Three Days to Ash

When my Prince shattered our Eternal Blood Vow for the ninety-ninth time, I dragged my drained, broken body to the Tribunal of Vows.

"I am here to request the dissolution of my Eternal Blood Vow with the Prince of the Kindred."

Ten minutes later, Damien stormed in with Isabella in tow.

The Prince of the Kindred strode toward me, his hand shooting out to clamp around my neck before he slammed me against a cold marble pillar.

"You'd go so far as to dissolve our vow just because you're jealous of Isabella's promotion? Has the bloodlust driven you completely insane?"

My mother Eleanor's voice echoed icily through our bond. "Forging lab results to play the victim, all for his attention. You've always been so deceitful."

Tears of blood welled in Isabella's eyes as she tugged on Damien's arm. "I'm so sorry, Seraphina. I never should have accepted this position. Please, stop putting yourself—and the Prince—through this!"

I wiped away the tears of blood seeping from my eyes and faced the tribunal official once more.

"I no longer have the protection of a clan. So that I may turn to ash in three days, please help me complete the dissolution ceremony."

I walked through the doors of the Tribunal of Vows for the last time.

The sharp obsidian steps stung the soles of my feet, and with every step, a sharp pain shot through my chest, as if my very veins were freezing solid.

The final stage of Bloodline Depletion had destroyed my regenerative abilities, making even the simple act of walking an agony.

"I am here to request the dissolution of my Eternal Blood Vow with the Prince."

The tribunal official looked at my ashen face with sympathetic eyes and asked in a low voice,

"Miss, do you not have a clan's protection?"

In all the years of our vow, Damien never promised me a true bonding ceremony, nor did he ever bring me to public gatherings.

As a result, very few among the Kindred even knew of my existence.

"It doesn't matter anymore," I cut him off. "A vampire about to turn to ash has no need for protection."

Just as the words left my mouth, the doors of the Tribunal were violently thrown open.

Damien's roar echoed throughout the hall. "Seraphina! What kind of game are you playing?"

I turned to see the fury blazing in his crimson eyes.

Behind him, Isabella glided in, a mask of perfect concern on her face.

"You had to pull a stunt like this today of all days?" Damien rushed before me in a few strides. "Isabella was just promoted to Vice President of the Nightfall Group. The entire clan is celebrating her, and you choose today to create this scene?"

He raised his hand, and a surge of his power sent me flying. My back slammed hard against the marble wall.

Once, my power had been as strong as Damien's, but now, I was too weak to block even the most