Princess's Revenge: Slave to the Soulbound King Chapter 123

Morgana

The dungeon corridors were thick with darkness, but to my vampire eyes, every stone was clear as daylight. I moved through the shadows like silk through water, my footsteps making no sound against the cold floor.

Two guards stood at attention outside Garrick's cell, their postures alert but their minds dull with the tedium of their duty. Perfect.

"Good evening, gentlemen," I said softly, stepping from the shadows with a smile that revealed nothing of my true nature.

"Ma'am, visitors aren't permitted down here," one guard said sternly, his hand moving instinctively to his sword hilt. "You'll need to—"

"I'm not here to visit," I interrupted, my smile widening to show just a hint of fang.

What happened next was beautiful in its efficiency. My hand moved faster than their mortal eyes could track, fingers closing around the first guard's throat. My nails, sharp as razors, pierced his skin and found the pulsing artery beneath. His eyes widened in terror, but no sound emerged—only the soft whisper of his life force flowing into me.

The second guard had barely drawn his blade before I was behind him, my other hand repeating the deadly caress. Two bodies crumpled to the stone floor without a cry, their blood painting abstract patterns on the ancient stones.

I smoothed my skirts and adjusted my hair as if I'd merely attended a particularly dull dinner party. The cell door yielded to my touch, the iron bars parting like curtains before my power.

Garrick sat on the rough stone bench with his back to me. Even in defeat, he maintained the bearing of a commander. How perfectly tragic.

"I bring you glad tidings from tonight's festivities," I announced, allowing pleasure to color my voice. "The ceremony was spectacularly interrupted, and Princess Adelaide's true identity revealed for all to see. Lycandor Keep is in absolute chaos."

Garrick turned slowly, his eyes glittering with dangerous interest in the dim light. "So half your plan succeeded. Tell me, dear Morgana, why do you risk exposing yourself by coming here? Aren't you afraid of being caught?"

I laughed softly, moving closer with the fluid grace that was my birthright. "I have my purposes, naturally." My fingers traced the line of his jaw, feeling the tension coiled beneath his skin. "I've come to offer you both freedom and power."

"Freedom?" Garrick's laugh was harsh. "What's your game?"

I began to pace around the small cell, my crimson lips curved in a mysterious smile. "I want you to kill me."

Garrick raised an eyebrow, genuine surprise flickering across his features. "Kill you? Have you finally lost your mind?"

"Hardly," I purred. "My death will cleanse you of any suspicion of vampire collaboration. A loyal werewolf commander who discovered a vampire spy and executed her with his own hands... what a compelling story that would make."

Garrick frowned, crossing his arms over his broad chest. "So you'll fake your death?"

"I have my methods," I said mysteriously. "I won't truly die. When the time is right, I'll return, and then..." I leaned close to his ear, my breath cool against his skin. "We shall rule this continent together."

From the depths of my robes, I withdrew a small crystal vial filled with crimson liquid that seemed to pulse with its own inner light. The final piece of my centuries-long chess game.

"Shadow's Blood," I whispered reverently. "The last vial, and the most crucial. This will completely break Lycanthar's seal on your power, restore your full strength, make you stronger than you've ever been."

Garrick stared at the vial, his eyes reflecting both desire and suspicion. "You've given me this blood several times before, Morgana. Each time you promised it would make me stronger." His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "But vampires aren't known for their charity. What are the side effects? What price does this power demand?"

I shrugged elegantly, the picture of unconcern. "Every power has its cost, darling. Those previous doses were merely... preparation. This one is the true key." My eyes sparkled with challenge. "Unless you prefer to remain imprisoned, stripped of dignity, watching helplessly as Lycanthar rules over werewolves who should be kneeling before you?"

Garrick's gaze moved between the vial and my face, desire warring with caution in his expression. Finally, inevitably, he reached out and took the crystal container.

"I've come too far to turn back now," he said quietly, resolution hardening his features. "There's no other path."

He pulled the stopper and drained the crimson contents in one swift motion. The Shadow's Blood slid down his throat like liquid fire, immediately spreading through his body with visible effect. Garrick doubled over in pain, his hands pressed to his knees, breathing ragged. Dark red and black veins appeared beneath his skin like spreading poison, then faded. When he straightened, his eyes flashed crimson for just a moment before returning to normal.

Internally, I smiled with cold satisfaction. Garrick had no idea that the accumulated Shadow's Blood had already penetrated his very marrow. This final dose would complete his transformation into my master's thrall, his will forever bound to our service.

"How do you feel?" I asked softly, my fingers trailing along his cheek.

Garrick took a deep breath, testing the new power flowing through his veins. "Unprecedented... strength. But there's something strange, like..." He frowned, struggling to articulate the sensation. "Like something is swimming in my bloodstream."

I moved closer, my arms encircling his neck. "That's the power adapting to your body. When I return, we'll create a new order. Werewolves, vampires, all the other races—they'll all bow before our rule."

My lips found his, and for a moment we were lost in the deadly dance of predator and prey. Garrick, intoxicated by promises of power and his newfound strength, responded eagerly. Our tongues entwined like serpents in a mating ritual that was part seduction, part domination.

Then I heard it—footsteps in the distance. Measured, determined, multiple sets moving with military precision. I pulled away from Garrick, a cold smile playing at my lips.

"They come," I whispered, anticipation bright in my eyes. "Exactly as I predicted."

From the far end of the corridor, Lycanthar's voice echoed off the stone walls like thunder: "Find her! Morgana must not escape!"

Garrick clenched his fists, the Shadow's Blood thrumming through his system, preparing him for the violence to come. I stepped back, my hand caressing his face one final time.

"Remember, beloved," I breathed. "Kill me, win their trust, then... wait for my return."