VERA’S POV

“Don’t you dare,” I growled, my voice breaking. “Don’t you dare do this.”

The crimson light faded from my skin as I dropped beside him. The world narrowed to just Caelen—his ashen face, the dark bloom spreading across his shirt, the silver-tipped crossbow bolt protruding at that sickening angle. His breathing came in shallow, stuttering gasps, each one weaker than the last.

“Stay with me,” I whispered, cradling his face between my trembling hands. His skin felt too cool against my burning palms. “Do you hear me? Don’t you dare go anywhere.”

He coughed, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, a stark red line against his paling skin. His eyes, though clouded with pain, found mine. “You awakened it again… the power…”

“Shut up,” I said, blinking back tears that threatened to fall. “You’re not allowed to be impressed right now.”

His lips twitched in what might have been a smile before another spasm of pain contorted his features. The bolt shaft quivered with each labored breath. Silver liquid seeped from where the arrowhead disappeared into his flesh, not just any bolt, but one tipped with concentrated silver. My stomach twisted at the sight.

More vampires began pouring into the clearing—Lords, guards, my father’s sentries. The entire Conclave was converging, drawn by the scent of blood and the echo of my power. Their footsteps whispered through the undergrowth, branches snapping under urgent feet.

“Blood Princess!” one of them shouted, voice thick with awe and fear.

Gasps erupted as they took in the scene before them—three bodies sprawled across the forest floor, me glowing with residual power, Caelen bleeding at my feet.

The air filled with their murmurs, their stunned silence as they stared at the golden light still rippling beneath my skin.

Someone stepped forward, a tall vampire from the Northern territories. “We’ll carry him—”

“No.” I stood up, my legs steadier than they had any right to be. Scratches criss-crossed my arms and torso, blood drying in rivulets down my skin, some mine, most not. The vampires around us shifted nervously, but I couldn’t bring myself to care.

I let the power flow through me again, welcoming the fire that crackled through my veins. Golden light erupted from my skin, brighter than before, and I felt myself become something more than human, more than vampire.

“Help me get him up,” I commanded, my voice carrying an authority that made ancient vampires bow their heads.

They hesitated only for a heartbeat before moving to obey, gently lifting Caelen. I positioned myself beside him, my enhanced strength allowing me to carry his weight effortlessly.

“We’re going home,” I said, my voice steady despite the fear clawing at my chest.

No one dared challenge me as I moved through their ranks, my steps measured and deliberate. Two guards flanked me, hands hovering near Caelen to steady him, while others fanned out ahead, clearing a path.

The journey back passed in a blur of moonlight and urgent voices. I focused only on Caelen’s heartbeat, the rhythm growing fainter with each passing minute. By the time the obsidian walls of our compound came into view, his breathing had grown so shallow I could barely detect it.

I burst through the gates, guards scrambling to clear my path as I made for the medical wing. “Get the doctor,” I commanded to anyone who would listen. “Now!”

The clinic doors flew open before I reached them. Inside, I lowered Caelen carefully onto a waiting table. The doctor, a grizzled old vampire with steady hands, was already rolling up his sleeves.

“Out,” he ordered, not even looking up as he assessed the wound. “Everyone out except my assistants.”

“I’m staying,” I said, my voice leaving no room for argument.

The doctor’s eyes flickered to mine, then to the golden light still pulsing beneath my skin. He nodded once before turning back to Caelen.

“Then make yourself useful. Hold him down. This won’t be pleasant.”

I positioned myself at Caelen’s head, hands on his shoulders, as the doctor gripped the bolt shaft. A wordless scream tore from his throat as the doctor pulled, the arrowhead emerging in a spray of silver-laced blood. The scent of pure silver filled the room, acrid and poisonous.

“Out of my way,” the doctor barked, pressing herbs against the wound. “He needs—”

The clinic door burst open. I turned to see my father striding in, his face carved from stone, flanked by one of his council members, Alrik.

“What happened?” Father demanded, his gaze sweeping over Caelen’s prone form before settling on me.

Before I could answer, Alrik stepped forward, his eyes glittering with something that sent ice through my veins.

“The Blood Princess caused the attack,” he said, voice carrying through the suddenly silent room.

I jerked back as if struck. “What the hell are you talking about?”

Alrik gestured to a vampire I didn’t recognize, who immediately dropped to one knee before my father.

“We saw the attack, Your Majesty,” the vampire said, not meeting my eyes. “The Blood Princess asked everyone to move to the other side of the ridge, leaving her and Caelen alone. We caught one of the attacking vampires on our way here, and he mentioned the Blood Princess by name before he was killed by a silver bolt from behind the ridge, the same kind that struck Lord Caelen.”

The accusation hung in the air. I felt the stares of everyone in the room, the weight of their doubt pressing against me.

“Alrik.” My father’s voice was dangerously quiet.

“The Blood Princess needs to be punished,” Alrik muttered confidently.

“Father,” I whispered, disbelief choking me. “You can’t possibly believe—I would never—”

My hands trembled at my sides, rage and hurt building beneath my skin. The golden light flickered across my knuckles, responding to my distress.

Someone seized my wrists from behind. I instinctively reached for that well of power deep within me, the one I’d discovered in secret, preparing to unleash it when a commanding voice cut through the tension.

“I know who orchestrated the attack. It’s not Vera, so let her go!”

The voice was familiar. I turned sharply to see Lucien standing in the doorway, his massive frame filling the space.

“Lucien?” I breathed, confused.