Bound by Blood & Moonlight

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Scarlet

The ceremony had finally ended, leaving behind the chaos it stirred. Now, it was time to follow Kian back. My heart pounded in my chest, nervous, yes, but I knew this had to be done. Everything needed to go according to plan.

I sat in my chambers, taking in the familiar surroundings for one last time. Lila had already packed my bags, placing them neatly by the door. I glanced at her and, without a word, pulled her into a final hug. After she left, I crouched beside my bed, lifting the wooden panel beneath my mattress. There it was—my blade. An antique, gifted to me years ago by a mysterious man at the market. I had searched for him afterward, but he had vanished, leaving only his words echoing in my mind.

"Take this and learn to protect yourself," he'd said. Little did he know, I had already begun training in secret with Magnus, one of my father's guards. He was a sight to look at too. With his sandy-blonde hair and eyes, blue as the vast ocean. He's always wearing a mischievous grin when I look at him that never fails to make me blush.

Neither Father nor Titan had any idea about my midnight lessons. Magnus and I would meet almost every night, perfecting my skills. He would always ask me why I was so determined to learn, but I never gave him an answer. I had a different way of silencing him, a kiss.

Magnus was the first vamp I ever kissed, the first for many things. I knew it was dangerous and irresponsible of me to get so close to him, but I did it anyway. He had become my escape, my outlet for the anger and frustration I could never express verbally, but only with sexual desire. Leaving him behind filled me with a sense of sadness, but I knew this was for the greater good.

"Why are you doing this, Scarlet? Why are you letting the King control your life?" Magnus pleaded, his voice laced with desperation. "We could run away, start over somewhere far from here. He wouldn't care. Titan is set to take the throne, not you."

It was the day before my wedding, and his words weighed heavily in the air. I reached out, gently touching his face.

"You know I can't, Magnus. We can't," I said softly, my heart aching with the truth. "Deep down, you've always known there was never a future for us."

I cupped his face in both hands, gazing into his eyes, trying to memorize every detail.

Suddenly, his eyes widened, pupils dilating as the power took hold.

"You will forget about me, about all of this," I whispered, my voice steady and final.

" Now, go."

Without another word, he turned and left.