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