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00:00I fold. Avery's yours for tonight.
00:03You're willing to give her up?
00:04Since you like her, I'll gladly step aside.
00:08Although, we've been together for almost a year.
00:11If you think she's secondhand, no need. I'll take her.
00:17Fine. Then enjoy yourself tonight, brother.
00:21As soon as Liam left, the room immediately came alive again.
00:26Logan, are you serious?
00:27You chased Avery for three months, went all soft for her, and you're already bored?
00:30It's not even been a year.
00:32A bet's a bet. And besides, she's just a girl.
00:35So Avery wasn't anything special to you after all.
00:40At first, she was. Hard to get. A bit high and mighty.
00:43But now, she's no different from the others.
00:48Still the same. Behaves like a damn dog in front of me.
00:51Hey, Logan. Next time, can I have a turn with her?
00:56But Logan, what if Liam actually gets to her? What then?
01:02He won't. They say he didn't even touch a girl back in military school. Ice cold type.
01:06That's not necessarily true, though.
01:07He did look at Avery a few times when she wore that dress showing her legs.
01:10He just hates girls who try too hard to show off.
01:13Bet on it then, Logan. You in?
01:15Don't forget, Avery is obsessed with me.
01:17She'd rather die than let another guy touch her.
01:18If you really want to bet, you better be ready to lose everything.
01:22Logan stood up and walked out.
01:23A pretty cheerleader was already waiting outside the door.
01:26He shoved her against the hallway wall and kissed her.
01:29Hard.
01:29No one noticed that I, the subject of the twins' bet, had already heard everything.
01:35If he could openly bet me away to another guy, then I meant absolutely nothing to him.
01:40And if I was stupid enough to make a scene,
01:42and embarrass him in front of everyone, I'd be the one paying the price.
01:47Everyone knows Logan's family had endowed the athletic center of our school.
01:50His name was on the donor wall in the main hallway,
01:53in letters bigger than most people's futures.
01:56That's why he could break rules, get into fights,
01:58and cause trouble at school without ever getting expelled.
02:02Someone told me there had been a ballet dancer before me.
02:05Logan had chased her for months before she finally said yes.
02:08He spoiled her.
02:10Let her get away with things no one else could.
02:12For a while, everyone thought that she'd gotten the notorious bad boy to settle down.
02:18But less than six months later, he got bored and messed up with other girls.
02:23The ballet girl slashed the tire of Logan's motorcycle,
02:27making a scene in front of half the school.
02:32A few days later, she fell during rehearsal.
02:36She lived, but she was paralyzed from the waist down,
02:39her whole life finished.
02:42She withdrew from Stonebridge High before the semester was over.
02:46Officially, she'd transferred to a performing arts academy in another state.
02:50Unofficially, nobody wanted to talk about it.
02:53Back when Logan was chasing me,
02:55someone told me that he had been quietly looking into my scholarship.
02:58If he wanted to, he could make my life at this school a living hell.
03:02I had said yes to him because I was afraid of saying no.
03:05I had stayed with him for a year, keeping my head down, and now he'd put me in a card
03:10game.
03:11I went back to the guest room and lay down on the couch, pulling the blanket over myself.
03:16The door opened, footsteps across the room, and then the smell.
03:19Clean and unfamiliar.
03:21Not Logan.
03:22You should sleep in an actual bed.
03:27Finally, I've been waiting forever, Logan.
03:31Have you been waiting long?
03:32Hmm, my head is killing me.
03:35You'll feel better once you get something in your stomach.
03:38I'm tired. Take me somewhere.
03:39You smell different tonight?
03:41Do I?
03:42Yeah, it's better though. Actually better.
03:45A lot.
03:46Glad you like it.
03:49Two days earlier, I hadn't known Liam Hayes existed.
03:52Logan never talked about him.
03:54In fact, he seemed almost wary of him.
03:56Mrs. Patterson introduced Liam in AP Lit.
03:59Transfer student.
04:00Previously enrolled in Vermont.
04:02Joining us for senior year.
04:03The rumors spread fast.
04:05He'd been kicked out of multiple schools.
04:07He'd hospitalized two guys in a fight.
04:09And had no marks on him afterward.
04:11He'd been at a military academy before Vermont.
04:14He had a 4.0.
04:15And no one at his previous schools would say much about him.
04:18Which people interpreted as either very good.
04:20Or very bad.
04:21At dinner, I sat next to Logan.
04:23Liam sat alone at another table.
04:25Near the end, his eyes moved to me.
04:27Just for a second.
04:28He didn't talk to anyone before leaving.
04:31I had no idea why he would agree to something as ridiculous as Logan's bet.
04:34But one thing became clear the moment I heard that bet.
04:37If I wanted to walk away from this game those rich guys were playing without getting hurt, Liam might be
04:41my only way out.
04:43I had just stepped out of the bathroom when Liam pulled me into his arms from behind.
04:59You're unusually impatient tonight, Logan.
05:03Change how you call me.
05:06Then what do you want me to call you?
05:09What do you usually call me?
05:12Your name, Mr. Hayes.
05:13And I've called you Baby.
05:17Then tonight call me Sir.
05:21Sir?
05:39The next day, I opened my eyes to full daylight.
05:41Every part of me ached.
05:43The kind of all-over soreness that goes bone deep.
05:46The room was empty.
05:47Liam was gone.
05:48I didn't know when he'd left.
05:49Through the glass, I could see the back lawn below, and Logan standing in it.
05:54I picked out a dress with an off-the-shoulder neckline, revealing the marks on purpose.
06:02Hey.
06:03What's wrong?
06:08Can you go get me some medicine from the infirmary?
06:10What for?
06:11What hurts?
06:11Last night, you were really rough.
06:13I didn't realize until the shower.
06:15There was...
06:16It bled a little.
06:17It really hurts.
06:19I fold.
06:20Avery's yours for tonight.
06:22You're willing to give her up?
06:23Since you like her, I'll gladly step aside.
06:27Although, we've been together for almost a year.
06:29If you think she's secondhand...
06:31No need.
06:32I'll take her.
06:36Fine.
06:37Then enjoy yourself tonight, brother.
06:41As soon as Liam left, the room immediately came alive again.
06:45Logan, are you serious?
06:46You chased Avery for three months, went all soft for her, and you're already bored?
06:49It's not even been a year.
06:51A bet's a bet.
06:52And besides, she's just a girl.
06:54So, Avery wasn't anything special to you, after all.
06:59At first, she was.
07:00Hard to get.
07:01A bit high and mighty.
07:02But now, she's no different from the others.
07:07Still the same.
07:08Behaves like a damn dog in front of me.
07:10Hey, Logan.
07:11Next time, can I have a turn with her?
07:15But, Logan.
07:16What if Liam actually gets to her?
07:18What then?
07:21He won't.
07:21They say he didn't even touch a girl back in military school.
07:23Ice-cold type.
07:25That's not necessarily true, though.
07:26He did look at Avery a few times when she wore that dress showing her legs.
07:29He just hates girls who try too hard to show off.
07:32Bet on it then, Logan.
07:33You in?
07:34Don't forget.
07:35Avery is obsessed with me.
07:36She'd rather die than let another guy touch her.
07:38If you really want to bet, you better be ready to lose everything.
07:41Logan stood up and walked out.
07:42A pretty cheerleader was already waiting outside the door.
07:45He shoved her against the hallway wall and kissed her.
07:48Hard.
07:48No one noticed that I, the subject of the twins' bet,
07:51had already heard everything.
07:54If he could openly bet me away to another guy,
07:57then I meant absolutely nothing to him.
07:59And if I was stupid enough to make a scene,
08:02and embarrass him in front of everyone,
08:04I'd be the one paying the price.
08:06Everyone knows Logan's family had endowed the athletic center of our school.
08:10His name was on the donor wall in the main hallway,
08:12in letters bigger than most people's futures.
08:15That's why he could break rules,
08:17get into fights,
08:18and cause trouble at school without ever getting expelled.
08:21Someone told me there had been a ballet dancer before me.
08:24Logan had chased her for months,
08:26before she finally said yes.
08:27He spoiled her.
08:29Let her get away with things no one else could.
08:32For a while,
08:33everyone thought that she'd gotten the notorious bad boy to settle down.
08:37But less than six months later,
08:39he got bored and messed up with other girls.
08:43The ballet girl slashed the tire of Logan's motorcycle,
08:46making a scene in front of half the school.
08:52A few days later,
08:53she fell during rehearsal.
08:55She lived,
08:56but she was paralyzed from the waist down,
08:59her whole life finished.
09:01She withdrew from Stonebridge High before the semester was over.
09:05Officially,
09:05she'd transferred to a performing arts academy in another state.
09:09Unofficially,
09:10nobody wanted to talk about it.
09:12Back when Logan was chasing me,
09:14someone told me that he had been quietly looking into my scholarship.
09:17If he wanted to,
09:18he could make my life at this school a living hell.
09:21I had said yes to him because I was afraid of saying no.
09:24I had stayed with him for a year,
09:26keeping my head down,
09:27and now he'd put me in a card game.
09:30I went back to the guest room and lay down on the couch,
09:33pulling the blanket over myself.
09:35The door opened,
09:36footsteps across the room,
09:37and then the smell,
09:39clean and unfamiliar,
09:40not Logan.
09:41You should sleep in an actual bed.
09:46Finally,
09:47I've been waiting forever,
09:48Logan.
09:50Have you been waiting long?
09:51Hmm,
09:52my head is killing me.
09:54You'll feel better once you get something in your stomach.
09:57I'm tired,
09:58take me somewhere.
09:59You smell different tonight?
10:00Do I?
10:01Yeah,
10:02it's better though,
10:03actually better.
10:04A lot.
10:05Glad you like it.
10:08Two days earlier,
10:10I hadn't known Liam Hayes existed.
10:11Logan never talked about him.
10:13In fact,
10:13he seemed almost wary of him.
10:15Mrs. Patterson introduced Liam in AP Lit,
10:18transfer student,
10:19previously enrolled in Vermont,
10:21joining us for senior year.
10:22The rumors spread fast.
10:24He'd been kicked out of multiple schools.
10:26He'd hospitalized two guys in a fight,
10:28and had no marks on him afterward.
10:30He'd been at a military academy before Vermont.
10:32He had a 4.0,
10:34and no one at his previous schools would say much about him,
10:37which people interpreted as either very good,
10:39or very bad.
10:40At dinner,
10:40I sat next to Logan.
10:42Liam sat alone at another table.
10:44Near the end,
10:45his eyes moved to me,
10:46just for a second.
10:47He didn't talk to anyone before leaving.
10:50I had no idea why he would agree to something as ridiculous as Logan's bet.
10:53But one thing became clear the moment I heard that bet.
10:56If I wanted to walk away from this game those rich guys were playing without getting hurt,
11:00Liam might be my only way out.
11:02I had just stepped out of the bathroom when Liam pulled me into his arms from behind.
11:18You're unusually impatient tonight,
11:19Logan.
11:22Change how you call me.
11:25Then what do you want me to call you?
11:29What do you usually call me?
11:30Your name?
11:32Mr. Hayes.
11:33And I've called you Baby.
11:36Then tonight call me Sir.
11:40Sir?
11:58The next day,
11:59I opened my eyes to full daylight.
12:00Every part of me ached.
12:02The kind of all-over soreness that goes bone deep.
12:05The room was empty.
12:06Liam was gone.
12:07I didn't know when he'd left.
12:09Through the glass,
12:10I could see the back lawn below,
12:11and Logan standing in it.
12:13I picked out a dress with an off-the-shoulder neckline,
12:16revealing the marks on purpose.
12:21Hey.
12:22What's wrong?
12:27Can you go get me some medicine from the infirmary?
12:29What for?
12:30What hurts?
12:31Last night you were really rough.
12:32I didn't realize until the shower.
12:34There was...
12:35It bled a little.
12:36It really hurts.
12:38I fold.
12:39Avery's yours for tonight.
12:41You're willing to give her up?
12:42Since you like her,
12:44I'll gladly step aside.
12:46Although...
12:47We've been together for almost a year.
12:49If you think she's second-hand...
12:50No need.
12:51I'll take her.
12:55Fine.
12:56Then enjoy yourself tonight, brother.
13:00As soon as Liam left,
13:01the room immediately came alive again.
13:04Logan, are you serious?
13:05You chased Avery for three months,
13:07went all soft for her,
13:07and you're already bored?
13:08It's not even been a year.
13:10A bet's a bet.
13:11And besides, she's just a girl.
13:13So Avery wasn't anything special to you after all.
13:18At first she was.
13:19Hard to get.
13:20A bit high and mighty.
13:22But now,
13:23she's no different from the others.
13:26Still the same.
13:27Behaves like a damn dog in front of me.
13:29Hey, Logan.
13:30Next time,
13:31can I have a turn with her?
13:34But Logan,
13:35what if Liam actually gets to her?
13:37What then?
13:40He won't.
13:40They say he didn't even touch a girl back in military school.
13:42Ice cold type.
13:44That's not necessarily true, though.
13:45He did look at Avery a few times
13:47when she wore that dress showing her legs.
13:49He just hates girls who try too hard to show off.
13:51Bet on it then, Logan.
13:52You in?
13:53Don't forget,
13:54Avery is obsessed with me.
13:55She'd rather die than let another guy touch her.
13:57If you really want to bet,
13:58you better be ready to lose everything.
14:00Logan stood up and walked out.
14:01A pretty cheerleader was already waiting outside the door.
14:04He shoved her against the hallway wall
14:06and kissed her hard.
14:07No one noticed that I,
14:09the subject of the twins' bet,
14:10had already heard everything.
14:13If he could openly bet me away to another guy,
14:16then I meant absolutely nothing to him.
14:18And if I was stupid enough to make a scene
14:20and embarrass him in front of everyone,
14:23I'd be the one paying the price.
14:25Everyone knows Logan's family
14:26had endowed the athletic center of our school.
14:29His name was on the donor wall in the main hallway,
14:31in letters bigger than most people's futures.
14:34That's why he could break rules,
14:36get into fights,
14:37and cause trouble at school
14:38without ever getting expelled.
14:40Someone told me there had been a ballet dancer before me.
14:43Logan had chased her for months
14:45before she finally said yes.
14:47He spoiled her.
14:48Let her get away with things no one else could.
14:51For a while,
14:52everyone thought that she'd gotten
14:53the notorious bad boy to settle down.
14:56But less than six months later,
14:58he got bored and messed up with other girls.
15:02The ballet girl slashed the tire of Logan's motorcycle,
15:05making a scene in front of half the school.
15:11A few days later,
15:12she fell during rehearsal.
15:14She lived,
15:15but she was paralyzed from the waist down,
15:18her whole life finished.
15:20She withdrew from Stonebridge High
15:22before the semester was over.
15:24Officially,
15:24she'd transferred to a performing arts academy
15:26in another state.
15:28Unofficially,
15:29nobody wanted to talk about it.
15:31Back when Logan was chasing me,
15:33someone told me that he had been
15:34quietly looking into my scholarship,
15:36if he wanted to,
15:37he could make my life at this school
15:39a living hell.
15:40I had said yes to him
15:41because I was afraid of saying no.
15:43I had stayed with him for a year,
15:46keeping my head down,
15:47and now he'd put me in a card game.
15:49I went back to the guest room
15:51and lay down on the couch,
15:52pulling the blanket over myself.
15:54The door opened,
15:55footsteps across the room,
15:56and then the smell,
15:58clean and unfamiliar,
16:00not Logan.
16:00You should sleep in an actual bed.
16:05Finally,
16:06I've been waiting forever,
16:07Logan.
16:09Have you been waiting long?
16:11Hmm,
16:11my head is killing me.
16:13You'll feel better
16:14once you get something in your stomach.
16:16I'm tired,
16:17take me somewhere.
16:18You smell different tonight?
16:19Do I?
16:20Yeah,
16:21it's better though.
16:22Actually better.
16:23A lot.
16:24Glad you like it.
16:27Two days earlier,
16:29I hadn't known Liam Hayes existed.
16:31Logan never talked about him.
16:32In fact,
16:33he seemed almost wary of him.
16:34Mrs. Patterson introduced Liam in AP Lit.
16:37Transfer student.
16:38Previously enrolled in Vermont.
16:40Joining us for senior year.
16:41The rumors spread fast.
16:43He'd been kicked out of multiple schools.
16:45He'd hospitalized two guys in a fight
16:47and had no marks on him afterward.
16:49He'd been at a military academy before Vermont.
16:52He had a 4.0
16:53and no one at his previous schools
16:55would say much about him,
16:56which people interpreted
16:57as either very good
16:58or very bad.
16:59At dinner,
17:00I sat next to Logan.
17:01Liam sat alone at another table.
17:03Near the end,
17:04his eyes moved to me.
17:05Just for a second.
17:06He didn't talk to anyone before leaving.
17:09I had no idea why he would agree
17:10to something as ridiculous as Logan's bet.
17:13But one thing became clear
17:14the moment I heard that bet.
17:15If I wanted to walk away from this game
17:17those rich guys were playing
17:18without getting hurt,
17:19Liam might be my only way out.
17:21I had just stepped out of the bathroom
17:23when Liam pulled me
17:23into his arms from behind.
17:37You're unusually impatient tonight, Logan.
17:41Change how you call me.
17:44Then what do you want me to call you?
17:48What do you usually call me?
17:50Your name, Mr. Hayes,
17:52and I've called you Baby.
17:55Then tonight call me Sir.
17:59Sir?
18:01Sir?
18:02Sir?
18:04Sir?
18:05Sir?
18:06Sir?
18:06Sir?
18:08Sir?
18:17Sir?
18:17The next day,
18:18I opened my eyes to full daylight.
18:20Every part of me ached.
18:21The kind of all-over soreness
18:23that goes bone deep.
18:24The room was empty.
18:25Liam was gone.
18:26I didn't know when he'd left.
18:28Through the glass,
18:29I could see the back lawn below
18:30and Logan standing in it.
18:32I picked out a dress with an off-the-shoulder neckline, revealing the marks on purpose.
18:41Hey, what's wrong?
18:46Can you go get me some medicine from the infirmary?
18:48What for? What hurts?
18:50Last night you were really rough.
18:52I didn't realize until the shower, there was, it bled a little, it really hurts.
18:59My own sister and my naga husband were wrapped around each other.
19:02Laughing as my windpipe crushed.
19:05He belongs to me, Eve. Burn to ashes in this hellfire.
19:08In our past life, Sophia and I found two beastkin eggs.
19:18Yet Sophia loathed the serpent's creepy, icy scales.
19:21So she threw a fit, hijacked my phoenix, and shoved the ugly snake down my throat.
19:26But then, a heatfall came.
19:28The phoenix's fire aura cooked Sophia alive, while the serpent's ice kept me perfectly safe.
19:32Mad with jealousy, Sophia seduced my husband at the brink of death.
19:36They slaughtered me.
19:37But now, I open my eyes.
19:39We are right back to the day the eggs hatched.
19:41Before I can even blink, Sophia rushes forward and snatches the frost serpent.
19:45The serpent is mine!
19:46You can keep that useless bird!
19:48She thinks the serpent is her golden ticket to surviving the heatfall.
19:51What the bitch doesn't know is, in our last life, he only kept his powers because I fed him my
19:56blood.
19:56It was pure torture.
20:00Since Sophia wants him so badly, I'll let her enjoy being drained alive.
20:05If that's what you want, Sophia, he's yours.
20:09In my last life, Vayne only married me because the ancient covenant forced his hand.
20:13But now, he doesn't even wait for me.
20:16He grabs Sophia and glares at me like I'm trash.
20:19Sophia wants me, Eve.
20:20I belong to her now.
20:21Get over it.
20:23Look at how he rejects me.
20:25This isn't their first meeting.
20:26They are already hooked up behind my back.
20:29Sophia and I aren't the only ones reborn.
20:31The global boiling starts soon.
20:33Sophia whispers in my ear.
20:35Get on your knees and beg me, and I might give you a few days of cool air.
20:39I almost burst out laughing.
20:40She has no idea she just signed her own death warrant.
20:43Sophia drags him away with her head high, totally blind to the pure evil in his eyes.
20:47I turn to the shivering phoenix.
20:49Ever since he cracked his shell, he's been terrified and only calms down after Sophia leaves.
20:55I didn't mean to.
20:56Please don't hit me.
20:57He looks at me, petrified.
20:59Why are you so scared?
21:00Did Sophia do something terrible to you?
21:04Don't say her name.
21:05Please never say it again.
21:06Did Sophia lose her mind in the heat last life and take it all out on him?
21:10The phoenix curls up.
21:12My god, the phoenix is reborn too.
21:16I kneel and pull him close, whispering softly.
21:19It's okay.
21:20It's all over now.
21:21I've got you, and nobody will ever hurt you again.
21:24He looks up at me.
21:25Do you really accept me?
21:26In the last life, Sophia hated my heat.
21:28She said I was nothing compared to the serpent.
21:30She ruined my body, then dumped me outside like trash.
21:33Trust me, you are a hundred times better than him.
21:35That snake is the real trash.
21:36In my last life, he drained my blood every single day and then killed me with Sophia.
21:40But why?
21:41Our ancient rules say we must be loyal to the one who saved us or we'll face a terrible curse.
21:44How did he dare betray you like that?
21:46It doesn't matter anymore.
21:48Let's head to my house first.
21:49We have to start prepping for the end of the world right away.
21:52I give the phoenix a new name, Blaze.
21:54He loves it.
21:55He asks me to sit on his back, spread silence, wise.
22:04In no time, he carries me right back to the farmhouse.
22:08We decide to dig his cellar.
22:09A hundred meters deep underground, won't need any AC or cooling gear.
22:13An unexpected bonus, he hit water while digging.
22:16We land at the bottom of the cellar and I'm instantly covered in a wonderful chill.
22:20But down here, it's absolute habit.
22:22Tomorrow, the world burns.
22:24Sophia?
22:25Let's see who makes it out alive this time.
22:29Now, it's just a perfect, comfortable temperature.
22:32Finally, no more firepower.
22:35Blaze stretches near the bed, exhausted.
22:37The blood drain to stop the heat day and night was too much.
22:39I am totally spent.
22:41Heartbroken and guilty, I sit right up.
22:43Your power drains your own blood?
22:44Yeah.
22:46But you would have chosen to freeze just to save me.
22:49I won't let you hold back for my sake.
22:51Blaze pinches my cheek, smiling like it's nothing.
22:54Looking at Blaze, so gentle and selfless, my heart breaks and swells at the same wonder.
22:58How are Veen and Sophia doing anyway?
23:00Too bad I can't watch it in person.
23:02Blaze grins, summoning a mirror from his flames.
23:06Eve, want to watch their live show?
23:12My own sister and my naga husband were wrapped around each other, laughing as my windpipe crashed.
23:18He belongs to me, Eve.
23:19Burn to ashes in this hellfire!
23:22In our past life, Sophia and I found two beast kin eggs.
23:31Yet Sophia loathe the serpent's creepy, icy scales.
23:34So she threw a fit, hijacked my phoenix, and shoved the ugly snake down my throat.
23:39But then, a heatfall came.
23:41The phoenix's fire aura cooked Sophia alive, while the serpent's eggs kept me perfectly safe.
23:45Mad with jealousy, Sophia seduced my husband at the brink of death.
23:49They slaughtered me.
23:50But now, I open my eyes.
23:52We are right back to the day the eggs hatched.
23:54Before I can even blink, Sophia rushes forward and snatches the frost serpent.
23:58The serpent is mine!
23:59You can keep that useless bird!
24:01She thinks the serpent is her golden ticket to surviving the heatfall.
24:05What the bitch doesn't know is, in our last life, he only kept his powers because I fed him my
24:09blood.
24:09It was pure torture.
24:13Since Sophia wants him so badly, I'll let her enjoy being drained alive.
24:18If that's what you want, Sophia, he's yours.
24:22In my last life, Vayne only married me because the ancient covenant forced his hand.
24:26But now, he doesn't even wait for me.
24:29He grabs Sophia and glares at me like I'm trash.
24:32Sophia wants me, Eve.
24:33I belong to her now.
24:34Get over it.
24:36Look at how he rejects me.
24:38This isn't their first meeting.
24:39They are already hooked up behind my back.
24:42Sophia and I aren't the only ones reborn.
24:44The global boiling starts soon.
24:46Sophia whispers in my ear.
24:48Get on your knees and beg me, and I might give you a few days of cool air.
24:52I almost burst out laughing.
24:53She has no idea she just signed her own death warrant.
24:56Sophia drags him away with her head high, totally blind to the pure evil in his eyes.
25:00I turn to the shivering phoenix.
25:03Ever since he cracked his shell, he's been terrified and only calms down after Sophia leaves.
25:08I didn't mean to.
25:09Please don't hit me.
25:10He looks at me, petrified.
25:12Why are you so scared?
25:13Did Sophia do something terrible to you?
25:17Don't say her name.
25:18Please never say it again.
25:19Did Sophia lose her mind in the heat last life and take it all out on him?
25:23The phoenix curls up.
25:25My god.
25:26The phoenix is reborn too.
25:29I kneel and pull him close, whispering softly.
25:32It's okay.
25:33It's all over now.
25:34I've got you.
25:35And nobody will ever hurt you again.
25:37He looks up at me.
25:38Do you really accept me?
25:39In the last life, Sophia hated my heat.
25:41She said I was nothing compared to the serpent.
25:43She ruined my body, then dumped me outside like trash.
25:46Trust me.
25:46You are a hundred times better than him.
25:48That snake is the real trash.
25:49In my last life, he drained my blood every single day and then killed me with Sophia.
25:53But why?
25:53Our ancient rules say we must be loyal to the one who saved us or we'll face a terrible
25:57curse.
25:57How did he dare betray you like that?
25:59It doesn't matter anymore.
26:01Let's head to my house first.
26:02We have to start prepping for the end of the world right away.
26:05I give the phoenix a new name.
26:07Blaze.
26:07He loves it.
26:08He asks me to sit on his back.
26:10Spreads.
26:11Wise.
26:17In no time, he carries me right back to the farmhouse.
26:21We decide to dig his cellar.
26:22A hundred meters deep underground.
26:24Won't need any AC or cooling gear.
26:26An unexpected bonus.
26:27He hit water while digging.
26:29We land at the bottom of the cellar and I'm instantly covered in a wonderful chill.
26:33But down here, it's absolute heaven.
26:35Tomorrow, the world burns.
26:37Sophia?
26:38Let's see who makes it out alive this time.
26:42Now, it's just a perfect, comfortable temperature.
26:46Finally, no more firepower.
26:48Blaze stretches near the bed, exhausted.
26:50The blood drain to stop the heat day and night was too much.
26:52I am totally spent.
26:54Heartbroken and guilty, I sit right up.
26:56Your power drains your own blood?
26:57Yeah.
26:59But you would have chosen to freeze just to save me.
27:02I won't let you hold back for my sake.
27:04Blaze pinches my cheek, smiling like it's nothing.
27:07Looking at Blaze, so gentle and selfless,
27:09my heart breaks and swells at the same wonder.
27:11What are Veen and Sophia doing anyway?
27:13Too bad I can't watch it in person.
27:15Blaze grins, summoning a mirror from his flames.
27:19Eve, want to watch their live show?
27:25My own sister and my nauga husband were wrapped around each other, laughing as my windpipe crashed.
27:31He belongs to me, Eve.
27:32Burn to ashes in this hellfire.
27:34In our past life, Sophia and I found two beastkin eggs.
27:44Yet Sophia loathe the serpent's creepy, icy scales.
27:47So she threw a fit, hijacked my phoenix, and shoved the ugly snake down my throat.
27:52But then, the heat fall came.
27:54The phoenix's fire aura cooked Sophia alive, while the serpent's eggs kept me perfectly safe.
27:58Mad with jealousy, Sophia seduced my husband at the brink of death.
28:02They slaughtered me.
28:03But now, I open my eyes.
28:05We are right back to the day the eggs hatched.
28:07Before I can even blink, Sophia rushes forward and snatches the frost serpent.
28:11The serpent is mine!
28:12You can keep that useless bird!
28:14She thinks the serpent is her golden ticket to surviving the heat fall.
28:18What the bitch doesn't know is,
28:19in our last life, he only kept his powers because I fed him my blood.
28:22It was pure torture.
28:26Since Sophia wants him so badly, I'll let her enjoy being drained alive.
28:31If that's what you want, Sophia, he's yours.
28:35In my last life, Vayne only married me because the ancient covenant forced his hand.
28:40But now, he doesn't even wait for me.
28:42He grabs Sophia and glares at me like I'm trash.
28:45Sophia wants me, Eve.
28:46I belong to her now.
28:47Get over it.
28:49Look at how he rejects me.
28:51This isn't their first meeting.
28:52They are already hooked up behind my back.
28:55Sophia and I aren't the only ones reborn.
28:57The global boiling starts soon.
28:59Sophia whispers in my ear.
29:01Get on your knees and beg me, and I might give you a few days of cool air.
29:05I almost burst out laughing.
29:06She has no idea she just signed her own death warrant.
29:09Sophia drags him away with her head high,
29:11totally blind to the pure evil in his eyes.
29:13I turn to the shivering phoenix.
29:15Ever since he cracked his shell, he's been terrified and only calms down after Sophia leaves.
29:21I didn't mean to.
29:22Please don't hit me.
29:23He looks at me, petrified.
29:25Why are you so scared?
29:26Did Sophia do something terrible to you?
29:30Don't say her name.
29:31Please never say it again.
29:33Did Sophia lose her mind in the heat last life and take it all out on him?
29:36The phoenix curls up.
29:38My god.
29:38The phoenix is reborn too.
29:42I kneel and pull him close, whispering softly.
29:45It's okay.
29:46It's all over now.
29:47I've got you, and nobody will ever hurt you again.
29:50He looks up at me.
29:51Do you really accept me?
29:52In the last life, Sophia hated my heat.
29:54She said I was nothing compared to the serpent.
29:56She ruined my body, then dumped me outside like trash.
29:59Trust me, you are a hundred times better than him.
30:01That snake is the real trash.
30:02In my last life, he drained my blood every single day and then killed me with Sophia.
30:06But why?
30:07Our ancient rules say we must be loyal to the one who saved us, or we'll face a terrible curse.
30:10How did he dare betray you like that?
30:12It doesn't matter anymore.
30:13Let's head to my house first.
30:15We have to start prepping for the end of the world right away.
30:18I give the phoenix a new name, Blaze.
30:20He loves it.
30:21He asks me to sit on his back.
30:23Spread silence.
30:24Wise.
30:30In no time, he carries me right back to the farmhouse.
30:34We decide to dig a cellar.
30:35A hundred meters deep underground.
30:37Won't need any AC or cooling gear.
30:39An unexpected bonus.
30:40He hit water while digging.
30:42We land at the bottom of the cellar and I'm instantly covered in a wonderful chill.
30:46But down here, it's absolute heaven.
30:48Tomorrow, the world burns.
30:50Sophia?
30:51Let's see who makes it out alive this time.
30:55Now, it's just a perfect, comfortable temperature.
30:59Finally, no more firepower.
31:01Blaze stretches near the bed.
31:02Exhausted.
31:03The blood drain to stop the heat day and night was too much.
31:06I am totally spent.
31:07Heartbroken and guilty, I sit right up.
31:09Your power drains your own blood?
31:10Yeah.
31:12But you would have chosen to freeze just to save me.
31:15I won't let you hold back for my sake.
31:17Blaze pinches my cheek, smiling like it's nothing.
31:20Looking at Blaze, so gentle and selfless, my heart breaks and swells at the same wonder.
31:24What are Veen and Sophia doing anyway?
31:26Too bad I can't watch it in person.
31:28Blaze grins, summoning a mirror from his flames.
31:32Eve, wanna watch their live show?
31:40My three brothers destroyed me.
31:41Just to make my father's bastard daughter.
31:44Celeste.
31:44The next queen.
31:45My eldest brother set his beast on me.
31:47It tore half my face off.
31:49I was scarred for life.
31:50My second brother let rogues into our estate.
31:52They cut the tendons in my wrists.
31:53I'd never paint a rune again.
31:55All my talent gone.
31:56My third brother slipped a drug into my drink.
31:58Let his rogue friend mark me.
32:00My honor was ruined.
32:01Celeste took my place.
32:02She became the future queen.
32:05Alara, listen.
32:05We'll make this right.
32:07We've got you always.
32:08Once their wish was granted, my brothers finally remembered me.
32:10I gripped the marriage contract from the crippled king's hand.
32:13Don't.
32:15I don't need your apologies.
32:17I cut ties with my brothers in three days, then climbed into the wedding car without looking back.
32:21Later, I heard my three brothers turn the whole territory upside down.
32:24They even posted a bounty.
32:26Just to bring me home.
32:27But what did it matter?
32:28We were strangers now.
32:29In the clan's beast grounds, my eldest brother Magnus was personally training a tiger cub.
32:33He was the finest beast master in the Northern Territory.
32:36The royal clan came to it.
32:38Whoa, whoa, Pip.
32:40Pip, you have to be a good girl.
32:42So one day, you can protect Celeste better.
32:45Tears slid down behind my mask.
32:47They seeped into the wound on my face that hadn't healed yet.
32:50The pain cut deep.
32:51Brother, I wanted a spirit cub of my own.
32:53But Magnus would always snap at me, he said.
32:55Spirit beasts were sacred.
32:58Only royals were worthy of them.
32:59Back then, I thought he was just following the rules.
33:01That he was protecting me from getting in trouble.
33:03Now, I knew better.
33:04For someone he truly loved, he'd break any rule.
33:07Fifteen years ago, my mother died.
33:08She was the Aldwyn matriarch.
33:10My three brothers weren't born to her.
33:11She took them in as orphans and raised them as her sons.
33:14On her deathbed, she made them swear one thing.
33:17Protect Alera.
33:18Always.
33:20Promise me, boys.
33:22But months later, my father brought home his mistress and her bastard daughter, Celeste.
33:26His eyes only saw Celeste.
33:27He stopped seeing me.
33:28The daughter, his matriarch, died begging him to protect.
33:30I walked over to Pip.
33:32Brother, do you remember?
33:33I lowered my head and stroked her soft little ears.
33:35I always wanted a spirit cub, too.
33:37Magnus looked at me.
33:38He scooped Pip up and stepped back, eyes sharp.
33:40Laura.
33:41Honestly, his change toward me wasn't sudden.
33:42What are you trying to do?
33:44This is Celeste's mating gift.
33:46Don't even think about taking it.
33:47Fifteen years ago, the day Celeste first arrived, she came to my room in a fancy new dress just to
33:52rub it in my face.
33:53I didn't even bother with her.
33:54Fifteen years.
33:55Nothing changed.
33:56All these years I tried to prove my innocence.
33:58All I got back was disgust and cold stares.
34:00Enough!
34:01In his mind, every word out of my mouth was a lie.
34:04Now that I was about to leave, I let it go.
34:07You can't make someone love you back.
34:08I had one goal today.
34:09Sever the bond.
34:10Magnus scanned for kinship severance.
34:12He scoffed.
34:13A pure-blooded daughter of this clan, and you're this petty, not half as graceful as Celeste.
34:18Having a sister like you is the greatest shame of my life.
34:23Having a sister like you is the greatest shame of my life.
34:26I touched the cold porcelain of my mask.
34:27I let out a bitter laugh.
34:29Having a brother like you is my shame.
34:30When his beast clawed my face, I didn't accuse him.
34:33This was the first time in my life I'd ever spoken back.
34:35Magnus was pissed.
34:36He grabbed me by the throat.
34:37His eyes flashed red.
34:38Alara, you brought this on yourself.
34:44When you said that cub on Celeste, you should have known this day would come.
34:47Suddenly, I remembered the summer.
34:49I was forced the words out through the pain.
34:50Magnus, if you hate me so much, just sign the kinship severment.
34:56That way, Celeste can be officially recognized as the rightful daughter-
35:00Good, someone as twisted as you doesn't deserve to be my sister.
35:03He scrawled his name.
35:04Don't you dare regret this.
35:06Look at yourself.
35:07Who else would want you?
35:09Severed or not, you'll still end up crawling back to this estate.
35:13Eating our food?
35:15Wearing our clothes?
35:16He threw the contract at my feet.
35:17Corblath.
35:18I picked up the contract from the floor, folded it carefully, tucked it into my coat.
35:22Don't worry, Lord Magnus.
35:23Alara has no intention of coming back.
35:25His eyelashes trembled.
35:26You're calling me Lord now.
35:27The bond is severed.
35:28I stepped back.
35:29Of course I should.
35:30Magnus shook with rage.
35:31He clenched his teeth.
35:32Fine.
35:33Be as proud as you want.
35:34Don't come crawling to me later.
35:36I wouldn't.
35:36In three days, I'd leave the Aldwin estate.
35:38I'd never come back.
35:39Whether I regretted it or struggled to survive, it was no one's business but mine.
35:45The next day, I walked straight into my second brother Sorin's study.
35:49After father died, Sorin took over as the most accomplished son.
35:52He inherited father's seat.
35:54He became the clan's CFO.
35:55He was steadier than Magnus.
35:57Colder.
35:57When I barged in, he didn't even glance up.
35:59He kept writing.
36:00How are your hands?
36:01I looked at my hands.
36:02The wounds had closed.
36:03But I'd never hold a brush again.
36:05Better.
36:05Thanks for leaving me with at least something, brother.
36:08Now that's more like what you should be.
36:10A proper lady.
36:12Alara, don't blame me.
36:13Celeste suffered so much as a child.
36:15She could never paint runes the way you used to.
36:17I touched the frost flower rune hanging on his wall.
36:20The one I'd given him.
36:20My chest ached.
36:21If we hadn't helped her this time, she'd have lost the Prince Lucan.
36:24She'd have ended up with no one.
36:25And me, Sorin?
36:26My engagement is destroyed too.
36:28What about me?
36:30Should I die alone?
36:32But he thought I was demanding answers.
36:34His guilty look vanished.
36:35Annoyance took its place.
36:38Alara, I'm trying to spare you.
36:40You and the Prince Lucan.
36:41You know how that engagement really happened.
36:43Celestia saved him that night.
36:45You stole the sunstone pendant he left her.
36:47You tricked him into the wrong betrothal.
36:49This is what you owe her.
36:52I tossed the pendant on my dresser without a thought.
36:57Celeste's mother came by a few days later.
36:59She saw the pendant.
37:01She had her people dig up the whole story.
37:03But when Prince Lucan came to formalize the betrothal,
37:06he didn't recognize the pendant.
37:08He closed his eyes, reached out, touched my hand, then said,
37:11That's right.
37:12Lady Alara saved me.
37:13I'd know her hand anywhere.
37:15The Prince's verdict didn't clear my name.
37:17If anything, it made my family hate me more.
37:20They were convinced I'd seduced him.
37:23That was when Sorin gave up on me.
37:25He stood with Celeste for good.
37:28Help Celeste take back what's hers.
37:31He clung to Father's dying words.
37:34Alara, if you have a shred of decency,
37:36you'll wish her well and shut up about it!
37:39His voice yanked me back.
37:41I had no fight left.
37:42I nodded calmly.
37:44As you wish, my lord.
37:45I pulled the frostflower rune off the wall.
37:47This is the best work I've ever made.
37:49Let it be my mating gift to the Prince Lucan and Celeste.
37:55You never liked it anyway, brother.
37:57A flicker crossed his eyes.
37:58Maybe regret.
37:59But pride wouldn't let him show it.
38:01He looked down, cool as ever.
38:02Suit yourself.
38:05Just don't go bothering, Celelta.
38:08I pulled out the kinship severance,
38:10spread it on his desk,
38:11held out the pen.
38:13Sign it, my lord.
38:14And I swear I'll never trouble Celeste again.
38:18His head snapped up.
38:20Are you threatening me?
38:21I answered calmly, yes.
38:23He hesitated,
38:24then snatched the pen signed.
38:26You said it yourself.
38:28Don't you dare go back on your word.
38:29I folded the contract,
38:31took one last look at the document on his desk.
38:34His territory expansion plan.
38:35Lord Sotan.
38:36Pushing into the eastern border now is a mistake.
38:39The Ravenshot clan has three alphas there.
38:41You'll burn through your scouts in a month.
38:43Take the western flats first.
38:45They have no leadership.
38:46Settle the territory.
38:47Build the farms back up.
38:48That's the way.
38:49His eyes lit up.
38:50The corner of his mouth twitched up.
38:51He nodded.
38:53Alara,
38:53you're really good at strategy.
38:55Such a shame your heart is rotten.
38:58Stay with me.
38:59Be my advisor.
39:00It's the best way for you.
39:02Then,
39:03the kinship severment.
39:04I'll just take it as a joke.
39:05Thank you, my lord.
39:06But my tongue would only annoy you.
39:07I won't speak out of turn anymore.
39:09Consider this my repayment
39:10for all the years you sheltered me.
39:12He sighed.
39:13Fine.
39:14I can wait.
39:15Once you've cooled down,
39:16we'll talk again.
39:17My brother,
39:18you won't have time to wait.
39:19In two days,
39:20we'll part ways.
39:21Forever.
39:23On the third day,
39:24I cornered my third brother Zane
39:26at the Gilded Fang
39:27of all three sons.
39:28Zane was the family disappointment.
39:30He spent every night
39:31at the nightclub.
39:31He ran with the worst crowd in town.
39:33Lazy.
39:34Cruel.
39:34With too much money
39:35and too much time.
39:36The rogue who marked me
39:37was his closest friend,
39:38Dax Renner.
39:39Son of the Renner Pack.
39:40When Dax saw me,
39:42his eyes lit up
39:42with that filthy gleam.
39:43He smirked.
39:44Well, well.
39:45If it isn't my little bride.
39:47What's the matter, sweetheart?
39:49Missed me?
39:49Brushed his fingers
39:50against my mask.
39:51Clicked his tongue.
39:52Shame about that face of yours.
39:55Otherwise,
39:56I'd have taken you home
39:57and kept you.
39:58Zane swirled his drink.
39:59Watched the whole thing
40:00with a smirk.
40:00Zane,
40:01I knew the answer already.
40:02You let this scum mark me?
40:03But I asked anyway.
40:05Now you're going to watch him
40:06touch me too?
40:07You're already Dax's,
40:09aren't you?
40:10What's a little touch?
40:12Maybe one day,
40:13when no one else wants you,
40:15you'll beg him
40:16to take you in.
40:16Lord Zane,
40:17she's still your sister!
40:18Even the hostess
40:19couldn't stand it.
40:20I don't have a sister
40:21this rotten.
40:21My only sister
40:22is Celeste.
40:26The wound in my chest
40:27ripped open again.
40:28The pain stole my breath.
40:30When we were little,
40:30Zane loved me the most.
40:31I used to play tricks on him
40:32and tease him.
40:33He never got mad.
40:34I never pranked him again.
40:35Every time we saw a snake,
40:37we'd step in front of him.
40:38He'd grin and say,
40:39Anyone who messes
40:40with my sister,
40:41I'll break their legs.
40:42His words still rang in my ears,
40:43but everything had changed.
40:44Maybe Zane never imagined
40:45the one who'd hurt me deepest
40:46would be him.
40:47The hostess looked away,
40:48sick to her stomach.
40:49Don't pity her.
40:50You don't know how rotten she is.
40:52Two years ago,
40:53she snuck a man into our estate.
40:54She wanted him to assault Celeste.
41:00My three brothers destroyed me
41:02just to make my father's
41:03bastard daughter,
41:04Celeste,
41:05the next queen.
41:06My eldest brother
41:07set his beast on me.
41:08It tore half my face off.
41:09I was scarred for life.
41:11My second brother
41:11let rogues into our estate.
41:13They cut the tendons in my wrists.
41:14I'd never paint a rune again.
41:16All my talent gone.
41:17My third brother
41:17slipped a drug into my drink.
41:19Let his rogue friend mark me.
41:21My honor was ruined.
41:22Celeste took my place.
41:23She became the future queen.
41:25Alara, listen.
41:26We'll make this right.
41:27We've got you always.
41:29Once their wish was granted,
41:30my brothers finally remembered me.
41:31I gripped the marriage contract
41:32from the crippled king's hand.
41:34Don't.
41:35I don't need your apologies.
41:37I cut ties with my brothers
41:39in three days,
41:40then climbed into the wedding car
41:41without looking back.
41:42Later,
41:42I heard my three brothers
41:43turn the whole territory upside down.
41:45They even posted a bounty
41:46just to bring me home.
41:48But what did it matter?
41:49We were strangers now.
41:50In the clan's beast grounds,
41:51my eldest brother Magnus
41:52was personally training a tiger cub.
41:54He was the finest beast master
41:55in the northern territory.
41:57The royal clan came to.
41:58Whoa, whoa, Pip.
42:00Pip,
42:01you have to be a good girl.
42:02So one day,
42:04you can protect Celeste better.
42:06Tears slid down behind my mask.
42:08They seeped into the wound
42:09on my face that hadn't healed yet.
42:10The pain cut deep.
42:11Brother,
42:12I wanted a spirit cub of my own.
42:14But Magnus would always snap at me.
42:16He said,
42:17Spirit beasts were sacred.
42:18Only royals were worthy of them.
42:20Back then,
42:20I thought he was just following the rules,
42:22that he was protecting me
42:23from getting in trouble.
42:24Now,
42:24I knew better.
42:25For someone he truly loved,
42:26he'd break any rule.
42:27Fifteen years ago,
42:28my mother died.
42:29She was the Alduin matriarch.
42:31My three brothers weren't born to her.
42:32She took them in as orphans
42:33and raised them as her sons.
42:35On her deathbed,
42:35she made them swear one thing.
42:37Protect Alera.
42:39Always.
42:40Promise me, boys.
42:43But months later,
42:43my father brought home
42:44his mistress and her bastard daughter,
42:46Celeste.
42:46His eyes only saw Celeste.
42:48He stopped seeing me.
42:49The daughter,
42:49his matriarch,
42:50died begging him to protect.
42:51I walked over to Pip.
42:52Brother,
42:53do you remember?
42:53I lowered my head
42:54and stroked her soft little ears.
42:56I always wanted a spirit cub, too.
42:58Magnus looked at me.
42:59He scooped Pip up
42:59and stepped back,
43:00eyes sharp.
43:01Laura.
43:01Honestly,
43:02his change toward me wasn't sudden.
43:03What are you trying to do?
43:05This is Celeste's mating gift.
43:07Don't even think about taking it.
43:08Fifteen years ago,
43:09the day Celeste first arrived,
43:11she came to my room
43:11in a fancy new dress
43:12just to rub it in my face.
43:14I didn't even bother with her.
43:15Fifteen years,
43:16nothing changed.
43:17All these years,
43:17I tried to prove my innocence.
43:18All I got back
43:19was disgust and cold stares.
43:21Enough!
43:22In his mind,
43:23every word out of my mouth
43:24was a lie.
43:25Now that I was about to leave,
43:27I let it go.
43:28You can't make someone
43:28love you back.
43:29I had one goal today.
43:30Sever the bond.
43:31Magnus scanned
43:32for kinship severance.
43:33He scoffed.
43:34A pure-blooded daughter
43:35of this clan,
43:36and you're this petty,
43:37not half as graceful
43:38as Celeste.
43:39Having a sister like you
43:40is the greatest shame
43:41of my life!
43:44Having a sister like you
43:45is the greatest shame
43:46of my life!
43:46I touched the cold porcelain
43:47of my mask.
43:48I let out a bitter laugh.
43:50Having a brother like you
43:51is my shame.
43:51When his beast
43:52clogged my face,
43:53I didn't accuse him.
43:54This was the first time
43:55in my life
43:55I'd ever spoken back.
43:56Magnus was pissed.
43:57He grabbed me by the throat.
43:58His eyes flashed red.
43:59Hilara,
44:00you brought this
44:01on yourself.
44:04When you said
44:05that cub on Celeste,
44:06you should have known
44:07this day would come.
44:08Suddenly,
44:08I remembered the summer.
44:09I was forced the words
44:10out through the pain.
44:11Magnus,
44:12if you hate me so much,
44:13just sign the kinship severment.
44:17That way,
44:18Celeste can be officially
44:19recognized as the rightful
44:20daughter-
44:20Good, someone as twisted
44:21as you doesn't deserve
44:22to be my sister.
44:24He scrawled his name.
44:25Don't you dare regret this.
44:27Look at yourself.
44:28Who else would want you?
44:30Severed or not,
44:31you'll still end up
44:32crawling back to this estate.
44:34Eating our food,
44:35wearing our clothes.
44:37He threw the contract
44:37at my feet.
44:38Call Blath.
44:39I picked up the contract
44:40from the floor,
44:40folded it carefully,
44:41tucked it into my coat.
44:42Don't worry,
44:43Lord Magnus.
44:44Alara has no intention
44:45of coming back.
44:46His eyelashes trembled.
44:47You're calling me Lord now.
44:48The bond is severed.
44:49I stepped back.
44:50Of course I should.
44:51Magnus shook with rage.
44:52He clenched his teeth.
44:53Fine.
44:53Be as proud as you want.
44:55Don't come crawling to me later.
44:57I wouldn't.
44:57In three days,
44:58I'd leave the Aldwyn estate.
44:59I'd never come back.
45:00Whether I regretted it
45:01or struggled to survive,
45:02it was no one's business
45:03but mine.
45:06The next day,
45:07I walked straight into
45:08my second brother,
45:09Sorin's study.
45:10After father died,
45:11Sorin took over
45:12as the most accomplished son.
45:13He inherited father's seat.
45:15He became the clan's CFO.
45:16He was steadier than Magnus.
45:18Colder.
45:18When I barged in,
45:19he didn't even glance up.
45:20He kept writing.
45:21How are your hands?
45:21I looked at my hands.
45:23The wounds had closed,
45:24but I'd never hold a brush again.
45:25Better.
45:26Thanks for leaving me
45:27with at least something, brother.
45:28Now that's more like
45:29what you should be.
45:31A proper lady.
45:33Alara,
45:33don't blame me.
45:34Celeste suffered so much
45:35as a child.
45:36She could never paint runes
45:37the way you used to.
45:38I touched the frost flower rune
45:39hanging on his wall.
45:40The one I'd given him.
45:41My chest ached.
45:42If we hadn't helped her this time,
45:43she'd have lost the Prince Lucan.
45:45She'd have ended up with no one.
45:46And me, Sorin?
45:47My engagement is destroyed too.
45:49What about me?
45:51Should I die alone?
45:53But he thought
45:53I was demanding answers.
45:54His guilty look vanished.
45:56Annoyance took its place.
45:59Alara,
45:59I'm trying to spare you.
46:01You and the Prince Lucan.
46:02You know how that engagement
46:03really happened.
46:04Celestia saved him that night.
46:06You stole the sunstone pendant
46:07he left her.
46:08You tricked him
46:08into the wrong betrothal.
46:10This is what you owe her.
46:12I tossed the pendant
46:13on my dresser
46:14without a thought.
46:18Celeste's mother
46:18came by a few days later.
46:20She saw the pendant.
46:22She had her people
46:23dig up the whole story.
46:24But when Prince Lucan
46:25came to formalize the betrothal,
46:27he didn't recognize the pendant.
46:28He closed his eyes,
46:29reached out,
46:30touched my hand,
46:31then said,
46:32That's right.
46:32Lady Alara saved me.
46:34I'd know her hand anywhere.
46:35The Prince's verdict
46:37didn't clear my name.
46:38If anything,
46:39it made my family
46:40hate me more.
46:41They were convinced
46:42I'd seduced him.
46:43That was when
46:44Sorin gave up on me.
46:46He stood with Celeste
46:47for good.
46:49Help Celeste
46:50take back what's hers.
46:52He clung to
46:53Father's dying words.
46:55Alara,
46:56if you have a
46:56shred of decency,
46:57you'll wish her well
46:58and shut up about it!
47:00His voice
47:00yanked me back.
47:02I had no fight left.
47:03I nodded calmly.
47:04As you wish,
47:05my lord.
47:06I pulled the
47:06frost flower rune
47:07off the wall.
47:08This is the best work
47:08I've ever made.
47:10Let it be my mating gift
47:12to the Prince Lucan
47:13and Celeste.
47:16You never liked it
47:17anyway, brother.
47:18A flicker crossed his eyes.
47:19Maybe regret,
47:20but pride wouldn't
47:21let him show it.
47:21He looked down,
47:22cool as ever.
47:23Suit yourself.
47:24A flicker crossed his eyes.
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