Prologue

What did I do wrong?… I only loved, and it’s not a sin to love someone, especially when he was the one destined for me, and I for him.

I ran swiftly through the thick forest. I didn't know where I was headed—only that I needed to run far, far away from this place. A place that has brought me nothing but sorrow and pain.

"She's over there, hurry!" I heard one of his soldiers shout. I turned toward their direction and saw the approaching lights from the torches they were carrying.

What was my sin?… Why couldn’t he believe me?…

I came to a halt when I saw I had reached the edge of a high cliff. All I could see below were jagged rocks and crashing waves.

"You have nowhere else to run, dhampir."

Dhampir. That’s what they always called me because I wasn’t like them. I wasn’t born a full vampire, nor was I turned into one like the others. To them—and to him—I was nothing but a disgrace. A product of the union between a human and a vampire, a union strictly forbidden in their world. That’s why he couldn’t accept that someone like me was his destined partner.

Even though I had vampire blood, I didn’t inherit their abilities—their immortality, their speed, their healing, or their other powers. All I got was their physical appearance.

"Stop running, Aviona."

I turned to the man who spoke—none other than the prince of the vampires.

"Joaquine" I whispered.

"You must face the punishment you deserve," he said coldly. He meant death—that was the punishment. A punishment I didn’t deserve because I was innocent.

"Why won’t you believe me?… I didn’t do it… I could never do that to your mother… I didn’t do anything wrong!"

It hurt me deeply that the man I loved—the one I thought would love me back—was the very same person who wanted me gone.

"All the evidence points to you. Enough with the lies, Aviona." Just like before, his face remained devoid of emotion.

"No matter how much I beg, you won’t listen, will you?" I asked as tears streamed down my face. I saw a flicker of emotion in his green eyes, but it quickly disappeared.

"No matter how hard I try to prove that I didn’t do it, you still won’t believe me." From the moment we met to the day we vowed to be one, I remained silent, swallowing all the pain.

"What crime did I commit?… Why can’t you love me?… Is it because I’m the product of something your laws forbid?"

"Yes," he answered seriously.

"I didn’t choose this, Joaquine. I didn’t ask to be born this way… I’m tired… Maybe you’re right… Maybe we were never meant for each other… Maybe Aysel was wrong after all…"

I could see a bit more emotion on his face now, but I didn’t care anymore.

I stepped back, feeling there was nothing left behind me. One more step and I would fall. I looked down from the cliff I stood on—there was no chance I would survive. I glanced back at him as he dismounted his chestnut horse.

"If Aysel really exists…"

I looked up at the full moon.

"If she can hear me…"

I looked at Joaquine again. He looked confused by my words.

"If she’s real… then I hope… in my next life… she won’t let me meet you."

"Take care of our child, Joaquine ."

I saw him run toward me, screaming my name—but it was too late. I let myself fall into the abyss.

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