Chapter 12: Trial of Heart
1085words
Adrian noticed my withdrawal. "The Council meeting was taxing," he said as we entered the castle courtyard. "You handled yourself magnificently."
"Did I?" I replied coolly, avoiding his gaze. "Or did I simply play the role you've been grooming me for?"
He stiffened. "What's happened, Ella?"
I walked ahead of him into the grand foyer, servants bowing as we passed. Once we were alone in his study, I turned to face him.
"Tell me about your father's role in the coup against my family."
The color drained from Adrian's face. His reaction told me everything I needed to know.
"Who told you?" he asked quietly.
"So it's true." My voice remained steady despite the pain lancing through my chest. "Your family destroyed mine, and you never thought to mention it?"
Adrian moved toward me, but I stepped back. "Ella, please. It's not that simple."
"Then explain it to me," I demanded. "Explain how you could keep this from me while claiming to support my bloodline."
He ran a hand through his hair, a rare display of agitation from the normally composed duke. "My father was indeed part of the conspiracy. The House of Blackthorn aligned with the usurpers, believing the royal family had grown weak." His eyes met mine, pleading for understanding. "I was barely more than a child when it happened."
"And yet you've had decades since to tell me the truth."
"Would you have trusted me if I had?" he challenged. "If I had approached you saying, 'My family helped murder yours, but I want to help you reclaim your throne'?"
I paced the room, my emotions churning. "So instead you chose deception."
"I chose to prove myself through actions rather than words," Adrian countered. "Everything I've done has been to protect you, to prepare you for your rightful place."
"How convenient that restoring me to power also elevates your position," I said bitterly. "The son of a traitor becomes the queen's most trusted advisor."
Pain flashed across his features. "Is that what you think this is about? Political advancement?"
"What am I supposed to think?" My voice rose despite my efforts to control it. "You've been manipulating events from the moment you found me."
"Yes, I have!" he shouted, his composure finally breaking. "I've manipulated circumstances to keep you alive! I've orchestrated events to ensure you could claim your birthright safely! I've dedicated my entire existence to atoning for my father's sins!"
The raw emotion in his voice made me pause. Adrian never shouted, never lost control.
"Why?" I whispered. "Why would you do all this?"
He stepped closer, and this time I didn't retreat. "Because from the moment I found you dying in that forest, I knew my fate was tied to yours." His voice softened. "Because I've loved you since before you even knew who you were."
The confession hung in the air between us. I stared at him, searching his face for any sign of deception, but found only naked vulnerability.
"You can't love me," I said finally. "You don't even know me."
"I know you better than anyone," he insisted. "I've watched you rise from the ashes of betrayal, seen your strength and compassion. Your determination to forge your own path despite the cruelty fate has dealt you." His hand reached for mine but stopped short. "I know your heart, Ella."
I turned away, overwhelmed. "I need time. Space to think."
"Of course," he said quietly. "But know this—everything I've done, I would do again to ensure your safety and happiness. Even if you never forgive me."
That night, I packed a small bag. I couldn't stay in the castle with Adrian so close, not when my emotions were in such turmoil. I needed distance to sort through my feelings, to determine if what was growing between us was real or another manipulation.
As dawn approached, I slipped from my chambers, making my way through the silent corridors. I had nearly reached the castle's side entrance when a commotion erupted from the main hall—shouts, the clash of weapons, the unmistakable scent of werewolf.
I raced toward the sound, my heart pounding. The castle was under attack.
In the grand entrance hall, Adrian's guards were engaged in fierce combat with a dozen werewolves. At their center stood a face I had hoped never to see again—Luke, his features twisted with desperation.
"Find her!" he commanded his forces. "Lydia doesn't have much time!"
Understanding dawned. Lydia was dying from the effects of my blood, just as I had warned. Luke had come to capture me, likely hoping to extract more of my blood in a misguided attempt to save her.
I was about to retreat when I spotted Adrian entering the hall, sword drawn. "You dare invade my home?" he roared at Luke.
Luke's eyes narrowed. "The vampire who stole our prize. Return the princess to us, and we might let you live."
"She is not yours to claim," Adrian snarled, engaging Luke in combat.
Their battle was ferocious, both moving with supernatural speed. But Luke fought with the strength of desperation, while Adrian was still weakened from the blood ritual days before.
I should have fled. Every instinct told me to save myself, to let Adrian face the consequences of his family's actions. But my feet carried me forward instead.
Before I could reach them, Luke landed a devastating blow. Adrian staggered, blood blooming across his chest from a silver-tipped weapon—deadly to our kind.
"No!" The scream tore from my throat.
Luke turned, spotting me. "There you are, princess. Your blood is needed once more."
Adrian, despite his wound, lunged between us. "Run, Ella!" he gasped, blocking Luke's path.
With a snarl of frustration, Luke drove his blade deeper into Adrian's chest. Adrian collapsed to his knees, blood pooling beneath him.
Our eyes met across the chaos of battle. "Ella," he whispered, my name a prayer on his lips as he crumpled to the floor.
I fled then, not from cowardice but from necessity. I needed to draw the werewolves away from the castle, away from Adrian. As I disappeared into the pre-dawn forest, Luke's howl of rage followed me, along with the image of Adrian lying in a pool of his own blood, having given his life to protect mine.
