I was ready to leave the Vampire Academy's main campus with Liam, my childhood sweetheart. All because he told me he was being bullied.

He was the unrecognized bastard of the Vance clan. Born with a fraction of the power we pure-bloods commanded.

So I promised him. I would go with him to Duskfall Academy.

A campus that didn't care about bloodlines or power. A place where he could finally belong.

But the night before we were supposed to seal the transfer scrolls with our blood signets, he betrayed me.

I heard his friend's sneering voice. "You drank beast blood and faked the whole abuse act just to dump Isabella Thorne? Damn, Liam. That's cold-blooded."

Liam just shrugged. "I'm sick of her pure-blood, high-and-mighty attitude. And this is cleaner than having her clinging to me forever."

My world shattered.

I turned and walked away.

On the ancient transfer scroll, I took my dagger and slashed through the name of Duskfall Academy.

Then I wrote the name my family always intended for me: Crimson Fortress Academy, in the Evernight.

It seemed everyone had forgotten.

Even as fated blood-bond mates, I, Isabella Thorne, am the sole pure-blood heir to the Thorne clan.

Once I sever our ties, he can crawl back to me on his knees, and I wouldn't let him have a single drop of my blood.

He'll be nothing.

The moment I heard the truth, the blood in my veins turned to ice.

A month ago, Liam had come to me in tears, saying every vampire at the Academy looked down on him for being a bastard.

The Liam I knew was always so strong. Seeing him break down in tears, I swore I would protect him.

Later, when the heir to the Blackwood family locked him in a sunroom on purpose, I used my family's blood-will to pin that bastard to a wall for an entire night. It cost me half my strength and left me drained for three days.

When the Ashford heiress called him an "unacknowledged stray," I crashed her birthday party and made her kneel and apologize in front of all her guests. Even if it meant another draining magical duel.

When the other clans conspired against him, I used my mother’s influence without a second thought. It cost my family a fortune, but I made sure those clans lost three major territories within a week.

It all came to a head when Liam stood trembling before me, his pale face marked with the fresh, weeping lines of a silver-laced whip.

"Isabella, please," he begged. "I need to get out of here. I hate this place. I hate that everyone insults me because I’m not strong enough, because my blood isn't pure."

I looked at the fresh wounds on his face, and my heart felt like it had been pierced with an icicle.

No matter what I did, I couldn't protect him.

But we were blood-bond mates, a rarity in the vampire world, fated for each other. After a century together, he was a part of me. Carved into my very bones.

In a moment of desperation, I grabbed his hand. "Don't worry, Liam. I'll transfer with you. We'll go to the Duskfall Academy. We can start over."

For a split second, a flicker of something unreadable crossed his eyes.

"Isabella..."

"Don't," I cut him off. "My mind is made up."

But now, standing outside the council room door, I realized it was all a cruel lie. A scheme designed to erase me from his life.

Familiar laughter drifted through the crack in the door.

"Seriously, Liam, you've got guts," said Marcus, Liam's best friend. "How did you make those silver whip scars look so real?"

Liam's expression was relaxed, a stark contrast to the agony he’d shown me.

"Three days of drinking beast blood," Liam said casually. "Tastes like filth, but it works. Slows the healing, makes the wounds look legit. Like you really got your ass handed to you."

My blood froze solid.

"Gods, the things you do to dump Isabella," another voice chimed in. "But what if she finds a better mate over there? What if she decides not to finalize the bond with you?"

"Her?" Liam scoffed, like the idea was ridiculous. "The bond has her wrapped around my little finger. She's magically compelled to take a killing blow for me. You really think a little distance will make her stop loving me?"

His friend grumbled, "I don't know, man. The look in her eyes... she's not one to be messed with."

"Not a chance," Liam said lazily. "She's turned down every pure-blood noble at the Academy. You think she'll fall for one of the low-tier vamps at Dusk?"

He went on, his voice dripping with contempt. "She's always got that 'I'm better than you' look on her face. It's infuriating. A place like Duskfall will do her some good. Knock her down a few pegs."

The room erupted in harsh, mocking laughter.

I wanted to run, but my feet were nailed to the floor, forcing me to endure the humiliation.

Another voice piped up. "You've got to be the first vampire in history to trick his own noble blood-bond mate into going to a place like that. But if she annoyed you so much, why not just tell her?"

Liam's brow furrowed. "She's too stubborn. It's not that easy with her. Besides..."

He paused, and his next words broke what was left of my heart.

"It’s for Chloe. She needs me," Liam’s voice softened. "She told me she gets terrified just being near Isabella. My mate is too powerful. Her very presence suffocates Chloe."

Everything clicked into place. Liam started faking the bullying exactly one week after Chloe Reed, a mixed-blood girl, transferred to our academy.

"You guys don't get what it's like being with Isabella," he said. "Everyone thinks I only have my status because of her. I'm tired of being her accessory. A blood bond isn't love. I'm choosing my own life."

Marcus howled with laughter.

"He's got a point. Isabella is a total ice queen. The way she looks at you, it’s like a winter night."

"And that 'I'm better than everyone' attitude," Tyler added. "Like the world owes her something. That Chloe girl is adorable, though. Small, sweet, the type you just want to protect."

They all agreed, tearing me apart like a pack of vultures.

I waited for Liam to defend me. To tell them to stop.

He didn't. He even nodded along, a silent agreement to their cruel words.

For a second, I wanted to burst through the door and confront them. To make them pay for every single word with the force of my bloodline.

I wanted to ask him why he lied. Didn't he feel a shred of guilt watching me get hurt for his sake? Did our century together mean nothing?

But I didn't.

My mother's voice echoed in my head: Never waste your power on meaningless fights.

I took a deep breath, vanishing down the corridor.

Back in the study of my manor, my fingers trembled as I unrolled the transfer scroll. The ink smudged as a tear hit the parchment.

If it were just a friend's betrayal, maybe I could have laughed it off. But our bond, once a burning fire in my chest, now felt like a thousand silver needles piercing my heart.

I remembered the night we decided to transfer.

Moonlight flooded the conservatory, bathing us in a silver glow that felt like a blessing. I couldn't tear my eyes away from the man I had loved for nearly a century. My heart was pounding, wild and out of control.

When he leaned down to kiss me, his hot breath on my skin, I didn't push him away.

He untied the ribbons of my dress, his cool fingers trailing down my spine, sending a shiver through me. Then, his fangs grazed my neck, my blood mixing with his. It was the first step of our bonding ritual—sacred, and irreversible. All that remained was the final vow in the chapel.

"This is the beginning of forever," I whispered in his arms.

"Yes," he said, kissing my forehead. "We'll have a blood-pact wedding in the old Gothic chapel. You'll wear white, and I'll place the family's ancestral blood-jade tiara on your head."

I thought that was our future.

Two days later, it was all ash.

Now I understood. He was lying from the very beginning. For him, the bond was just insurance, a guarantee I would never betray him. For me, it was a chain on my soul.

I am a pure-blood heir of the Thorne clan. He is just an unrecognized bastard of the Vances. This bond was never equal.

But he didn't know that a simple bond couldn't hold me. Not with my power.

I looked at the tear-stained scroll in my hand. It didn't matter. I would write a new one.

A Thorne always has a backup plan.

I filled out a new scroll, pausing at the destination academy. Then I sent a psychic message to my mother. "Mother, what was the name of that top-tier academy you mentioned? Yes. I'll be going alone."

A wind chime rang, its clear, sweet sound like a cheer.

I closed my eyes, and for the first time in a century, Liam's face wasn't the first thing I saw.

In his place was another man, one who looked vaguely like him. But this man was more handsome, his features sharper, with a cocky smirk on his face, just as he'd had two years ago. "Mark my words, Isabella. Sooner or later, you'll sever that blood bond for me."

Back then, I thought he was joking. I'd laughed at his arrogance.

Now, Liam and I were over. And that felt less like a joke and more like a prophecy.

I finished the scroll and let out a long breath. My heart was finally calm.

Just as I was collecting my thoughts, the manor's bell rang. The sound made me jump. I lived here alone. Besides me, only one other person knew the blood-ward incantation to enter.

I opened the door. Liam was standing there, his voice as warm as ever. "You didn't come to say goodbye to everyone. I was worried."

"I was tired," I said flatly. "Decided to stay in."

As I moved to close the door, I saw a figure behind him. The small, fragile form of Chloe, who flinched when our eyes met.

Suddenly, Chloe stumbled back, one hand clutching her chest, the other grabbing Liam's sleeve. "I… I feel like I can't breathe."

Her voice was frail, her eyes welling with tears.

Liam immediately steadied her, his expression turning tense.

"Isabella, can you tone it down?" He looked at me, his eyes full of blame. "Chloe is delicate. You're scaring her. You should be more considerate. Not everyone has a bloodline like yours."

Considerate?

I had been considerate for an entire month. I protected him, fought for him, and was ready to leave my entire world behind for him. Now he wanted me to be considerate of another woman? A woman faking weakness, who claimed my very presence was suffocating her?

My expression turned to ice. "I told you. I don't want strangers on my land."

Liam frowned. "Chloe is a friend. She was worried about you, that's all."

Before I could answer, Chloe's eyes filled with tears. "Isabella, I'm sorry. I know you've always looked down on me for my mixed blood, but I swear I purify myself with Moon-blessed Water every day."

She sobbed, looking utterly pitiful. "I won't dirty your manor."

Liam glared at me. "She can't help where she came from. You're being cruel. I'm so disappointed in you."

Chloe tugged his sleeve, playing the part of the bigger person. "It's okay, Liam. Don't fight with her because of me." She forced a watery smile. "She told me you two are fated mates," she whispered, tears welling in her eyes. "A bond not seen in a millennium. How could someone like me ever hope to compare?"

"Don't say that," Liam murmured, gently cupping her face. "You're one of a kind."

Then he turned back to me, his face a cold mask. "Chloe is upset. I'm taking her home. You need to think about what you've done. And don't forget to get your seal at the council."

He was right about one thing. I did need to think. About how blind I had been.

I strode to the blood pool in the heart of the manor. Without a moment's hesitation, I rewrote the blood-ward.

From now on, no unwelcome creature would ever step foot in here again without my express permission.

The weight on my chest lifted, as if I’d finally exhaled a breath I’d been holding for a hundred years.

The next morning, I took my new transfer scroll to the Grand Council of Elders. As the Elder stamped it with his blood signet, a wave of emptiness washed over me.

I stared blankly at the crimson seal until someone blocked my path.

"Isabella!"

The familiar voice came from behind me. I turned to see Liam striding toward me, his face dark.

"You changed the manor's blood-ward?" he demanded. "I tried to get in last night. It threw me back."

"Yes," I said, my voice perfectly calm.

"Why?" Anger flashed in his eyes. "I need the new incantation. I need to be able to get in to protect you."

Protect me? Like he "protected" me yesterday?

"You don't," I said coolly. "I'll be leaving after the transfer."

"Leaving?" Liam froze, his eyes finally landing on the scroll in my hand. "Right, the transfer... Don't worry, I'll go get my seal tomorrow."

We walked out of the council hall side-by-side. In the brief silence, I thought of all the times we'd walked like this before. He'd tell me about funny things at the Academy, complain about a strict professor, or stop to pick a moonpetal flower for me from the side of the path.

I used to think that was forever. But since Chloe arrived, those moments had all but vanished.

"Isabella," Liam started. "About yesterday..."

"Liam!"

A delicate voice cut him off. Chloe came running up, out of breath and clutching a heavy stack of ancient tomes.

"Did you forget our date?" she pouted. "You promised to teach me ancient vampire history today."

She set the books down and pulled one from the stack. "I saw the study plan you made for me. It's for two whole months," she said with a sweet smile. "Thank you for being so thoughtful."

A two-month plan.

I knew what she was saying. They would be spending that long time together. They had already planned a future that didn't include me.

Liam shot me a guilty look. When he saw my blank expression, his gaze darkened. I was a mask of indifference, but inside, bitterness was a slow-burning poison. I dug my nails into my palm to stay grounded. "Well, I won't keep you."

"Wait." Chloe stepped in front of me, her eyes red-rimmed. "Isabella, are you mad at me?"

"Move."

"Is it because I'm not a pure-blood?" her voice trembled. "I know I'm not worthy of standing with you, but I perform rites of purification with Moon-blessed Water every single day, just hoping it will be enough."

She started to cry, a picture of fragile beauty. "But bloodlines are..."

"Move," I repeated, my voice colder.

The ancient power of my bloodline pulsed in the air, an invisible pressure. Chloe trembled and took a few steps back. But she didn't leave. She just cried harder.

"I knew it! You look down on me! You don't think I'm good enough to be Liam's friend!"

"Enough!"

Liam exploded, grabbing my wrist. His hand was cold, his grip tight, his fingers trembling with rage.

"Isabella, apologize to Chloe. Now."

His tone was a command. Like he was speaking to a pet, not his blood-bond mate.

I looked down at the hand clamped around my wrist. A month ago, this hand had gently placed a moonstone ring on my finger. Two days ago, this hand had traced my spine and promised me forever.

Now, this hand was hurting me for another woman.

The last flicker of affection in my heart turned to ash.

I twisted my wrist, unleashing the power of my bloodline. A powerful shockwave blasted him backward, and he stumbled, nearly falling.

My voice was ice. "The only one who owes an apology here... is you. Not to her. To me."