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My Three Monster Husbands #fullmovie #englishsub | Twisted Fate
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๐ฅ
Short filmTranscript
00:00I'm lying on the velvet bed in my castle bedroom, and three guys are leaning over me at the same
00:03time.
00:04Sebastian kneels beside me and undoes his cravat.
00:06His pale wrist comes up to my mouth, and he bites his own skin with his fangs.
00:11Little drops of blood fall onto my lips.
00:12Come on. Do that. And I'm yours.
00:17Connor is lying at the foot of the bed, his furry head resting on my thighs.
00:20He rubs his cheek against my palm, his tail sweeping restlessly over my ankles.
00:23Don't drink his mirror. Just hold me while we sleep. I'm warm.
00:27Ilion sits by my head, his dew-touched fingertips gently stroking my forehead.
00:31His golden hair falls down, brushing against my collarbone.
00:33Both of you shut it. My nature magic is what our mistress truly loves.
00:38Their eyes meet over me, and invisible sparks fly.
00:41Sebastian's nails grow longer. Connor's claws come out.
00:44Ilion's vines are already winding around the bedposts.
00:46I close my eyes, and pretend to be asleep.
00:48Doesn't matter who I pick. The other two will tear this castle apart anyway.
00:52The thing is, a month ago, I didn't even have a real bed to sleep in.
00:55Back then, I lived in a leaky little cabin on the farm.
00:57My dad was sick. Before he died, he shoved three old landies into my hands.
01:01Sweetheart, we don't have any family fortune.
01:04Those three seal stones at the edge of the farm, those are our ancestors' treasures.
01:08If you get into trouble, go dig them up. I mean, go invite them out.
01:13I didn't even have time to ask who I was supposed to invite, before someone started pounding on the gate.
01:17Witcher Barnaby kicked the door open with a dozen thugs behind him.
01:22Witcher Barnaby kicked the door open with a dozen thugs behind him.
01:25He spat his words in my face.
01:27Meera Thatcher! Your old man owes me fifty dollars.
01:30Pay up today, or I take your cow.
01:32Or you come work as a barlet in my tavern to cover the debt!
01:34Two thugs were already yanking my old dairy cow out of the barn by her rope.
01:37That cow was the only thing our family owned.
01:40I gripped those deeds tight, watched my dad's eyes close for the last time,
01:43then grabbed the shovel from the corner, and ran toward the dark woods at the back of the farm.
01:46The dirt over the first seal stone was loose, like someone had left it easy to dig up centuries ago.
01:51I swung the shovel, maybe ten times, before I hit a black wooden coffin wrapped in chains.
01:55The lid wasn't nailed shut, I pried it open with the shovel.
01:58The second I pushed that lid open, I forgot how to breathe.
02:01A man lay inside, skin pale as paper, sharp features like a statue from the Middle Ages.
02:05He wore fancy but faded, velvet clothes, his hands folded over his chest.
02:09I couldn't help myself.
02:10I reached down and poked his cold cheek.
02:12Hard and cold, no warmth.
02:14Then I lifted his eyelid.
02:15Wake up! Someone's stealing my cow, and if I can't pay the debt, I'm gonna get sold off to be
02:20a maid!
02:21No reaction.
02:22So I just climbed right into the coffin, hauled back, and slapped him across the face.
02:27His eyes snapped open, blood red, furious.
02:30A hundred years of being trapped in the dark, radiating off him like ice.
02:35Who?
02:37Meera Thatcher, last living heir to this farm.
02:40I climbed back out of the coffin.
02:42My dad said you were a lord sealed here by our ancestors.
02:45The Thatcher family's in trouble.
02:47You have to help.
02:48He laughed, a nasty sound, and sat up.
02:51His pale joints cracked.
02:52His lips curled back, showing off sharp fangs.
02:55Lock me away for centuries, and now you want my help?
02:58I'll drain you dry first, then slaughter this whole village!
03:02He didn't even finish the sentence before a dark, happy backlash of magic came out of nowhere,
03:05and exploded right on his forehead.
03:07His elegant curls frizzed up like an afro.
03:09His face turned black as soot.
03:10He froze, those red eyes going wide.
03:13A blood pact?
03:14That damned woman carved a contract and into my very soul!
03:18My eyes lit up.
03:19So you have to do what I say?
03:21Dream on!
03:22I raised my hand toward the sky.
03:23In the name of God!
03:25Stop, stop, stop!
03:26He clamped his hand over my mouth, just as a second lightning bolt of magic sizzled past
03:29his cape.
03:30Fine!
03:30I'll help!
03:31Just stop chanting, or you'll burn my clothes right off me!
03:34I let go of his hand, satisfied.
03:37What's your name?
03:39Sebastian.
03:39He shook out his fried hair, looking totally grumpy.
03:43Vampire Prince, Lord of the Night, remember, I'm not helping you because I want to.
03:47That stupid contract is forcing me.
03:49You're my personal blood bag now!
03:51Got it, Mr. Vampire.
03:53Now come on, save my cow before I get sold!
03:55I said Vampire Prince, not some ordinary vampire!
03:57By the time we got back, Butcher Barnaby was already leading my cow away.
04:00Sebastian raised an eyebrow, his pale, elegant fingers flicked once.
04:03A dark red flame, shot out of nowhere, and set Barnaby's pants leg on fire.
04:09The thugs ran screaming in all directions.
04:12Barnaby was slapping at the flames, howling-
04:13Monsters!
04:14There are dark monsters here!
04:15A few seconds later, it was just the two of us, and my confused old cow under the windmill.
04:20I patted her back, and let out a long breath.
04:22Then I turned around, and saw Sebastian, leaning against the hay bales, arms crossed, staring
04:27at the cow's neck.
04:28Pretty impressive, right?
04:29Now go get me some fresh animal blood so I don't lose control.
04:32I pointed at the kitchen.
04:34There's cornbread and milk.
04:35Get it yourself.
04:36The great vampire prince hadn't eaten in centuries, and his first meal after waking up was time's
04:40cornbread.
04:41Before we could argue, heavy hoofbeats sounded outside the gate.
04:44A man in a leather duster stood at the door, a silver compass spinning wildly in his hand,
04:48its needle pointing straight at the dark woods.
04:50Such strong dark energy.
04:52Heretic!
04:53How dare you walk the mortal realm!
04:55Sebastian's face went dark.
04:57Leave.
04:57The witch hunter laughed, and threw three bottles of holy water.
05:02A freshly unsealed vampire, acting tough?
05:05I'll cleanse you right now and be done with it!
05:08My heart sank.
05:09I tugged Sebastian's sleeve.
05:10Don't fight him.
05:11Let's go to the back hill.
05:12The back hill?
05:13Why?
05:13To unseal the other two.
05:17I grabbed my shovel.
05:18Three against one, right?
05:19We'll win!
05:20The vampire prince, calling for backup.
05:23Before he could argue, I dragged him at a sprint toward the edge of the dark woods.
05:26The second seal stone was buried near a creepy cellar, under the trees, covered in moon-faced
05:30carvings.
05:31One shovelful cracked the stone.
05:32The cellar door blew open from the inside with a wild, feral force.
05:35Then a huge, muscular shadow lunged out of the cellar.
05:38Ripped shirt, corded muscles, a low animal growl in his throat.
05:41His green eyes glowed in the lantern light, wild and untamed.
05:44Sebastian stepped in front of me, fangs out.
05:46Connor?
05:47What are you doing here?
05:49The shadow lunged forward.
05:50I finally saw him clearly.
05:51A rugged, wild-looking guy.
05:53Bronze skin, messy hair, pure power and feral energy radiating off him.
05:57His eyes went right past Sebastian, and landed on me.
06:00The aggression in his face melted into pure...
06:02Pack leader.
06:03You finally came for me!
06:04Sebastian's eyes went dark with jealousy.
06:06She's not your pack leader!
06:07She's my blood bag!
06:09Just then, the third seal stone under the big old oak tree, shattered all by itself.
06:13Out of the blue magical glow, a blonde man rose up from the dirt and roots beneath the
06:16tree, tall and lean, with pointed ears.
06:19The elf, Ilion, didn't even glance at the other two arguing.
06:22He walked straight to me, gave a graceful bow, took my hand.
06:25Nature Mage Eilan at your service.
06:27Impressed an icy kiss to my knuckles.
06:29I have waited a hundred years for you, my lady.
06:31Let me be your reason, your shield.
06:34Before I could react, Connor let out a happy, and launched himself at me.
06:38Sebastian and Ilion moved at the same time.
06:40Don't you dare touch her!
06:42But Connor dodged them both, and buried his face in my chest, rubbing his broad shoulder
06:45against my neck like a giant, desperate puppy.
06:48Mira!
06:49Mira!
06:49I missed you so much!
06:51You still smell so good!
06:53I looked at the clingy, feral wolfman in my arms, then at the cold, elegant elf, then at
06:57the vampire, whose pale face was turning even paler with rage.
07:00My dad wasn't lying.
07:01Those three seal stones really were treasures.
07:04Three treasures who could fight, do chores, and call me mistress.
07:08Okay, um...
07:09I cleared my throat.
07:10Can we skip the reunion for a second?
07:12There's a witch hunter outside who says he's gonna smash your stones and cleanse you.
07:16The back of Connor's hand was covered with wolf fur and sharp claws, and his eyes were fierce.
07:19Anyone tries to smash my stone, I'll rip him apart.
07:22Ilion's slender fingertips condensed a strand of emerald green magic power.
07:26Stupid mortal.
07:27Sebastian snorted and straightened his cravat.
07:30Neither of you lift a finger.
07:31I'll handle him myself.
07:33The three of them locked eyes, and sparks literally flew.
07:35The witch hunter had just reached the barn, when he saw three beings radiating terrifying
07:38dark and magical energy.
07:40His face went white.
07:41Three?
07:41Three epic level monsters?
07:46The hunter turned and ran.
07:48Connor dropped to all fours, and charged like a giant wolf.
07:50Ilion raised a finger, and roots burst out of the ground, wrapping around the hunter's
07:54ankles.
07:55Sebastian became a blur, reappeared, and planted a foot on his chest.
07:58Three seconds.
07:59That's all it took.
08:00The cocky witch hunter was tied up in vines.
08:02God in heaven!
08:03Mercy!
08:04I squatted down in front of him.
08:06You go back and tell your witch hunter's guild that this farm is that your private property.
08:10Anyone who comes back here causing trouble gets their guild hall torn down by these three.
08:13Yes!
08:14Yes!
08:14I'll tell them!
08:15The hunter scrambled up, and ran into the woods.
08:17Crisis over.
08:18I let out a breath, and turned to the three of them.
08:21All right, let's go inside.
08:23Okay.
08:24Mira, I'll carry your tools for you.
08:26Ilion stepped close, and flicked his fingers.
08:28A little breeze brushed the dust off my shoulders.
08:29You must be tired, my lady.
08:31Let me carry you home with magic.
08:32Sebastian yanked me into his dark cape, and glared at the other two.
08:35Both of you, back off.
08:36She's my contractor.
08:38My blood bag.
08:40What gives you the right?
08:41Connor argued.
08:42I'm the strongest!
08:43I'm the muscle of this farm!
08:45I have the most wisdom.
08:46Ilion said, calmly.
08:48I can give her the most rational advice.
08:50I-I have the most class.
08:52Sebastian sputtered.
08:53Her blood belongs only to me!
08:55Help!
08:56I didn't unseal three helpers.
08:58I woke up three jealous, attention-hungry monsters.
09:03Back at the farmhouse, it was already noon.
09:05I baked a big tray of cornbread, and fried six big slabs of bacon.
09:08The second I put the plate on a table, three hands reached for it.
09:11All three collided.
09:13I was woken up first.
09:14I get three.
09:15Huh, says who?
09:16I'm the strongest.
09:17I do the most work.
09:18I get three.
09:20I have the longest lifespan.
09:22Show some respect for your elders.
09:23Nobody respects a leaf-eating old elf.
09:26Who are you calling old?
09:27They were about to come to blows, when I slammed my tin cup on the table.
09:31Stop!
09:32All three froze.
09:33They sat down properly, like kids caught by a teacher.
09:36Two pieces each.
09:37No fighting.
09:39Now eat up.
09:39I divided everything evenly.
09:43Then you're all working.
09:44Sebastian split firewood.
09:45Ilyon, draw water from the well.
09:47Connor, fix the barn roof.
09:49I was so naive.
09:51They were great workers.
09:52Sebastian, with vampire strength, split ten logs with one swing.
09:55He'd piled up a whole yard of wood, in no time.
09:57Ilyon drew water gracefully, not a drop spilled, and filled the barrel fast.
10:00Connor fixed the barn roof easily, lifting entire beams by himself, without a ladder.
10:04But they were also, trouble magnets.
10:07While splitting wood, Sebastian kicked sawdust all over Ilyon's white silk shirt, leaving black
10:11smudges.
10:12When Ilyon came back from the well, he used his magic to flick water droplets onto Sebastian's
10:16polished Italian leather shoes.
10:17After Connor fixed the barn, he saw the other two fighting, and gleefully joined in, slamming
10:21into Sebastian with his wolf strength.
10:22The fight escalated.
10:24Sebastian turned into a swarm of bats to confuse them.
10:26Ilyon summoned thorns to tangle their ankles.
10:29Connor grew claws and started wrecking everything around him.
10:33By the time I ran out to see what the noise was, the farmyard was a disaster zone.
10:36Fooling around with another woman right in front of my eyes.
10:39I'm not going to marry you anymore.
10:40That night I accepted my father's arranged match and left Dusk Hollow entirely.
10:44Three years later, I was back to the town.
10:46I walked out and froze.
10:47That person was Silas, my ex.
10:49I told you, she'd come crawling back.
10:51He grabbed my wrist again and ripped the pendant free.
10:53Caius gave me that.
10:54Silas hit me across the face.
10:55Frank is the lady of the Ash Wheel line.
10:57She's made it to the Lord Caius, our bar's mistress.
11:00My husband's bar.
11:01Where do you think you're going?
11:02I pulled free.
11:03That's your table.
11:04Mine is up there.
11:05I watched my boyfriend fooling around with another woman right in front of my eyes.
11:09My heart shattered completely.
11:11How could he betray me like this?
11:12Lena, Nova is with my baby.
11:14I'm not going to marry you anymore.
11:16Still there?
11:17Fuck off.
11:19I think back to all the kindness he showed me.
11:22But all of that is long gone.
11:24He walked out with the new female bartender instead.
11:26He looked at me like it meant nothing.
11:29Nova's baby needs a father on paper.
11:31Once I divorce her, I'll marry you.
11:33That night, I accepted my father's arranged match and left Dusk Hollow entirely.
11:37Three years later, I was back to the town.
11:39My husband had a work emergency, so he had his people in Dusk Hollow to collect me.
11:44I walked out and froze.
11:45That person was Silas, my ex.
11:48Hey, isn't that you obsessed ex?
11:50Isn't that waiter, Lena?
11:55See?
11:56I told you.
11:57She'd come crawling back.
11:58She vanished without a trace.
12:00Now she sees Simas as rich.
12:01She probably cries herself to sleep every night.
12:03But Lena, if you were going to stage a reunion, at least show up in something decent.
12:06You can't afford better than that?
12:08You look this pathetic.
12:11I used to dress sharply every single time I knew I'd see Silas.
12:15Best clothes.
12:15Best version of myself.
12:17Always.
12:17Not anymore.
12:18No point.
12:19I was pregnant now.
12:20My husband had told me to wear whatever was comfortable.
12:22The clothes I'm wearing were chosen by him.
12:24They had no idea I was the person they'd been sent here to collect.
12:27Lena, hey, it's good you're back.
12:29Simas been asking after you for years.
12:32Our son is entering the young training cohort soon.
12:34From now on, you're in charge of the drop-off.
12:35He was still so incredibly arrogant, but I wasn't that naive girl anymore.
12:39I didn't want to waste another second on them.
12:42I am-
12:42Please don't blame Silamus.
12:44He's just trying to take care of you.
12:45Who knows what kind of shady stuff you had to do to survive these years.
12:48Maybe a hooker.
12:49Silas caught my face and assumed I was jealous.
12:52Something flickered in his eyes.
12:53Satisfaction.
12:54All right, Lena, drop the attitude.
12:55You clearly can't survive out there, so stop throwing tantrums and learn your place.
12:59Damn, Lena.
13:00Look how good Silas is to you.
13:02He's giving you free room and board.
13:05Isn't babysitting better than whatever trashy life you're living now?
13:08Hurry up and say thank you.
13:09Don't worry, dear.
13:10If my son acts up, I'll handle him myself.
13:13You won't be mistreated.
13:14Why would she be mistreated?
13:15She bolted over nothing.
13:16She's back because the outside world didn't want her.
13:18A little humility is good for her.
13:20My heart stopped for a beat.
13:21The Silas who used to love me was long gone.
13:23He was no longer the one who protected me when I was sexually assaulted in the bar.
13:27But that was fine.
13:28It was over.
13:28No point.
13:29I was about to have my second child.
13:33Aren't you here to pick me up?
13:35Let's go.
13:35Silence fell over the clearing.
13:37Then someone laughed.
13:38Pick you up, please.
13:40Read this carefully.
13:41We're here for Wren.
13:43You even know who that is?
13:44Of course I knew.
13:45It was my name.
13:46Wrenk is the lady of the Ash Wheel line.
13:47She's made it to the Lord Caius, our bar's mistress.
13:50Yeah.
13:50Caius is a legend.
13:51The child of the dark.
13:53He is coldest creature alive in the field, but completely devoted to one mate.
13:56Rumor is he refused every offer for years.
13:58Just waiting for Wren.
13:59Everyone who matters knows the rule.
14:00You want Caius' favor?
14:01Go through Wren.
14:02She is everything to him.
14:04I listened to them talk and felt myself smile.
14:06Three years of marriage.
14:08Caius' bussiness had doubled.
14:09So had his reputation as the most fiercely devoted mate any supernatural alive had ever witnessed.
14:13Caius had a one-of-a-kind piece commissioned.
14:16The Nightbloom Pendant.
14:17An enchanted Moonstone set in black iron.
14:19He paid a Witch Lord's ransom for it.
14:20Just to give to Rin.
14:22That pendant.
14:23That's it!
14:25Everyone looked.
14:26The whole entrance went quiet.
14:30Nice knockoff.
14:31Is this your salary for fucking man?
14:33I ran my thumb over the Moonstone.
14:35Silas saw me smiling and his expression changed.
14:38He grabbed my wrist again and ripped the pendant free.
14:41Nova took it from him, turned it over in her hands.
14:43Better quality than the replica I had made.
14:45Not that I'd ever wear mine outside.
14:46This outer territory imitation is something else.
14:49Then she laughed.
14:51Wait!
14:51Don't tell me you're Rin!
14:53Don't tell me you're Lord Caius' mate!
14:54The whole group fell apart.
14:56Caius was a myth walking.
14:57No one had ever seen his face and lived to gossip carelessly about it.
15:01And three years ago, I was just the wolf girl who'd been abandoned.
15:04They certainly wouldn't believe that two people like that could have any connection.
15:10I'll buy it off you, Lena.
15:12Double what you paid.
15:13I was scared she'd drop it.
15:16Give it back.
15:18Caius gave me that.
15:18Silas hit me across the face.
15:20My head snapped sideways.
15:21I tasted blood.
15:22Shut up!
15:23He looked furious.
15:24You do not say that man's name.
15:26You want to spread rumors about being connected to him?
15:29You trying to get us all killed?
15:30Caius is the bar boss!
15:32We all answer to him!
15:33Everything depends on staying in his favor!
15:35Whatever he saw in my eyes made him flinch.
15:38Nova caught it, pointed a finger in my face.
15:41Pathetic.
15:43He pulled out a coin pouch.
15:45For old time's sake, I'm letting this go.
15:47Take the gold.
15:47Get yourself something decent to wear.
15:49If you don't want to watch my pup, I'll find you something tolerable.
15:52Don't worry.
15:52The charity in his voice made me sick.
15:54I pushed the pouch back.
15:55Took the pendant from Nova's grip.
15:56No thanks.
15:57I don't take things from strangers.
16:00The Hollow and Fang is hosting the Grand Conqueration in three days.
16:03I was going to bring you.
16:04Show you something real.
16:05He looked me up and down.
16:06But you'd need to actually look the part.
16:08Can't embarrass me.
16:10I'm good.
16:11But thanks.
16:12His hand froze mid-air.
16:14He bit down.
16:14Fine.
16:15I'll take Nova.
16:17I won't let you down.
16:18I didn't look back.
16:19Hope you're still this confident in three days.
16:22Fresh air.
16:22The nausea faded.
16:24I put on a little charm ink and made my way to the Hollow and Fang alone.
16:27The Hollow and Fang.
16:29The most famous gathering place in the supernatural world.
16:31My husband's bar.
16:32Silas saw me the second I pushed through the iron door.
16:35Couldn't stay away.
16:36But if you're trying to win me back, you have to put in more effort.
16:38You can't show up to the Grand Conqueration dressed like that.
16:39I walked past him without a word.
16:42He grabbed my arm.
16:43I'm talking to you.
16:44Our staff table is over here.
16:46Where do you think you're going?
16:47I pulled free.
16:48That's your table.
16:50Mine is up there.
16:52His face went pale.
16:56How did she get in here?
16:58Our son is entering the young training cohort soon.
17:00From now on, you're in charge of the drop-off.
17:02He was still so incredibly arrogant, but I wasn't that naive girl anymore.
17:05I didn't want to waste another second on them.
17:08I am-
17:09Please don't blame Silamus.
17:10He's just trying to take care of you.
17:12Who knows what kind of shady stuff you had to do to survive these years.
17:15Maybe a hooker.
17:16Silas caught my face and assumed I was jealous.
17:18Something flickered in his eyes.
17:20Satisfaction.
17:20All right, Lena.
17:21Drop the attitude.
17:22You clearly can't survive out there, so stop throwing tantrums and learn your place.
17:25Damn, Lena.
17:26Look how good Silas is to you.
17:28He's giving you free room and board.
17:31Isn't babysitting better than whatever trashy life you're living now?
17:34Hurry up and say thank you.
17:36Don't worry, dear.
17:37If my son acts up, I'll handle him myself.
17:39You won't be mistreated.
17:40Why would she be mistreated?
17:42She bolted over nothing.
17:43She's back because the outside world didn't want her.
17:45A little humility is good for her.
17:46My heart stopped for a beat.
17:47The Silas who used to love me was long gone.
17:50He was no longer the one who protected me when I was sexually assaulted in the bar.
17:53But that was fine.
17:54It was over.
17:55No point.
17:56I was about to have my second child.
18:00Aren't you here to pick me up?
18:01Let's go.
18:02Silence fell over the clearing.
18:03Then someone laughed.
18:05Pick you up?
18:05Please.
18:06Read this carefully.
18:08We're here for Ren.
18:09You even know who that is?
18:11Of course I knew.
18:11It was my name.
18:12Renk is the Lady of the Ash Wheel line.
18:14She's made it to the Lord Caius, our bar's mistress.
18:16Yeah.
18:17Caius is a legend.
18:18The child of the dark.
18:19He is coldest creature alive in the field, but completely devoted to one mate.
18:23Rumor is he refused every offer for years.
18:24Just waiting for Ren.
18:26Everyone who matters knows the rule.
18:27You want Caius' favor?
18:28Go through Wern.
18:29She is everything to him.
18:30I listened to them talk and felt myself smile.
18:33Three years of marriage.
18:34Caius' bussiness had doubled.
18:36So had his reputation as the most fiercely devoted mate any supernatural alive had ever witnessed.
18:40Caius had a one-of-a-kind piece commissioned.
18:42The nightbloom pendant.
18:43An enchanted moonstone set in black iron.
18:45He paid a witch lord's ransom for it.
18:47Just to give to Rin.
18:48That pendant.
18:49That's it!
18:52Everyone looked.
18:53The whole entrance went quiet.
18:56Nice knockoff.
18:58Is this your salary for fucking man?
19:00I ran my thumb over the moonstone.
19:02Silas saw me smiling and his expression changed.
19:04He grabbed my wrist again and ripped the pendant free.
19:07Nova took it from him, turned it over in her hand.
19:09Better quality than the replica I had made.
19:11Not that I'd ever wear mine outside.
19:13This outer territory imitation is something else.
19:16Then she laughed.
19:17Wait.
19:18Don't tell me you're Rin.
19:19Don't tell me you're Lord Caius' mate.
19:21The whole group fell apart.
19:22Caius was a myth walking.
19:23No one had ever seen his face and lived to gossip carelessly about it.
19:27And three years ago, I was just the wolf girl who'd been abandoned.
19:30They certainly wouldn't believe that two people like that could have any connection.
19:37I'll buy it off you, Lena.
19:38Double what you paid.
19:40I was scared she'd drop it.
19:42Give it back.
19:44Caius gave me that.
19:45Silas hit me across the face.
19:46My head snapped sideways.
19:47I tasted blood.
19:49Shut up!
19:50He looked furious.
19:51You do not say that man's name.
19:53You want to spread rumors about being connected to him?
19:55You trying to get us all killed?
19:57Caius is the bar boss!
19:58We all answer to him!
19:59Everything depends on staying in his favor!
20:02Whatever he saw in my eyes made him flinch.
20:04Nova caught it, pointed a finger in my face.
20:08Pathetic.
20:09He pulled out a coin pouch.
20:11For old time's sake, I'm letting this go.
20:13Take the gold.
20:14Get yourself something decent to wear.
20:15If you don't want to watch my pup, I'll find you something tolerable.
20:18Don't worry.
20:19The charity in his voice made me sick.
20:20I pushed the pouch back, took the pendant from Nova's grip.
20:23No thanks.
20:24I don't take things from strangers.
20:26The hollow and fang is hosting the Grand Conqueration in three days.
20:30I was going to bring you, show you something real.
20:32He looked me up and down.
20:33But you'd need to actually look the part.
20:35Can't embarrass me.
20:36I'm good.
20:38But thanks.
20:39His hand froze midair.
20:40He bit down.
20:41Fine.
20:41I'll take Nova.
20:43I won't let you down.
20:44I didn't look back.
20:46Hope you're still this confident in three days.
20:48Fresh air.
20:49The nausea faded.
20:50I put on a little charm ink and made my way to the hollow and fang alone.
20:54The hollow and fang.
20:55The most famous gathering place in the supernatural world.
20:58My husband's bar.
20:59Silas saw me the second I pushed through the iron door.
21:01Couldn't stay away.
21:02But if you're trying to win me back, you have to put in more effort.
21:04You can't show up to the Grand Conqueration dressed like that.
21:06I walked past him without a word.
21:08He grabbed my arm.
21:09I'm talking to you.
21:11Our staff table is over here.
21:12Where do you think you're going?
21:13I pulled free.
21:15That's your table.
21:16Mine is up there.
21:19His face went pale.
21:23How did she get in here?
21:24In my last life, Celeste chose the dragonborn heir first.
21:29I am the Duchess of Dreyren now.
21:32That one sentence stripped Celeste of everything.
21:35From that day on, she lost her mind.
21:38I am the clan lord's wife!
21:40I am!
21:41But I took hold of the werewolf clan.
21:43I won my husband's devotion, and became the woman everyone envied.
21:47She switched my tea before I died.
21:51Go to hell with me!
21:53We were back.
21:54Back to the choosing.
21:56Celeste, Val, and I were summoned back to choose our beast-born marriage partners.
21:59She was excited.
22:00Too excited.
22:04She chose the very trap meant for me.
22:06Celeste rushed forward first.
22:08Did you truly understand what she had chosen?
22:12Werewolves were ruled by instinct.
22:14Could she endure it?
22:16Even Duchess Vale froze.
22:21Have you truly thought this through?
22:23Mother, in this life, I will marry no one but him.
22:26His instinct had already answered her.
22:29In the end, Duchess Vale agreed.
22:31The dragonborn heir saw the decision settle.
22:34Then, Lady Evelyn, I will send the betrothal gifts tomorrow.
22:37So she wanted my old fate.
22:39Let her have it.
22:40For three years, Cale and Celeste played an affectionate couple in public.
22:43Behind closed doors, he treated her with chilling indifference.
22:47Then his hidden mistress appeared with an illegitimate son.
22:50Celeste lost every shred of dignity.
22:52Even Dutch Vale could not save her.
22:54This time, she took my old husband first.
22:57She thought she had stolen my fortune.
22:58But I knew how that fate truly ended.
23:00To everyone else, Cale seemed cold, noble, and unmatched.
23:04But he had hidden another woman all along.
23:06Were thrown out before everyone.
23:08She knew none of what waited for her.
23:10Everyone knew the werewolf clan was despised.
23:13The dragonborn claimed one lawful mate for life.
23:15So now, Cale was mine to use.
23:18How long could she endure his devotion?
23:21She had chosen first.
23:24In this life, she chose my former husband first.
23:27How long can she endure his devotion?
23:29The drail gifts arrived quickly.
23:32Half the courtyard became my dowry.
23:35Every gift made my position harder to erase.
23:38Celeste ignored the werewolf clan's poor gifts.
23:41Mother, add more to my dowry.
23:44Duchess Vale still gave her what she wanted.
23:46Then Lyanna brought me news.
23:48I have met in private several times.
23:50So it had already begun.
23:52Once, they came out of a narrow alley in disarray.
23:55Many passers-by saw them.
23:57By that evening, the whole estate would know.
24:00That very day, she came to flaunt it before me.
24:04My future husband and I are in love.
24:08That is how he adores me.
24:10If you gossip to mother, I will not spare you.
24:13She glared at me and walked away.
24:16I did not care about her threat.
24:18She no longer looked innocent.
24:20What should not have happened?
24:22Already had.
24:26On my wedding day, two white-draped carriages left the Vale estate.
24:30The bells rang.
24:31Everyone saw only grandeur.
24:33Kale looked pleased.
24:34I knew why.
24:35This wedding was never about love.
24:37He needed a lawful wife first.
24:39House Draven had one legitimate son.
24:40He could not inherit until he married and produced an heir.
24:44No matter what happened, Kale would benefit.
24:47Relief flashed first.
24:49Distapleasure came after.
24:50Today is the day I marry my Duchess.
24:52If he had startled the carriage, ten heads would not be enough.
24:56Servants, take them away.
25:01I am truly sorry.
25:02I will leave at once.
25:04I could not let her leave so easily.
25:07One word from me could change where she stood.
25:10My lord, why be so harsh?
25:12He feared her staying.
25:14That was enough.
25:16Today is our wedding day.
25:17Let us do one kind thing.
25:19She wanted House Draken more than mercy.
25:24I need another woman to serve near me.
25:26Kale's silence was louder than denial.
25:29Let her enter the estate with us.
25:30She saw the door.
25:32She would not refuse.
25:33And I thank you, my lady.
25:36He could not stop her in front of everyone.
25:39From this moment, she entered my board.
25:41A door opened for her.
25:43A trap opened for him.
25:45The procession moved on.
25:47And so did the rumor.
25:48The new Duchess is truly kind.
25:51She even gave that poor woman work.
25:54They praised me for opening the gate.
25:57Just like House Draken.
25:58They are good people.
26:00Let her come.
26:01I needed her close.
26:04The ceremony was over.
26:05The real game had begun.
26:07Liana sent the attendants away before she dared speak.
26:09She was furious.
26:10I already knew why.
26:12My lady, Lord Kale secretly sent a man to settle that woman and her heir in the side courtyard.
26:17Oh.
26:20My lady, doesn't House Dracal forbid concubines?
26:24How can Lord Kale still do such a filthy thing?
26:27You have not truly settled into this marriage.
26:29Expose him and return to your family.
26:31What is the hurry?
26:32I was already inside House Draven.
26:35Since I have come here, I will not let an outside woman climb over my head.
26:38Unlike Celeste, I had no mother powerful enough to defend me.
26:41To them, I was only a pawn.
26:44If I went home, I would be mocked and cast out.
26:47What I wanted was House Draven itself.
26:49So what if Kale was rotten at the core?
26:52With a son or daughter, no one could shake my position.
26:56Right on time.
26:59In my last life, Celeste chose the dragonborn heir first.
27:05I am the Duchess of Draven now.
27:07That one sentence stripped Celeste of everything.
27:10From that day on, she lost her mind.
27:13I am the clan lord's wife!
27:15I am!
27:16But I took hold of the werewolf clan.
27:18I won my husband's devotion and became the woman everyone envied.
27:22She switched my tea before I died.
27:26Go to hell with me.
27:28We were back.
27:30Back to the choosing.
27:31Celeste, Val, and I were summoned back to choose our beast-born marriage partners.
27:35She was excited.
27:36Too excited.
27:39She chose the very trap meant for me.
27:42Celeste rushed forward first.
27:43Did she truly understand what she had chosen?
27:47Werewolves were ruled by instinct.
27:49Could she endure it?
27:51Even Duchess Vale froze.
27:56Have you truly thought this through?
27:58Mother, in this life,
28:00I will marry no one but him.
28:02His instinct had already answered her.
28:04In the end,
28:05Duchess Vale agreed.
28:06The dragonborn heir saw the decision settle.
28:09Then, Lady Evelyn,
28:10I will send the betrothal gifts tomorrow.
28:12So she wanted my old fate.
28:14Let her have it.
28:15For three years,
28:16Cale and Celeste played an affectionate couple in public.
28:18Behind closed doors,
28:20he treated her with chilling indifference.
28:22Then his hidden mistress appeared with an illegitimate son.
28:25Celeste lost every shred of dignity.
28:27Even Dutch Vale could not save her.
28:30This time,
28:31she took my old husband first.
28:32She thought she had stolen my fortune.
28:34But I knew how that fate truly ended.
28:36To everyone else,
28:37Cale seemed cold,
28:38noble,
28:38and unmatched.
28:39But he had hidden another woman all along.
28:42We're thrown out before everyone.
28:43She knew none of what waited for her.
28:45Everyone knew the werewolf clan was despised.
28:48The dragonborn claimed one lawful mate for life.
28:51So now,
28:52Cale was mine to use.
28:53How long could she endure his devotion?
28:56She had chosen first.
28:59In this life,
29:00she chose my former husband first.
29:02How long can she endure his devotion?
29:04The drail gifts arrived quickly.
29:08Half the courtyard became my dowry.
29:10Every gift made my position harder to erase.
29:14Celeste ignored the werewolf clan's poor gifts.
29:17Mother,
29:17add more to my dowry.
29:19Duchess Vale still gave her what she wanted.
29:21Then Liana brought me news.
29:23We have met in private several times.
29:25So it had already begun.
29:27Once,
29:28they came out of a narrow alley in disarray.
29:31Many passersby saw them.
29:32By that evening,
29:33the whole estate would know.
29:35That very day,
29:36she came to flaunt it before me.
29:39My future husband and I are in love.
29:43That is how he adores me.
29:45If you gossip to mother,
29:47I will not spare you.
29:48She glared at me and walked away.
29:51I did not care about her threat.
29:54She no longer looked innocent.
29:56What should not have happened?
29:58Already had.
30:01On my wedding day,
30:02two white-draped carriages left the Vale estate.
30:05The bells rang.
30:06Everyone saw only grandeur.
30:08Kale looked pleased.
30:09I knew why.
30:10This wedding was never about love.
30:12He needed a lawful wife first.
30:14House Draven had one legitimate son.
30:16He could not inherit until he married and produced an heir.
30:19No matter what happened,
30:21Kale would benefit.
30:22Relief flashed first.
30:24Distipleasure came after.
30:25Today is the day I marry my duchess.
30:28If he had startled the carriage,
30:30ten heads would not be enough.
30:32Servants,
30:32take them away.
30:36I am truly sorry.
30:38I will leave at once.
30:39I could not let her leave so easily.
30:42One word from me could change where she stood.
30:45My lord,
30:46why be so harsh?
30:47He feared her staying.
30:49That was enough.
30:51Today is our wedding day.
30:53Let us do one kind thing.
30:55She wanted House Draken more than mercy.
30:59I need another woman to serve near me.
31:02Kale's silence was louder than denial.
31:04Let her enter the estate with us.
31:06She saw the door.
31:07She would not refuse.
31:09And I thank you, my lady.
31:11He could not stop her in front of everyone.
31:14From this moment,
31:15she entered my board.
31:17A door opened for her.
31:18A trap opened for him.
31:20The procession moved on,
31:22and so did the rumor.
31:24The new duchess is truly kind.
31:26She even gave that poor woman work.
31:30They praised me for opening the gate.
31:32Just like House Draken.
31:33They are good people.
31:35Let her come.
31:36I needed her close.
31:39The ceremony was over.
31:41The real game had begun.
31:42Liana sent the attendants away before she dared speak.
31:45She was furious.
31:46I already knew why.
31:47My lady,
31:48Lord Kale secretly sent a man to settle that woman and her heir in the side courtyard.
31:53Oh.
31:55My lady,
31:57doesn't House Dracal forbid concubines?
31:59How can Lord Kale still do such a filthy thing?
32:02You have not truly settled into this marriage.
32:04Expose him,
32:05and return to your family.
32:07What is the hurry?
32:08I was already inside House Draken.
32:10Since I have come here,
32:11I will not let an outside woman climb over my head.
32:13Unlike Celeste,
32:14I had no mother powerful enough to defend me.
32:17To them,
32:17I was only a pawn.
32:19If I went home,
32:20I would be mocked and cast out.
32:22What I wanted was House Draken itself.
32:25So what if Kale was rotten at the core?
32:27With a son or daughter,
32:28no one could shake my position.
32:32Right on time.
32:35I'm lying on the velvet bed in my castle bedroom,
32:37and three guys are leaning over me at the same time.
32:39The thing is,
32:39a month ago,
32:40I didn't even have a real bed to sleep in.
32:42Back then,
32:42I lived in a leaky little cabin on the farm.
32:44My dad was sick.
32:45Before he died,
32:46he shoved three old land deeds into my hands.
32:48Richard Barnaby kicked the door open,
32:49with a dozen thugs behind him.
32:50Your old man owes me $50.
32:52Pay up today,
32:52or I take your cow.
32:54Then grabbed the shovel from the corner,
32:55and ran toward the dark woods at the back of the farm,
32:57before I hit a black wooden coffin,
32:58wrapped in chains.
32:59No reaction.
33:00So I just climbed right into the coffin,
33:02pulled back,
33:02and slapped him across the face.
33:04What's your name?
33:05Sebastian.
33:06Vampire prince,
33:06lord of the night.
33:07Heavy hoofbeats sounded outside the gate.
33:09A man in a leather duster stood at the door,
33:10a silver compass spinning wildly in his hand.
33:12Such strong dark energy.
33:15Heretic!
33:15Let's go to the back hill.
33:17Why?
33:17To unseal the other two.
33:19Then a huge,
33:20muscular shadow
33:21lunged out of the cellar,
33:22pure power and feral energy radiating off him.
33:24The third seal stone under the big old oak tree
33:26shattered all by itself.
33:27A blonde man rose up from the dirt and roots,
33:29tall and lean,
33:30with pointed ears.
33:31The elf,
33:32Ilion.
33:33My dad wasn't lying.
33:34Those three seal stones really were treasures.
33:36Three treasures.
33:37You could fight,
33:38do chores,
33:38and call me mistress.
33:39I'm lying on the velvet bed in my castle bedroom,
33:41and three guys are leaning over me at the same time.
33:43Sebastian kneels beside me,
33:45and undoes his cravat.
33:46His pale wrist comes up to my mouth,
33:47and he bites his own skin,
33:49with his fangs.
33:50Little drops of blood fall onto my lips.
33:52Come on.
33:53Do that.
33:55Just hold me while we sleep.
33:57I'm warm.
33:58Ilion sits by my head,
33:59his dew-touched fingertips gently stroking my forehead.
34:01His golden hair falls down,
34:03brushing against my collarbone.
34:04Both of you shut it.
34:05My nature magic is what our mistress truly loves.
34:08Their eyes meet over me,
34:09and invisible sparks fly.
34:11Sebastian's nails grow longer.
34:13Connor's claws come out.
34:14Ilion's vines are already winding around the bedposts.
34:16I close my eyes,
34:17and pretend to be asleep.
34:19Doesn't matter who I pick.
34:20The other two will tear this castle apart anyway.
34:22The thing is,
34:23a month ago,
34:23I didn't even have a real bed to sleep in.
34:25Back then,
34:26I lived in a leaky little cabin on the farm.
34:27My dad was sick.
34:29Before he died,
34:30he shoved three old land deeds into my hands.
34:32Sweetheart,
34:32we don't have any family fortune.
34:34Those three seal stones at the edge of the farm,
34:36those are our ancestors' treasures.
34:39If you get into trouble,
34:40go dig them up.
34:41I mean,
34:42go invite them out.
34:43I didn't even have time to ask who I was supposed to invite,
34:45before someone started pounding on the gate.
34:47Butcher Barnaby kicked the door open
34:48with a dozen thugs behind him.
34:53Butcher Barnaby kicked the door open
34:54with a dozen thugs behind him.
34:56He spat his words in my face.
34:57Meera Thatcher!
34:58Your old man owes me fifty dollars.
35:00Pay up today,
35:01or I take your cow.
35:02Or you come work as a barlet in my tavern
35:04to cover the debt!
35:05Two thugs were already yanking my old dairy cow
35:06out of the barn by her rope.
35:08That cow was the only thing our family owned.
35:10I gripped those deeds tight,
35:12watched my dad's eyes close for the last time,
35:13then grabbed the shovel from the corner,
35:15and ran toward the dark woods at the back of the farm.
35:17The dirt over the first seal stone was loose,
35:19like someone had left it easy to dig up centuries ago.
35:21I swung the shovel,
35:22maybe ten times,
35:23before I hit a black wooden coffin wrapped in chains.
35:26The lid wasn't nailed shut,
35:27I pried it open with the shovel.
35:28The second I pushed that lid open,
35:30I forgot how to breathe.
35:31A man lay inside,
35:32skin pale as paper,
35:34sharp features like a statue from the Middle Ages.
35:35He wore fancy but faded,
35:37velvet clothes,
35:38his hands folded over his chest.
35:39I couldn't help myself.
35:41I reached down and poked his cold cheek.
35:42Hard and cold.
35:43No warmth.
35:44Then I lifted his eyelid.
35:46Wake up!
35:47Someone's stealing my cow,
35:48and if I can't pay the debt,
35:49I'm gonna get sold off to be a maid!
35:51No reaction.
35:52So I just climbed right into the coffin,
35:54hauled back,
35:54and slapped him across the face.
35:57His eyes snapped open,
35:59blood red,
36:00furious.
36:01A hundred years of being trapped in the dark,
36:03radiating off him like ice.
36:05Who?
36:08Meera Thatcher,
36:09last living heir to this farm.
36:11I climbed back out of the coffin.
36:12My dad said you were a lord sealed here by our ancestors.
36:16The Thatcher family's in trouble.
36:17You have to help.
36:19He laughed,
36:19a nasty sound,
36:20and sat up.
36:21His pale joints cracked,
36:22his lips curled back,
36:24showing off sharp fangs.
36:25Lock me away for centuries,
36:27and now you want my help?
36:29I'll drain you dry first,
36:31then slaughter this whole village!
36:32He didn't even finish the sentence
36:33before a dark,
36:34happy backlash of magic
36:35came out of nowhere
36:36and exploded right on his forehead.
36:37His elegant curls frizzed up like an afro,
36:39his face turned black as soot.
36:41He froze,
36:42those red eyes going wide.
36:43A blood pact?
36:45That damned woman
36:46carved a contract
36:47and into my very soul!
36:48My eyes lit up.
36:49So you have to do what I say?
36:51Dream on!
36:52I raised my hand toward the sky.
36:53In the name of God!
36:55Stop, stop, stop!
36:56He clamped his hand over my mouth,
36:58just as a second lightning bolt of magic
36:59sizzled past his cape.
37:00Fine!
37:01I'll help!
37:01Just stop chanting,
37:03or you'll burn my clothes right off me!
37:05I let go of his hand,
37:06satisfied.
37:07What's your name?
37:09Sebastian.
37:10He shook out his fried hair,
37:11looking totally grumpy.
37:13Vampire Prince,
37:14Lord of the Night,
37:15remember,
37:16I'm not helping you because I want to.
37:18That stupid contract is forcing me.
37:20You're my personal blood bag now!
37:22Got it, Mr. Vampire.
37:23Now come on,
37:24save my cow before I get sold!
37:25I said Vampire Prince,
37:26not some ordinary vampire!
37:28By the time we got back,
37:29Butcher Barnaby was already leading my cow away.
37:31Sebastian raised an eyebrow,
37:32his pale,
37:33elegant fingers flicked once.
37:34A dark red flame
37:35shot out of nowhere
37:36and set Barnaby's pants leg on fire.
37:40The thugs ran screaming in all directions.
37:42Barnaby was slapping at the flames,
37:43howling-
37:43Monsters!
37:44There are dark monsters here!
37:46A few seconds later,
37:47it was just the two of us
37:48and my confused old cow under the windmill.
37:50I patted her back
37:51and let out a long breath.
37:52Then I turned around
37:53and saw Sebastian
37:54leaning against the hay bales,
37:56arms crossed,
37:57staring at the cow's neck.
37:58Pretty impressive, right?
38:00Now go get me some fresh animal blood
38:02so I don't lose control.
38:03I pointed at the kitchen.
38:04There's cornbread and milk!
38:06Get it yourself.
38:07The great vampire prince
38:08hadn't eaten in centuries
38:09and his first meal after waking up
38:10was time's cornbread.
38:11Before we could argue,
38:13heavy hoofbeats sounded outside the gate.
38:14A man in a leather duster stood at the door,
38:16a silver compass spinning wildly in his hand,
38:18its needle pointing straight at the dark woods.
38:20Such strong dark energy.
38:22Heretic!
38:23How dare you walk the mortal realm!
38:26Sebastian's face went dark.
38:27Leave.
38:28The witch hunter laughed
38:29and threw three bottles of holy water.
38:32A freshly unsealed vampire
38:34acting tough?
38:36I'll cleanse you right now
38:37and be done with it.
38:38My heart sank.
38:39I tugged Sebastian's sleeve.
38:40Don't fight him.
38:41Let's go to the back hill.
38:42The back hill?
38:43Why?
38:44To unseal the other two.
38:47I grabbed my shovel.
38:48Three against one, right?
38:50We'll win.
38:51The vampire prince,
38:52calling for backup.
38:53Before he could argue,
38:54I dragged him at a sprint
38:55toward the edge of the dark woods.
38:56The second seal stone
38:57was buried near a creepy cellar
38:59under the trees,
38:59covered in moon-faced carvings.
39:01One shovelful cracked the stone.
39:03The cellar door blew open from the inside
39:04with a wild, feral force.
39:06Then a huge, muscular shadow
39:07lunged out of the cellar.
39:08Ripped shirt,
39:09corded muscles,
39:10a low animal growl in his throat.
39:11His green eyes glowed in the lantern light,
39:13wild and untamed.
39:15Sebastian stepped in front of me,
39:16fangs out.
39:16Connor?
39:18What are you doing here?
39:19The shadow lunged forward.
39:20I finally saw him clearly.
39:21A rugged,
39:23wild-looking guy.
39:24Bronze skin,
39:24messy hair,
39:25pure power and feral energy
39:26radiating off him.
39:28His eyes went right past Sebastian
39:29and landed on me.
39:30The aggression in his face
39:31melted into pure...
39:32Pack leader.
39:33You finally came for me.
39:35Sebastian's eyes went dark
39:36with jealousy.
39:36She's not your pack leader.
39:38She's my blood bag.
39:39Just then,
39:40the third sealstone
39:41under the big old oak tree
39:42shattered all by itself.
39:43Out of the blue magical glow,
39:45a blonde man rose up
39:46from the dirt and roots
39:46beneath the tree,
39:47tall and lean,
39:48with pointed ears.
39:49The elf,
39:50Ilion,
39:51didn't even glance
39:51at the other two arguing.
39:52He walked straight to me,
39:54gave a graceful bow,
39:55took my hand,
39:55nature mage Ilan
39:56at your service,
39:57and pressed an icy kiss
39:58to my knuckles.
39:59I have waited a hundred years
40:00for you, my lady.
40:01Let me be your reason,
40:02your shield.
40:05Before I could react,
40:06Connor let out a happy
40:07and launched himself at me.
40:08Sebastian and Ilion
40:09moved at the same time.
40:11Don't you dare touch her!
40:12But Connor dodged them both
40:13and buried his face
40:14in my chest,
40:14rubbing his broad shoulder
40:15against my neck
40:16like a giant,
40:17desperate puppy.
40:18Mira,
40:19Mira,
40:20I missed you so much.
40:21You still smell so good.
40:23I looked at the clingy,
40:24feral wolfman in my arms,
40:26then at the cold,
40:27elegant elf,
40:27then at the vampire,
40:28whose pale face
40:29was turning even paler with rage.
40:31My dad wasn't lying.
40:31Those three seal stones
40:33really were treasures.
40:34Three treasures
40:35who could fight,
40:36do chores,
40:37and call me mistress.
40:38Okay, um...
40:39I cleared my throat.
40:41Can we skip the reunion
40:42for a second?
40:43There's a witch hunter outside
40:44who says he's gonna
40:45smash your stones
40:45and cleanse you.
40:46The back of Connor's hand
40:47was covered with wolf fur
40:48and sharp claws,
40:49and his eyes were fierce.
40:50Anyone tries to smash my stone,
40:51I'll rip them apart.
40:53Ilion's slender fingertips
40:54condensed a strand
40:55of emerald green magic power.
40:57Stupid mortal.
40:58Sebastian snorted
40:59and straightened his cravat.
41:00Neither of you lift a finger.
41:01I'll handle him myself.
41:03The three of them locked eyes,
41:04and sparks literally flew.
41:05The witch hunter
41:06had just reached the barn
41:07when he saw three beings
41:08radiating terrifying
41:09dark and magical energy.
41:10His face went white.
41:11Three?
41:12Three epic level monsters?
41:16The hunter turned
41:17and ran.
41:18Connor dropped to all fours
41:19and charged
41:20like a giant wolf.
41:21Ilion raised a finger
41:22and roots burst out
41:23of the ground,
41:23wrapping around
41:24the hunter's ankles.
41:25Sebastian became a blur,
41:26reappeared,
41:27and planted a foot
41:27on his chest.
41:28Three seconds.
41:29That's all it took.
41:30The cocky witch hunter
41:31was tied up in vines.
41:32God in heaven!
41:34Mercy!
41:34I squatted down
41:35in front of him.
41:36You go back
41:37and tell your witch hunter's guild
41:38that this farm
41:38is that your private property.
41:40Anyone who comes back here
41:41causing trouble
41:41gets their guild hall
41:42torn down by these three.
41:43Yes, yes!
41:44I'll tell them!
41:45The hunter scrambled up
41:46and ran into the woods.
41:48Crisis over.
41:48I let out a breath
41:49and turned to the three of them.
41:51All right,
41:52let's go inside.
41:53Okay.
41:54Mira,
41:55I'll carry your tools for you.
41:56Ilion stepped close
41:57and flicked his fingers.
41:58A little breeze
41:59brushed the dust
41:59off my shoulders.
42:00You must be tired,
42:01my lady.
42:01Let me carry you home
42:02with magic.
42:03Sebastian yanked me
42:03into his dark cape
42:04and glared at the other two.
42:05Both of you,
42:06back off.
42:07She's my contractor.
42:08My blood bag.
42:10What gives you the right?
42:11Connor argued.
42:12I'm the strongest.
42:13I'm the muscle
42:14of this farm.
42:15I have the most wisdom,
42:17Ilion said calmly.
42:18I can give her
42:19the most rational advice.
42:21I have the most class,
42:22Sebastian sputtered.
42:23Her blood belongs
42:24only to me.
42:26Help.
42:26I didn't unseal
42:27three helpers.
42:28I woke up three jealous,
42:30attention-hungry monsters.
42:33Back at the farmhouse,
42:34it was already noon.
42:35I baked a big tray
42:36of cornbread
42:36and fried six big slabs
42:38of bacon.
42:38The second I put
42:39the plate on the table,
42:40three hands reached for it.
42:42All three collided.
42:43I was woken up first.
42:44I get three.
42:46Says who?
42:47I'm the strongest.
42:47I do the most work.
42:49I get three.
42:50I have the longest lifespan.
42:52Show some respect
42:53for your elders.
42:54Nobody respects
42:55a leaf-eating old elf.
42:56Who are you calling old?
42:58They were about
42:58to come to blows
42:59when I slammed
42:59my tin cup on the table.
43:01Stop!
43:03All three froze.
43:04They sat down properly,
43:05like kids caught
43:06by a teacher.
43:06Two pieces each.
43:08No fighting.
43:09Now eat up.
43:10I divided everything evenly.
43:13Then you're all working.
43:14Sebastian split firewood.
43:16Ilion,
43:16draw water from the well.
43:18Connor,
43:18fix the barn roof.
43:20I was so naive.
43:21They were great workers.
43:22Sebastian,
43:23with vampire strength,
43:24split ten logs
43:24with one swing.
43:25He'd piled up
43:26a whole yard of wood
43:27in no time.
43:28Ilion drew water gracefully,
43:29not a drop spilled,
43:30and filled the barrel fast.
43:31Connor fixed the barn roof easily,
43:32lifting entire beams
43:33by himself,
43:33without a ladder.
43:34But they were also
43:34trouble magnets.
43:37While splitting wood,
43:38Sebastian kicked sawdust
43:39all over Ilion's
43:40white silk shirt,
43:41leaving black smudges.
43:42When Ilion came back
43:43from the well,
43:43he used his magic
43:44to flick water droplets
43:45onto Sebastian's
43:46polished Italian leather shoes.
43:47After Connor fixed the barn,
43:49he saw the other two fighting,
43:50and gleefully joined in,
43:51slamming into Sebastian
43:52with his wolf strength.
43:53The fight escalated.
43:54Sebastian turned into
43:55a swarm of bats
43:55to confuse them.
43:57Ilion summoned thorns
43:57to tangle their ankles.
43:59Connor grew claws
44:00and started wrecking
44:00everything around him.
44:03By the time I ran out
44:04to see what the noise was,
44:05the farmyard
44:05was a disaster zone.
44:06Woodpile knocked over,
44:07water buckets tipped,
44:08the barn I'd just had fixed
44:09was half collapsed again.
44:10Even my bedsheets,
44:11hanging on the line,
44:12were shredded.
44:12I took a deep breath
44:13and screamed
44:14at the top of my lungs.
44:15Everyone stop!
44:16All three froze instantly.
44:18They shifted back
44:19to human form
44:19and stood there,
44:20heads down,
44:21not looking at me.
44:22Who started it?
44:24Him!
44:28I said furiously,
44:30Nobody gets dinner tonight.
44:31Whoever made this mess
44:32cleans it up.
44:33Whoever broke the barn
44:34fixes it.
44:35You keep fixing it
44:36until it's done,
44:37even if you work till dawn.
44:38Then I turned around
44:39and went inside,
44:40leaving three tall,
44:42long-legged,
44:42supernatural creatures,
44:43standing in the wreckage,
44:44staring at each other.
44:45By evening,
44:46the yard was cleaned up
44:47and the half-collapsed barn
44:48was barely standing again.
44:50I made a pot of thick meat stew
44:51and carried it outside.
44:52The three of them
44:53were squatting under the windmill,
44:54looking up at me
44:55with pathetic eyes.
44:57Sebastian's curls were a mess.
44:58His velvet suit,
44:59stained with dirt,
45:00looked ridiculous
45:00and pitiful.
45:02Ilion's shirt
45:02had a tear in it,
45:04showing his pale shoulder
45:04with a shallow scratch
45:06across his face.
45:07Connor had it worst,
45:08bruises all over,
45:09a split lip,
45:10and he was licking
45:10his own paw sadly.
45:11My heart softened,
45:13I sighed,
45:14come eat,
45:14the eyes lit up.
45:18My husband hated me
45:19for giving birth to a monster,
45:20unaware that from beginning to end
45:22it was his own tainted bloodline.
45:23He killed all my cubs
45:24and me.
45:26My cousin Sarah and I
45:27were both given to the dragon court.
45:29I went to the firstborn,
45:31Aldric.
45:31She went to the second son,
45:33Dorian.
45:34A year later,
45:35Sarah bore a white dragon,
45:36while I came out nine ugly,
45:38malformed,
45:39nothing resembling a dragon.
45:40The dragon king cared deeply
45:42about appearances.
45:44Dorian,
45:44my heir.
45:47He named Dorian his heir
45:48on the spot.
45:51Aldric,
45:51in his fury,
45:52he compared to dispense
45:54than my souther's
45:54fugandit.
45:55He three is ass-trenting nude
45:57and shoelate.
45:58He handed all nine
45:59of my children
45:59to the phoenix court
46:00as blood catalysts.
46:01If I marry Sarah,
46:03the throne will be mine.
46:04No!
46:05I couldn't survive the shame.
46:07I walked into the sacred flame
46:09and let it take me.
46:11He didn't know.
46:12Sarah was hybrid.
46:13I was pure.
46:15My children had been ugly
46:16because they took after him.
46:17When I opened my eyes,
46:19I was back on selection day.
46:20Aldric,
46:21Dorian,
46:22the fox clan has sent two.
46:24Each of you choose.
46:25I understood immediately.
46:26I had been reborn.
46:27This life,
46:28but as I stood there scheming,
46:29Aldric walked past me
46:30with a look of distaste
46:30and pulled Sarah forward instead.
46:32I reached for Sarah's hand,
46:33shook my head at her.
46:34The dragon king
46:35wasn't a tyrant of these things.
46:36If she refused,
46:37she could go home.
46:38Sarah yanked her hand away.
46:39Lila,
46:40don't tell me you're jealous
46:41that Aldric chose me.
46:42The dragon court passed its throne
46:44the same way most courts did.
46:45Bloodline first,
46:46then birth order.
46:47Aldric and Dorian
46:47were both sons of the dragon queen.
46:49Aldric had precedence.
46:51Sarah was blinded by the crown
46:52she thought she could see.
46:53I cursed her silently for a fool,
46:55then let her go.
46:56If Aldric took Serera,
46:57that left me with Dorian,
46:58except Dorian refused on the spot.
47:00Father,
47:00I'm not ready for a consort.
47:01I blinked,
47:02touched my face.
47:03I really wasn't that bad.
47:04Go home,
47:04find a fox-blooded man
47:05who actually deserved me.
47:09Brother,
47:10did you forget
47:10I haven't taken a consort either?
47:13Brother,
47:13was this Caelan
47:14the dragon king's
47:15longest sibling?
47:16Rumor had it
47:17the dragon king doted on him,
47:18had even once considered
47:19naming him heir,
47:20but Caelan was wild,
47:21unpredictable,
47:22refused to take consort
47:23or sire children.
47:24The idea was shelved.
47:25He hadn't appeared
47:26in my first life at all.
47:28Brother,
47:29she's beautiful.
47:30You let your sons choose first
47:31and didn't think of me?
47:33Hardly fair.
47:34Dragon king reluctantly
47:35handed me over to Caelan.
47:37Aldric,
47:38still holding Serera's arm,
47:39couldn't resist.
47:40Uncle,
47:40don't let her face fool you.
47:44Who I choose
47:45is not your business.
47:48He brought me to his quarters,
47:49no intention of removing the mask,
47:51not even that night,
47:52alone together.
47:53What surprised me more,
47:54he had no intention of sharing the bed.
47:55You sleep on the outside.
47:56He placed a folded blanket
47:57down the center of the stone bed,
47:58divided it precisely in two.
47:59I sat there,
48:00clutching my blanket,
48:01genuinely confused.
48:02Dragon men were known
48:03for their appetites.
48:04In my first life,
48:04Aldric had been relentless.
48:05Illness didn't slow him.
48:06My discomfort didn't slow him.
48:08Was Caelan perhaps unable?
48:10He seemed to read my thoughts.
48:12His expression cooled.
48:13I married you
48:14because I pitted you.
48:15If I hadn't,
48:16do you know where you'd be right now?
48:17Aldric had planned
48:18to have me killed again.
48:19He wasn't going to marry me,
48:20but he wasn't going
48:20to release me either.
48:21The moment I stepped outside
48:22the dragon court unattached,
48:23I would have been bound
48:24and delivered to the Phoenix Lord
48:25as a gift.
48:26Aldric carried memories
48:27from our first life.
48:28He knew the Phoenix Lord wanted me.
48:30He intended to use that.
48:32The thought of what the Phoenix Lord
48:34did to the women in his court
48:35made me cold all over.
48:37That cold fear
48:38turned quickly into hatred.
48:39In our first life,
48:40Aldric had bled
48:41my nine children dry.
48:42He had cornered me
48:43into the flame.
48:44Now reborn,
48:45he still wasn't finished.
48:46How could something so brutal
48:47claim the right to rule?
48:50The thought followed me
48:51into sleep.
48:52Dawn.
48:53Kaelin pulled me up
48:54to pay morning respects
48:55to the Dragon King.
48:56I was still yawning
48:57when we arrived.
48:58Aldric and Sarah
48:59were already there.
49:00Composed.
49:00Impeccable.
49:01Sarah looked radiant.
49:02Her legs were shaking slightly.
49:04Marks on her neck.
49:05A great many of them.
49:06I winned.
49:06Aldric was rough
49:07even when welcomed.
49:08For Sarah's first time,
49:09she probably needed help
49:10getting out of bed.
49:11She caught my expression
49:12and mistook it for envy.
49:13She tugged her collar
49:13and leaned close.
49:14How was your night, Lyra?
49:16Word is he didn't touch you at all.
49:17I glanced pointively
49:17at her inner thighs.
49:18And re-swasse it.
49:19Worry about yourself, Sarah.
49:21Enjoy it now.
49:21Wait until the King
49:22finishes with you.
49:23She drew back with a huff.
49:25Sure enough,
49:25the Dragon King's voice
49:26came cold and measured.
49:29Kaelin, explain yourself.
49:30Kaelin looked entirely unbothered.
49:32Thought she was interesting yesterday.
49:34Changed my mind by evening.
49:36Disgraceful.
49:38After the morning audience,
49:39the Dragon King
49:40summoned me privately.
49:41He wanted to know
49:42what had actually happened.
49:43I told him I'd been too shy.
49:45He studied me for a long time.
49:47Give Kaelin an air.
49:49Soon.
49:50Told me to give Kaelin an air soon.
49:52Then sent me on my way.
49:54I returned to find Kaelin waiting,
49:56frost in his eyes.
50:00What did he ask you?
50:01I told him everything.
50:03He was quiet for a moment.
50:04Then he told me to avoid
50:06private meetings
50:07with the Dragon King
50:07going forward.
50:08It only deepened the mystery.
50:10The dynamic between these two
50:12was as unreadable
50:13as the mask
50:13Kaelin never removed.
50:15Before I could untangle any of it,
50:16news swept through
50:17the entire court.
50:18Sarah was with Ch-
50:18A golden light
50:19surrounded her belly.
50:21Aldric was beside himself.
50:23He invited the whole court
50:24to witness at dawn.
50:26I was invited too.
50:27Of course.
50:28Sarah opened
50:29with a performance.
50:29She dropped the Dragon Pearl
50:30on the floor
50:31and smiled at me sweetly.
50:32Lyra,
50:33I'm carrying
50:33Breein Dragon Young.
50:35Could you pick that up for me?
50:36She was barely a month along.
50:37She could bend perfectly well.
50:39This was theater.
50:40The court watched
50:40with amusement.
50:41Aldric joined in,
50:42implying I was a pretty bird
50:44who couldn't lay eggs.
50:45I was about to respond
50:46when...
50:49Kaelin lowered his wrist.
50:50He looked at Sarah
50:51with no particular expression.
50:52Did you lose
50:53the use of your hands?
50:55Aldric,
50:56humiliated,
50:57redirect me.
50:57Uncle,
50:58she only asked her
50:59to pick something up.
51:00Why the outburst?
51:01Lyra's pretty,
51:01I'll give her that.
51:02But she can't even
51:03carry a dragon child.
51:04You're the only one
51:05who sees anything in her.
51:06She's beautiful.
51:07At least,
51:08the two of you
51:08are ugly and useless.
51:10That puts her ahead.
51:22Miss Gevings crept
51:23across the hall.
51:24Was he truly
51:24destined to be king?
51:26Aldric stopped
51:26before he could
51:27lose more thoroughly.
51:28He grabbed Sarah
51:28and walked out.
51:29When my white dragon
51:30is born and takes
51:31the throne,
51:32none of you
51:32will be laughing!
51:33Gone before anyone
51:34could point out
51:35he'd forgotten entirely
51:36about the golden light
51:37he'd summoned
51:38everyone to see.
51:40Aldric didn't forget
51:41slights.
51:42He waited until
51:43Kaelin was away
51:44and came for me.
51:45He wove mist
51:45across the back courtyard
51:46trapping me
51:47on the hillside.
51:48Called wind and rain
51:49down until I was
51:49soaked through
51:50and shaking.
51:51Only then did he appear.
51:52Lyra, he still
51:53hasn't touched you
51:53hasn't he?
51:54Your bloodline
51:55isn't quite right
51:55for a proper consort
51:56but a secondary one?
51:57That could work.
52:00Even now,
52:01Kaelin's name
52:02keeps him from
52:02going all the way.
52:04When he finds out
52:05the only things
52:05you can produce
52:06are malformed
52:07little monsters
52:07let's see how long
52:08he protects you.
52:09You're a low clan
52:10princess, Lyra.
52:11When that day comes,
52:12I'll crush you
52:13right now.
52:15He didn't know.
52:16The clan he despised
52:17was about to ruin
52:18him completely.
52:20I cast my glamour.
52:23Between one breath
52:24and the next,
52:24we were standing
52:25in front of the
52:26Dragon King's
52:27council chamber.
52:27Every word
52:28Aldric had just said
52:29had fallen on
52:30the Dragon King's ears
52:30and the ears of
52:31every allied clan lord
52:32present.
52:33The Fox clan
52:33was low ranked,
52:34yes, but they were
52:35under Dragon Court
52:36protection.
52:36What Aldric had
52:37amounted to announcing,
52:38in public,
52:39that the Dragon Court
52:39held its subject clans
52:40and contained,
52:41not something a future
52:42king could afford
52:43to say aloud.
52:44The Dragon King's
52:44crystal scepter
52:45cracked against
52:46Aldrin's knees.
52:47You have deeply
52:48disappointed me.
52:50Aldric hit the ground.
52:51His shoulders trembled.
52:52The Dragon King
52:53stripped him of his
52:54privileges and
52:54confined him to
52:55quarters.
52:55The air presumptive,
52:57favorite of the
52:57court one hour ago,
52:58became invisible
52:59by afternoon.
53:00I had won cleanly.
53:02Kaylin was furious.
53:05Do you understand
53:06how dangerous that was?
53:07What if he had
53:07actually killed you?
53:08He'd figured it out,
53:10of course.
53:10I had used an enchantment
53:11to lure Aldric in
53:12deliberately.
53:13Revenge, yes,
53:14but also self-preservation.
53:16Aldric wasn't going to
53:17leave me alone regardless.
53:18Better to move first.
53:19I hadn't consulted
53:20Kaylin, because he
53:21didn't know about my
53:22first life.
53:23He looked at me,
53:24soaking wet,
53:25and couldn't bring
53:25himself to say much
53:26more.
53:29Don't do something
53:30like that without
53:31telling me.
53:32I'm your husband.
53:32Protecting you is my
53:33responsibility.
53:35Something warm moved
53:36through my chest when
53:36he said it.
53:37Something I hadn't
53:38expected.
53:40The night Sarah went
53:41into labor, a storm
53:42rolled in, lightning,
53:43black clouds, golden
53:44light pouring off the
53:45palace walls.
53:46The court's ritual seers
53:47declared it the sign of
53:48a golden dragon's birth.
53:49The dragon king got out
53:50of chair and went to
53:51Sarah's chambers to
53:52wait.
53:52I wasn't going to miss
53:54this.
53:55Aldric's bloodline wasn't
53:56pure enough for a
53:57golden dragon.
53:58If that light was real,
53:59it wasn't his.
54:01Sarah labored all
54:02night.
54:03Dragon young were
54:04large.
54:05She screamed until
54:06dawn.
54:07Then the screaming
54:08stopped.
54:08The child was not
54:09brought out.
54:10The dragon king went
54:12by himself.
54:13What followed was a
54:13silence, somehow worse
54:15than the screaming.
54:16Seal it.
54:17No one speaks of it.
54:17Seal it.
54:18Tell no one.
54:19Word leaked anyway.
54:20It always does.
54:21Did you see the light?
54:22Not a dragon.
54:22Not a dragon.
54:23A common golden serpent
54:24could, with enough
54:25medicine and time, be
54:26coaxed into dragon form.
54:27A one-cloved one could
54:28not.
54:29Too weak.
54:29It would never
54:30transform.
54:31And across its face, a
54:31large, dark birthmark.
54:33Ugly and unmistakable.
54:34And across its face, a
54:35large, dark birthmark.
54:36Ugly and unmistakable.
54:37The dragon king took
54:38one look and left
54:39without naming it.
54:39In my first life, Sarah
54:40and Dorian produced a
54:41white dragon together.
54:42Sarah and Aldric
54:43produced this.
54:44The dragon court hadn't
54:45seen a birth to this
54:46poor in over a thousand
54:47years.
54:48The bloodline failure was
54:50obvious.
54:51Aldric's own lineage
54:52wasn't as pure as he'd
54:53always believed.
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