Chapter 5 Blood Politics

I woke to unfamiliar darkness, momentarily disoriented by the absence of windows and natural light. The events of the previous night crashed back into my consciousness—the binding, the council, Darian. For a moment, I hoped it had all been an elaborate dream, but the faint red markings still visible on my skin confirmed my new reality.

A soft knock at the door interrupted my thoughts.

"Come in," I called, sitting up in the massive bed.

Mira entered, carrying a tray of food and a bundle of clothing. "Good evening, Lady Elira."

"Evening?" I echoed, confused.

"The court primarily functions at night," she explained, setting the tray on a nearby table. "It's just after sunset above ground."

I'd slept the entire day away. "Is Darian awake?"

"The prince has been awake for hours," Mira replied, a hint of amusement in her voice. "He's been... managing the court's reaction to your arrival."

"That sounds ominous."

"Politics among the blood-born is always complex," she said diplomatically. "Your presence has simply added a new dimension." She gestured to the bundle she'd brought. "I've brought more suitable attire for daily wear in the palace."

The clothes were a blend of modern and historical styles—dark jeans paired with a flowing blouse of deep purple, and boots that looked both elegant and practical. As I changed, Mira filled me in on palace protocols and the basic structure of the court.

"The Nightblood line has ruled for millennia," she explained. "Darian is the rightful heir, though Ashryn has been acting as regent during his... absence."

"How exactly did Darian end up sealed away?" I asked, nibbling at the food she'd brought—surprisingly normal bread, cheese, and fruit.

Mira's expression grew guarded. "That is part of our most sacred history. I should not be the one to tell it."

Before I could press further, another knock came at the door. Mira opened it to reveal Darian himself, dressed in black as before but in a more modern style—slim-fitting pants and a button-down shirt that somehow managed to look both current and timeless.

"Good evening," he said, his gaze taking in my appearance. "I see Mira has found you more comfortable attire."

"Much better than medieval torture shoes," I confirmed, which earned me the ghost of a smile.

"I thought you might appreciate a tour of the palace," he said. "If you're to be here, you should know your way around."

The offer surprised me. "I'd like that."

As we walked the corridors of the Palace of Thorns, I was struck by how the ancient structure seemed to blend seamlessly with modern elements. Medieval stonework gave way to Art Deco influences in some sections, while others showed contemporary design.

"The palace evolves with the ages," Darian explained when I commented on it. "We may be immortal, but we're not immune to changing tastes."

We passed several blood-born as we walked, all of whom bowed to Darian with varying degrees of sincerity. Some nodded respectfully to me as well; others pointedly looked away.

"They're divided about you," Darian observed quietly. "Some see the contract holder as a sacred position; others view it as an aberration—a human wielding power over one of their princes."

"I didn't ask for this power," I reminded him.

"Few who gain power ever ask for it," he replied. "It's what they do with it that matters."

We had reached a vast circular chamber with a domed ceiling. Unlike the rest of the palace, this room was flooded with natural moonlight streaming through a crystal aperture above. At the center stood a raised platform where a glowing orb pulsed with the same blue luminescence I'd seen throughout the palace.

"The Heart Chamber," Darian said, his voice taking on a reverent quality. "The oldest part of the palace, and its power source."

I stepped closer to the orb, fascinated by the way it seemed to beat like a living heart. "What is it?"

"Blood magic in its purest form," he replied. "The combined essence of the first blood-born."

As I studied the orb, the markings on my skin began to tingle, responding to its energy. The sensation wasn't unpleasant—almost like the fizz of carbonation beneath my skin.

"It recognizes you," Darian observed, watching me closely. "The contract connects you to our oldest magics."

Before I could respond, the chamber door opened behind us. Elder Thorne entered, accompanied by a severe-looking woman with silver hair pulled into a tight bun.

"Prince Darian," Elder Thorne greeted. "And Lady Elira. I see you're showing our guest the sacred places."

"She should understand what she's bound to," Darian replied evenly.

The woman with Elder Thorne studied me with open suspicion. "A human in the Heart Chamber. Times have indeed changed."

"Lady Elira, may I present Elder Vesper," Darian said formally. "She oversees our historical archives."

I inclined my head, mimicking the courtly nods I'd seen others use. "A pleasure to meet you, Elder Vesper."

"Is it?" she asked coldly. "I wonder if you'll feel the same when you understand the weight of what you've stumbled into, human."

"Elder," Darian warned, his tone sharpening.

Vesper straightened. "Forgive my directness, but these are unprecedented times. A human contract holder hasn't existed for centuries, and the last one..." She trailed off, glancing at Darian.

"The last one is irrelevant," he said firmly. "The contract has been sealed. Elira Hamilton holds it legitimately."

"So the Heart confirms," Elder Thorne agreed, gesturing to how the orb's pulsing had synchronized with the faint glow of my markings. "Which brings us to the matter at hand. The Council has decided that Lady Elira requires education in our ways."

"I've already begun that process," Darian said.

"With respect, my prince, there are aspects of our history and politics that require... objective instruction." Elder Thorne's emphasis made it clear he didn't consider Darian objective.

"I'd welcome the education," I interjected, earning a surprised look from both Elders and a narrowed gaze from Darian. "If I'm going to be here, I should understand your world properly."

Elder Vesper's expression remained skeptical, but she nodded. "Very well. We shall begin tomorrow evening. The archives contain all you need to know about the contract and its... limitations."

After the Elders departed, Darian turned to me with an arched eyebrow. "Eager for knowledge?"

"Wouldn't you be, in my position?" I countered. "Besides, they clearly know things about this contract that you haven't told me."

A shadow crossed his face. "There are aspects of our history that are... painful to revisit."

"Like Isabelle Rousseau?" I asked quietly.

His entire body tensed, the temperature around us dropping noticeably. "Ashryn has been poisoning your ear, I see."

"He mentioned her name," I admitted. "But that's all. I'd rather hear the truth from you."

Darian was silent for so long I thought he might refuse to answer. Finally, he gestured toward a door I hadn't noticed before. "Come. This isn't a discussion for open halls."

He led me to a small alcove overlooking what appeared to be an underground lake, its surface reflecting the blue crystals embedded in the ceiling above. We sat on a stone bench carved directly from the wall.

"Isabelle Rousseau was French nobility," he began, his voice distant as if recalling events from another life—which, I supposed, he was. "Beautiful, intelligent, ambitious. In 1742, she discovered one of our binding circles beneath her family's chateau in Geneva."

"Like I did," I murmured.

He nodded. "Though her discovery was less accidental. She'd been researching old legends, seeking power." His expression darkened. "And power she found. Her blood activated the circle, and I was bound to her."

"You were already sealed then?"

"No. I walked freely then, though in disguise among humans. The binding made that... complicated." His fingers traced absent patterns on the stone between us. "Isabelle was intoxicated by the power the contract gave her. She used me to eliminate her enemies, to gain wealth and influence. Each command made it easier for her to issue the next."

I could hear the pain beneath his detachment. "What happened to her?"

"She grew careless," he said simply. "Began flaunting her supernatural protector, drawing attention from those who understood what I was. Ashryn found us."

A chill ran down my spine. "And?"

"My brother has always resented the binding contract. He sees it as a chain on our bloodline's true power." Darian's eyes met mine, their crimson depths holding centuries of pain. "He offered Isabelle a bargain—release me from the contract, and he would give her immortality."

"Did she accept?"

"Eagerly." His laugh held no humor. "What she didn't understand was that Ashryn's version of immortality meant becoming his plaything—drained and refilled with just enough blood to keep her alive, but never enough to transform her." He looked away. "She lasted three years before her mind and body gave out completely."

Horror washed over me. "That's... monstrous."

"That is my brother," Darian said quietly. "And that is why you must be cautious around him. He sees you as he saw her—an obstacle to be removed, a pawn to be played."

"Is that why you were sealed away? Because of what happened with Isabelle?"

He shook his head. "No. That came later, for... different reasons."

Before he could elaborate, a commotion echoed from the main corridor—raised voices and the sound of hurried footsteps. Darian was on his feet instantly, positioning himself between me and the entrance to our alcove.

Mira appeared, her normally composed face flushed with urgency. "My prince! There's been an incident in the eastern quarter. Lord Ashryn and his supporters have seized the Blood Archive."

Darian's expression hardened. "On what grounds?"

"He claims to have discovered evidence that the binding contract is invalid—that it was corrupted during the Great Sealing." Mira glanced at me. "He's demanding access to the original contract scrolls."

"Those scrolls are sealed for a reason," Darian growled. "No one can access them without consent from both the contract holder and the bound."

"He says the Council's authority supersedes the contract in matters of historical verification," Mira reported. "Elder Vesper is supporting his claim."

I stood, moving to Darian's side. "What does this mean? Can he really invalidate the contract?"

"No," Darian said firmly. "But he can sow doubt among the court, divide loyalties further." He turned to Mira. "Gather those still loyal to me. We'll meet Ashryn in the Archive."

As we hurried through the palace corridors, I noticed the markings on my skin growing warmer, pulsing in time with my accelerating heartbeat. Darian glanced at me, concern briefly replacing the anger in his eyes.

"The contract responds to your emotions," he explained. "Try to stay calm."

"Easy for you to say," I muttered. "You've had centuries to practice."

To my surprise, he smiled—a real smile that transformed his severe features. "Fair point."

We arrived at the Blood Archive to find a tense standoff already in progress. Ashryn stood at the center of a group of blood-born, his silver eyes alight with triumph as he held an ancient scroll. Elder Vesper stood beside him, along with several Council members I recognized from the previous night.

"Brother," Ashryn greeted with false warmth. "How convenient that you've brought your pet human. We were just discussing her... unique situation."

"Return the scroll, Ashryn," Darian commanded, his voice deadly quiet. "You know the laws regarding the sacred texts."

"Laws you established," Ashryn countered smoothly. "But perhaps those laws were designed to hide the truth." He unfurled the scroll with theatrical flair. "The original binding contract makes no mention of human contract holders. It speaks only of the 'mixed blood'—those with both human and divine heritage."

Elder Vesper stepped forward. "Our initial research suggests the contract was intended exclusively for those of dual heritage—the human-god hybrids of the ancient world." She looked at me with barely concealed disdain. "Not for ordinary humans."

"That's absurd," Darian snapped. "The contract has accepted human holders for millennia."

"Has it?" Ashryn challenged. "Or have you simply allowed us to believe that?" He turned to address the gathered crowd. "My brother has always been selective with historical truths. Perhaps this human isn't bound to him at all—perhaps this is all an elaborate deception to reclaim his throne."

The accusation hung in the air, igniting whispers among the assembled blood-born. I felt their doubtful gazes, their growing suspicion.

"That's enough, Ashryn," Elder Thorne's authoritative voice cut through the murmurs as he entered the Archive. "The Heart itself has confirmed the binding. Would you question our most sacred power?"

"I question anything that contradicts our oldest texts," Ashryn replied smoothly. He turned to me, his silver eyes calculating. "Unless, of course, the lady herself can prove the binding's legitimacy."

"How?" I asked, wary of his sudden focus.

"The contract allows the holder to see the bound's memories," Elder Vesper explained. "If you truly hold Darian's contract, you should be experiencing his past through dreams."

A hush fell over the crowd as all eyes turned to me. I remembered the strange fragments of dreams I'd had—flashes of battles and bloodshed that hadn't felt like my own imagination.

"I... I have been dreaming," I admitted slowly. "But I didn't understand what they meant."

"Describe them," Elder Thorne urged gently.

I closed my eyes, trying to recall the scattered images. "A battlefield at night. Snow covered in blood. A woman with white hair offering a chalice. A city burning beside a lake." I opened my eyes to find Darian staring at me with an unreadable expression.

"The Battle of Frost Lake," he said quietly. "The fall of the First City. Events no human could know."

Elder Thorne nodded with satisfaction. "The contract is valid. The human girl truly sees through the prince's memories."

Ashryn's face darkened momentarily before smoothing back into his charming mask. "Fascinating. Then perhaps our next area of research should be how a mere human activated a circle meant for divine blood." His gaze locked with mine, speculative and dangerous. "What secrets might you be hiding, Elira Hamilton?"

As the crowd began to disperse, Mira approached us with a troubled expression. "My prince, our researchers have uncovered something... unexpected."

"What is it?" Darian asked.

Mira glanced nervously at the departing blood-born. "The contract's origin may indeed be more complex than we believed. The oldest texts suggest it was created as a pact between the first blood-born and the human-divine hybrids—a balance of power between immortals and those with divine heritage."

"Which would mean," I said slowly, "that if I activated the circle..."

"It might suggest your bloodline isn't entirely human," Mira finished quietly.

The implication hung between us, heavy with questions I wasn't ready to face. Darian's expression had grown distant, calculating.

"We need to discover the truth," he said finally. "Before Ashryn uses this to further divide the court."

As we left the Archive, I caught Ashryn watching us from the shadows, his silver eyes gleaming with satisfaction. Whatever game he was playing, I had the sinking feeling we had just unwittingly advanced his position.

That night, my dreams were more vivid than before—not just fragments but complete scenes from Darian's past. Wars fought under blood-red moons. Ancient cities of impossible beauty. And beneath it all, a sense of terrible sacrifice and loss that followed me into waking, leaving me gasping in the darkness with tears on my cheeks.