Three Minutes Before the Blood Bond, I Walked Away

Half an hour before I was to seal a blood bond, my vampire fiance's steward stopped me outside my own bedchamber.

"I'm sorry, Your Grace, but your key doesn't fit this lock."

His words made my stomach drop.

"That's impossible. Crowley Ashbourne handed it to me himself."

"According to our records, the bedchamber is currently occupied by Lady Elsa Ashbourne, Lord Crowley's adopted sister. She set a ward over it, and only Lord Crowley's blood seal can open the door."

My lady's maid, Marta Bell, went white at the steward's answer.