LOGINThe Queen wasted no time arranging the first meeting between Damon and Bloom. 10 days before the planned wedding, Henry received her instructions, and by afternoon, Bloom was being prepared to leave the mansion. Jenna insisted on accompanying her, walking beside Bloom with a smugness that made Bloom shrink even further into herself.Bloom’s fever still lingered, her steps unsteady, but she forced herself to remain upright. She clutched her mother’s necklace beneath her collar, the metal warm against her skin, and her grandmother’s ring hidden in her fist. They were the only things she had left.When Damon entered the restaurant, the atmosphere shifted. He carried himself with quiet authority, but his expression softened the moment he saw Bloom. Recognition flickered in his eyes. She was the girl he had saved once, the one he thought he would never see again.He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “You look unwell. Are you alright?”Bloom nodded weakly. “I’m fine.”He didn’t believe he
Far from the mansion, Samuel slipped through the abandoned district until he reached a shadowed alley. A cloaked figure waited.“You’re running out of time,” the figure said.Samuel’s jaw tightened. “Bloom has been taken back. The Queen has noticed her.”“And the eclipse?”“Three weeks,” Samuel replied. “If I don’t marry her before then, everything is lost.”The figure handed him a sealed envelope. “Follow the plan. The Queen cannot suspect you. And Damon must never know.”Samuel’s eyes darkened. “He won’t. Bloom will not escape this time.”At the mansion, Henry paced the grand hall, nerves fraying. Samantha and Jenna stood beside him, dressed in their finest. Servants rushed to polish floors and light candles.A guard entered. “Master… the Queen has arrived.”The doors opened, and the Queen stepped inside, tall, elegant, her presence chilling the room.Henry bowed deeply. “Your Majesty. We are honored.”She waved a hand. “Rise. We have much to discuss. The wedding must be prepared wi
Henry was in his study when his phone rang. Jenna’s voice came through, breathless and dramatic.“Dad, Bloom left. We cannot find her anywhere.”Henry’s jaw tightened. He immediately ordered his men to search the entire city. They combed the streets, the markets, the parks, but Bloom was nowhere.He pulled up the surveillance feed for the apartment he had secretly bought for her. Bloom never knew the truth. Elena had threatened him years ago, demanding he at least give the child a place to live. He had not wanted to involve himself, so he gave her money to buy a cheap unit and pretended it was for Bloom.He told Samantha everything. They waited until morning, letting Bloom believe she had gotten away. Henry wanted her to feel safe before he tore that illusion apart. He only hoped she had not done anything with the boy. If she had, the Queen would kill him without hesitation. At dawn, Henry arrived at the apartment with Victor, Jenna, Samantha, and several bodyguards. He unlocked the d
Damon's POV: I could not understand what I had seen. The girl by the river. The one with the green eyes and the fire‑bright hair. I had only ever seen Rhea in dreams. I had only ever held her in memories that were not memories at all, but echoes of a life stolen from me. My true mate. My Rhea.Killed by the heavens before my eyes. I need to get my revenge for her.Mother knew the truth. She had been the one to tell me that demons could not have children with anyone except their fated mate or a blood bride. I had accepted that. I had accepted that I would never have a child, never have a mate, never have the life that was meant for me. I had accepted that Rhea was gone.Yet when I saw that girl by the river, something inside me cracked open. Her eyes, they looked too much like Rhea's. It was everything I had lost. Without thinking, I jumped to protect her from the wolves. I did not even realize I had moved until I was standing between her and death.Then I saw him. The human boy fight
Bloom and Samuel returned to the mansion in silence after the attack by the wolves. Bloom’s hands trembled the entire way, her mind replaying the moment Damon appeared out of nowhere and saved her life. She tried to push the memory away, tried to focus on Samuel, but the image of those glowing eyes and the effortless strength he displayed clung to her thoughts.Inside the mansion, Bloom led Samuel to her father’s study. She hoped, foolishly, that Henry might show a shred of humanity after everything that had happened.Samuel stood tall, confident, and respectful as he addressed Henry.“I would like to ask for Bloom’s hand in marriage.”The words hung in the air like a fragile hope. Henry did not hesitate.“No.”Bloom’s breath caught. Samuel stiffened.Henry’s voice grew colder. “You are not suitable. This conversation is over.”Bloom tried to speak, but Henry raised a hand. “Take her away.”Two guards grabbed her by the arms and dragged her back to the basement. They locked her inside
Bloom approached her father’s study with a knot in her stomach. She had rehearsed her words all morning, hoping he would understand. She knocked softly and stepped inside. Henry looked up from his papers with irritation, as if her presence alone offended him.“I wanted to talk to you,” Bloom said quietly. “I would like to move back to my apartment. I work now. I can support myself. I do not need anything from the family.”Henry’s expression darkened. He stood abruptly and struck her across the face. The sound echoed through the room. Bloom staggered back, her cheek burning, her eyes wide with shock.“You ungrateful girl,” he hissed. “You think you can come and go as you please? You think you can embarrass us?”Samantha appeared in the doorway, drawn by the noise. She placed a hand on Henry’s arm and gave Bloom a cold smile.“I will speak to her,” Samantha said. “Go cool your temper.”Henry left without another word.Samantha turned to Bloom, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “Y







