"There was a ceremony."
Ivan spread papers on the table. Old. Yellow. Fragile.
Celeste leaned closer. "What ceremony?"
"A binding. Between two families. Your mother's and Damien's." Ivan pointed at a faded photo. "This was the night it happened."
The photo showed two people by a fire. Her mother. Young. Beautiful. Next to a man who looked like Marcus.
"When was this?"
"Twenty-six years ago. Before you were born."
Celeste picked up the photo. Her hands shook. "What did they do?"
"They made a pact. Written in blood. Signed by witnesses from both families."
Ivan handed her a document. The ink was red. Dark.
She read it slowly.
*We bind these families through union. Isabella Rossi to Marcus DeLuca. Their child will end the war. Unite both houses. Bring peace.*
"They were supposed t
