Ch. 326..330: The Vampire Prince's Blindfolded Bride Chapter 326-330

Chapter 326: Send your head

"Your Majesty, Head Witch Gloria has been found dead in her house," the valet whispered in the King’s ear. The King’s smile vanished instantly. He left the hall abruptly, and Alaric, noticing his father’s sudden departure, grew concerned.

Excusing himself from Scarlet’s side, Alaric hurried to catch up with his father. When he finally reached him, he asked with a hint of urgency, "Father, is everything alright?"

"No. Gloria is dead. A vampire killed her," Esmond responded grimly.

"That’s impossible," Alaric said, his expression a mix of shock and disbelief.

"It has happened. The witches are furious. Announce that the party is over and bring Izaak and Magnus to the carriage. We need to leave immediately," Esmond ordered. Without another word, he strode ahead with a few others.

Alaric stood frozen for a moment, his mind reeling from the news. Snapping back to reality, he rushed back to the grand hall, his heart pounding.

Upon entering, he raised his voice to address the assembled guests. "Ladies and gentlemen, I regret to inform you that the party must end immediately due to an unforeseen emergency."

A murmur of concern rippled through the crowd as people began to question what had happened. Izaak quickly approached Alaric, his face a mask of worry. "What emergency?" he asked, his voice low and urgent.

"The Head Witch is dead," Alaric replied somberly. "We need to gather Magnus and leave right away."

"What unforeseen event has come?" William inquired.

"Gloria is dead. A vampire has killed her," Alaric announced gravely. The statement sent a ripple of fear through the crowd, shattering the peace that had been maintained for over three centuries. The ushers began guiding the guests safely out of the hall, while the head palace servants had already escorted Margaret, Lillian, Scarlet, and Melody to safety.

"Brother, you should head to the carriage. I’ll find Magnus and bring him. He doesn’t seem to be here, and neither does Alora!" Alaric remarked, his voice urgent.

"I guess they’re outside. Let’s go," Izaak replied. Together, they hurried out of the hall, determined to face the growing crisis in Velaris.

~~~~~

Magnus panted heavily as he finally came to a halt deep within the forest, the air thick with a slight fog that obscured his vision. He glanced around warily, his senses on high alert.

He was certain— the vampire who had met Alora was none other than Damien. As he strained his ears for any sign of movement, a sudden whistling sound reached him, the unmistakable noise of a blade cutting through the air.

Instinctively, Magnus spun around and stepped to his left, narrowly avoiding the dagger aimed at his back. Despite his quick reflexes, the blade managed to graze his cheek before embedding itself in the bark of a tall tree.

Magnus reached up his hand to his cheek, feeling the sting of the cut. When he pulled his hand away, his fingers were stained with his own blood. His jaw clenched in anger; he hated having even a scratch on his face.

"Damien, why don’t you show yourself?" Magnus called out into the misty forest, his voice echoing eerily. "Are you going to be a coward again? Only cowards hide because they know they can’t win," he taunted, hoping to goad Damien into revealing himself.

For a moment, the forest was silent, save for the distant rustling of leaves. Then, a low, mocking laugh resonated from the shadows. "Still as arrogant as ever, Magnus," Damien’s voice replied, dripping with malice. "You’ve grown into a quite a fine man. Your father must be proud of you seeing you here in Velaris."

Magnus scanned the foggy forest, his eyes darting around in search of Damien. The heavy sound of boots crunching on rustling leaves reached his ears, and he turned to see Damien standing before him, an evil smile playing across his lips.

"You’ll die today," Magnus declared, his voice cold and resolute.

"Really?" Damien chuckled darkly. "Your father couldn’t kill me, Magnus. How can you? Are you sure of your capability?" he taunted, trying to sow seeds of doubt in Magnus’s mind.

Magnus narrowed his eyes, refusing to be shaken. "It seems you are quite aware of my capabilities," he retorted, focusing his thoughts to read Damien’s mind.

"Stop going through my mind, Magnus. You won’t find anything useful," Damien snarled, taking slow, deliberate steps forward.

Magnus clenched his fists, his anger boiling over. In a flash, he launched himself at Damien with lightning speed, aiming to bring him down.

But Damien was even faster. He seized Magnus by the throat, lifting him effortlessly off the ground. In the next moment, Damien slammed Magnus against the nearest tree with such force that the entire tree shook, and leaves cascaded to the ground.

Magnus gasped for breath. Damien’s grip tightened, and Magnus struggled against the vampire’s iron hold. "Shall I send your head to your dear Alora as a gift?" Damien sneered, arching an eyebrow, his smirk widening with the thrill of his perceived victory. "She has beautiful eyes, and she will be mine after you die, Magnus," he affirmed. "But I won’t kill you this easily. I need to control Alora and make her willingly come to me. So, let’s see what can weaken you."

Damien took a step closer, his eyes boring into Magnus’s with a sinister intensity. Magnus struggled in his grip, his mind racing. He couldn’t let Damien’s words rattle him, though the thought of Alora in Damien’s clutches filled him with dread.

"You won’t get away with this, Damien," Magnus spat, his voice strained but defiant. "Keep your filthy eyes away from my wife."

Damien’s smirk faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered. "We’ll see about that," he said, his voice dripping with menace. "For now, let’s have some fun."

With that, Damien tightened his grip on Magnus’s throat. But to his surprise, he couldn’t find any sad moment of Magnus’s life which could weaken him.

The bracelet that Alora provided Magnus shone a little. Magnus wasn’t going to give up and the next second, he landed a powerful blow with the same hand on Damien’s face.

Chapter 327: Your husband is with me

Damien’s cheek stung as he touched it with the back of his opposite hand, his knee hitting the ground in the process. He tilted his head just in time, narrowly avoiding another powerful blow from Magnus. Swiftly, he moved away, eyes fixed on his opponent, analyzing every movement.

"Why can’t I see any sad memory in you? That’s impossible. Every being has a moment which makes them feel low," Damien muttered, maintaining a safe distance. His curiosity gnawed at him; he couldn’t leave without an answer. He had killed Magnus’s aunt, the person whom Magnus loved more than his own mother, a woman who had been his mother figure for as long as he could remember.

Magnus’s face twisted with rage, his jaw clenched so tight it looked like it might shatter. "Damien, I knew you killed my aunt!" he roared, his fists tightening until his knuckles turned white. With a furious cry, he charged at Damien, every step fueled by grief and vengeance.

But Damien was ready. He had anticipated this reaction. As Magnus closed the distance between them, Damien’s hand moved with practiced precision. In one fluid motion, he drew a dagger from his belt and thrust it deep into Magnus’s chest, the blade piercing his heart.

Magnus’s eyes widened in shock, a mixture of pain and disbelief flashing across his face. Blood trickled from his lips as he gasped for breath. "You are smart, Magnus, but not smarter than me," Damien stated, an evil smirk playing on his lips. He watched as the life drained from Magnus’s eyes, feeling a dark satisfaction.

The next moment, Damien’s grip tightened around Magnus, ensuring he wouldn’t fall. He had plans for him, and now that Magnus was no longer a threat, he felt victorious.

Alora, the one he truly sought, would come to him on her own. He had removed the obstacle that stood between them, and now, nothing could stop him from ruling Velaris.

~~~~

Alora exited the chamber, her heart pounding with fear as time dragged on without any sign of Magnus. She quickened her pace, her mind racing with worry. As she turned a corner, she collided headfirst into Alaric’s chest.

"Alora! Are you alright?" Alaric asked, steadying her with his hands. His voice was filled with concern as he took in her anxious expression.

"Yes, I am fine," Alora replied, though her voice trembled slightly. She couldn’t hide the unease that had taken hold of her.

"Where’s Magnus?" Alaric inquired, his eyes searching her face for answers.

"He went out. Earlier, I encountered a mysterious vampire, but I couldn’t see his face. Magnus said he would investigate and return soon, but he hasn’t come back yet. Brother, something is not right," Alora explained, her eyes blinking rapidly as she tried to hold back her fear.

Alaric’s expression hardened with worry. "He must be around. I’ll find him," he said resolutely.

"I will come with you, Brother," Alora insisted, her voice firm despite her fear.

"No. Go to your chamber," Alaric ordered, spotting a palace servant approaching from the front. He quickly instructed the servant to escort Alora back to her room. Reluctantly, she nodded and followed the servant, glancing back at her brother with worry etched on her face.

Once Alora was safely out of sight, Alaric headed outside, his mind racing with thoughts of his missing brother. He made his way to the foyer where the carriages were waiting, his footsteps echoing in the vast space. As he approached, he saw King Esmond speaking with Izaak.

"Where is Magnus?" King Esmond’s voice was tinged with impatience and concern.

"Father, he is not in the palace. Alora said he went out after an unfamiliar vampire," Alaric relayed, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him.

King Esmond’s brows furrowed deeply, his eyes narrowing. "An unfamiliar vampire?" he echoed, his voice heavy with suspicion. He turned to Izaak, who was scanning the surroundings with a wary expression.

"How could an unknown vampire enter the palace undetected?" Izaak muttered, frustration evident in his voice. He clenched his fists, anger simmering beneath the surface. "Are our defenses so weak?"

The gravity of the situation settled over them like a dark cloud. King Esmond’s face grew stern, and he turned to Alaric. "We must find Magnus and uncover who this vampire is. This breach cannot go unanswered."

Alaric nodded, determination burning in his eyes. "I’ll gather the guards and search the grounds. I will find him, Father. You two should go to the witches’ place."

"I will go there. You two should look for Magnus," King Esmond stated firmly, climbing into the carriage. The door shut with a decisive thud, and the carriage rolled away, leaving the two princes to their task.

Alaric and Izaak exchanged determined glances. They had to find Magnus, no matter the cost.

Moments later, Lewis arrived with a contingent of palace guards. "Spread out and search the grounds thoroughly. Leave no stone unturned," he commanded, his voice resolute. The guards nodded and dispersed in various directions around the palace, their torches flickering in the twilight.

"We should split up too," Alaric suggested. "We’ll cover more ground that way."

Izaak agreed with a curt nod. "Stay alert. We don’t know what we’re dealing with."

The brothers parted ways, each heading in a different direction.

Izaak headed towards the forest, his footsteps echoing in the quiet night. He called out Magnus’s name, but was met with only an eerie silence. Frustration gnawed at him as he continued his search.

Meanwhile, Alaric took a path leading to the same forest edge from a different direction. The trees loomed ominously, their branches swaying in the night breeze. He pushed forward, determined to leave no area unchecked. The forest was dense, and the darkness seemed to swallow him whole, but he pressed on, hoping to find some sign of Magnus.

Thirty minutes later, they gathered in the Palace grounds.

"Magnus is nowhere to be found," Alaric said.

"Yes. He wasn’t in the forest either. Did he go out of the palace?" Izaak opined.

"Perhaps. I’ve already sent the guards out of the palace," Lewis answered them.

"Your Highness!" A guard rushed to them with a horrific expression on his face. He had a parchment in his hand, which he quickly handed to Izaak. "Prince Magnus is in danger!" He loudly said while panting.

Izaak, Alaric and Lewis read the message on the parchment.

"Your husband is with me, Alora. Come to your house if you want to save him."

Chapter 328: For the last time

Izaak’s eyes narrowed as he read the message aloud. "Who sent this?" he demanded, looking at the guard, who shook his head, bewildered.

"It suddenly appeared through an arrow, Your Highness. We checked, but no one was around," the guard explained, his voice trembling slightly with fear.

Alaric took the note from Izaak, his brow furrowing as he read it. "I think it’s the vampire Alora told us about. We need to go to her house and check," he suggested.

Izaak nodded as his expression turned grave. "He wants Alora to be there," he pointed out, his eyes meeting Alaric’s.

"But we don’t know about the vampire and–"

"Our brother’s life is at risk, Alaric," Izaak interrupted, not letting him say what he wanted to. "Stay here. I’ll bring Alora," he asserted, already turning on his heel to leave.

Alaric reached out, grabbing Izaak’s arm to stop him. "Let’s discuss with Mother first," he insisted, his eyes serious. "We can’t take Alora to her home without any plan, Brother Izaak," he emphasized each of his words.

"You need to calm down. We will definitely take Alora there, but after a thorough plan. Also, we need to confirm first if Magnus is in Wilson Mansion or not," he stated, his tone resolute.

Izaak hesitated, clearly torn between his urgent need to act and his brother’s call for caution. Before they could continue their discussion, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the pavement Ralph appeared, flanked by two palace guards. His face was pale, his eyes wide with distress.

"Your Highnesses!" Ralph called out, his voice strained. "I want Princess Alora to come with me," he said urgently, his voice cracked with a worry.

"Why?" Izaak asked, taking a step forward.

"A vampire... He killed my pack’s wolves, who were guarding Wilson’s Residence on Prince Magnus’s order. If I fail to do that, my Luna will be the next one," Ralph said, his voice trembling with fear.

Izaak’s expression hardened with determination. "Alaric, bring Alora here. We are leaving for the Wilson Residence," he instructed, his tone brooking no argument.

Alaric nodded and quickly left to fetch Alora. With the confirmation they needed, there was no time to waste.

As Izaak waited, he couldn’t help but recall his vision. The vivid images flashed through his mind, filling him with a deep sense of foreboding. He wondered if today would be the day when Alora would lose her mother. The most terrifying prospect was how Magnus’s and Alora’s lives might be irrevocably changed because of all this.

"Where’s Prince Magnus?" asked Ralph, his voice edged with desperation.

"The same vampire has taken my brother away," Izaak asserted, his eyes darkening with anger. "Do you want to know the worst part? Gloria is dead. A vampire killed her."

Ralph’s face went pale with shock. "My mate is pregnant with my child. What if something happens to her?" His fear quickly turned to rage. "I shouldn’t have gotten involved with the vampires or listened to Prince Magnus!" He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration, his breaths coming out in ragged gasps. His wolf was in an extreme fear.

Izaak placed a firm hand on Ralph’s shoulder. "We will get through this," he said, his voice steady. "We need to stay focused and act swiftly. Alora will help us, and we will protect everyone."

Ralph hummed in acknowledgment, but uncertainty still clouded his expression. His heart thundered with worry, the weight of his fears pressing heavily on him.

Moments later, Alaric returned with Alora, who was visibly anxious.

"What happened to Magnus?" Alora asked, her eyes locking onto Izaak’s, searching desperately for an answer.

"What I know is that he’s in danger. You need to save him," Izaak replied. "You two should get into the carriage. I need to talk to Alora," Izaak instructed Alaric and Ralph. He gestured to Lewis, who swiftly guided them away.

Once they were alone, Izaak turned his full attention to Alora. He placed his hands gently but firmly on her shoulders, looking deeply into her eyes.

"Alora, you know how powerful you are, right?" he began, his voice softening a bit. "Don’t let any fear overpower your mind. Trust in yourself and your abilities. You have a strength within you that can defeat anyone."

Alora nodded slightly, but Izaak could see the worry lingering in her eyes. He squeezed her shoulders reassuringly. "Listen to me. Do what you find is right. Your instincts have never led you astray, and I trust them more than anything. Remember, we are all counting on you, but I have complete faith that you will succeed. You need to save a lot of people today. Don’t falter in your spirit. You are strong. Remember that." He paused, letting his words sink in.

Alora’s eyes were misty, but she didn’t let her tears fall. "I will do anything to save Magnus and the others," she stated resolutely.

"I have full confidence in you," Izaak said, patting her head gently. "Let’s go then," he pronounced, leading Alora to the second carriage.

~~~~~

In the Wilson Residence:

Norman, Rhea and Venus were standing helplessly as they watched injured Magnus on the sofa chair of the living room. The dagger was deeply inserted in his chest, right through his heart.

In front of them was seated Damien Von Grimm, who had his one leg rested above the other. He had his eyes closed as he was humming a song.

"You are still a coward. Attacking us by blackmailing. You know you can’t win in a fair way," Magnus pronounced, thus breaking Damien’s flow of the song he was humming.

He opened his eyes and turned his head right to look at Magnus.

"You should save your energy, Magnus. You can die anytime. I want Alora to see you and talk to you for the last time. So, stay quiet," Damien asserted.

Magnus chuckled and said, "I won’t die this early, Damien." His words carried a note of challenge and it made Damien clench his jaw.

 

Chapter 329: Deal with Alora

Magnus’s hands, trembling with desperation, reached for the dagger embedded in his chest. Each attempt to grasp it only seemed to intensify the searing pain, and sweat poured from his forehead in rivulets, soaking his clothes. His entire body shook because of the intense pain. And he had lost a good amount of blood too.

Damien observed him with a smirk, his gaze unrelenting. "Don’t waste your strength, Magnus. You’re not in any condition to pull that out, and if you die now, what use will Alora be to me?" His voice was cold, yet tinged with a dark satisfaction. He rubbed his temples as if considering the implications of Magnus’s demise.

"You see, I’ve heard quite a bit about your daughter lately. Alora has become quite the talk of the three kingdoms. It’s rather impressive how she forgave you despite your past wrongs," Damien said, shifting his focus to Norman, who was cowering nearby.

Norman’s fear was visible, his eyes darting between Magnus’s agony and Damien’s menacing gaze. The old man’s hands trembled, and he swallowed hard, trying to muster the courage to speak.

Damien’s voice took on a more insidious tone. "Come now, Norman. Speak up. Unlike your son-in-law, I won’t be so harsh with you if you tell me what I want to know. The more you reveal, the better I can ensure your family’s safety."

Rhea stepped forward, her eyes blazing with defiance despite her obvious fear. "There’s nothing to know," she declared, her voice firm but edged with desperation. "Everyone has accepted Alora for who she is. You won’t find anything here that will serve your twisted purposes."

Damien chuckled softly, his gaze lingering on Rhea with a mixture of amusement and disdain. "You’re quite the determined mother, Lady Rhea," he said, a sardonic smile playing on his lips. "But you’re not doing much to endear yourself as a daughter-in-law. Fortunately for me, I have more pressing matters at hand."

His eyes then shifted to Magnus, who was writhing in pain, his struggle to remove the dagger evident. "Magnus," Damien said, his voice dripping with mock sympathy, "it seems your clever attempt to send your minion to check on me has only delayed the inevitable. I’ve brought a special guest to add to the festivities."

With a theatrical flourish, Damien signaled to his aide, who left the room to bring Madam Aubrey.

Damien’s smirk widened as he observed the reactions of those present. "I thought it might be a nice surprise for you all," he said with a satisfactory glance at Madam Aubrey, who finally came to the living room.

Norman, his face flushed with anger and desperation, stormed past Rhea to confront his mother. "Mother, how could you do this?" he demanded, his voice echoing with betrayal and disbelief.

Madam Aubrey’s gaze was cold and unrepentant. "Son, this isn’t my doing alone. It’s all Alora’s fault. She’s brought nothing but misfortune to our family. Can’t you see the curse she’s been?" Her voice was sharp, trying to deflect the blame onto Alora.

Norman’s eyes blazed with fury. "Are you serious, Mother? You actually allied yourself with an enemy! Look at my son-in-law!" He gestured toward Magnus, whose condition was growing increasingly dire. "Because of you, he’s in this state! How could you betray us like this?"

Venus, who had been standing in stunned silence, finally found her voice. "Grandma, why did you have to do this?" Her eyes were wide with a mix of hurt and disbelief as she looked at Madam Aubrey.

Damien had a satisfied smile playing on his lips as he observed the unfolding drama.

Damien’s grin widened, his eyes glittering with malevolent amusement. "Magnus, isn’t it amusing how easily these humans can be manipulated? Why do you even bother keeping them alive? I have far more creative plans for their demise. Each one will meet their end in a far more satisfying manner."

Madam Aubrey, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and anger, turned to Damien. "And what about my family?" she asked, her tone desperate. "You promised me that Alora would be dealt with. Are you going to punish them too? You said she wouldn’t be kept alive!"

The weight of her words crashed over Rhea and Venus like a tidal wave. Rhea’s tears spilled uncontrollably, streaming down her face as she struggled to hold herself together.

Damien’s expression darkened as he fixed his gaze on Madam Aubrey. "Old woman, silence yourself!" he barked, his voice cold and threatening.

"I’ll deal with Alora in my own way, as promised. You’re free to reunite with your family for now."

Magnus, feeling a surge of determination amidst the chaos, knew he had to act quickly. The prospect of Alora arriving and being forced into a situation where she could be utterly crushed by Damien’s machinations was unbearable. The pressure to prevent that outcome fueled his resolve.

With a final, agonizing effort, Magnus managed to wrench the dagger from his chest, a scream of pain escaping his lips as he did so, "Ahhhhhhh!"

The sight of him enduring such extreme suffering left everyone in the room stunned. Despite the blood soaking his clothes and the pallor of his face, Magnus rose unsteadily from his seat, driven by sheer willpower.

Damien’s eyes widened in shock as he watched Magnus approach. Before Damien could react, Magnus lunged at him, seizing him by the throat with a grip born of desperation and fury.

"Damien," Magnus growled through gritted teeth, "you should have killed me when you had the chance, because now I’m going to end you."

The room fell into an eerie silence as Magnus, defying his own injuries, stood face-to-face with Damien, ready to confront him with a fierce determination.

"No one should try to harm my in-laws because Damien is in my hands now!"

Damien’s men backed off, not wanting their master to die.

~~~~~~

Hello Dear Readers,

What do you think will happen next? Will Damien die tonight or something big will happen? Do comment your thoughts.

HAPPY READING

Chapter 330: Esmond, long time no see!

Damien struggled against Magnus’s iron grip, bewildered by the strength that Magnus somehow summoned despite his grievous injuries.

With a burst of effort, Damien managed to shove Magnus away, sending him crashing into a nearby piece of furniture, which splintered under the force of the impact.

Wasting no time, Damien lunged at Magnus, planting his foot on the stab wound in his chest. Magnus gasped in pain, the pressure intensifying his agony. "You’re right, Magnus," Damien hissed with a malevolent grin. "I should have killed you. Allow me to correct that mistake now."

Before Damien could inflict further harm, he was suddenly kicked with incredible force, sending him flying into a sofa, which shattered upon impact.

King Esmond stood over Magnus, having arrived just in time to intervene. He dropped to his knees beside his son, his face etched with concern.

"Father," Magnus gasped, his voice strained with pain, "kill him."

King Esmond’s eyes burned with fierce determination as he turned to face Damien, who was struggling to rise from the debris of the broken sofa. "You’ve done enough harm, Damien," Esmond declared, his voice resonating with authority and anger.

The guardians and generals, loyal to King Esmond, had already moved in to defend Alora’s family, taking down the vampires that had accompanied Damien. The scene was chaotic, but the tide was turning in their favor.

Damien, now on his feet, sneered at Esmond. "Esmond, long time no see!" he taunted, attempting to mask his pain with bravado.

Esmond wasted no time. He quickly closed the distance between them and delivered a powerful punch to Damien’s face. The blow was so forceful that Damien’s head slammed against the nearest wall, causing cracks to spiderweb across the surface.

Damien let out a sinister laugh, his eyes gleaming with dark amusement, and retaliated by striking Esmond’s elbow with brutal force.

Esmond grimaced in pain but didn’t back down. "Your reign of terror ends now, Damien," he growled, his voice unwavering. He squared up, ready to deliver another blow.

Damien, recovering quickly, lunged at Esmond with a vicious snarl, but Esmond was ready. He sidestepped the attack and delivered a swift knee to Damien’s midsection, doubling him over.

Esmond then grabbed Damien by the collar and threw him across the room, where he landed on the floor. With his vampiric speed, he reached their when Damien attacked him with the same dagger which he used on Magnus earlier.

However, Alaric intervened, stopping the attack with a powerful gesture. His magic surged through the room, freezing Damien in place, rendering him immobile. Izaak was quick to rush to Magnus’s side, lifting his head gently and providing some comfort.

Alora, having just arrived, fell to her knees beside Magnus. Her hands trembled as she reached for his chest, feeling the warmth of his blood seeping through her fingers. "Magnus," she cried, her voice cracking with anguish.

Magnus, struggling to remain conscious, tried to reassure her. "Alora, I am fine. Don’t cry," he murmured, his voice barely audible.

"Stay quiet, Brother," Izaak insisted.

Ralph, assessing the situation quickly, turned to his beta. "I’ll arrange for a healer," he said, his tone urgent. His beta nodded and immediately left to fulfill the command.

Norman stepped forward, his face etched with worry. "Take him to the bedroom," he instructed, looking around for help.

Several guardians moved quickly, carefully lifting Magnus and carrying him toward the bedroom. Alora stayed close, holding his hand, her tears falling freely. King Esmond followed them too.

Izaak and Alaric stood guard outside, ensuring Damien would remain restrained. Lewis approached with a length of enchanted rope, wrapping it tightly around Damien to further secure him, rendering him completely immobile.

"I’ll take him to the central prison," Alaric declared, his tone resolute.

"I’ll go with Prince Alaric," Lewis added, stepping forward to assist.

"Be careful!" Izaak warned, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any additional threats.

Alaric nodded, acknowledging the caution. "We will."

With Damien still frozen and unable to resist, Alaric and Lewis began the task of dragging him away.

Inside the bedroom, Magnus was gently laid down on the bed.

"Why don’t you drink my blood? It will help you recover!" Alora suggested, her voice urgent. She quickly moved her wrist to his mouth. "Drink it."

King Esmond nodded in agreement. "Son, drink the fresh blood. You need it."

Alora glanced around, her eyes landing on her father. "Could you please give me a knife?" she requested.

"I will bring one," Venus said, dashing out of the room.

Magnus’s eyes were closed, his mind clouded by pain. He could hear faint whispers around him but couldn’t make out the words. The pain in his heart was excruciating, and with each passing second, it grew worse.

Alora’s heart ached as she noticed how pale Magnus’s face and lips had become. She prayed for Venus to return quickly.

Finally, Venus reappeared, breathless, and handed the knife to Alora.

Without hesitation, Alora made a swift cut on her wrist.

Izaak remembered his vision of Alora cutting her wrist while crying and had misunderstood its significance. Now, he realized it was to save him.

Magnus, in his semi-conscious state, felt the warm, life-giving blood trickle into his mouth.

Alora pressed her wrist to Magnus’s mouth, opening it to allow the blood to flow freely. She didn’t care how much he needed; her only priority was to save her husband.

As soon as Magnus’s tongue tasted the fresh blood, his fangs instinctively extended, and he bit down hard on Alora’s wrist. He wasn’t fully conscious, driven solely by his primal need for sustenance. Alora’s blood, rich and powerful, fulfilled his every need.

Rhea watched with deep concern for her daughter but knew better than to interfere. Stopping Alora would be wrong; this was the only way to save Magnus.

Slowly, the color began to return to Magnus’s face, and the healing properties of Alora’s blood worked to mend his wounds. Alora winced at the pain but remained steadfast, her love for Magnus giving her the strength to endure.

Magnus couldn’t be stopped. He continued to draw the blood from Alora’s veins with an intensity that showed he was no longer in his right mind. Desperation drove him, and he was lost in the feeling of being happy and satisfied with the fresh blood.