Ritual marking

Thane turned to her again, this time his voice more intimate, more personal. “No matter what comes after this—court games, whispers, doubts—know this, Camilla. You belong here. Not just because you passed the trial. But because you endured.”

She met his eyes, and for the first time, she allowed herself to believe it might be true.

“I didn’t just endure,” she whispered. “I chose this.”

Thane reached for her hand.

“And I choose you.”

Holding her hand gently, Thane guided her toward the marking stand positioned in front of them — a sacred place known to all as the Temple’s Haven.

Among the vampires and the few humans present, it was revered as a site of deep significance in Valtoria kingdom. It was widely believed that if a couple stood upon this ancient platform to mark their beloved, the union would receive divine blessings.