Chapter 3

“Darling, you must have drunk some tainted blood.” Clarence gently helped me back into the car, handing me a flask of fresh, crimson liquid. “Let me take you to the blood bank. You can have anything you want.”

I shook my head, trying to look weak and harmless. “No, it’s alright. I think my energy has just been low lately.”

“Then let me throw a party for you, help you relax,” he suggested, ever the thoughtful husband. “Would the Lady of House Thorne do me the honor?”

An idea sparked, sharp and cruel. I smiled. “Of course. Could we have it at the Waldorf Astoria? I’ve always loved the decor there.”

A flicker of panic crossed Clarence’s eyes, but he masked it quickly. “Of course, my love. I’ll have it arranged immediately.”

I knew what he was thinking.

The risk of us both being at the same hotel was too high.

But he couldn’t refuse the small request of his “sick” mate, could he?

Back home, Clarence was exceptionally attentive. He brought me the purest blood, insisted I stay in bed, and checked on me every hour.

The perfect husband.

But I saw the text he sent Seraphina on his phone:

“Change of plans. Meet me in the private blood cellar beneath the hotel tomorrow. It’s more discreet. More… stimulating. Imagine what we can do amongst those expensive vintages…”

Kitten Seraphina: “Sounds amazing! I’ll wear that red silk dress you like. With nothing underneath.”

The sound of the shower turning off in the bathroom brought me back. I quickly put the phone down.

Clarence emerged with a towel knotted at his waist, water droplets tracing paths down his muscular chest. Five hundred years ago, the sight would have made my heart race. Now, it just filled me with disgust.

“Feeling any better?” he asked, sitting on the edge of the bed to feel my forehead.

I nodded silently.

Just then, Clarence noticed the obsidian gift box on my nightstand.

He smiled softly. “I still haven’t seen the gift you prepared for me…”

He reached for it, but I stopped him.

“I want you to open it in a week. Think of it as a surprise, okay?”

He looked at me, puzzled. “Why a week?”

I gave him a mysterious smile. “Because by then, you’ll understand its true meaning.”

Clarence shrugged, placing the box in his nightstand drawer. “Alright. If that’s what you want.”

The next morning, Clarence was up early, preparing breakfast for me in the dining room.

Fresh blood in a crystal goblet, garnished with my favorite black rose petals.

A perfect breakfast from a perfect husband.

Then, the doorbell rang.

One of Clarence’s men stood outside, holding a refrigerated case.

“Your Highness. The… delivery… you requested,” the man said furtively, avoiding my gaze.

But I could smell it. A rare, vibrant vintage of blood, no doubt a “delicacy” for their little rendezvous.

After the man left, Clarence returned to the table and continued his breakfast as if nothing had happened.

I stirred the blood in my goblet. “Clarence, I want to ask you something.”

“What is it?”

I looked up at him. “How important do you think loyalty is between mates?”

Clarence froze for a split second before raising his goblet. “Of course, it’s important. Loyalty is the foundation of everything.”

“Is it?” I asked, playing the part of a naive wife. “So, you would never betray me?”

Clarence immediately set down his glass and placed a hand over the blood bond rune on his chest.

It was the symbol of our union, a sacred vow for vampire mates.

“I swear on my immortal life,” he said, looking me straight in the eye, his tone solemn and sincere, “I will only be loyal to you, Molly. You are my mate, my queen, the only light in my eternal night.”

His performance was flawless. If I didn’t know the truth, I might have actually been moved to tears.

“And if you did betray me?” I asked, raising my goblet, my gaze turning cold.

Clarence, oblivious, even managed a relaxed smile. “Then may my power turn to dust and my life be forfeit.”

I took a sip of blood, savoring the metallic tang.

“Good, my dear. I’ll remember that.”