"W-what?" The single word escaped my lips, even though Caspian's statement echoed loud and clear in my mind.

I felt the blood drain from my face, leaving my skin cold and pale, while my heart pounded furiously against my chest. A wave of dizziness and nausea surged through me, and even the light in the room made my eyes ache. Still, I doubted it was a side effect of vampire blood.

"Of course, it's not like Hadrian would ever manipulate your feelings..." Caspian let out a strained laugh, his ...