Reborn To Change My Fate-Chapter 341 - Three Hundred And Forty

The next day, the heavy iron gates of the Thompson estate opened quietly. A small, dark carriage rolled into the snowy courtyard.

The King had kept his word. Lord Colton was officially released from the royal dungeon.

The Elite Shadows, led by Ian, quickly surrounded the carriage. They opened the door and escorted the older man out. Lord Colton was no longer wearing his heavy iron chains. He wore a simple, clean woolen coat provided by the guards. He looked tired, and his face was pale, but his eyes were filled with a deep, calm determination. He knew exactly what he was here to do.

Ian led Lord Colton through the quiet halls of the massive house. They walked all the way to the back wing, heading straight for the cold room built of heavy stone.

The heavy iron door was already slightly open. Ian pushed it wider and stepped inside. The freezing air immediately bit into their skin.

In the center of the dark, cold room, Derek was kneeling on the hard stone floor next to the ice-filled coffin. He had not slept. He had not eaten. He had not changed out of his dark blue military uniform. His eyes were red and sunken.

Derek was gently caressing Marissa’s cold, white face. His large, warm thumb slowly traced the line of her cheekbone. He stared at her peaceful expression, completely lost in his own grief and his own desperate hope.

Ian stopped a few feet away. He bowed his head respectfully.

"Your Grace," Ian said softly, not wanting to startle him. "He is here."

Derek did not turn his head. He did not look away from Marissa. His hand continued to gently stroke her dark, curly hair.

Derek replied, without breaking his gaze on Marissa, "Leave us."

His voice was hoarse and incredibly dry, but it carried the absolute authority of a King.

"Make sure no one disturbs us," Derek ordered. "Block the hallway. If anyone tries to enter this wing before I open this door, kill them."

Ian understood the extreme seriousness of the situation. He did not ask any questions. He did not warn Derek about the dangers of dark magic. He trusted his master completely.

"Yes, Your Grace," Ian replied. He bowed deeply, turned around, and left with the rest of the Elite Shadows. The heavy iron door clicked shut behind them, leaving the three of them completely alone in the freezing silence.

Now, Lord Colton and Derek were alone with the dead.

Colton looked at the broken Grand Duke. He felt a deep wave of sympathy. He knew the pain of losing someone you love. It was the reason he was willing to make this sacrifice.

Colton took a slow, deep breath. The cold air filled his lungs.

"We may begin," Colton replied. His voice was steady and calm.

Derek finally stopped caressing Marissa’s face. He slowly stood up. His tall, broad body cast a long shadow over the stone coffin. He looked at Colton, giving a single, firm nod.

Derek leaned over the thick blocks of salted ice. He slid his strong arms under Marissa’s back and under her knees. He was very careful. He lifted her up gently.

Derek carried Marissa out of the coffin. She felt incredibly light, but her body was stiff and freezing cold against his chest. Her head rested against his shoulder, her dark hair falling over his uniform.

Colton led the way. They walked out of the dark stone room and stepped through a side door that led into a small, private courtyard entirely enclosed by high stone walls. The ground was completely covered in a thick, pure layer of fresh white snow. The sky above was a pale, clear winter blue.

"Place her here," Colton instructed, pointing to the exact center of the snowy courtyard.

Derek walked to the center. He slowly knelt down in the snow. He placed Marissa gently onto the cold, white ground. He straightened her white silk dress and carefully arranged her hair around her pale face.

Colton walked a few paces away. He picked up a thick, sharp wooden stick from the edge of the garden.

He walked around Marissa in a wide circle. He dragged the sharp end of the stick deeply through the thick snow, carving a perfect, large circle around her body. Then, he stepped inside the circle. With precise, careful movements, he drew a large pentacle symbol—a five-pointed star—connecting the edges of the circle. He carved the lines deep, pushing the snow aside until the dark dirt beneath was visible.

Marissa’s corpse laid perfectly still in the very middle of the complex pentacle.

Colton threw the wooden stick away. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small, incredibly sharp silver dagger. The metal gleamed in the sunlight.

Colton walked over to Derek. He pointed to a specific spot on the edge of the drawn circle.

He sat Derek down on the snow. Derek crossed his legs, sitting straight and tall. He did not show any fear.

"Give me your hand," Colton requested gently.

Derek held out his right hand, palm facing upward. He removed his white leather glove and tossed it aside.

Colton took Derek’s bare hand. "The forbidden arts require an anchor," Colton explained softly. "Your life force must call her soul back to this specific body. Your blood will guide her home. It will bind you together forever."

Derek did not blink. "Do it."

Colton pressed the sharp edge of the silver dagger against the center of Derek’s palm. With one quick, firm motion, he slashed Derek’s palm.

It was a deep, long cut. Derek let out a sharp breath as the sudden pain bit into his flesh, but he did not pull his hand away.

Bright, warm red blood immediately pooled in his palm. It spilled over the edges of his hand and dripped down onto the pristine white snow.

"Hold your hand over the line," Colton instructed.

Derek moved his bleeding hand directly over the deep groove Colton had carved into the snow.