His Fake Tears, My Real Crown

The next morning, I took my new transfer scroll to the Grand Council of Elders. As the Elder stamped it with his blood signet, a wave of emptiness washed over me.

I stared blankly at the crimson seal until someone blocked my path.

"Isabella!"

The familiar voice came from behind me. I turned to see Liam striding toward me, his face dark.

"You changed the manor's blood-ward?" he demanded. "I tried to get in last night. It threw me back."

"Yes," I said, my voice perfectly calm.

"Why?" Anger flashed in his eyes. "I need the new incantation. I need to be able to get in to protect you."

Protect me? Like he "protected" me yesterday?

"You don't," I said coolly. "I'll be leaving after the transfer."

"Leaving?" Liam froze, his eyes finally landing on the scroll in my hand. "Right, the transfer... Don't worry, I'll go get my seal tomorrow."

We walked out of the council hall side-by-side. In the brief silence, I thought of all the times we'd walked like this before. He'd tell me about funny things at the Academy, complain about a strict professor, or stop to pick a moonpetal flower for me from the side of the path.

I used to think that was forever. But since Chloe arrived, those moments had all but vanished.

"Isabella," Liam started. "About yesterday..."

"Liam!"

A delicate voice cut him off. Chloe came running up, out of breath and clutching a heavy stack of ancient tomes.

"Did you forget our date?" she pouted. "You promised to teach me ancient vampire history today."

She set the books down and pulled one from the stack. "I saw the study plan you made for me. It's for two whole months," she said with a sweet smile. "Thank you for being so thoughtful."

A two-month plan.

I knew what she was saying. They would be spending that long time together. They had already planned a future that didn't include me.

Liam shot me a guilty look. When he saw my blank expression, his gaze darkened. I was a mask of indifference, but inside, bitterness was a slow-burning poison. I dug my nails into my palm to stay grounded. "Well, I won't keep you."

"Wait." Chloe stepped in front of me, her eyes red-rimmed. "Isabella, are you mad at me?"

"Move."

"Is it because I'm not a pure-blood?" her voice trembled. "I know I'm not worthy of standing with you, but I perform rites of purification with Moon-blessed Water every single day, just hoping it will be enough."

She started to cry, a picture of fragile beauty. "But bloodlines are..."

"Move," I repeated, my voice colder.

The ancient power of my bloodline pulsed in the air, an invisible pressure. Chloe trembled and took a few steps back. But she didn't leave. She just cried harder.

"I knew it! You look down on me! You don't think I'm good enough to be Liam's friend!"

"Enough!"

Liam exploded, grabbing my wrist. His hand was cold, his grip tight, his fingers trembling with rage.

"Isabella, apologize to Chloe. Now."

His tone was a command. Like he was speaking to a pet, not his blood-bond mate.

I looked down at the hand clamped around my wrist. A month ago, this hand had gently placed a moonstone ring on my finger. Two days ago, this hand had traced my spine and promised me forever.

Now, this hand was hurting me for another woman.

The last flicker of affection in my heart turned to ash.

I twisted my wrist, unleashing the power of my bloodline. A powerful shockwave blasted him backward, and he stumbled, nearly falling.

My voice was ice. "The only one who owes an apology here... is you. Not to her. To me."