Once Betrayed Never Forgotten

06:41

Chapter 115: A Tense Reunion

Anya’s eyes are hard as flint as she glares at us, her voice dripping with disdain. “What on earth do you mean by bringing Blood Wraiths into my abnde?”

Aleksandr stands firm, his grip on my hand tightening. “They are not just Blood Wraiths, Arianna is still Konstantin’s stepdaughter, a part of this family. And Bloodbane is a friend, a warrior whose help we will need in the coming battle. Put aside your prejudice, mother”

Anya’s expression wavers for a moment, her gaze flicking to me, then to Bloodbane. Her face contorts with a mix of conflict and distaste. She then turns her critical eyes to Pyr, who stands calmly by Bloodhane’s side. “A Fire Wraith too? This is insanity.”

I feel her gaze on me, cold and piercing, making me want to shrink into the floor. “You couldn’t wait a few decades to be turned into a vampire, so you got yourself made into this vile creature instead?‘ she sneers. “Impatient beat!”

“No!” Bloodhane’s voice is a sharp crack through the tension. “Hate me and my kind as much as you want, but don’t blame her for it. She is without blame. She didn’t intentionally transform herself–this was an accident.

“An accident I’m glad happened,” I say, meeting Anya’s cold gaze with my own resolve. I’m stronger than I ever could have imagined. I can finally defend myself, and I’m not dead weight anymore. This is a good thing.”

Anya guffaws, a harsh sound that echoes off the stone walls, ‘Oh, poor silly child, if only you knew.”

Aleksandr steps in, his voice cutting through the rising tension. “There’s no time for bickering and prejudice. We have important matters to discuss. The fates of the six realms depend on what we do next.”

“What on earth do you mean by that, brother? Konstantin asks, his face creased with concern. My mother, standing beside him, looks between her new husband and Aleksandr with worry

“Lady Anya,” Kieran says, bowing low before her. Please, just believe us. It is of vital importance that ye immediately summon the heads of each of the six vampire clans, one representative from each realm. Send yer messengers with haste. Do not tell them what the summons is about, but say it is urgent, and they must be ‘ere within the hour. And take special care te ensure that Dmitri Fontaine, ruler of the Fiery realm, is the only one in his family to hear the summons. Under no circumstances must his niece hear of this.”

“Tatiana?” Anya asks, now puzzled. “Why?”

“We’ll explain it all in good time,” Aleksandr says. “Just trust us, Summon the heads of all the families.

“Very well,” Anya says with a sigh. “Konstantin, dispatch the messengers. Seraphina, please make our new guests comfortable and prepare the council

Seraphina bows to her mistress, then takes my hand, leading the group through the open doors into the castle,

As we walk through the grand halls, the familiar scent of aged wood and stone fills the air, mingling with the faint aroma of burning candles. The walls. are adorned with tapestries depicting scenes of ancient battles and victories, a testament to the long and storied history of the Vasiliev family. The flickering candlelight casts eerie shadows that dance across the floor, adding to the already heavy atmosphere.

“You did well back there,” Aleksandr whispers in my ear, his hand gently squeezing mine. “Standing up to Anya isn’t easy.”

“It’s not like I really had a choice,” I reply sourly, my voice low.

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06:44

As we walk through the castle’s grand halls, I turn to Seraphina, curiosity gnawing at me. “Where’s Luka? I’m surprised he hasn’t come to see us yet.”

Seraphina gives me a coy smile, her eyes twinkling mischievously, “Luka? He’s probably in the fighting yard or in Mircea’s potions room. He heard the news of your arrival yet.”

hasn’t

“Can y

you find him for me?” I ask. I don’t want to offend Aleksandr, but he seems unbothered, unthreatened by Luka, comfortable with him and I being

friends.

“Of course,” she replies, leading me further down the corridor. We reach a high arched stained glass window that faces onto a courtyard below. The glass casts vibrant patches of color onto the stone floor, creating a mosaic of light and shadow. Through the window, I spot Laika training with an unfamiliar soldier, perhaps one of Konstantin’s warriors,

Luka is shirtless, his toned physique glistening with sweat under the flickering torchlight. His silver hair is tousled, strands sticking to his forehead. The intricate tattoo that winds up from under his shirt glimmers as he moves, muscles rippling beneath the inked lines. Beads of sweat are visible even from

Chapter 115 A Tente Reunion

up here, highlighting the intensity of his training.

“Ah, there they are,” Seraphina says, pointing towards the courtyard.

I notice Mircea seated on a stone bench wreathed with a canopy of white jasmine flowers. She is partially hidden by the bower, but I recognize her headscarf and the brilliant jet–black hair spilling out from underneath it.

Seraphina knocks on the window, a sharp rap that echoes through the corridor. Luka’s wolf senses kick in immediately. He glances up, sniffing the air. His eyes search the stained glass, obscured by the colorful patterns. Then, suddenly, excitement lights up his face. He drops his sword, puts his opponent on the back in thanks, and rushes to Mirce

He says something to her, and she looks

oks up, a radiant smile spreading across her face. Luka takes her hand, and they hurry towards a door leading into the castle. I can’t help but think how odd it is to see them holding hands like that.

The sound of rapid footsteps echoes up the staircase from below. Before I can fully process what’s happening, Luka and Mircea burst through a door, their faces alight with joy. They run towards me, taking turns embracing me, their smiles infectious.

“Arianna!” Luka exclaims, holding me at arm’s length to get a better look. “Look at you! You’ve changed so much!”

Mircea’s eyes are wide with amazement as she studies my appearance. “Ari, you look… different. But still the same, in a

away.”

Their warmth and enthusiasm wash over me, a balm for my weary soul. But as they pull away, I finally notice something I hadn’t before. Mircea’s belly is round and swollen, her hands cradling it protectively.

“Oh my god.” I blurt out, unable to contain my shock. “You’re pregnant?!”

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