Chapter 4

I looked at Silas, and the tears finally spilled.

"So tonight's ceremony is another favor you're doing me?"

Sometimes silence is a clearer answer than words.

Vera sat in her wheelchair, still sniffling softly.

"Evelyn, don't blame Silas. I shouldn't have come. I'll leave right now."

She motioned for someone to wheel her out, and Silas immediately stopped her.

"Nobody's blaming you."

That was when I understood.

If Vera was blameless, then I had to carry every bit of blame.

The master of ceremonies nervously ushered Silas and me to the center of the red carpet.

I took my place.

But Silas did not stand beside me.

Vera claimed her legs hurt too badly to sit and that she needed someone to support her.

Silas barely hesitated before turning to stand at her side.

The place where the groom belonged remained empty.

I stood at my own Blood Oath Ceremony in my wedding robe, like a sacrificial offering placed at the wrong altar.

The master of ceremonies wiped sweat from his brow and fumbled through his oath book.

"And now, we invite the bride... Vera Whitmore!"

"To present the blessing sash to the groom!"

The hall fell dead silent, as if a cathedral bell had crashed through it.

I looked up at Silas in shock, waiting for him to correct it.

But he only frowned.

"Continue. We can't miss the moonrise."

Before I could protest, Vera drew a white silk sash from behind her with a shy smile.

The guests broke into cheers.

"Take it, Silas. It's good luck!"

I gripped the crimson blood sash in my hands, my knuckles whitening.

Silas glanced at me.

There was no apology in his eyes, only a warning.

Then he took Vera's white silk sash.

Vera smiled through her tears.

"Silas, I wish you happiness."

Silas answered her in a low voice.

"Take care of yourself too."

This was my Blood Oath Ceremony, yet they looked more like star-crossed lovers than Silas and I had ever looked.

At least the time was almost up.

I slowly set down the crimson blood sash and turned to leave.

Silas finally snapped, grabbing my wrist.

His fingers closed directly over the burn.

I trembled with pain, my face draining of color.

He didn't let go. His voice dropped to a hiss.

"With everyone here tonight, do you really have to humiliate me?"

The tears finally fell.

"I'm fighting for my place in my own ceremony."

Silas's expression faltered for a second.

Vera suddenly leaned forward from her wheelchair, as if to intervene, and crashed to the ground.

The room erupted.

Silas released me, lunged for Vera, and gathered her into his arms. Then he roared at me.

"Evelyn, that's enough!"

I stood in place, my wrist red and swollen, my robe stained with mud, the crimson sash at my feet.

"The ceremony is over for tonight."

Silas bit out each word.

"It won't resume until you're willing to apologize to Vera!"

Seven years of waiting, only to end like this.

I slowly unfastened the obsidian cuff link from my sleeve and set it on the ground.

"Fine. Then the wedding's off."

Silas froze.

"You wouldn't dare!"

He came after me and clamped a hand around my wrist.

"If you walk out tonight, I'll act like you never set foot in the Laine house—"

Before he could finish, a row of headlights blazed to life at the end of the red carpet.

A convoy of black cars pulled up. Doors opened, and someone strode up the rain-slick stone steps.

"Evelyn."

"I've come to marry you."