Filed to story: Two Vampire Brides (Vera & Lucien) Book PDF Free
The bonding hall shimmered with moonlight spilling through stained-glass panels. At its center stood the ritual circle, lined with ancient runes and ceremonial stones, once used by queens who’d come before me.
Now it was my turn.
Lucien and I walked in together, hands joined, steps in sync.
The crowd silenced immediately.
The King stood off to the side, flanked by Council members and coven lords from across the territories.
I could feel their gazes tracking my every move. Lucien stopped with me at the center of the ring.
The High Priestess stepped forward, her voice like thunder wrapped in velvet. “Tonight, before the eyes of the Ancient Blood and the Laws of Night, we witness the bonding of two vampires: Vera Nightshade, Daughter of the Crown, and Lucien Dareth, Lord-born of Shadowmere.”
The air crackled.
She turned to me first. “Do you accept this bond freely, with no coercion or force?”
I looked at Lucien, and smiled. “I do.”
She turned to him. “And you, Lucien Dareth?”
His voice didn’t waver. “I do.”
The High Priestess raised her hands. “Then may the Ancient Blood bless your union with strength, unity, and eternal flame.”
We stepped closer, palms joined.
She tied the ceremonial cloth around our joined wrists, a loop of gold and crimson, and pressed a silver blade to both of our thumbs. A single drop of blood from each of us fell into the carved basin between the stones.
The runes flared, and crimson light soared upward. Vampires hissed in approval as the bond snapped into place. The Council wasted no time.
As the scent of burning herbs and sacred oils faded, the King stepped forward and called the Council to vote.
“Now that Princess Vera has taken a mate, she is eligible to claim the title of Queen of Shadowhold and High Lady of the Unified Covens,” he announced. “Let each council member step forward and cast your mark.”
One by one, they approached the ceremonial stone, pressing their mark upon the scroll laid flat across its surface.
My pulse echoed in my ears. Lucien held my hand the entire time. Finally, the Priestess returned with the scroll.
She cleared her throat. “The votes have been counted.”
I held my breath.
“With a majority vote, the Council hereby recognizes Vera Nightshade as Queen of Shadowhold and High Lady of the Unified Covens.”
Screams of joy and cheers erupted like a wildfire.
Vampires hissed and applauded. The crowd surged. Emotion shattered through me in a tidal wave.
The King reached for me and pulled me into a fierce embrace. “You’ve earned every piece of this.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, breath caught in my throat.
—The End