Chapter 1

I left the Northern Realm because of Gabriel Brown.

My father had never believed Gabriel’s bloodline was worthy of standing beside me.

I was the daughter of a reigning Vampire King, the sole heir of House Sterling—

born for ancient crowns and royal legacies, not some peripheral bloodline lingering on the edges of the Court.

And yet, for love, I gave up everything.My name.My title.My inheritance.

I concealed my identity and fled the North with him.

I never imagined our love wouldn’t even survive five years.

As the memory of my father’s disapproval—and the worry he had tried to hide—rose in my mind, unease tightened in my chest. I closed my eyes, reaching for the ancient blood within me, seeking the quiet pull of my family’s power.

Before I could fully connect, a heavy scent flooded my senses.

Night-blooming jasmine.Strong. Overwhelming.

Arms wrapped tightly around me from behind.Gabriel had returned.

“Did I wake you?” he asked softly, his voice gentle against my ear. “It’s still early. Go back to sleep.”

He didn’t know that on the nights he went to Chloe, I never truly slept.

I only pretended—then lay awake, counting the hours until he came back.

Lately, he stayed in Chloe’s chambers until dawn.

And now, his entire body carried her scent. That cloying, suffocating Night-blooming jasmine.

I pushed him away.

“Go take a shower,” I said coldly. “You smell awful.”

He paused, sniffed at himself, then stepped back, awkward.

“I’m sorry, Isabella. I didn’t think about how you’d feel.”

After a moment, he added carefully,

“I’ve been seeing Chloe more often lately… Is that upsetting you? I can stay with you more these next few days, if you want.”

Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, he said,

“I’m sure Chloe would understand.”

I watched him walk toward the bathroom in silence.

Since when did his time with me require her understanding?

To anyone watching, it would seem as though I were the intruder—the one interfering with a Vampire Lord and his Consort.

When Gabriel emerged from the bathroom, a towel was slung low around his waist. Water traced the lines of his abdomen, his appearance as striking as the first day I met him.

Back then, I had slipped out of the North on a whim—only to be hunted.

He had saved me by chance. And been wounded because of me.

When I treated his injuries, he stripped without hesitation, dark blood glistening coldly against his pale skin.

Flustered, I turned my eyes away—only for him to catch my chin and force me to look.

“I saved you,” he said. “From now on, you’re mine.”

Then he smiled, bold and unapologetic.

“I fell in love with you at first sight. Be my only Blood Queen. You can look whenever you want.”

When he noticed me staring, he laughed, pulling me into his arms.

“Missed this already?” he teased. “I’ll indulge you.”

He tugged at the towel—I turned my face away.

He wasn’t the same man he had been five years ago.

No matter how much he washed, the scent of night-blooming jasmine clung to him.

It made my stomach churn.

Before I could push him away again, a harsh knock shattered the moment.

Chloe’s maid stood outside.

“Has a physician been summoned? She suddenly felt unwell.”

The moment Gabriel heard Chloe’s name, he didn’t hesitate. He stepped away from me and began dressing in a rush.

“Wasn’t she fine earlier?” he muttered, already halfway out the door.

Only then did he seem to remember me. He turned back, guilt flickering across his face.

“I’ll go check on her. I’ll be back soon.”

“My brother is dead,” he added quietly. “Chloe has no one but me now. When I return, we can continue.”

Continue？

He never needed my consent to stay with her.

He never needed my understanding.

Only my patience.Endless, silent waiting.

But I couldn’t wait anymore.And I wouldn’t continue.

I smiled at him.

It was the kind of smile that put him completely at ease—

the kind that made him believe he could leave us behind once again without consequence.

He didn’t know yet that I had already received word of his upcoming Blood Bond ceremony with Chloe.

As the door closed behind him, I shut my eyes and awakened the ancient blood flowing through my veins, letting it reach back to the power of my House.

Good.

His hypocrisy would make it easier for my son and me to leave.