"Mother, you ought to be extremely careful with your words. What do you mean this is another grievous error?" Severus hissed, his eyes still locked on Sidia.Sidia couldn't move her head, couldn't see anything around her. She was trapped in Severus' grip, but she managed to keep calm. If Julia was speaking up for her, there might be hope. Surely, Severus wouldn't murder her in front of the entire coven, including his mother. But did it really matter? If he didn't kill her here, she was sure he would kill her elsewhere."My son, please put her down while we talk," Julia begged. She came into view as she stood next to Severus, one of her elegant and elderly hands on his shoulder.Severus made no change in his facial expression, and he still did not divert his gaze. Instead, one finger at a time loosened around Sidia's throat, and let go. He crossed his arms over his chest."Proceed, Mother," he growled.Julia gentled stroked his shoulder and gave Sidia a curt nod."Severus, I gave

SEVERUS' POV TWO THOUSAND YEARS AGOWater. He needed water. His tongue grazed the roof of his mouth, dusty and dry. How long had he been in the tent? Was he still in the tent?"Don't move, Your Grace. You've been wounded." Was that Gaius?"No, don't try to speak, Your Grace. The healer will be here soon."No healer would be able to help him. Severus was certain of that. Death had already slipped its icy fingers around his bones, settled deep in his chest. He knew the end was coming. He could no longer remember what injured him, barely remember he was leagues away from home. All he wanted was to be in his own bed, the warm, salt-tinged air lulling him to sleep. "Who are you? What are you doing here?" Someone was yelling. There was a commotion. "How? How are you doing this?" Who was talking? What was happening? He couldn't see anything.There was more struggling, but Severus barely noticed. The fever had swept over him, and all he could think about was water. He just wante

Severus grinned, but he did look surprised. "Excellent! A kiss first, then I'll move those troublesome chains for a taste of your blood.""Out of curiosity, why not just the bite?" Sidia risked the question. "Do you not want to kiss me?" Severus countered, eyes narrowing once more."I didn't say that, Severus. I'm just surprised that you want to kiss me right now. I want to know your reasoning." Perhaps this questioning would align with the pattern she had already established. She couldn't be too eager and obedient, but she couldn't push too far either. It was such a delicate balance to maintain."That questioning mind of yours," Severus chuckled. "Preliminary test is my reasoning. So few can hide the truth when their lips are locked onto another's. Whatever the lips hide, the blood will further reveal. I'm measuring your honesty and testing your loyalty. Your kiss will show your dedication, and your blood will show me that you're willing to let me know your location, that you're

SIDIA'S POVSeveral things happened at once. Marcus screamed at Severus, causing Severus to lose his rage for a moment and stare in disbelief at his brother."How?" Severus screeched.The entire throne room erupted in cries, the shock wearing off as they realized Marcus was free and they fully processed Julia's death. Catarina pushed through to the front, stopping just in front of the square of sunlight, crying out in grief as she stared at the dust that was once Julia.Sidia wanted to run to Marcus, throw herself in between the brothers even though it would mean death. She didn't want any harm to come to Marcus. They glared at each other, the column of sunlight between them. Sidia could see where this was going, and she didn't want Marcus to end up the same as his mother.However, the entire throne room was shaking with anger and grief. To Sidia's surprise, they didn't rush to Severus or try to take down Marcus. Instead, all of them were shaking, their eyes widening and bodies re

The next few days sped past Sidia. There was so much to do. After destroying the throne, the coven gathered the remains of Julia and Severus and held a ceremony for them. Marcus grieved his mother, and even though he was overwhelmed with love and happiness for his freedom, he had lost something so precious. Sidia spent many moments holding him while he sobbed, so utterly saddened by his loss. He would be okay, and he would pull through. Sidia knew he just needed time.As the coven found its new rhythm and settled into a new way of life, Sidia was finally able to speak with Helena openly and freely. Helena explained that Severus obtained her Oath because she didn't want him to hurt the true love of her life, Francesco. She pledged her loyalty and became a vampire to save their village and make sure Francesco had a good life. Now that she was free of her oath, Helena wanted to find out if Francesco was still alive and if he had lived the life she wanted for him. Sidia also met with th