When My Hundred-Year Love Turned to Ash

I’m about to enter a blood bond with another vampire lord.

But my partner of a century, Kaelan, has no idea.

He’s too busy getting cozy with his new human assistant, Sylvia.

They spend entire nights in his office, under the guise of “researching synthetic blood.”

He even turned our centennial anniversary into her birthday party.

In front of everyone, Kaelan presented her with a Black Forest cake decorated with Silver Bells.

They laughed, smearing frosting on each other. They forgot the flowers are a deadly poison to me.

My power shattered. Agony ripped through me as shadows lashed out, uncontrollable. My family’s guards had to drag my convulsing body away. And while I recovered alone in the cold, dark vault, Kaelan was still at the party, bathing in the cheers for him and Sylvia.

The blood in my veins turned to ice. A century of love and hope burned to ash.

In that moment, I agreed to my family's arrangement. Without hesitation.

A union with the lord of the Obsidian Throne—a vampire they say is power incarnate.

The moment my mother knew I was done with Kaelan, she started arranging the union.

I had just pulled myself from the vault’s recovery pool. The Silver Bell poison still slithered through my veins. Every inch of my skin ached.

My mother’s voice detonated in my mind—blood-telepathy. Plans for the blood bond flooded my consciousness. The venue, the guest list, the ritual. Every detail, flawless and immediate.

"The union with the Obsidian Throne is set. Three days from now, on the night of the Blood Moon." Her tone was absolute. "My dearest Rosalie, someone who truly wants an eternity with you wouldn't make you wait a century. Kaelan is just using your family's influence to secure his new little Covenant. It's time to wake up, my daughter."

I closed my eyes, feeling the last of the poison fade.

She was right. I waited a century for him.

Countless promises. Countless delays.

It was always so clear to everyone else.

"I agree."

The words brought a relief I'd never known.

My mother was silent for a few seconds. Then, I felt her exhale. "I'll arrange everything. You just need to—"

"Rosalie?"

A familiar voice cut through the silence behind me.

I spun around. Kaelan materialized from a swirl of black mist, his crimson eyes filled with confusion and suspicion.

"Who were you talking to?" He frowned, stepping closer. "I heard the words 'blood bond ceremony'."

I severed the connection with my mother.

"Nothing important."

"Don't lie to me." Kaelan gripped my wrist. His touch was light, but his grip was iron.

"Your emotions are a whirlwind. I can feel them."

I looked at him. At the face I had stared at for a century.

The high bridge of his nose, the thin lips, the red eyes that gleamed in the moonlight.

His cold arm wrapped around my waist. He tried to press into my thoughts. I slammed my mind shut.

He tried to