Bloodbound bride

ed forests and frost-covered peaks, casting long, shivering shadows upon the earth. At the heart of this land stood Duskfall Keep-an ancient fortr

ere long gone. Slain. Forgotten. Myths, at b

was n

f dark liquid cradled in his pale fingers. His gaze was fixed on the flicke

ourning, but for memory. Long had h

as ancient. A pureblood of the first lineage, untouched by mortal decay, hi

petty affairs of humankind. Their wars, t

m once. He would not

ght, fate sti

his steward-gaunt, loyal, half-dead in the way only those

us didn

he said

e g

tled into the

s. The

uthern Reach-on the brink of collapse, their lands cursed with fam

nt him

ed. Un

wi

in," Deme

hall's shadows. Moments passed. T

cold marble. Wrapped in a traveling cloak, she paused beneath the t

f-concealed-trembled faintly. Red curls spilled from beneath her hood, catching fir

rd," s

s in long, silent strides. He stopp

he asked, voice

reigns of the Southern Rea

here as

e as hostag

ld have offend

the corner. "And yet you w

eel?" she asked. "Beg

t invitation," he sa

dn't r

voice quieter now, but not weak. "Obedi

aid, surprising even himsel

old beauty of his face. The emotionless line

or peace alone,"

a man," h

itched-but she d

hat, though he

e place on the Blood Moon, seven nights hence. Until then, you ar

be your pe

he murmured. "It make

at was

red the room. A pull. A soundless pulse, dee

it, of course.

ed at the threshold. "Why hav

t her with a quiet

tired of war. And you, oddly

er, dismissing her as easily

s stood in the silence for a long time, grip