Chapter 13
326words
Then he produced the ancient covenant binding their families.
"I, Damian Nosferatu," he declared, each word like a hammer blow, "hereby renounce and destroy this covenant."
The chamber erupted in chaos.
To break a covenant was to declare war—to spit in the face of centuries of tradition.
"For a human girl, you would risk everything?" the Chief Elder demanded, incredulous.
"For my mate," Damian corrected, his eyes finding mine across the chamber, "I would burn the world to ash."
Exposed and defeated, Genevieve snapped—her careful mask crumbling into madness.
As guards dragged her away, she threw back her head in maniacal laughter and screamed to the assembled nobles.
"You think this ends here? Don't you wonder WHY he values her so much?"
"Her blood is the legendary Moonlight Blood! It heals everything, enhances power beyond measure! And now EVERYONE knows!"
Her final revenge: painting a target on my back for every power-hungry creature in the supernatural world.
After the council, in a hall bathed in moonlight, Damian approached me.
He dropped to one knee before me—a prince kneeling to a commoner.
Gone was the arrogance and possession—only vulnerability and respect remained in his eyes.
"Ophelia," he said, offering his hand palm-up—not demanding, but requesting.
"I don't deserve forgiveness, but I'm asking anyway. The road ahead is dangerous. Let me stand beside you—not as your master, but as your equal, your protector, your partner."
I searched his crimson eyes and saw only truth—and for once, I was the only thing reflected there.
I placed my hand in his. For the first time, his touch felt warm—alive.
No longer a caged bird or a walking blood bank.
I am Ophelia—guardian, protector, queen of my own destiny.
The path ahead with Damian promises danger and uncertainty.
But for the first time, we face it truly together—equals in power, partners in purpose, and finally, genuinely free.
