The Dreamweaver’s Deadly Reckoning

“Prince Milton, Princess Lydia, are you certain you wish to perform the Bond-breaking Ritual?” Elder Amelia’s voice echoed in the catacombs. “This decision is irreversible.”

I stood before the ancient stone altar and nodded calmly. “I’m certain.”

Beside me, Milton’s expression was a storm of conflict. On the way here, he had suddenly grabbed my arm.

“Lydia, do we really have to do this?” Panic colored his voice. “Maybe we can rethink…”

“Didn’t you lose your connection to me?” I shot back. “Breaking the bond should be easy for you.”

He flinched, then quickly schooled his features. “Yes… of course. I’m just worried you won’t be able to cope… without my blood.”

Such a pathetic performance.

And now, in front of the elder, he was starting another act of feigned concern.

“Lydia, do you remember our bonding ceremony?” Milton stared into my eyes. “That night, in the moonlit ruins of the old chapel, we swore an eternal vow…”

“I remember,” I cut him off. “I also remember what you told my father.”

Milton’s face changed. “What?”

“You said, ‘This union will purify the berserker taint in my bloodline. Lydia’s First-born blood and her Dreamweaving are the keys to securing my throne.’” I repeated his words, one by one. “Did you think I didn’t know?”

Elder Amelia’s gaze shot to Milton, her eyes filled with disappointment.

“That… that was…” Milton stammered.

“The truth,” I finished for him. “And now you’ve found fresher blood, haven’t you?”

He opened his mouth to argue, but I had already turned to Elder Amelia.

“Please begin the ritual.”

The ritual was swift.

When the final incantation faded, I felt the shackles on my soul break free.

Three hundred years of a blood-bond, gone in an instant.

“The ritual is complete,” Elder Amelia announced. “From this moment, you are no longer blood-bonded mates.”

When we emerged from the catacombs, Josie was waiting, poured into a fiery red cocktail dress. She looked like she was heading to a nightclub, not a sacred ritual.

“It’s finally over!” she squealed, linking her arm through Milton’s. “Now we can plan our own bonding ceremony!”

Then she turned to me, her eyes glinting with triumph. “Lydia, when are you moving out of the castle? I need to redecorate your rooms.”

“Tonight,” I said flatly.

“Tonight? Perfect!” Josie clapped her hands. “I’ve already called a designer from Milan. We’re getting rid of all that outdated gothic furniture.”

That “outdated furniture” was a collection of antiques I had spent a century gathering from across Europe.

Every piece held a story.

And now, they were destined for the trash heap.

“Josie’s right,” Milton chimed in. “A new princess needs a new environment. Lydia, if you need help moving…”

“I don’t,” I said, turning to leave.

“Wait!” Milton caught up to me. He pulled open the top two buttons of his silk shirt, baring his chest. “Here… take this back.”

I stared at the left side of his chest.

That’s where our bond-mark used to be.

A complex star pattern, branded by ancient magic, a symbol of eternity and loyalty.

I stepped closer, studying it in the dim light.

“Milton,” I looked up at him, my cold fingers gently touching the skin. “This star has been covered.”

His face went white. “What?”

“You burned it away with a cheap alchemical potion,” I said, my voice dripping with scorn. “And covered it with this vulgar rose. The stench of sulfur is nauseating. You didn’t even do a clean job.” I leaned in closer. “To hide your oath, you’d scar your own skin with such low, dirty magic? This is how you say goodbye to three hundred years?”

Milton opened his mouth to explain, but I had already pulled my hand back.

“A fake bond. A dirty brand. It suits you.”

I walked away without another look, heading for my sports car.

Inside, I watched in the rearview mirror as Milton and Josie argued. My enhanced hearing picked up their words clearly.

“How did she know the brand was altered?” Josie demanded.

“Who knows,” Milton said, annoyed. “It doesn’t matter. The bond is broken.”

“But she looked really angry…”

“Relax. Lydia is easy to handle,” Milton’s voice was full of confidence. “The moment her craving for my blood returns, she’ll come crawling back. She can’t last long without me.”

I started the engine and floored it.

He was dreaming.

This time, it was goodbye for good. There was no turning back.