:16Shark.
38:17Manta ray.
38:18Swordfish.
38:18Sea turd they came.
38:20They carried cold,
38:21hardy vessels
38:21in their jaws.
38:22A whale used its mouth.
38:24Sea urchins
38:24and mantis shrimp
38:25worked the thermal breaks.
38:27We were boozing.
38:28Then we weren't.
38:29Then the reef shook.
38:31The seabeds
38:32split open.
38:33A sea serpent
38:33came out that black.
38:35Ancient Marjana
38:36took Glock
38:36the light from above.
38:38He opened his mouth
38:38and cold water poured.
38:40The thermal current
38:41died.
38:42The sea serpent's voice
38:43didn't come
38:44from one direction.
38:45This reef is mine.
38:47Who damaged it?
38:49The covenant wardens
38:50said nothing.
38:51A thousand tidal cycles
38:53in this valley
38:53and nobody had thought
38:54to check whether
38:55something older
38:56already lived here.
38:57Then Thessaly pointed at me.
38:58Look at her.
39:00Ash everywhere.
39:01Burned scales.
39:02It had to be her.
39:03Every eye turned.
39:04I was standing there
39:05with my hands at my sides.
39:06Charred.
39:07Bleeding in two places.
39:09The same hands
39:09that had just spent
39:10an hour fighting
39:11the thermal current.
39:12I was certain
39:13someone would say it.
39:14Any of them.
39:14They'd all seen me swim in.
39:16The covenant warden
39:17looked at me
39:17for a long time.
39:19Then he bowed.
39:20The sea rank and sovereign.
39:22Our wayward daughter
39:23did this.
39:24She is yours to punish.
39:25We offer her freely.
39:26I stood still.
39:27Not one of them
39:28spoke for me.
39:29I had bent myself in half
39:31for these people
39:31in my last life.
39:32I had scalded
39:34from volcanic current.
39:35From the inside out.
39:37Carrying children
39:38for a clan
39:39that wasn't mine.
39:40For a man
39:40who never once
39:42made me warm.
39:43I'd done it for them.
39:44Kept them safe.
39:45Kept them proud.
39:46And now
39:47they were handing me
39:48to a sea serpent
39:49just to buy themselves
39:51quiet.
39:52I looked at the covenant warden.
39:53The volcanic current
39:54was shark made.
39:55Everyone here knows that.
39:57I'm deep current.
39:59How would I produce
40:00sacred thermal current?
40:01Thessaly cut in immediately.
40:03You're my handmaid.
40:04You had access
40:04to my husband's
40:05tide brands.
40:06Easy enough
40:07to steal a spark.
40:07Sea serpent sovereign.
40:09The evidence speaks
40:09for itself.
40:10She damaged
40:11your sacred wreath.
40:12I held up my hands.
40:13The skin had peeled
40:14back in places.
40:15If I started it
40:16why did I try
40:17to stop it?
40:19To look innocent.
40:22I laughed.
40:24It came out wrong.
40:25Too much feeling in it.
40:27What do I have to gain?
40:28Any of it.
40:29What exactly
40:30do you think I wanted?
40:32The covenant warden stood.
40:34Sylvain.
40:35Just admit it.
40:36That was my name.
40:37Sylvain.
40:38I looked at him
40:39for a long moment.
40:40I'm done with this covenant.
40:42All of it.
40:43Every debt between us
40:45is settled.
40:45The sea serpent
40:46spoke again.
40:47Quieter this time.
40:48Enough.
40:49The girl comes with me.
40:50Whatever she is to you
40:52she isn't anymore.
40:53The darkness
40:53rolled toward me.
40:55I closed my eyes.
40:59This scene
41:00is exactly
41:00as it was
41:01in my previous life.
41:02The sky outside
41:03has turned
41:04the color of a wound.
41:05The shark lord
41:06stands before us
41:07in his full power.
41:08In surface form.
41:09But how could it be
41:10Thessaly in his arms?
41:11In my previous life.
41:13On the day
41:13of the tidal covenant rite
41:15my sister chose
41:15the lionfish fay.
41:17She left
41:17the whale shifter.
41:18The one nobody
41:19wanted for me.
41:21It was fate.
41:22A drift born
41:23for a beast.
41:25Instead
41:25I saved a shark lord
41:26by accident.
41:27He took me
41:28as his queen.
41:29After the bonding
41:30I bore five heirs
41:31for the shark bloodline.
41:33My sister
41:33bonded to the lionfish fay
41:35was cast out
41:36for barrenness.
41:37And I woke.
41:38It was the day
41:39of the rite again.
41:40Everyone present
41:40is a worthy son
41:41of their bloodline.
41:43Choose freely.
41:44The hall filled
41:44with glances.
41:45With offered flowers.
41:47With quiet negotiations
41:48between bodies
41:49and bloodlines.
41:50I didn't want
41:51any of it.
41:52Then the doors
41:53blew open.
41:53He arrived
41:54in a surge
41:55of volcanic current.
41:57A shark lord
41:57in his full power.
41:59And he had his arm
42:00around my sister's waist.
42:02Thessaly saved my life.
42:03From this day forward
42:04she is my true mate.
42:06A shark lord
42:07choosing one of ours.
42:08Choosing her
42:09as first and only.
42:11It hadn't happened
42:12in living memory.
42:13I knew then.
42:13She'd been reborn too.
42:15Now I looked at her.
42:16Draped against the shark lord.
42:18Already victorious.
42:19She thought she'd won.
42:21She hadn't thought through
42:22what it would cost her.
42:23Shark lords are
42:24of the volcanic current element.
42:26Their mates sleep
42:27in volcanic current.
42:28Bathe in volcanic current.
42:30Eat volcanic current food.
42:32For a bloodline like ours.
42:33Deep current by nature.
42:35That's not a marriage.
42:36It's a slow execution.
42:37Last time I had no choice
42:39but to pretend to like it.
42:40Every day.
42:41I smiled through
42:41the sacred thermal vent walks.
42:43Through the scalding baths.
42:45Through the meals
42:46that felt like swallowing coals.
42:47By the time I was pregnant
42:48my core was already cracked.
42:50Thessaly was deep current too.
42:52She just didn't know
42:53what she'd agreed to yet.
42:55The whole keep celebrated.
42:57Every unmated girl
42:58in the order
42:59delayed her own bonding
43:00to help prepare Thessaly's.
43:02The gift list
43:02ran ten feet long.
43:04The high warden
43:05nearly emptied
43:06the sanctuary's vaults.
43:07I was the only
43:08unmated woman left.
43:09That made me
43:10the obvious choice
43:11for handmaid.
43:13Thessaly stood over me
43:14and smiled.
43:15Before you were the elder
43:16I deferred to you.
43:17How does this feel sister?
43:19I said nothing.
43:19She stepped forward
43:20and struck my face.
43:21The high warden
43:22has already agreed.
43:23You belong to me now.
43:25I'll hit you when I want.
43:26Praise you when I want.
43:28You have no say.
43:29Start learning.
43:30A courier arrived
43:31from the shark lord.
43:32A volcanic silk mantle
43:34white as seafoam
43:35heat resistant
43:36enchanted for speed.
43:37Thessaly touched it
43:38with both hands.
43:40I knew that mantle.
43:42For volcanic current bloodlines
43:43it was a treasure.
43:44For deep current bloodlines
43:46it was a punishment.
43:47I'd worn it
43:48every day
43:49of my first marriage.
43:50It had carved away
43:51at my core
43:51for years.
43:52Thessaly would find
43:53that out eventually.
43:55Then a girl
43:55came swimming fast.
43:56Volcanic current damage
43:57on the sacred wreath!
43:58What an awful omen.
44:00Today of all days.
44:02I didn't wait.
44:03I swear.
44:04The sacred wreath
44:05was burning hard
44:06when I arrived.
44:07Black clouds of silt
44:08screaming from
44:09inside the coral night.
44:11The covenant warden
44:11stood at the edge
44:12and wouldn't move.
44:14That volcanic current
44:15belongs to a shark lord.
44:16We interfere,
44:16we offend him.
44:17One of them said.
44:18Your sister's bonding
44:19is today.
44:20Don't make trouble.
44:21They're only low-rank
44:22Faliliives.
44:23I looked at him
44:23for a long moment.
44:24Then I went in.
44:26The silt
44:27blinded me fast.
44:28The thermal current
44:29scorched my scales.
44:30But I was deep current.
44:31Wherever I moved,
44:33cold spread behind me.
44:34It slowed the thermal currents
44:35enough to matter.
44:36I remembered what
44:37my foster mother taught me.
44:38Clear a line.
44:40Deny the thermal current
44:41somewhere to go.
44:42I tide shifted
44:42to full form
44:43and called out.
44:44Shark.
44:45Manta ray.
44:46Swordfish.
44:47Sea turd they came.
44:48They carried
44:48cold hardy vessels
44:50in their jaws.
44:51A whale used its mouth.
44:52Sea urchins
44:53and mantis shrimp
44:54worked the thermal breaks.
44:55We were losing.
44:56Then we weren't.
44:57Then the reef
44:58shook.
44:59The seabed
45:00split open.
45:01A sea serpent
45:02came out of that black.
45:03Ancient.
45:04Marjana took
45:04block the light
45:05from above.
45:06He opened his mouth
45:07and cold water
45:08poured.
45:09The thermal current
45:10died.
45:11The sea serpent's voice
45:12didn't come from
45:13one direction.
45:13This reef is mine.
45:16Who damaged it?
45:17The covenant wardens
45:19said nothing.
45:20A thousand tidal cycles
45:21in this valley
45:22and nobody had thought
45:23to check whether
45:23something older
45:24already lived here.
45:25Then Thessaly pointed
45:26at me.
45:27Look at her.
45:28Ash everywhere.
45:29Burned scales.
45:30It had to be her.
45:32Every eye turned.
45:33I was standing there
45:33with my hands
45:34at my sides.
45:35Charred.
45:36Bleeding in two places.
45:37The same hands
45:38that had just spent
45:38an hour fighting
45:39the thermal current.
45:40I was certain
45:41someone would say it.
45:42Any of them.
45:43They'd all seen me
45:44swim in.
45:44The covenant warden
45:45looked at me
45:46for a long time.
45:47Then he bowed.
45:49The sea rank
45:49and sovereign.
45:50Our wayward daughter
45:51did this.
45:52She is yours to punish.
45:53We offer her freely.
45:54I stood still.
45:55Not one of them
45:56spoke for me.
45:57I had bent myself
45:58in half for these
45:59people in my last life.
46:01I had scalded
46:02from volcanic current
46:03from the inside out.
46:05Carrying children
46:06for a clan
46:07that wasn't mine.
46:08For a man
46:09who never once
46:10made me warm.
46:11I'd done it
46:12for them.
46:12Kept them safe.
46:14Kept them proud.
46:15And now
46:15they were handing me
46:17to a sea serpent
46:18just to buy themselves
46:19quiet.
46:20I looked at the
46:20covenant warden.
46:21The volcanic current
46:22was shark made.
46:24Everyone here
46:25knows that.
46:25I'm deep current.
46:27How would I produce
46:28sacred thermal current?
46:29Thessaly cut in
46:30immediately.
46:31You're my handmaid.
46:32You had access
46:33to my husband's
46:34tide brands.
46:34Easy enough
46:35to steal a spark.
46:36Sea serpent sovereign.
46:37The evidence speaks
46:38for itself.
46:39She damaged
46:39your sacred wreath.
46:40I held up my hands.
46:41The skin
46:42had peeled back
46:43in places.
46:44If I started it
46:45why did I try
46:46to stop it?
46:48To look innocent.
46:51I laughed.
46:52It came out wrong.
46:54Too much feeling in it.
46:55What do I have to gain?
46:56Any of it.
46:58What exactly
46:59do you think
46:59I wanted?
47:00The covenant
47:01warden stood.
47:02Sylvain.
47:03Just admit it.
47:04That was my name.
47:06Sylvain.
47:07I looked at him
47:07for a long moment.
47:09I'm done with this covenant.
47:10All of it.
47:12Every debt
47:12between us is settled.
47:14The sea serpent
47:14spoke again.
47:15Quieter this time.
47:16Enough.
47:17The girl comes with me.
47:19Whatever she is to you
47:20she isn't anymore.
47:21The darkness
47:22rolled toward me.
47:23I closed my eyes.
47:27This scene
47:28is exactly
47:29as it was
47:29in my previous life.
47:31The sky outside
47:32has turned
47:32the color of a wound.
47:33The shark lord
47:34stands before us
47:35in his full power
47:36in surface form.
47:37But how could it be
47:38Thessaly in his arms?
47:40In my previous life
47:41on the day
47:42of the title covenant rite
47:43my sister chose
47:44the lionfish fay.
47:45She left
47:46the whale shifter.
47:47The one nobody wanted
47:48for me.
47:49It was fate.
47:50A drift born
47:51for a beast.
47:53Instead
47:53I saved a shark lord
47:55by accident.
47:56He took me
47:56as his queen.
47:57After the bonding
47:58I bore five heirs
48:00for the shark bloodline.
48:01My sister
48:01bonded to the lionfish fay
48:03was cast out
48:04for barrenness.
48:05And I woke.
48:06It was the day
48:07of the rite again.
48:08Everyone present
48:09is a worthy son
48:10of their bloodline.
48:11Choose freely.
48:12The hall filled
48:13with glances
48:13with offered flowers
48:15with quiet negotiations
48:17between bodies
48:18and bloodlines.
48:19I didn't want
48:20any of it.
48:20Then the doors
48:21blew open.
48:22He arrived
48:23in a surge
48:23of volcanic current.
48:25A shark lord
48:26in his full power.
48:27And he had his arm
48:28around my sister's waist.
48:30Thessaly saved my life.
48:32From this day forward
48:33she is my true mate.
48:34A shark lord
48:35choosing one of ours.
48:37Choosing her
48:37as first
48:38and only.
48:39It hadn't happened
48:40in living memory.
48:41I knew then.
48:42She'd been reborn too.
48:43Now I looked at her.
48:45Draped against the shark lord.
48:46Already victorious.
48:48She thought she'd won.
48:49She hadn't thought through
48:50what it would cost her.
48:51Shark lords are of the
48:53volcanic current element.
48:54Their mates sleep
48:55in volcanic current.
48:56Bathe in volcanic current.
48:58Eat volcanic current food.
49:00For a bloodline like ours.
49:01Deep current by nature.
49:03That's not a marriage.
49:04It's a slow execution.
49:06Last time I had no choice
49:07but to pretend to like it.
49:08Every day.
49:09I smiled through
49:10the sacred thermal vent walks.
49:12Through the scalding baths.
49:13Through the meals
49:14that felt like swallowing coals.
49:16By the time I was pregnant
49:17my core was already cracked.
49:19Thessaly was deep current too.
49:21She just didn't know
49:21what she'd agreed to yet.
49:23The whole keep celebrated.
49:26Every unmated girl in the order
49:27delayed her own bonding
49:28to help prepare Thessaly's.
49:30The gift list ran ten feet long.
49:32The high warden nearly emptied
49:34the sanctuary's vault.
49:35I was the only unmated woman left.
49:38That made me the obvious choice
49:40for handmaid.
49:41Thessaly stood over me and smiled.
49:43Before you were the elder
49:44I deferred to you.
49:46How does this feel sister?
49:47I said nothing.
49:48She stepped forward
49:48and struck my face.
49:50The high warden has already agreed.
49:51You belong to me now.
49:53I'll hit you when I want.
49:55Praise you when I want.
49:56You have no say.
49:57Start learning.
49:58A courier arrived
49:59from the shark lord.
50:00A volcanic silk mantle
50:02wide as seafoam.
50:03Heat resistant.
50:04Enchanted for speed.
50:06Thessaly touched it
50:07with both hands.
50:08I knew that mantle.
50:10For volcanic current bloodlines
50:11it was a treasure.
50:13For deep current bloodlines
50:14it was a punishment.
50:15I'd worn it every day
50:17of my first marriage.
50:18It had carved away
50:19at my core for years.
50:21Thessaly would find
50:22that out eventually.
50:23Then a girl came swimming fast.
50:25Volcanic current damage
50:25on the sacred wreath!
50:26What an awful omen.
50:28Today of all days.
50:30I didn't wait.
50:31I swam.
50:32The sacred wreath
50:33was burning hard
50:34when I arrived.
50:35Black clouds of silt
50:37screaming from inside
50:38the coral light.
50:39The covenant warden
50:40stood at the edge
50:41and wouldn't move.
50:42That volcanic current
50:43belongs to a shark lord.
50:44We interfere.
50:45We offend him.
50:46One of them said.
50:47Your sister's bonding
50:47is today.
50:48Don't make trouble.
50:49They're only low rank
50:50Falilius.
50:51I looked at him
50:51for a long moment.
50:53Then I went in.
50:54The silt blinded me fast.
50:56The thermal current
50:57scorched my scales.
50:58But I was deep current.
51:00Wherever I moved
51:01cold spread behind me.
51:02It slowed the thermal currents
51:03enough to matter.
51:04I remembered what
51:05my foster mother taught me.
51:07Clear a line.
51:08Deny the thermal current
51:09somewhere to go.
51:10I tide shifted to full form
51:12and called out.
51:13Shark.
51:13Manta ray.
51:14Swordfish.
51:15Sea turd they came.
51:16They carried cold
51:17hardy vessels in their jaws.
51:19A whale used its mouth.
51:20Sea urchins and mantis shrimp
51:22worked the thermal breaks.
51:23We were boozing.
51:24Then we weren't.
51:26Then the reef shook.
51:28The seabeds split open.
51:29A sea serpent
51:30came out that black.
51:32Ancient Marjana
51:32took block the light
51:34from above.
51:34He opened his mouth
51:35and cold water poured.
51:37The thermal current
51:38died.
51:39The sea serpent's voice
51:40didn't come from
51:41one direction.
51:42This reef is mine.
51:44Who damaged it?
51:45into the plastic
51:45project.
51:46So all that
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