Chapter 6

The next day, my fever finally broke.

My healing had finally clawed its way back, granting me a sliver of strength. But the silver poison remained, a cold fire in my veins.

I pushed open my door and left the East Wing. The castle was alive with light and decorations for a celebration.

It was the day of Aria's Blood Moon Christening.

Even if she wasn't the true heir, as a princess of the coven, she had to receive the family's blessing after her first birthday.

I followed the crowd to the family's sacred chamber, a vast stone room carved with the likenesses of Valkyrie ancestors.

At the central altar, Elder Viktor held a glittering necklace.

It was the coven's greatest treasure, the "Tear of Night," a massive black diamond cradled by a silver chain, radiating a dark power.

"Today, we witness the Blood Moon Christening of the princess, Aria," Viktor's voice echoed through the chamber. "And we also bless the lady Liliana, who will soon be our queen."

The entire coven applauded.

I stood in a dark corner, watching as Dorian led Liliana to the altar.

She was radiant in a magnificent crimson gown, her pregnant belly proudly on display. She looked like a goddess.

Viktor himself placed the Tear of Night around her neck.

"May the Night Mother bless you, our future queen."

Dorian gazed at her tenderly, adjusting the necklace for her.

He leaned in, his voice a low whisper for her ears only. "You have given me a future."

Liliana smiled shyly as their perfect little family accepted the coven's blessing.

I watched the scene, my heart twisting like a knife.

I used to dream of a moment like this.

As my grief threatened to overwhelm me, I heard Liliana's voice behind me.

She had Aria in her arms and pulled me into a secluded corner of the chamber.

"You see?" she said, smugly stroking the necklace. "This is how a true queen is treated."

I said nothing.

"You know," she whispered in my ear, "Dorian comes to me every night."

My body went rigid.

"He can't get enough of me, even while I'm pregnant," Liliana boasted. "Every night, he presses me into the bed, whispering that I'm the most beautiful woman he's ever seen."

"Enough," my voice trembled.

"He wants a dynasty with me. And you?" She leaned closer, her voice a venomous whisper. "You're just the loose end he hasn't figured out how to tie off. Yet."

Tears blurred my vision.

I tried to pull away, but just then, a loud crack echoed through the chamber.

The sacred vessel containing the blood of the Valkyrie ancestors had fractured.

It was an ancient crystal container, filled with the pure blood of their progenitors, pulsing with immense power.

And now, that power was about to break free.

"Everyone, back!" Viktor roared.

But it was too late.

The vessel exploded, sending a massive wave of energy ripping through the room.

In that split second, a blur of black mist wrapped around me.

Dorian had shifted, teleporting me to safety.

But Liliana wasn't so lucky.

She was hit by a shard from the explosion. Blood bloomed across her crimson dress.

"LILIANA!" Dorian's scream was torn from his soul.

He dropped me instantly, rushing to where she lay in a pool of blood.

"Liliana, stay with me!" he cried, gathering her into his arms.

I stood frozen, watching him cradle her as they vanished in a dark cloud.

A moment later, we were all in the clinic.

The blood-healer rushed to examine Liliana, his face growing grim.

"Her system is rejecting everything," the healer said, his face grim. "She needs a transfusion of pure life force. Something only a werewolf can provide." He looked directly at me.

Dorian's eyes snapped to mine, cold and hard as chips of ice.

"Freya. Your blood. Now."

I looked at his frantic face, a bitter taste filling my mouth.

"And what if I don't?"

"If she dies, we will never leave this place," his voice was ice. "Can't you think of anyone but yourself? Do you have any idea what this puts me through? You are so selfish!"

Selfish?

If I were truly selfish, I would have rejected this forbidden love from the start.

I would have joined the Healer's Guild and lived a quiet life.

"I refuse," I said, tears streaming down my face.

Dorian's face turned to stone.

"Do you regret it?" I screamed, the words tearing from my throat. "Do you regret saving me instead of her? Do you wish it was me bleeding out on that floor?!"

"You're being irrational!" he snarled, turning to the guards. "Take her to the bloodletting room!"

Two guards seized me, dragging me away.

"Dorian!" I screamed his name, my voice breaking.

But he didn't turn around. He just stood vigil by Liliana's bed.

In the bloodletting room, a thick needle pierced my vein.

I watched my own life force drain into the collection bag, drop by drop.

"Four hundred milliliters," the nurse reported to Dorian outside the door. "For a werewolf recently wounded by silver, this is already dangerous."

I heard Dorian's voice from outside, chillingly detached. "Keep going."

The needle stayed in.

Five hundred milliliters. I started to feel dizzy.

Six hundred. My vision blurred. My consciousness began to slip away.

I thought of the first time we met, how Dorian had looked at me with those clear blue eyes and smiled. "So, you're the one who saved me, little wolf."

Now he was hurting me without a second thought...

Just before I passed out, I heard the nurse exclaim, "We have to stop, she's going into shock!"

But I heard Dorian's voice, devoid of all emotion. "It's enough. Take it to Liliana."

When I woke, he was there. A silhouette in the shadows by my bed, radiating a chilling authority.

And when he spoke, his voice was a razor's edge.

"Did you do it?"