The destruction of my painting severed the last thread of affection I had for Damon.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, a strange sense of relief mixed with a bitter taste in my mouth.

Tonight was the night I would formally meet Caspian.

A strange flutter of nerves danced in my stomach. In my past life, he was a revered, untouchable ancestor.

I took a deep breath. I had to be at my best.

Even if I couldn't make him love me, I couldn't let him despise me.

That evening, I wore a deep black, gothic gown.

The high collar hid my neck, and dark red lace peeked out from the cuffs.

I was ready to meet my new mate—Caspian.

My feelings were a tangled mess of nerves and anticipation.

I took the shortcut to the Blackwood ancestral castle—a secret passage through the family catacombs.

The moment I stepped into the graveyard, a sickening sound reached me.

Moans.

The wet rasp of skin on skin. The greedy, gulping sounds of feeding.

I followed the sound and saw a scene that would be burned into my memory forever.

Damon had Delia pinned against an ancient stone sarcophagus.

Her dress was torn to shreds, her legs wrapped tight around his waist.

They were engaged in the most primal, savage form of feeding.

Damon’s fangs were buried in Delia’s neck as he drank greedily from her.

Delia, in turn, bit down on his shoulder, letting out a breathy moan.

"Deeper… Damon…" Her voice was thick with lust.

"My Delia…" His voice was low and feral.

Then, Delia turned her head, her eyes locking with mine in a look of pure provocation. She kissed him again, passionately, all while he possessed her.

Her gaze screamed triumph.

See? This is what a truly loved woman looks like.

I fought back the nausea that rose in me and walked faster.

As I passed, I saw a delicate lace glove hanging from Damon's belt.

Delia's.

He was wearing her intimate things like a trophy.

I drove away from the graveyard, making a special stop at the Night Market.

I bought the most precious offerings for the Blackwood elders and for Caspian.

Dragon's Blood Amber, Evernight Roses, Tears of the Stars… each one was priceless.

When I arrived at the Blackwood castle, I ran into Damon at the entrance.

He had straightened his clothes, but a fresh bite mark was still visible on his neck.

"Isolde?" His eyes flashed with greed when he saw the ornate offering boxes in my hands. "Are those for me?"

His awkwardness melted into a smug, scornful sneer.

He reached for them, but I pulled back.

"Have fun in the graveyard?" I asked sarcastically.

Damon felt no shame. "Of course. Delia is the only partner I recognize. We can do whatever we want."

His greedy eyes licked over my neck. "But if you behave… I might 'bless' you with my attention now and then."

"Bless me?" The word tasted like poison on my tongue.

"The Monarch Caspian will be here tonight," he warned. "You'd better not cause any trouble. Just sit quietly next to me. And if you still want to be bound to me, you will apologize to Delia after the feast. For being so unreasonable today."

I let out a short, sharp laugh.

He would soon find out my choice of mate had changed.

I ignored him and walked straight into the banquet hall.

The hall was a sea of gold and crystal. The elders were already seated.

Next to the head seat was a throne that had been empty for centuries. It belonged to the legendary Monarch, Caspian.

I walked straight past the seat saved for me next to Damon.

I sat down in the seat to the right of Caspian's throne.

"Isolde!" Damon’s face changed. He rushed over and sat to my left. "Are you insane?"

His voice roared in my mind through a telepathic link. "The seat beside you belongs to the Monarch! Move, you fool! Do you have a death wish?"

I ignored him completely, smoothing my dress.

"He will kill you!" Damon’s voice screamed in my head, laced with pure terror. "No one sits beside the Monarch!"

Just then, a voice that seemed to echo from antiquity, deep and magnetic, sounded behind us.

"That won't be necessary. I have returned."