Chapter 13: Blood Bond
1213words
Our blood had mingled during the ritual. We were connected in ways I didn't fully understand, but in that moment, I knew I couldn't leave him to die. Whatever lies or truths existed between us, I couldn't bear a world without him in it.
I turned back, racing through the trees with newfound speed. The werewolves had pursued me into the forest, giving me the opportunity to circle around to the castle's rear entrance. Inside, the aftermath of battle was evident—broken furniture, blood-stained marble, the bodies of werewolves who had fallen to Adrian's guards.
I followed the pull in my blood to Adrian's chambers. Two vampire healers worked frantically over his pale form, their expressions grim.
"Leave us," I commanded, my voice brooking no argument.
"Your Highness," one protested, "the Duke is gravely wounded. The silver has entered his bloodstream."
"I said leave us." Power rippled through my words, and they bowed, backing from the room.
Alone with Adrian, I took in his condition. His skin had turned ashen, blue veins visible beneath the surface as the silver poison spread. His chest barely moved with shallow breaths.
I sat beside him on the bed, taking his cold hand in mine. "You fool," I whispered, tears threatening. "Why did you have to be so noble?"
His eyelids fluttered but didn't open. Through our tenuous blood connection, I could feel his life force ebbing away.
There was only one way to save him, and it would irrevocably bind us together. The ancient texts had spoken of the blood bond between royal and guardian—a sacred connection that had not been formed in centuries. Once completed, we would be linked for eternity, able to sense each other's emotions, share strength, even communicate across distances.
It would also reveal every secret, every hidden thought. There would be no more lies between us.
With trembling hands, I opened my wrist with a sharp nail. My royal blood welled up, glowing with power. I pressed the wound to Adrian's lips.
"Drink," I commanded, pushing my blood into his mouth. "Live, damn you."
For a terrifying moment, there was no response. Then his throat worked convulsively, swallowing the offering. His hand suddenly gripped my arm with surprising strength, holding my wrist to his mouth as he drank more deeply.
As my blood entered his system, I felt the connection between us flare to life. Images flooded my mind—Adrian's memories, his thoughts, his feelings. I saw him as a young vampire, horrified by his father's role in the coup. I witnessed his centuries-long search for surviving members of the royal bloodline, his oath to restore what his family had helped destroy.
And then I saw myself through his eyes—first as a broken figure in the forest, then as a determined student mastering her powers, and finally as the queen he had always believed I could become. Through it all ran a current of emotion so pure and powerful it took my breath away.
He loved me. Truly, deeply, without condition or agenda.
The silver poison in his system began to recede, pushed back by the power of royal blood. As Adrian's strength returned, the blood bond demanded completion. He released my wrist and, with effort, opened his eyes.
"Ella," he whispered, his voice rough. "What have you done?"
"What was necessary," I replied, understanding now what must happen next.
Adrian struggled to sit up. "The blood bond... you don't understand what you've initiated."
"I understand perfectly." I met his gaze steadily. "It's the only way to save you, and I've seen enough to know I want this."
His eyes widened. "You've seen...?"
"Everything," I confirmed. "Your memories, your intentions. The truth."
He reached for my face, his fingers trembling as they traced my cheek. "Then you know how I feel about you."
"Yes." I leaned into his touch. "And now you'll know how I feel about you."
I took his wrist and opened it with gentle precision, then brought it to my lips. As I drank his blood, I opened my mind completely, allowing him to see my doubts, my fears, my growing feelings for him that I had fought so hard against. The walls I had built after Luke's betrayal, slowly crumbling in Adrian's presence. The conflict I felt upon learning of his family's past, and the undeniable truth that had brought me back to him.
When I finally pulled away, our eyes met in perfect understanding. The bond between us hummed with completed power, a tangible connection that neither time nor distance could sever.
"It's done," I whispered.
Adrian's hand found mine, our fingers intertwining. "Do you regret it?"
I shook my head. "How can I regret something that feels so right?"
He pulled me gently against him, mindful of his healing wound. "The blood bond is sacred, Ella. What we've done hasn't been attempted in centuries."
"I know." I rested my head on his shoulder, feeling the steady beat of his heart. "The union of royal blood and guardian. The prophecy fulfilled."
We sat in comfortable silence, adjusting to the new awareness of each other. Through the bond, I could feel his concern, his relief, his love—emotions so clear they might as well have been my own.
"Luke escaped," Adrian said finally. "He'll return with more forces once he realizes you've come back."
"Let him come," I replied with newfound confidence. "We're stronger together than apart."
Adrian's expression grew serious. "There's more you should know. The current vampire leader, Dominic, has learned of your existence. He's mobilizing his forces against you."
"The mastermind behind the coup," I said, pieces falling into place. "He fears I'll reclaim the throne."
"With good reason." Adrian's thumb traced circles on my hand. "Your power grows daily, and now with the blood bond complete, you have access to abilities no vampire has wielded in generations."
I straightened, decision made. "Then we prepare. We gather allies, strengthen our position, and face whatever comes."
Adrian smiled, pride evident in his expression and through our bond. "As you command, my queen."
He attempted to rise but winced, his wound still not fully healed. I gently pushed him back against the pillows.
"Rest," I ordered. "We have time."
As dawn approached, I remained by Adrian's side, our hands linked, our blood connection pulsing between us. Through the bond, I could feel his consciousness drifting toward sleep, his thoughts becoming dream-like.
Just before he succumbed, a warning flashed through his mind to mine—a name I didn't recognize and information about a traitor within the Council. I tried to focus on the details, but Adrian had already fallen asleep, the information slipping away like water through fingers.
I looked down at his peaceful face, knowing that whatever challenges awaited us, we would face them together. The blood bond had given us strength, but more importantly, it had given us truth. No more secrets, no more doubts.
For the first time since my rebirth, I allowed myself to hope for a future beyond revenge and restoration—a future that included love.
