a's

ck, yanking me out of unconsciousness. My eyes snapped open

t a dizzy wave crushed me back into velvet pillows. The room spun in elegant circl

s wasn't the altar. This was

n. The vampir

uched it, heat flooded my fingertips a glowing symbol, just below my jawlin

ood

eathed. "N

re aw

ce. I st

es, his long frame relaxed but alert. Prince Lucien Virelith. Cr

n the bed, my fingers

he said

en the windows, then to anything s

My voice cracke

ight approach a frightened animal. "B

. "That doesn't

" he said

rust anyone with fangs and glo

art from the beginning. What did

not just a mark. It's a binding. Your blood called to mine d

hed w

w tightening. "A p

mach d

heirs must bind with a soul-compatible bride by the rise of their 300th blood moon or face extinction.

eart pounding. "So

dn't

and forced myself to stay u

" he said coolly.

ot to be bound to a vampir

shed. "You a

f course. I'm a prophecy.

tretched

e, I heard something almost human in h

lass, black forests stretched toward a blood-red sky

ou. Vampires who stole children in the night. Who fed on th

l stories are lies. But not

d him. "What do y

sed. "

ked. "

this bond truly is. To ensure your safety. A

The court d

t y

silent, head bowed and placed a tray of food o

d traitorously, b

id. "You'll need

at?" I

our first day as

lapsed onto the bed and b

d Br

rk from my skin and wake up in my old bed

was something else now. Something t

eyes, but I bl

. Not here. No

ulsing faintly on my neck. A cruel reminder

er. A pull. As if something inside me recognized this bond.

t to awaken. I w

given clothes, meals, and a massive chamber overlooking

nly when necessary and even then, the air b

t shadows shifting behind doors. Once, I eve

the o

ark gl

think it

d and worn, written in both common tongue and vampire script. I devoured ever

sage st

fates entwine, power stirs. The chosen bride will aw

r

explain t

s, burning temples, and voices calling my name through fire. I saw a crown of obsidi

on a throne of ash, Lucien kneeli

urned. And with it

woke up

adness?

But I was goi

this entire palace d