A Vow of Blood and Tears

Bane

Never did I dream that a woman would cry on our wedding night.

Ten years have passed since humans and vampires allied to defeat the wolves.

Now, to seal the covenant between our people and keep my throne, I must take a mortal bride.

But I’ve gone further than any vampire has gone before—become a fiend, a monster even among my own kind. No woman can lay eyes on me now without horror and fear.

When I first see her, I know I’ve doomed her. But she doesn’t scream in terror.

She fears not my face, but my bestial thirst.

Because of her courage, I will...

Bane

Never did I dream that a woman would cry on our wedding night.

Ten years have passed since humans and vampires allied to defeat the wolves.

Now, to seal the covenant between our people and keep my throne, I must take a mortal bride.

But I’ve gone further than any vampire has gone before—become a fiend, a monster even among my own kind. No woman can lay eyes on me now without horror and fear.

When I first see her, I know I’ve doomed her. But she doesn’t scream in terror.

She fears not my face, but my bestial thirst.

Because of her courage, I will be the remorseless beast who keeps a beauty chained with vows.

And though I crave the taste of her blood…

I will fight the monster within to win her heart and soul.

Cirri

Never did I dream that a monstrous vampire would be the one to hear me.

Voiceless and ignored by the world, I was never considered good enough for anything beyond my indentured servitude—a silent, forgettable shadow.

Until my blood betrayed me.

Chosen by chance as a pureblood bride for the Lord of the Rift, I’ve been sold in marriage to a vampire more hideous than I could’ve imagined.

But despite his savage appearance, he tries to hear my silent words.

He alone learns to read the language of my hands.

He might be a beast, but there is beauty in his soul. For the sake of my people, I will spend a lifetime shackled to this monster…

But for the sake of his heart, I will make myself heard.