A powerful full drama movie filled with love, secrets, and unexpected twists.
Follow a powerful story where relationships are tested, hidden truths are revealed, and lives change forever. From romantic moments to shocking surprises, this drama keeps you engaged from beginning to end.
Featuring stories about CEO, billionaire lifestyles, family connections, and life-changing decisions, this movie delivers strong emotions and unforgettable scenes.
Watch the full movie and discover what happens in the end.
New full drama movies uploaded regularly. Stay tuned for more captivating and trending stories.
#drama #fullmovie #lovestory #dramatic #billionaire #ceo #family #relationships #movie #story
Follow a powerful story where relationships are tested, hidden truths are revealed, and lives change forever. From romantic moments to shocking surprises, this drama keeps you engaged from beginning to end.
Featuring stories about CEO, billionaire lifestyles, family connections, and life-changing decisions, this movie delivers strong emotions and unforgettable scenes.
Watch the full movie and discover what happens in the end.
New full drama movies uploaded regularly. Stay tuned for more captivating and trending stories.
#drama #fullmovie #lovestory #dramatic #billionaire #ceo #family #relationships #movie #story
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FunTranscript
00:00I'm lying on the velvet bed in my castle bedroom, and three guys are leaning over me at the same
00:03time.
00:04Sebastian kneels beside me and undoes his cravat.
00:06His pale wrist comes up to my mouth, and he bites his own skin with his fangs.
00:11Little drops of blood fall onto my lips.
00:12Come on. Do that. And I'm yours.
00:17Connor is lying at the foot of the bed, his furry head resting on my thighs.
00:20He rubs his cheek against my palm, his tail sweeping restlessly over my ankles.
00:23Don't drink his mirror. Just hold me while we sleep. I'm warm.
00:27Ilion sits by my head, his dew-touched fingertips gently stroking my forehead.
00:31His golden hair falls down, brushing against my collarbone.
00:33Both of you shut it. My nature magic is what our mistress truly loves.
00:38Their eyes meet over me, and invisible sparks fly.
00:41Sebastian's nails grow longer. Connor's claws come out.
00:44Ilion's vines are already winding around the bedposts.
00:46I close my eyes, and pretend to be asleep.
00:48Doesn't matter who I pick. The other two will tear this castle apart anyway.
00:52The thing is, a month ago, I didn't even have a real bed to sleep in.
00:55Back then, I lived in a leaky little cabin on the farm.
00:57My dad was sick.
00:58Before he died, he shoved three old land deeds into my hands.
01:01Sweetheart, we don't have any family fortune.
01:04Those three seal stones at the edge of the farm, those are our ancestors' treasures.
01:08If you get into trouble, go dig them up.
01:10I mean, go invite them out.
01:13I didn't even have time to ask who I was supposed to invite,
01:15before someone started pounding on the gate.
01:17Richard Barnaby kicked the door open with a dozen thugs behind him.
01:22Richard Barnaby kicked the door open with a dozen thugs behind him.
01:25He spat his words in my face.
01:27Meera Thatcher!
01:28Your old man owes me fifty dollars.
01:30Pay up today, or I take your cow.
01:32Or you come work as a barlet in my tavern to cover the debt!
01:34Two thugs were already yanking my old dairy cow out of the barn by her rope.
01:37That cow was the only thing our family owned.
01:40I gripped those deeds tight,
01:41watched my dad's eyes close for the last time,
01:43then grabbed the shovel from the corner,
01:44and ran toward the dark woods at the back of the farm.
01:46The dirt over the first seal stone was loose,
01:49like someone had left it easy to dig up centuries ago.
01:51I swung the shovel, maybe ten times,
01:53before I hit a black wooden coffin wrapped in chains.
01:55The lid wasn't nailed shut,
01:57I pried it open with the shovel.
01:58The second I pushed that lid open,
02:00I forgot how to breathe.
02:01A man lay inside,
02:02skin pale as paper,
02:03sharp features like a statue from the Middle Ages.
02:05He wore fancy but faded, velvet clothes,
02:07his hands folded over his chest.
02:09I couldn't help myself.
02:10I reached down and poked his cold cheek.
02:12Hard and cold,
02:13no warmth.
02:14Then I lifted his eyelid.
02:15Wake up!
02:16Someone's stealing my cow,
02:17and if I can't pay the debt,
02:19I'm gonna get sold off to be a maid!
02:21No reaction.
02:22So I just climbed right into the coffin,
02:24hauled back,
02:24and slapped him across the face.
02:27His eyes snapped open,
02:28blood red,
02:29furious.
02:30A hundred years of being trapped in the dark,
02:32radiating off him like ice.
02:35Who?
02:37Meera Thatcher,
02:39last living heir to this farm.
02:41I climbed back out of the coffin.
02:42My dad said you were a lord sealed here by our ancestors.
02:45The Thatcher family's in trouble.
02:47You have to help.
02:48He laughed,
02:49a nasty sound,
02:50and sat up.
02:51His pale joints cracked,
02:52his lips curled back,
02:53showing off sharp fangs.
02:55Lock me away for centuries,
02:56and now you want my help?
02:58I'll drain you dry first,
03:00then slaughter this whole village!
03:02He didn't even finish the sentence
03:03before a dark,
03:03happy black flash of magic
03:04came out of nowhere
03:05and exploded right on his forehead.
03:07His elegant curls frizzed up like an afro,
03:09his face turned black as soot.
03:11He froze,
03:12those red eyes going wide.
03:13A blood pact?
03:14That damned woman carved a contract
03:16and into my very soul!
03:18My eyes lit up.
03:19So you have to do what I say?
03:21Dream on!
03:22I raised my hand toward the sky.
03:23In the name of God!
03:25Stop, stop, stop!
03:26He clamped his hand over my mouth,
03:27just as a second lightning bolt of magic
03:29sizzled past his cape.
03:30Fine!
03:30I'll help!
03:31Just stop chanting,
03:32or you'll burn my clothes right off me!
03:34I let go of his hand,
03:36satisfied.
03:37What's your name?
03:39Sebastian.
03:39He shook out his fried hair,
03:41looking totally grumpy.
03:43Vampire Prince,
03:44Lord of the Night,
03:45remember,
03:46I'm not helping you because I want to.
03:47That stupid contract is forcing me.
03:49You're my personal blood bag now!
03:51Got it, Mr. Vampire.
03:53Now come on,
03:53save my cow before I get sold!
03:55I said Vampire Prince,
03:56not some ordinary vampire!
03:57By the time he got back,
03:58Butcher Barnaby was already leading my cow away.
04:00Sebastian raised an eyebrow,
04:02his pale, elegant fingers flicked once.
04:04A dark red flame
04:05shot out of nowhere
04:06and set Barnaby's pants leg on fire.
04:09The thugs ran screaming in all directions.
04:12Barnaby was slapping at the flames,
04:13howling,
04:13Monsters!
04:14There are dark monsters here!
04:15A few seconds later,
04:17it was just the two of us
04:18and my confused old cow under the windmill.
04:20I patted her back
04:21and let out a long breath.
04:22Then I turned around
04:23and saw Sebastian
04:24leaning against the hay bales,
04:25arms crossed,
04:26staring at the cow's neck.
04:28Pretty impressive, right?
04:29Now go get me some fresh animal blood
04:31so I don't lose control.
04:32I pointed at the kitchen.
04:34There's cornbread and milk.
04:35Get it yourself,
04:36the great vampire prince
04:37hadn't eaten in centuries
04:38and his first meal after waking up
04:40was time's cornbread.
04:41Before we could argue,
04:42heavy hoofbeats sounded outside the gate.
04:44A man in a leather duster stood at the door,
04:46a silver compass spinning wildly in his hand,
04:48its needle pointing straight at the dark woods.
04:50Such strong dark energy.
04:52Heretic!
04:53How dare you walk the mortal realm!
04:55Sebastian's face went dark.
04:57Leave.
04:57The witch hunter laughed
04:58and threw three bottles of holy water.
05:02A freshly unsealed vampire
05:04acting tough?
05:05I'll cleanse you right now
05:07and be done with it.
05:08My heart sank.
05:09I tugged Sebastian's sleeve.
05:10Don't fight him.
05:11Let's go to the back hill.
05:12The back hill?
05:13Why?
05:14To unseal the other two.
05:16I grabbed my shovel.
05:18Three against one, right?
05:19We'll win.
05:20The vampire prince,
05:22calling for backup.
05:23Before he could argue,
05:24I dragged him at a sprint
05:25toward the edge of the dark woods.
05:26The second seal stone
05:27was buried near a creepy cellar
05:28under the trees,
05:29covered in moon-faced carvings.
05:31One shovelful cracked the stone.
05:32The cellar door blew open
05:33from the inside
05:34with a wild, feral force.
05:35Then a huge, muscular shadow
05:37lunged out of the cellar.
05:38Ripped shut,
05:39corded muscles,
05:40a low animal growl in his throat.
05:41His green eyes glowed
05:42in the lantern light,
05:43wild and untamed.
05:44Sebastian stepped in front of me,
05:46fangs out.
05:46Connor?
05:47What are you doing here?
05:49The shadow lunged forward.
05:50I finally saw him clearly.
05:51A rugged,
05:52wild-looking guy.
05:53Bronze skin,
05:54messy hair,
05:55pure power and feral energy
05:56radiating off him.
05:57His eyes went right past Sebastian
05:59and landed on me.
06:00The aggression in his face
06:00melted into pure
06:01Pack Leader.
06:03You finally came for me.
06:04Sebastian's eyes
06:05went dark with jealousy.
06:06She's not your Pack Leader.
06:07She's my blood bag.
06:09Just then,
06:09the third seal stone
06:10under the big old oak tree
06:11shattered all by itself.
06:13Out of the blue magical glow,
06:14a blonde man rose up
06:15from the dirt and roots
06:16beneath the tree,
06:17tall and lean,
06:18with pointed ears.
06:19The elf,
06:20Ilion,
06:20didn't even glance
06:21at the other two arguing.
06:22He walked straight to me,
06:23gave a graceful bow,
06:24took my hand,
06:25Nature Mage Ilan
06:26at your service,
06:27and pressed an icy kiss
06:28to my knuckles.
06:29I have waited a hundred years
06:30for you, my lady.
06:31Let me be your reason,
06:32your shield.
06:34Before I could react,
06:36Connor let out a happy
06:36and launched himself at me.
06:38Sebastian and Ilion
06:39moved at the same time.
06:40Don't you dare touch her!
06:42But Connor dodged them both
06:43and buried his face in my chest,
06:44rubbing his broad shoulder
06:45against my neck
06:46like a giant,
06:47desperate puppy.
06:48Mira,
06:49Mira,
06:49I missed you so much.
06:51You still smell so good.
06:53I looked at the clingy,
06:54feral wolfman in my arms,
06:55then at the cold,
06:56elegant elf,
06:57then at the vampire,
06:58whose pale face
06:59was turning even paler with rage.
07:00My dad wasn't lying.
07:01Those three seal stones
07:03really were treasures.
07:04Three treasures
07:05who could fight,
07:06do chores,
07:07and call me mistress.
07:08Okay, um...
07:09I cleared my throat.
07:10Can we skip the reunion
07:11for a second?
07:12There's a witch hunter outside
07:14who says he's gonna smash
07:15your stones and cleanse you.
07:16The back of Connor's hand
07:17was covered with wolf fur
07:17and sharp claws,
07:18and his eyes were fierce.
07:19Anyone tries to smash my stone,
07:21I'll rip him apart.
07:22Ilion's slender fingertips
07:23condensed a strand
07:24of emerald green magic power.
07:26Stupid mortal.
07:28Sebastian snorted
07:28and straightened his cravat.
07:30Neither of you lift a finger.
07:31I'll handle him myself.
07:33The three of them locked eyes,
07:34and sparks literally flew.
07:35The witch hunter
07:35had just reached the barn
07:36when he saw three beings
07:37radiating terrifying
07:38dark and magical energy.
07:40His face went white.
07:41Three?
07:41Three epic level monsters?
07:46The hunter turned
07:46and ran.
07:48Connor dropped to all fours
07:49and charged
07:49like a giant wolf.
07:50Ilion raised a finger
07:51and roots burst out of the ground,
07:53wrapping around
07:53the hunter's ankles.
07:55Sebastian became a blur,
07:56reappeared,
07:56and planted a foot
07:57on his chest.
07:58Three seconds.
07:59That's all it took.
08:00The cocky witch hunter
08:00was tied up in vines.
08:02God in heaven!
08:03Mercy!
08:04I squatted down
08:05in front of him.
08:06You go back
08:06and tell your witch hunter's guild
08:07that this farm
08:08is Thasher private property.
08:10Anyone who comes back here
08:11causing trouble
08:11gets their guild hall
08:12torn down by these three.
08:13Yes, yes!
08:14I'll tell them!
08:15The hunter scrambled up
08:16and ran into the woods.
08:17Crisis over.
08:18I let out a breath
08:19and turned to the three of them.
08:21Alright, let's go inside.
08:23Okay.
08:23Mira,
08:24I'll carry your tools for you.
08:26Ilion stepped close
08:26and flicked his fingers.
08:28A little breeze
08:28brushed the dust off my shoulders.
08:29You must be tired, my lady.
08:31Let me carry you home with magic.
08:32Sebastian yanked me
08:33into his dark cape
08:34and glared at the other two.
08:35Both of you!
08:35Back off!
08:36She's my contractor!
08:38My blood bag!
08:40What gives you the right?
08:41Connor argued.
08:42I'm the strongest!
08:43I'm the muscle of this farm!
08:45I have the most wisdom.
08:46Ilion said calmly.
08:48I can give her
08:48the most rational advice.
08:50I-I have the most class.
08:52Sebastian sputtered.
08:53Her blood belongs
08:54only to me!
08:55Help!
08:56I didn't unseal
08:57three helpers.
08:58I woke up
08:58three jealous,
08:59attention-hungry monsters.
09:01No!
09:03Back at the farmhouse,
09:04it was already noon.
09:05I baked a big tray of cornbread
09:06and fried six big slabs of bacon.
09:08The second I put the plate
09:09on the table,
09:10three hands reached for it.
09:12All three collided.
09:13I was woken up first.
09:14I get three.
09:15Huh!
09:16Says who?
09:16I'm the strongest.
09:17I do the most work.
09:18I get three.
09:20I have the longest lifespan.
09:22Show some respect
09:22for your elders.
09:23Nobody respects
09:24a leaf-eating old elf.
09:26Who are you calling old?
09:27They were about to come to blows
09:28when I slammed my tin cup
09:29on the table.
09:31Stop!
09:32All three froze.
09:33They sat down properly,
09:35like kids caught by a teacher.
09:36Two pieces each.
09:38No fighting.
09:39Now eat up.
09:40I divided everything evenly.
09:43Then you're all working.
09:44Sebastian split firewood.
09:45Aileen,
09:46draw water from the well.
09:47Connor,
09:48fix the barn roof.
09:49I was so naive.
09:51They were great workers.
09:52Sebastian,
09:52with vampire strength,
09:53split ten logs
09:54with one swing.
09:55He'd piled up
09:55a whole yard of wood
09:56in no time.
09:57Aileen drew water gracefully,
09:58not a drop spilled,
09:59and filled the barrel fast.
10:00Connor fixed the barn roof easily,
10:02lifting entire beams by himself,
10:03without a ladder.
10:04But they were also
10:04trouble magnets.
10:07Whilst blitzing wood,
10:08Sebastian kicked sawdust
10:09all over Aileen's
10:09white silk shirt,
10:10leaving black smudges.
10:12When Aileen came back
10:12from the well,
10:13he used his magic
10:14to flick water droplets
10:15onto Sebastian's
10:16polished Italian leather shoes.
10:17After Connor fixed the barn,
10:18he saw the other two fighting,
10:19and gleefully joined in,
10:21slamming into Sebastian
10:21with his wolf strength.
10:22The fight escalated.
10:24Sebastian turned into
10:24a swarm of bats
10:25to confuse them.
10:26Aileen summoned thorns
10:27to tangle their ankles.
10:29Connor grew claws
10:29and started wrecking
10:30everything around him.
10:33By the time I ran out
10:34to see what the noise was,
10:35the farmyard
10:35was a disaster zone.
10:36Fooling around with another woman
10:37right in front of my eyes.
10:39I'm not going to marry you anymore.
10:40That night I accepted
10:41my father's arranged match
10:42and left Dusk Hollow entirely.
10:44Three years later,
10:45I was back to the town.
10:46I walked out and froze.
10:47That person was Silas, my ex.
10:49I told you,
10:50she'd come crawling back.
10:51He grabbed my wrist again
10:52and ripped the pendant free.
10:53Caius gave me that.
10:54Silas hit me across the face.
10:55Frank is the lady
10:56of the Ash Wheel line.
10:57She's made it to the Lord Caius,
10:58our bar's mistress.
11:00My husband's bar.
11:01Where do you think you're going?
11:02I pulled free.
11:03That's your table.
11:04Mine is up there.
11:05I watched my boyfriend
11:06fooling around with another woman
11:07right in front of my eyes.
11:09My heart shattered completely.
11:11How could he betray me like this?
11:12Lena, Nova is with my baby.
11:14I'm not going to marry you anymore.
11:16Still there?
11:17Fuck off!
11:19I think back to all the kindness
11:20he showed me.
11:22But all of that is long gone.
11:24He walked out with
11:25the new female bartender instead.
11:26He looked at me like it meant nothing.
11:29Nova's baby needs a father on paper.
11:31Once I divorce her,
11:32I'll marry you.
11:33That night I accepted
11:34my father's arranged match.
11:35And left Dusk Hollow entirely.
11:37Three years later,
11:38I was back to the town.
11:40My husband had a work emergency,
11:41so he had his people in Dusk Hollow
11:42to collect me.
11:44I walked out and froze.
11:45That person was Silas, my ex.
11:48Hey, isn't that you obsessed ex?
11:50Isn't that waiter, Lena?
11:55See?
11:56I told you, she'd come crawling back.
11:58She vanished without a trace.
12:00Now she sees Simus as rich.
12:01She probably cries herself to sleep every night.
12:03But Lena, if you were going to stage a reunion,
12:05at least show up in something decent.
12:06You can't afford better than that?
12:08You look this pathetic.
12:11I used to dress sharply every single time I knew I'd see Silas.
12:15Best clothes, best version of myself, always.
12:17Not anymore, no point.
12:19I was pregnant now.
12:20My husband had told me to wear whatever was comfortable.
12:22The clothes I'm wearing were chosen by him.
12:24They had no idea I was the person they'd been sent here to collect.
12:27Lena, hey, it's good you're back.
12:29Simus been asking after you for years.
12:32Our son is entering the young training cohort soon.
12:34From now on, you're in charge of the drop-off.
12:35He was still so incredibly arrogant,
12:37but I wasn't that naive girl anymore.
12:39I didn't want to waste another second on them.
12:42I am-
12:42Please don't blame Silamus.
12:44He's just trying to take care of you.
12:45Who knows what kind of shady stuff you had to do to survive these years.
12:48Maybe a hooker.
12:49Silas caught my face and assumed I was jealous.
12:52Something flickered in his eyes.
12:53Satisfaction.
12:54All right, Lena, drop the attitude.
12:55You clearly can't survive out there,
12:57so stop throwing tantrums and learn your place.
12:59Damn, Lena.
12:59Look how good Silas is to you.
13:02He's giving you free room and board.
13:05Isn't babysitting better than whatever trashy life you're living now?
13:08Hurry up and say thank you.
13:10Don't worry, dear.
13:10If my son acts up, I'll handle him myself.
13:13You won't be mistreated.
13:14Why would she be mistreated?
13:15She bolted over nothing.
13:16She's back because the outside world didn't want her.
13:18A little humility is good for her.
13:20My heart stopped for a beat.
13:21The Silas who used to love me was long gone.
13:23He was no longer the one who protected me
13:25when I was sexually assaulted in the bar.
13:27But that was fine.
13:28It was over.
13:28No point.
13:29I was about to have my second child.
13:33Aren't you here to pick me up?
13:35Let's go.
13:35Silence fell over the clearing.
13:37Then someone laughed.
13:38Pick you up, please.
13:40Read this carefully.
13:41We're here for Ren.
13:43You even know who that is?
13:44Of course I knew.
13:45It was my name.
13:46Renk is the lady of the Ashwheel line.
13:47She's made it to the Lord Caius, our bar's mistress.
13:50Yeah.
13:50Caius is a legend.
13:51The child of the dark.
13:52He is coldest creature alive in the field, but completely devoted to one mate.
13:56Rumor is he refused every offer for years, just waiting for Wrynn.
13:59Everyone who matters knows the rule.
14:00You want Caius' favor?
14:01Go through Wyrne.
14:02She is everything to him.
14:03I listened to them talk and felt myself smile.
14:06Three years of marriage.
14:08Caius' bussiness had doubled.
14:09So had his reputation as the most fiercely devoted mate any supernatural alive had ever
14:13witnessed.
14:13Caius had a one-of-a-kind piece commissioned.
14:16The nightbloom pendant.
14:17An enchanted moonstone set in black iron.
14:19He paid a witchlord's ransom for it.
14:20Just to give to Wrynn.
14:22That pendant.
14:22That's it!
14:25Everyone looked.
14:26The whole entrance went quiet.
14:30Nice knockoff.
14:31Is this your salary for fucking man?
14:33I ran my thumb over the moonstone.
14:35Silas saw me smiling and his expression changed.
14:38He grabbed my wrist again and ripped the pendant free.
14:41Nova took it from him, turned it over in her hands.
14:43Better quality than the replica I had made?
14:45Not that I'd ever wear mine outside.
14:46This outer territory imitation is something else.
14:49Then she laughed.
14:51Wait!
14:51Don't tell me you're Wrynn!
14:53Don't tell me you're Lord Caius' mate!
14:54The whole group fell apart.
14:56Caius was a myth walking.
14:57No one had ever seen his face and lived to gossip carelessly about it.
15:01And three years ago, I was just the wolf girl who'd been abandoned.
15:04They certainly wouldn't believe that two people like that could have any connection.
15:10I'll buy it off you, Lena.
15:12Double what you paid.
15:13I was scared she'd drop it.
15:16Give it back.
15:18Caius gave me that.
15:18Silas hit me across the face.
15:20My head snapped sideways.
15:21I tasted blood.
15:22Shut up!
15:23He looked furious.
15:24You do not say that man's name.
15:26You want to spread rumors about being connected to him?
15:29You trying to get us all killed?
15:30Caius is the bar boss!
15:32We all answer to him!
15:33Everything depends on staying in his favor!
15:35Whatever he saw in my eyes made him flinch.
15:38Nova caught it, pointed a finger in my face.
15:41Pathetic.
15:42He pulled out a coin pouch.
15:45For old time's sake, I'm letting this go.
15:47Take the gold.
15:47Get yourself something decent to wear.
15:49If you don't want to watch my pup, I'll find you something tolerable.
15:52Don't worry.
15:52The charity in his voice made me sick.
15:54I pushed the pouch back.
15:55Took the pendant from Nova's grip.
15:56No thanks.
15:57I don't take things from strangers.
16:00The hollow and fang is hosting the Grand Conqueration in three days.
16:03I was going to bring you.
16:04Show you something real.
16:05He looked me up and down.
16:06But you'd need to actually look the part.
16:08Can't embarrass me.
16:10I'm good.
16:11But thanks.
16:12His hand froze mid-air.
16:14He bit down.
16:14Fine.
16:15I'll take Nova.
16:16I won't let you down.
16:18I didn't look back.
16:19Hope you're still this confident in three days.
16:21Fresh air.
16:22The nausea faded.
16:24I put on a little charm ink and made my way to the hollow and fang alone.
16:27The hollow and fang.
16:28The most famous gathering place in the supernatural world.
16:31My husband's bar.
16:32Silas saw me the second I pushed through the iron door.
16:35Couldn't stay away.
16:36But if you're trying to win me back, you have to put in more effort.
16:38You can't show up to the Grand Conqueration dressed like that.
16:40I walked past him without a word.
16:42He grabbed my arm.
16:43I'm talking to you.
16:44Our staff table is over here.
16:46Where do you think you're going?
16:47I pulled free.
16:48That's your table.
16:50Mine is up there.
16:52His face went pale.
16:56How did she get in here?
16:58Our son is entering the young training cohort soon.
17:00From now on, you're in charge of the drop-off.
17:02He was still so incredibly arrogant.
17:03But I wasn't that naive girl anymore.
17:05I didn't want to waste another second on them.
17:08I am-
17:09Please don't blame Silamus.
17:10He's just trying to take care of you.
17:12Who knows what kind of shady stuff you had to do to survive these years.
17:15Maybe a hooker.
17:16Silas caught my face and assumed I was jealous.
17:18Something flickered in his eyes.
17:20Satisfaction.
17:20All right, Lena.
17:21Drop the attitude.
17:22You clearly can't survive out there, so stop throwing tantrums and learn your place.
17:25Damn, Lena.
17:26Look how good Silas is to you.
17:28He's giving you free room and board.
17:31Isn't babysitting better than whatever trashy life you're living now?
17:34Hurry up and say thank you.
17:36Don't worry, dear.
17:37If my son acts up, I'll handle him myself.
17:39You won't be mistreated.
17:41Why would she be mistreated?
17:42She bolted over nothing.
17:43She's back because the outside world didn't want her.
17:45A little humility is good for her.
17:46My heart stopped for a beat.
17:47The Silas who used to love me was long gone.
17:50He was no longer the one who protected me when I was sexually assaulted in the bar.
17:53But that was fine.
17:54It was over.
17:55No point.
17:56I was about to have my second child-
18:00Aren't you here to pick me up?
18:01Let's go.
18:02Silence fell over the clearing.
18:03Then someone laughed.
18:04Pick you up, please.
18:06Read this carefully.
18:08We're here for Wren.
18:09You even know who that is?
18:11Of course I knew.
18:11It was my name.
18:12Renk is the lady of the Ashwheel line.
18:14She's mated to the Lord Caius, our bar's mistress.
18:16Yeah.
18:17Caius is a legend.
18:18The child of the dark.
18:19He is coldest creature alive in the field, but completely devoted to one mate.
18:23Rumor is he refused every offer for years.
18:25Just waiting for Wren.
18:26Everyone who matters knows the rule.
18:27You want Caius' favor?
18:28Go through Wren.
18:28She is everything to him.
18:30I listened to them talk and felt myself smile.
18:33Three years of marriage.
18:34Caius' bussiness had doubled.
18:36So had his reputation as the most fiercely devoted mate any supernatural alive had ever witnessed.
18:40Caius had a one-of-a-kind piece commissioned.
18:42The night-bloom pendant.
18:43An enchanted moonstone set in black iron.
18:45He paid a witch lord's ransom for it.
18:47Just to give to Wren.
18:48That pendant.
18:49That's it!
18:52Everyone looked.
18:53The whole entrance went quiet.
18:56Nice knockoff.
18:58Is this your salary for fucking man?
19:00I ran my thumb over the moonstone.
19:02Silas saw me smiling and his expression changed.
19:04He grabbed my wrist again and ripped the pendant free.
19:07Nova took it from him, turned it over in her hands.
19:09Better quality than the replica I had made?
19:11Not that I'd ever wear mine outside.
19:13This outer territory imitation is something else.
19:16Then she laughed.
19:17Wait!
19:18Don't tell me you're Wren.
19:19Don't tell me you're Lord Caius' mate!
19:21The whole group fell apart.
19:22Caius was a myth walking.
19:23No one had ever seen his face and lived to gossip carelessly about it.
19:27And three years ago, I was just the wolf girl who'd been abandoned.
19:30They certainly wouldn't believe that two people like that could have any connection.
19:37I'll buy it off you, Lena.
19:38Double what you paid.
19:40I was scared she'd drop it.
19:42Give it back.
19:44Caius gave me that.
19:45Silas hit me across the face.
19:46My head snapped sideways.
19:47I tasted blood.
19:49Shut up!
19:50He looked furious.
19:51You do not say that man's name.
19:53You want to spread rumors about being connected to him?
19:55You trying to get us all killed?
19:57Caius is the bar boss!
19:58We all answer to him!
19:59Everything depends on staying in his favor!
20:02Whatever he saw in my eyes made him flinch.
20:04Nova caught it, pointed a finger in my face.
20:08Pathetic.
20:09He pulled out a coin pouch.
20:11For old time's sake, I'm letting this go.
20:13Take the gold.
20:14Get yourself something decent to wear.
20:15If you don't want to watch my pup, I'll find you something tolerable.
20:18Don't worry.
20:19The charity in his voice made me sick.
20:20I pushed the pouch back.
20:21Took the pendant from Nova's grip.
20:23No thanks.
20:24I don't take things from strangers.
20:26The Hollow and Fang is hosting the Grand Conqueration in three days.
20:30I was going to bring you.
20:31Show you something real.
20:32He looked me up and down.
20:33But you'd need to actually look the part.
20:35Can't embarrass me.
20:36I'm good.
20:38But thanks.
20:39His hand froze midair.
20:40He bit down.
20:41Fine.
20:41I'll take Nova.
20:43I won't let you down.
20:45I didn't look back.
20:46Hope you're still this confident in three days.
20:48Fresh air.
20:49The nausea faded.
20:50I put on a little charm ink and made my way to the Hollow and Fang alone.
20:54The Hollow and Fang.
20:55The most famous gathering place in the supernatural world.
20:58My husband's bar.
20:59Silas saw me the second I pushed through the iron door.
21:01Couldn't stay away.
21:02But if you're trying to win me back, you have to put in more effort.
21:04You can't show up to the Grand Conqueration dressed like that.
21:06I walked past him without a word.
21:08He grabbed my arm.
21:09I'm talking to you.
21:11Our staff table is over here.
21:12Where do you think you're going?
21:13I pulled free.
21:15That's your table.
21:16Mine is up there.
21:19His face went pale.
21:23How did she get in here?
21:24In my last life, Celeste chose the dragonborn heir first.
21:29I am the Duchess of Drayrin now.
21:32That one sentence stripped Celeste of everything.
21:35From that day on, she lost her mind.
21:38I am the clan lord's wife!
21:40I am!
21:41But I took hold of the werewolf clan.
21:43I won my husband's devotion and became the woman everyone envied.
21:47She switched my tea before I died.
21:51Go to hell with me.
21:53We were back.
21:54Back to the choosing.
21:56Celeste, Val, and I were summoned back to choose our beast-born marriage partners.
21:59She was excited.
22:00Too excited.
22:04She chose the very trap meant for me.
22:06Celeste rushed forward first.
22:08Did she truly understand what she had chosen?
22:12Werewolves were ruled by instinct.
22:14Could she endure it?
22:16Even Duchess Vale froze.
22:21Have you truly thought this through?
22:23Mother, in this life, I will marry no one but him.
22:26His instinct had already answered her.
22:29In the end, Duchess Vale agreed.
22:31The dragonborn heir saw the decision settle.
22:34Then, Lady Evelyn, I will send the betrothal gifts tomorrow.
22:37So she wanted my old fate.
22:39Let her have it.
22:40For three years, Cale and Celeste played an affectionate couple in public.
22:43Behind closed doors, he treated her with chilling indifference.
22:47Then his hidden mistress appeared with an illegitimate son.
22:50Celeste lost every shred of dignity.
22:52Even Duch Vale could not save her.
22:54This time, she took my old husband first.
22:57She thought she had stolen my fortune.
22:59But I knew how that fate truly ended.
23:01To everyone else, Cale seemed cold, noble, and unmatched.
23:04But he had hidden another woman all along.
23:06We're thrown out before everyone.
23:08She knew none of what waited for her.
23:10Everyone knew the werewolf clan was despised.
23:13The dragonborn claimed one lawful mate for life.
23:15So now, Cale was mine to use.
23:18How long could she endure his devotion?
23:21She had chosen first.
23:24In this life, she chose my former husband first.
23:27How long can she endure his devotion?
23:29The drail gifts arrived quickly.
23:32Half the courtyard became my dowry.
23:35Every gift made my position harder to erase.
23:38Celeste ignored the werewolf clan's poor gifts.
23:41Mother, add more to my dowry.
23:44Duchess Vale still gave her what she wanted.
23:46Then Liana brought me news.
23:48We have met in private several times.
23:50So it had already begun.
23:52Once, they came out of a narrow alley in disarray.
23:55Many passersby saw them.
23:57By that evening, the whole estate would know.
23:59That very day, she came to flaunt it before me.
24:04My future husband and I are in love.
24:08That is how he adores me.
24:10If you gossip to mother, I will not spare you.
24:13She glared at me and walked away.
24:16I did not care about her threat.
24:18She no longer looked innocent.
24:21What should not have happened, already had.
24:26On my wedding day, two white-draped carriages left the Vale estate.
24:30The bells rang.
24:31Everyone saw only grandeur.
24:33Kale looked pleased.
24:34I knew why.
24:35This wedding was never about love.
24:37He needed a lawful wife first.
24:39House Draven had one legitimate son.
24:40He could not inherit until he married and produced an heir.
24:44No matter what happened, Kale would benefit.
24:47Relief flashed first.
24:49Dista pleasure came after.
24:50Today is the day I marry my duchess.
24:52If he had startled the carriage, ten heads would not be enough.
24:56Servants, take them away.
25:00I am truly sorry.
25:02I will leave at once.
25:04I could not let her leave so easily.
25:07One word from me could change where she stood.
25:10My lord, why be so harsh?
25:12He feared her staying.
25:14That was enough.
25:16Today is our wedding day.
25:18Let us do one kind thing.
25:19She wanted House Draken more than mercy.
25:24I need another woman to serve near me.
25:26Kale's silence was louder than denial.
25:29Let her enter the estate with us.
25:30She saw the door.
25:32She would not refuse.
25:33Then I thank you, my lady.
25:36He could not stop her in front of everyone.
25:39From this moment, she entered my board.
25:41A door opened for her.
25:43A trap opened for him.
25:45The procession moved on, and so did the rumor.
25:48The new duchess is truly kind.
25:51She even gave that poor woman work.
25:54They praised me for opening the gate.
25:57Just like House Draken.
25:58They are good people.
26:00Let her come.
26:01I needed her close.
26:04The ceremony was over.
26:05The real game had begun.
26:07Liana sent the attendants away before she dared speak.
26:09She was furious.
26:10I already knew why.
26:12My lady, Lord Kale secretly sent a man to settle that woman and her heir in the side courtyard.
26:17Oh.
26:20My lady, doesn't House Draken forbid concubines?
26:24How can Lord Kale still do such a filthy thing?
26:27You have not truly settled into this marriage.
26:29Expose him, and return to your family.
26:31What is the hurry?
26:32I was already inside House Draven.
26:35Since I have come here, I will not let an outside woman climb over my head.
26:38Unlike Celeste, I had no mother powerful enough to defend me.
26:41To them, I was only a pawn.
26:44If I went home, I would be mocked and cast out.
26:47What I wanted was House Draen itself.
26:49So what if Kale was rotten at the core?
26:51With a son or daughter, no one could shake my position.
26:56Right on time.
26:59In my last life, Celeste chose the dragonborn heir first.
27:05I am the Duchess of Draen now.
27:07That one sentence stripped Celeste of everything.
27:10From that day on, she lost her mind.
27:13I am the clan lord's wife!
27:15I am!
27:16But I took hold of the werewolf clan.
27:18I won my husband's devotion, and became the woman everyone envied.
27:22She switched my tea before I died.
27:26Go to hell with me!
27:28We were back.
27:29Back to the choosing.
27:31Celeste, Val, and I were summoned back to choose our beast-born marriage partners.
27:35She was excited.
27:36Too excited.
27:39She chose the very trap meant for me.
27:42Celeste rushed forward first.
27:43Did she truly understand what she had chosen?
27:47Werewolves were ruled by instinct.
27:49Could she endure it?
27:51Even Duchess Vale froze.
27:56Have you truly thought this through?
27:58Mother, in this life, I will marry no one but him.
28:02His instinct had already answered her.
28:04In the end, Duchess Vale agreed.
28:06The dragon-born heir saw the decision settle.
28:09Then, Lady Evelyn, I will send the betrothal gifts tomorrow.
28:12So she wanted my old fate.
28:14Let her have it.
28:15For three years, Cale and Celise played an affectionate couple in public.
28:18Behind closed doors, he treated her with chilling indifference.
28:22Then his hidden mistress appeared with an illegitimate son.
28:25Celeste lost every shred of dignity.
28:28Even Dutch Vale could not save her.
28:30This time, she took my old husband first.
28:32She thought she had stolen my fortune.
28:34But I knew how that fate truly ended.
28:36To everyone else, Cale seemed cold, noble, and unmatched.
28:39But he had hidden another woman all along.
28:42Were thrown out before everyone.
28:43She knew none of what waited for her.
28:45Everyone knew the werewolf clan was despised.
28:48The dragon-born claimed one lawful mate for life.
28:51So now, Cale was mine to use.
28:53How long could she endure his devotion?
28:57She had chosen first.
28:59In this life, she chose my former husband first.
29:02How long can she endure his devotion?
29:04The drail gifts arrived quickly.
29:08Half the courtyard became my dowry.
29:10Every gift made my position harder to erase.
29:14Celeste ignored the werewolf clan's poor gifts.
29:17Mother, add more to my dowry.
29:19Duchess Vale still gave her what she wanted.
29:21Then Liana brought me news.
29:23We have met in private several times.
29:25So it had already begun.
29:27Once, they came out of a narrow alley in disarray.
29:31Many passers-by saw them.
29:32By that evening, the whole estate would know.
29:35That very day, she came to flaunt it before me.
29:39My future husband and I are in love.
29:43That is how he adores me.
29:45If you gossip to mother, I will not spare you.
29:48She glared at me and walked away.
29:51I did not care about her threat.
29:54She no longer looked innocent.
29:56What should not have happened, already had.
30:01On my wedding day, two white-draped carriages left the Vale estate.
30:05The bells rang.
30:06Everyone saw only grandeur.
30:08Cale looked pleased.
30:09I knew why.
30:10This wedding was never about love.
30:12He needed a lawful wife first.
30:14House Draven had one legitimate son.
30:16He could not inherit until he married and produced an heir.
30:19No matter what happened, Cale would benefit.
30:22Relief flashed first.
30:24Distapleasure came after.
30:26Today is the day I marry my Duchess.
30:28If he had startled the carriage, ten heads would not be enough.
30:31Servants, take them away.
30:36I am truly sorry.
30:38I will leave at once.
30:39I could not let her leave so easily.
30:42One word from me could change where she stood.
30:45My lord, why be so harsh?
30:47He feared her staying.
30:49That was enough.
30:51Today is our wedding day.
30:53Let us do one kind thing.
30:55She wanted House Draken more than mercy.
30:59I need another woman to serve near me.
31:02Cale's silence was louder than denial.
31:04Let her enter the estate with us.
31:06She saw the door.
31:07She would not refuse.
31:09Then I thank you, my lady.
31:11He could not stop her in front of everyone.
31:14From this moment, she entered my board.
31:17A door opened for her.
31:18A trap opened for him.
31:20The procession moved on, and so did the rumor.
31:24The new Duchess is truly kind.
31:26She even gave that poor woman work.
31:30They praised me for opening the gate.
31:32Just like House Draken.
31:33They are good people.
31:35Let her come.
31:36I needed her close.
31:39The ceremony was over.
31:41The real game had begun.
31:42Liana sent the attendants away before she dared speak.
31:45She was furious.
31:46I already knew why.
31:47My lady, Lord Cale secretly sent a man to settle that woman and her heir in the side courtyard.
31:55Oh, my lady, doesn't House Draken forbid concubines?
31:59How can Lord Cale still do such a filthy thing?
32:02You have not truly settled into this marriage.
32:04Expose him and return to your family.
32:07What is the hurry?
32:08I was already inside House Draken.
32:10Since I have come here, I will not let an outside woman climb over my head.
32:14Unlike Celeste, I had no mother powerful enough to defend me.
32:17To them, I was only a pawn.
32:19If I went home, I would be mocked and cast out.
32:22What I wanted was House Draken itself.
32:25So what if Cale was rotten at the core?
32:27With a son or daughter, no one could shake my position.
32:32Right on time.
32:35I'm lying on the velvet bed in my castle bedroom,
32:37and three guys are leaning over me at the same time.
32:39The thing is, a month ago, I didn't even have a real bed to sleep in.
32:42Back then, I lived in a leaky little cabin on the farm.
32:44My dad was sick.
32:45Before he died, he shoved three old land deeds into my hands.
32:48Butcher Barnaby kicked the door open, with a dozen thugs behind him.
32:50Your old man owes me $50.
32:52Pay up today, or I take your cow.
32:54Then grabbed the shovel from the corner,
32:55and ran toward the dark woods at the back of the farm,
32:57before I hit a black wooden coffin wrapped in chains.
32:59No reaction.
33:00So I just climbed right into the coffin,
33:02pulled back, and slapped him across the face.
33:04What's your name?
33:05Sebastian.
33:06Vampire prince, lord of the night.
33:07Heavy hoofbeats sounded outside the gate.
33:09A man in a leather duster stood at the door,
33:10a silver compass spinning wildly in his hand.
33:12Such strong, dark energy.
33:15Heretic!
33:15Let's go to the back hill.
33:17Why?
33:17To unseal the other two.
33:19Then a huge, muscular shadow lunged out of the cellar,
33:22pure power and feral energy radiating off him.
33:24The third sealstone, under the big old oak tree,
33:26shattered all by itself.
33:27A blonde man rose up from the dirt and roots,
33:29tall and lean, with pointed ears.
33:31The elf, Ilion.
33:33My dad wasn't lying.
33:34Those three sealstones really were treasures.
33:36Three treasures.
33:37He could fight, do chores, and call me mistress.
33:39I'm lying on the velvet bed in my castle bedroom,
33:41and three guys are leaning over me at the same time.
33:43Sebastian kneels beside me,
33:44and undoes his cravat.
33:46His pale wrist comes up to my mouth,
33:47and he bites his own skin with his fangs.
33:50Little drops of blood fall onto my lips.
33:52Come on.
33:53Do that.
33:55Just hold me while we sleep.
33:57I'm warm.
33:58Ilion sits by my head,
33:59his dew-touched fingertips gently stroking my forehead.
34:01His golden hair falls down,
34:03brushing against my collarbone.
34:04Both of you shut it.
34:05My nature magic is what our mistress truly loves.
34:08Their eyes meet over me,
34:09and invisible sparks fly.
34:11Sebastian's nails grow longer.
34:13Connor's claws come out.
34:14Ilion's vines are already winding around the bedposts.
34:16I close my eyes,
34:17and pretend to be asleep.
34:19Doesn't matter who I pick.
34:20The other two will tear this castle apart anyway.
34:22The thing is,
34:23a month ago,
34:23I didn't even have a real bed to sleep in.
34:25Back then,
34:25I lived in a leaky little cabin on the farm.
34:27My dad was sick.
34:29Before he died,
34:30he shoved three old land deeds into my hands.
34:32Sweetheart,
34:32we don't have any family fortune.
34:34Those three seal stones at the edge of the farm,
34:36those are our ancestors' treasures.
34:39If you get into trouble,
34:40go dig them up.
34:41I mean,
34:42go invite them out.
34:43I didn't even have time to ask who I was supposed to invite,
34:45before someone started pounding on the gate.
34:47Richard Barnaby kicked the door open,
34:48with a dozen thugs behind him.
34:53Richard Barnaby kicked the door open,
34:54with a dozen thugs behind him.
34:55He spat his words in my face.
34:57Mira Thatcher,
34:58your old man owes me fifty dollars.
35:00Pay up today,
35:01or I take your cow,
35:02or you come work as a barlet in my tavern to cover the debt!
35:05Two thugs were already yanking my old dairy cow out of the barn by her rope.
35:08That cow was the only thing our family owned.
35:10I gripped those deeds tight,
35:12watched my dad's eyes close for the last time,
35:13then grabbed the shovel from the corner,
35:15and ran toward the dark woods at the back of the farm.
35:17The dirt over the first seal stone was loose,
35:19like someone had left it easy to dig up centuries ago.
35:21I swung the shovel,
35:22maybe ten times,
35:23before I hit a black wooden coffin wrapped in chains.
35:26The lid wasn't nailed shut,
35:27I pried it open with the shovel.
35:28The second I pushed that lid open,
35:30I forgot how to breathe.
35:31A man lay inside,
35:32skin pale as paper,
35:34sharp features like a statue from the Middle Ages.
35:35He wore fancy but faded,
35:37velvet clothes,
35:38his hands folded over his chest.
35:39I couldn't help myself.
35:41I reached down and poked his cold cheek.
35:42Hard and cold,
35:44no warmth.
35:45Then I lifted his eyelid.
35:46Wake up!
35:47Someone's stealing my cow,
35:48and if I can't pay the debt,
35:49I'm gonna get sold off to be a maid!
35:51No reaction.
35:52So I just climbed right into the coffin,
35:54hauled back,
35:54and slapped him across the face.
35:57His eyes snapped open,
35:59blood red,
36:00furious.
36:01A hundred years of being trapped in the dark,
36:03radiating off him like ice.
36:05Who?
36:08Meera Thatcher,
36:09last living heir to this farm.
36:11I climbed back out of the coffin.
36:12My dad said you were a lord sealed here by our ancestors.
36:16The Thatcher family's in trouble.
36:17You have to help.
36:19He laughed,
36:19a nasty sound,
36:20and sat up.
36:21His pale joints cracked,
36:22his lips curled back,
36:24showing off sharp fangs.
36:25Lock me away for centuries,
36:27and now you want my help?
36:29I'll drain you dry first,
36:31then slaughter this whole village!
36:32He didn't even finish the sentence
36:33before a dark,
36:34happy backlash of magic,
36:35came out of nowhere,
36:36and exploded right on his forehead.
36:37His elegant curls frizzed up like an afro,
36:39his face turned black as soot.
36:41He froze,
36:42those red eyes going wide.
36:43Her blood pact?
36:45That damned woman carved a contract
36:47into my very soul!
36:48My eyes lit up.
36:49So you have to do what I say?
36:51Dream on!
36:52I raised my hand toward the sky.
36:53In the name of God!
36:55Stop, stop, stop!
36:56He clamped his hand over my mouth,
36:58just as a second lightning bolt of magic
36:59sizzled past his cape.
37:00Fine!
37:01I'll help!
37:01Just stop chanting,
37:03or you'll burn my clothes right off me!
37:05I let go of his hand,
37:06satisfied.
37:07What's your name?
37:09Sebastian.
37:10He shook out his fried hair,
37:11looking totally grumpy.
37:13Vampire Prince,
37:14Lord of the Night,
37:15remember,
37:16I'm not helping you because I want to.
37:18That stupid contract is forcing me.
37:20You're my personal blood bag now!
37:22Got it, Mr. Vampire.
37:23Now come on,
37:24save my cow before I get sold!
37:25I said Vampire Prince,
37:26not some ordinary vampire!
37:27By the time we got back,
37:29Butcher Barnaby was already
37:29leading my cow away.
37:31Sebastian raised an eyebrow,
37:32his pale,
37:33elegant fingers flicked once.
37:34A dark red flame
37:35shot out of nowhere
37:36and set Barnaby's pants leg on fire.
37:40The thugs ran screaming
37:41in all directions.
37:42Barnaby was slapping at the flames,
37:43howling,
37:44Monsters!
37:44There are dark monsters here!
37:46A few seconds later,
37:47it was just the two of us
37:48and my confused old cow
37:49under the windmill.
37:50I patted her back
37:51and let out a long breath.
37:52Then I turned around
37:53and saw Sebastian
37:54leaning against the hay bales,
37:56arms crossed,
37:57staring at the cow's neck.
37:58Pretty impressive, right?
38:00Now go get me
38:01some fresh animal blood
38:02so I don't lose control.
38:03I pointed at the kitchen.
38:04There's cornbread and milk.
38:06Get it yourself.
38:07The great vampire prince
38:08hadn't eaten in centuries
38:09and his first meal
38:10after waking up
38:10was time's cornbread.
38:12Before we could argue,
38:13heavy hoofbeats
38:13sounded outside the gate.
38:14A man in a leather duster
38:15stood at the door,
38:16a silver compass
38:17spinning wildly in his hand,
38:18its needle pointing straight
38:19at the dark woods.
38:20Such strong dark energy.
38:22Heretic!
38:23How dare you walk
38:24the mortal realm!
38:26Sebastian's face went dark.
38:27Leave.
38:28The witch hunter laughed
38:29and threw three bottles
38:30of holy water.
38:32A freshly unsealed vampire
38:34acting tough?
38:36I'll cleanse you right now
38:37and be done with it.
38:38My heart sank.
38:39I tugged Sebastian's sleeve.
38:40Don't fight him.
38:41Let's go to the back hill.
38:42The back hill?
38:43Why?
38:44To unseal the other two.
38:47I grabbed my shovel.
38:48Three against one, right?
38:50We'll win.
38:51The vampire prince
38:52calling for backup.
38:53Before he could argue,
38:54I dragged him at a sprint
38:55toward the edge of the dark woods.
38:56The second seal stone
38:57was buried near a creepy cellar
38:59under the trees,
39:00covered in moon-faced carvings.
39:01One shovelful cracked the stone.
39:03The cellar door blew open
39:04from the inside
39:04with a wild, feral force.
39:05Then a huge,
39:06muscular shadow
39:07lunged out of the cellar.
39:08Ripped shirt,
39:09corded muscles,
39:10a low animal growl
39:11in his throat.
39:11His green eyes glowed
39:12in the lantern light,
39:13wild and untamed.
39:14Sebastian stepped in front of me,
39:16fangs out.
39:16Connor?
39:18What are you doing here?
39:19The shadow lunged forward.
39:20I finally saw him clearly.
39:22A rugged,
39:23wild-looking guy.
39:24Bronze skin,
39:24messy hair,
39:25pure power and feral energy
39:26radiating off him.
39:28His eyes went right past Sebastian
39:29and landed on me.
39:30The aggression in his face
39:31melted into pure
39:32Pack Leader.
39:33You finally came for me.
39:35Sebastian's eyes
39:35went dark with jealousy.
39:36She's not your Pack Leader.
39:38She's my blood bag.
39:39Just then,
39:40the third seal stone
39:41under the big old oak tree
39:42shattered all by itself.
39:43Out of the blue magical glow,
39:44a blonde man rose up
39:46from the dirt and roots
39:46beneath the tree,
39:47tall and lean,
39:48with pointed ears.
39:50The elf,
39:50Ilion,
39:51didn't even glance
39:51at the other two arguing.
39:52He walked straight to me,
39:54gave a graceful bow,
39:55took my hand,
39:56Nature Mage Eilan at your service,
39:57and pressed an icy kiss
39:58to my knuckles.
39:59I have waited a hundred years
40:00for you, my lady.
40:01Let me be your reason,
40:02your shield.
40:05Before I could react,
40:06Connor let out a happy
40:07and launched himself at me.
40:08Sebastian and Ilion
40:09moved at the same time.
40:11Don't you dare touch her!
40:12But Connor dodged them both
40:13and buried his face in my chest.
40:14Rubbing his broad shoulder
40:15against my neck
40:16like a giant,
40:17desperate puppy.
40:18Mira,
40:19Mira,
40:20I missed you so much.
40:21You still smell so good.
40:23I looked at the clingy,
40:24feral wolfman in my arms,
40:26then at the cold,
40:27elegant elf,
40:27then at the vampire,
40:28whose pale face was turning
40:29even paler with rage.
40:30My dad wasn't lying.
40:32Those three seal stones
40:33really were treasures.
40:35Three treasures
40:35who could fight,
40:36do chores,
40:37and call me mistress.
40:38Okay, um...
40:39I cleared my throat.
40:41Can we skip the reunion
40:42for a second?
40:43There's a witch hunter outside
40:44who says he's gonna smash
40:45your stones and cleanse you.
40:46The back of Connor's hand
40:47was covered with wolf fur
40:48and sharp claws,
40:48and his eyes were fierce.
40:50Anyone tries to smash my stone,
40:52I'll rip him apart.
40:53Ilion's slender fingertips
40:54condensed a strand
40:55of emerald green magic power.
40:57Stupid mortal.
40:58Sebastian snorted
40:59and straightened his cravat.
41:00Neither of you lift a finger.
41:01I'll handle him myself.
41:03The three of them locked eyes,
41:04and sparks literally flew.
41:05The witch hunter
41:06had just reached the barn
41:07when he saw three beings
41:08radiating terrifying
41:09dark and magical energy.
41:10His face went white.
41:11Three?
41:12Three epic level monsters?
41:16The hunter turned
41:17and ran.
41:18Connor dropped to all fours
41:19and charged
41:20like a giant wolf.
41:21Ilion raised a finger
41:22and roots burst out of the ground,
41:23wrapping around
41:24the hunter's ankles.
41:25Sebastian became a blur,
41:26reappeared,
41:27and planted a foot
41:27on his chest.
41:28Three seconds.
41:29That's all it took.
41:30The cocky witch hunter
41:31was tied up in vines.
41:32God in heaven,
41:34mercy!
41:34I squatted down
41:35in front of him.
41:36You go back
41:37and tell your witch hunter's guild
41:38that this farm
41:38is that your private property.
41:40Anyone who comes back here
41:41causing trouble
41:41gets their guild hall
41:42torn down by these three.
41:43Yes, yes!
41:44I'll tell them!
41:45The hunter scrambled up
41:46and ran into the woods.
41:48Crisis over.
41:48I let out a breath
41:49and turned to the three of them.
41:51All right,
41:52let's go inside.
41:53Okay.
41:54Mira,
41:55I'll carry your tools for you.
41:56Ilion stepped close
41:57and flicked his fingers.
41:58A little breeze
41:59brushed the dust off my shoulders.
42:00You must be tired, my lady.
42:01Let me carry you home with magic.
42:03Sebastian yanked me
42:03into his dark cape
42:04and glared at the other two.
42:05Both of you,
42:06back off.
42:07She's my contractor.
42:08My blood bag.
42:10What gives you the right?
42:11Connor argued.
42:12I'm the strongest.
42:13I'm the muscle of this farm.
42:15I have the most wisdom.
42:17Ilion said calmly.
42:18I can give her
42:19the most rational advice.
42:20I have the most class.
42:22Sebastian sputtered.
42:23Her blood belongs
42:24only to me.
42:26Help.
42:26I didn't unseal three helpers.
42:28I woke up three jealous,
42:30attention-hungry monsters.
42:33Back at the farmhouse,
42:34it was already noon.
42:35I baked a big tray of cornbread
42:36and fried six big slabs of bacon.
42:38The second I put the plate on the table,
42:40three hands reached for it.
42:42All three collided.
42:43I was woken up first.
42:44I get three.
42:46Says who?
42:47I'm the strongest.
42:47I do the most work.
42:49I get three.
42:50I have the longest lifespan.
42:52Show some respect for your elders.
42:54Nobody respects a leaf-eating old elf.
42:56Who are you calling old?
42:58They were about to come to blows
42:59when I slammed my tin cup on the table.
43:01Stop!
43:03All three froze.
43:04They sat down properly,
43:05like kids caught by a teacher.
43:06Two pieces each.
43:08No fighting.
43:09Now eat up.
43:10I divided everything evenly.
43:13Then you're all working.
43:14Sebastian split firewood.
43:16Ilion, draw water from the well.
43:18Connor, fix the barn roof.
43:20I was so naive.
43:21They were great workers.
43:22Sebastian, with vampire strength,
43:24split ten logs with one swing.
43:25He'd piled up a whole yard of wood
43:27in no time.
43:27Ilion drew water gracefully,
43:29not a drop spilled,
43:30and filled the barrel fast.
43:31Connor fixed the barn roof easily,
43:32lifting entire beams by himself
43:33without a ladder.
43:34But they were also trouble magnets.
43:37While splitting wood,
43:38Sebastian kicked sawdust
43:39all over Ilion's white silk shirt,
43:41leaving black smudges.
43:42When Ilion came back from the well,
43:43he used his magic to flick water droplets
43:45onto Sebastian's polished Italian leather shoes.
43:47After Connor fixed the barn,
43:49he saw the other two fighting
43:50and gleefully joined in,
43:51slamming into Sebastian
43:52with his wolf strength.
43:53The fight escalated.
43:54Sebastian turned into a swarm of bats
43:55to confuse them.
43:57Ilion summoned thorns
43:57to tangle their ankles.
43:59Connor grew claws
44:00and started wrecking everything around him.
44:03By the time I ran out
44:04to see what the noise was,
44:05the farmyard was a disaster zone.
44:06Woodpile knocked over,
44:07water buckets tipped,
44:08the barn I just had fixed
44:09was half collapsed again.
44:10Even my bedsheets,
44:11hanging on the line,
44:12were shredded.
44:13I took a deep breath
44:13and screamed at the top of my lungs.
44:15Everyone stop!
44:16All three froze instantly.
44:18They shifted back to human form
44:19and stood there,
44:20heads down,
44:21not looking at me.
44:22Who started it?
44:24Him!
44:28I said furiously,
44:30Nobody gets dinner tonight.
44:31Whoever made this mess cleans it up.
44:33Whoever broke the barn fixes it.
44:35You keep fixing it until it's done,
44:37even if you work till dawn.
44:38Then I turned around
44:39and went inside,
44:40leaving three tall,
44:42long-legged,
44:42supernatural creatures
44:43standing in the wreckage,
44:44staring at each other.
44:45By evening,
44:46the yard was cleaned up
44:47and the half-collapsed barn
44:48was barely standing again.
44:50I made a pot of thick meat stew
44:51and carried it outside.
44:52The three of them
44:53were squatting under the windmill,
44:54looking up at me
44:55with pathetic eyes.
44:57Sebastian's curls were a mess.
44:58His velvet suit,
44:59stained with dirt,
45:00looked ridiculous
45:00and pitiful.
45:02Illion's shirt
45:02had a tear in it,
45:04showing his pale shoulder
45:04with a shallow scratch
45:06across his face.
45:07Connor had it worst.
45:08Bruises all over,
45:09a split lip,
45:10and he was licking
45:10his own paw sadly.
45:12My heart softened.
45:13I sighed,
45:14Come eat.
45:14The eyes lit up.
45:17My husband hated me
45:19for giving birth to a monster,
45:20unaware that from beginning to end
45:22it was his own tainted bloodline.
45:23He killed all my cubs.
45:24And me.
45:26My cousin Sarah and I
45:27were both given to the dragon court.
45:29I went to the firstborn,
45:31Aldric.
45:31She went to the second son,
45:33Dorian.
45:34A year later,
45:35Sarah bore a white dragon,
45:36while I came out nine ugly,
45:38malformed,
45:39nothing resembling a dragon.
45:40The dragon king
45:42cared deeply about appearances.
45:44Dorian,
45:44my heir.
45:47He named Dorian his heir on the spot.
45:51Aldric,
45:51in his fury,
45:52he compared to dispense
45:54than my souther's
45:54who janned it.
45:55He three is ass-trenting nude
45:57and shoelate.
45:58He handed all nine of my children
45:59to the phoenix court
46:00as blood catalysts.
46:01If I marry Sarah,
46:03the throne will be mine.
46:04No!
46:05I couldn't survive the shame.
46:07I walked into the sacred flame
46:09and let it take me.
46:11He didn't know.
46:12Sarah was hybrid.
46:13I was pure.
46:15My children had been ugly
46:16because they took after him.
46:17When I opened my eyes,
46:19I was back on selection day.
46:20Aldric,
46:21Dorian,
46:22the fox clan has sent two.
46:24Each of you choose.
46:25I understood immediately.
46:26I had been reborn.
46:27This life,
46:28but as I stood there scheming,
46:29Aldric walked past me
46:30with a look of distaste
46:30and pulled Sarah forward instead.
46:32I reached for Sarah's hand,
46:33shook my head at her.
46:34The dragon king
46:35wasn't a tyrant of these things.
46:36If she refused,
46:37she could go home.
46:38Sarah yanked her hand away.
46:39Lila,
46:40don't tell me you're jealous
46:41that Aldric chose me.
46:42The dragon court passed its throne
46:44the same way most courts did.
46:45Bloodline first,
46:46then birth order.
46:47Aldric and Dorian
46:47were both sons of the dragon queen.
46:49Aldric had precedence.
46:51Sarah was blinded by the crown
46:52she thought she could see.
46:53I cursed her silently for a fool,
46:55then let her go.
46:56If Aldric took Serera,
46:57that left me with Dorian,
46:58except Dorian refused on the spot.
47:00Father,
47:00I'm not ready for a consort.
47:01I blinked,
47:02touched my face.
47:03I really wasn't that bad.
47:04Go home,
47:04find a fox-blooded man
47:05who actually deserved me.
47:09Brother,
47:09did you forget
47:10I haven't taken a consort either?
47:13Brother,
47:13was this Caelan,
47:14the dragon king's
47:15longest sibling?
47:16Rumor had it
47:17the dragon king doted on him,
47:18had even once considered
47:19naming him heir.
47:20But Caelan was wild,
47:21unpredictable,
47:22refused to take consort
47:23or sire children.
47:24The idea was shelved.
47:25He hadn't appeared
47:26in my first life at all.
47:28Brother,
47:29she's beautiful.
47:29You let your sons
47:30choose first
47:31and didn't think of me?
47:33Hardly fair.
47:34Dragon king reluctantly
47:35handed me over to Caelan.
47:37Aldric,
47:38still holding Sarah's arm,
47:39couldn't resist.
47:40Uncle,
47:40don't let her face fool you.
47:44Who I choose
47:45is not your business.
47:48He brought me
47:49to his quarters,
47:49no intention
47:50of removing the mask.
47:51Not even that night,
47:52alone together.
47:53What surprised me more,
47:54he had no intention
47:54of sharing the bed.
47:55You sleep on the outside.
47:56He placed a folded blanket
47:57down the center of the stone bed,
47:58divided it precisely in two.
47:59I sat there,
48:00clutching my blanket,
48:01genuinely confused.
48:02Dragon men were known
48:03for their appetites.
48:04In my first life,
48:04Aldric had been relentless.
48:05Illness didn't slow him.
48:06My discomfort didn't slow him.
48:08Was Caelan perhaps
48:09unable?
48:10He seemed
48:11to read my thoughts.
48:12His expression cooled.
48:13I married you
48:14because I pitted you.
48:15If I hadn't,
48:16do you know
48:16where you'd be right now?
48:17Aldric had planned
48:18to have me killed again.
48:19He wasn't going to marry me,
48:20but he wasn't going
48:20to release me either.
48:21The moment I stepped
48:22outside the dragon court
48:23unattached,
48:24I would have been bound
48:24and delivered to the Phoenix Lord
48:25as a gift.
48:26Aldric carried memories
48:27from our first life.
48:28He knew the Phoenix Lord
48:29wanted me.
48:30He intended to use that.
48:32The thought of what
48:33the Phoenix Lord did
48:34to the women in his court
48:35made me cold all over.
48:37That cold fear
48:38turned quickly into hatred.
48:39In our first life,
48:40Aldric had bled
48:41my nine children dry.
48:42He had cornered me
48:43into the flame.
48:44Now reborn,
48:45he still wasn't finished.
48:46How could something
48:47so brutal claim
48:47the right to rule?
48:50The thought followed me
48:51into sleep.
48:52Dawn.
48:53Caelan pulled me up
48:54to pay morning respects
48:55to the Dragon King.
48:56I was still yawning
48:57when we arrived.
48:58Aldric and Sarah
48:59were already there.
49:00Composed.
49:00Impeccable.
49:01Sarah looked radiant.
49:02Her legs were shaking slightly.
49:04Marks on her neck.
49:05A great many of them.
49:06I winned.
49:06Aldric was rough
49:07even when welcomed.
49:08For Sarah's first time,
49:09she probably needed help
49:10getting out of bed.
49:11She caught my expression
49:12and mistook it for envy.
49:13She tugged her collar
49:13and leaned close.
49:14How was your night, Lyra?
49:16Word is he didn't touch you at all.
49:17I glanced pointively
49:17at her inner thighs.
49:18And re-swassev.
49:19Worry about yourself, Sarah.
49:21Enjoy it now.
49:22Wait until the king
49:22finishes with you.
49:23She drew back with a huff.
49:24Sure enough,
49:25the Dragon King's voice
49:26came cold and measured.
49:29Kaelin, explain yourself.
49:30Kaelin looked entirely unbothered.
49:32Thought she was interesting yesterday.
49:34Changed my mind by evening.
49:36Disgraceful.
49:38After the morning audience,
49:39the Dragon King
49:40summoned me privately.
49:41He wanted to know
49:42what had actually happened.
49:43I told him I'd been too shy.
49:45He studied me for a long time.
49:47Give Kaelin an air.
49:49Soon.
49:50Told me to give
49:51Kaelin an air soon.
49:52Then sent me on my way.
49:54I returned to find
49:55Kaelin waiting,
49:56frost in his eyes.
50:00What did he ask you?
50:01I told him everything.
50:03He was quiet for a moment.
50:05Then he told me
50:05to avoid private meetings
50:07with the Dragon King
50:07going forward.
50:09It only deepened the mystery.
50:10The dynamic between these two
50:12was as unreadable
50:13as the mask Kaelin never removed.
50:15Before I could untangle any of it,
50:16news swept through
50:17the entire court.
50:18Sarah was with child.
50:19A golden light
50:19surrounded her belly.
50:21Aldrich was beside himself.
50:23He invited the whole court
50:24to witness at dawn.
50:26I was invited too.
50:27Of course.
50:28Sarah opened with a performance.
50:30She dropped the Dragon Pearl
50:30on the floor
50:31and smiled at me sweetly.
50:32Lyra,
50:33I'm caring-breeing Dragon Young.
50:35Could you pick that up for me?
50:36She was barely a month along.
50:37She could bend perfectly well.
50:39This was theater.
50:40The court watched with amusement.
50:41Aldrich joined in,
50:43implying I was a pretty bird
50:44who couldn't lay eggs.
50:45I was about to respond when...
50:49Kaelin lowered his wrist.
50:50He looked at Sarah
50:51with no particular expression.
50:52Did you lose the use of your hands?
50:56Aldrich, humiliated.
50:57Redirect me.
50:57Hinkle.
50:58She only asked her
50:59to pick something up.
51:00Why the outburst?
51:01Lyra's pretty,
51:01I'll give her that.
51:02But she can't even carry
51:03a dragon child.
51:04You're the only one
51:05who sees anything in her.
51:06She's beautiful.
51:07At least,
51:08the two of you are ugly
51:09and useless.
51:10That puts her ahead.
51:11Yeah.
51:22Miss Gevings crept across the hall.
51:24Was he truly destined to be king?
51:26Aldrich stopped
51:26before he could lose more thoroughly.
51:28He grabbed Sarah
51:28and walked out.
51:29When my white dragon is born
51:31and takes the throne,
51:32none of you will be laughing!
51:33Gone before anyone
51:34could point out
51:35he'd forgotten entirely
51:36about the golden light
51:37he'd summoned everyone to see.
51:40Aldrich didn't forget slights.
51:42He waited until Kaelin was away
51:44and came for me.
51:45He wove mist across
51:46the back courtyard
51:46trapping me on the hillside.
51:48Called wind and rain down
51:49until I was soaked through
51:50and shaking.
51:51Only then did he appear.
51:52Lyra,
51:52he still hasn't touched you,
51:54hasn't he?
51:54Your bloodline isn't quite right
51:55for a proper consort,
51:56but a secondary one?
51:57That could work.
52:00Even now,
52:01Kaelin's name keeps him
52:02from going all the way.
52:04When he finds out
52:05the only things you can produce
52:06are malformed little monsters,
52:07let's see how long
52:08he protects you.
52:09You're a low-clan princess, Lyra.
52:11When that day comes,
52:12I'll crush you like nothing.
52:15He didn't know.
52:16The clan he despised
52:17was about to ruin him completely.
52:20I cast my glamour.
52:23Between one breath and the next,
52:24we were standing in front
52:26of the Dragon King's council chamber.
52:27Every word Aldrich had just said
52:29had fallen on the Dragon King's ears
52:30and the ears of every
52:31allied clan lord present.
52:33The Fox Clan was low-ranked,
52:34yes,
52:35but they were under
52:35Dragon Court protection.
52:36What Aldrich had amounted
52:37to announcing,
52:38in public,
52:39that the Dragon Court
52:39held its subject clans
52:40in Conteam,
52:41not something a future king
52:42could afford to say aloud.
52:44The Dragon King's crystal scepter
52:45cracked against Aldrin's knees.
52:47You have deeply disappointed me.
52:49Aldrich hit the ground.
52:51His shoulders trembled.
52:52The Dragon King stripped him
52:53of his privileges
52:54and confined him to quarters.
52:55The air presumptive,
52:57favorite of the court
52:58one hour ago,
52:58became invisible by afternoon.
53:00I had won cleanly.
53:02Kaelin was furious.
53:05Do you understand
53:06how dangerous that was?
53:07What if he had actually killed you?
53:08He'd figured it out,
53:10of course.
53:10I had used an enchantment
53:11to lure Aldrich in deliberately.
53:13Revenge, yes,
53:14but also self-preservation.
53:16Aldrich wasn't going to
53:17leave me alone regardless.
53:18Better to move first.
53:19I hadn't consulted Kaelin
53:21because he didn't know
53:22about my first life.
53:23He looked at me,
53:24soaking wet,
53:25and couldn't bring himself
53:25to say much more.
53:29Don't do something like that
53:31without telling me.
53:32I'm your husband.
53:33Protecting you
53:33is my responsibility.
53:35Something warm moved
53:36through my chest
53:36when he said it.
53:37Something I hadn't expected.
53:40The night Sarah went into labor,
53:42a storm rolled in,
53:42lightning,
53:43black clouds,
53:44golden light
53:44pouring off the palace walls.
53:46The court's ritual seers
53:47declared it the sign
53:48of a golden dragon's birth.
53:49The Dragon King
53:50got out of chair
53:51and went to Sarah's chambers
53:52to wait.
53:53I wasn't going to miss this.
53:55Aldrich's bloodline
53:56wasn't pure enough
53:56for a golden dragon.
53:58If that light was real,
53:59it wasn't his.
54:01Sarah labored all night.
54:03Dragon Young were large.
54:05She screamed until dawn.
54:07Then the screaming stopped.
54:08The child was not brought out.
54:10The Dragon King
54:12went by himself.
54:13What followed was a silence,
54:14somehow worse
54:15than the screaming.
54:16Seal it.
54:17No one speaks of it.
54:17Seal it.
54:18Tell no one.
54:19Word leaked anyway.
54:20It always does.
54:21Did you see the light?
54:22Not a dragon.
54:22Not a dragon.
54:23A common golden serpent
54:24could, with enough medicine
54:25and time, be coaxed
54:26into dragon form.
54:27A one-cloved one
54:28could not.
54:29Too weak.
54:29It would never transform.
54:31And across its face,
54:31a large, dark birthmark.
54:33Ugly and unmistakable.
54:34And across its face,
54:35a large, dark birthmark.
54:36Ugly and unmistakable.
54:37The Dragon King
54:38took one look
54:38and left without naming it.
54:39In my first life,
54:40Sarah and Dorian
54:41produced a white dragon together.
54:42Sarah and Aldrich
54:43produced this.
54:44The dragon court
54:45hadn't seen a birth
54:46to this poor
54:47in over a thousand years.
54:48The bloodline failure
54:49was obvious.
54:51Aldrich's own lineage
54:52wasn't as pure
54:53as he'd always believed.
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