Page 17 of Vows Forged in Blood

“That would be lovely, thank you. And thank you for…for today. For helping to pull me out.” I know she understands what I mean. She’s been in the darkness before, I can tell. After she lost her family, I can only imagine the darkness that came for her.

“Of course, my Lady.” She smiles and heads down the hill. I run through the cabin and throw myself across my bed as I tear open the envelope.

Dear Lia,

Oh yes, of course, we couldn’t have survived another moment without your letter. You know us so well. (I hope you can feel how hard I am rolling my eyes at you through this ink and parchment). As ridiculous as you are, I cannot lie and say that receiving your letter didn’t make my heart lighten. Do not let that go to your head. The journey sounds amazing. Perhaps I’ll get to make it one day.

I’m very glad that you aren’t sleeping on the ground like an animal. I’m finding it hard to sleep, truth be told. The room is too big without you here. And too quiet without your snoring.

My mouth drops open in protest. “I do not snore!”

Yes, you do snore. Do not try to deny it. I know I’ll get used to it, but for now, I lie awake most of the night and wake bitter and grumpy in the morning. Da even brandished a spoon at me like a sword and called me a demon yesterday. Can you believe him?

I snort. I can see it happening so clearly in my head that I laugh through the tears suddenly welling.I should be there with them.I sniffle and continue reading.

Da misses you, of course, and sends his love. I love and miss you too.

Now, tell me more about this bond between you and the High General. It sounds frightening. But also, perhaps, a little…exciting. Don’t roll your eyes at me. It is terribly boring here without you and the idea of being connected to a sexy vampire warrior is far better than being stuck here avoiding the throngs of new “friends” who are suddenly desperate to talk to me. Such is the life of a Consort’s sister, I suppose. I’m famous and shiny by association, apparently.

I’ll write again soon.

Be safe.

-Enid

I turn to lie on my back, holding the letter above me and running my fingers gently over the ink. I miss them so much, but I know they’ll be ok. I think about today, about seeing the camp and feeling more like myself and I smile a little.

I know we’llallbe ok.

Chapter 9

ALARIC

My blade slices through the neck of a Revenant as if it was slicing through butter. Blood sprays, hot and thick, the scent of it bitter and sharp compared to the sweet, rich aroma of Dahlia’s. At the mere thought, my fangs throb, my throat aching. It’s only been a few weeks and already I’m all but addicted. I clench my jaw, pushing thoughts of my Consort and her blood far from my mind. Being separated from her is…uncomfortable to say the least. The bond between us makes me feel as if I’m being pulled apart, stretched so tightly I might snap at any moment. I’d felt it the moment we’d left camp. Hells, I’ve been feeling it every second of every day since the Choosing. I don’t know how much of it is her blood and the binding, and how much is because she’s…mine. It’s difficult for vampires to be apart from their mates. Our entire beings crave our mates’ company, and our every instinct commands us to protect and provide for and please them. I’m not doing any of that, of course, but still, being away is entirely more difficult than I’d anticipated.

The connection with her grows stronger with every sip of her blood. I can feel her more now, like a low buzz in the back ofmy head. Before we left, I could feel her despair and sorrow, the darkness threatening to swallow her, but I had no idea what the fuck to do about it, and despite part of me clamoring to erase her pain, the other part is beyond irritated that I’m even having tothinkabout what the fuck to do about it.

So, I’d done nothing. My very soul seemed to rebel, but I was determined to master these instincts and so I’d avoided her, leaving her to deal with everything on her own. A new life, a new home, pulled from her family that she so clearly adores. I’d taken her blood when I needed it, but had barely spoken to her even then. Thinking of it now, guilt twists my chest. After all,I’dchosenher—she hadn’t wanted this. I hadn’t either, but at the end of the day, it’s my fault that her entire life has been upended, that instead of a castle surrounded by riches and luxury, she’s been forced to move to a fucking war camp surrounded by vampires…

“Fuck,” I grate, moving forward across the rocky plain. I’m not handling this well, I can admit that, but things are fucking complicated. I’m not used to all of these feelings, to sharing my home, to her blood. The thought of it now makes a low growl rumble through my chest. The taste of it on my tongue, the fire it spreads through my veins, the life and vitality of it…the things it makes me want to do. In truth, that’s another reason for the distance I’ve been keeping: I don’t trust myself around her yet. The things I want when she’s near, the way my body craves hers in ways I can’t even explain or comprehend…No, no, no. I shut out the thoughts before they can spiral—and before I’m striding across this battlefield with a raging cockstand.

This Consort business is very fucking inconvenient. I sigh to myself as I add in the inevitable: so is having amate. I still don’t understand how it’s possible, how my mate couldpossiblybe human, but I can’t deny the truth of it. I know it in my bones, in my soul. And I hate it. I fucking hate it at the same time that Ilove it. It’s heaven and hell all rolled into one and if I don’t figure out how to deal with all of this soon, I’m going to impale myself on Night’s Fury just to end the headache of it all.

“On your left!” Elias calls and I turn just as another Revenant lunges for me. I sidestep and spin, whirling to lash out with my sword. The blade slices through the air with a low whistle before connecting with the Revenant’s back, easily cutting through his armor and severing his spine. He screams in pain as the silver stars burn his body from within, and falls to his knees. He bares his black fangs as I loom over him, his crimson eyes wide with pain and fury and fear. I finish the job quickly, without hesitation or thought.

Elias jogs up, his own armor covered in blood—not his own.

“Distracted, are we?” he asks with a smug smile, out of breath but as casually as if we’re out for a leisurely stroll instead of in the midst of a bloodbath.

Ignoring his jibe, I jerk my chin. “They’re falling back.” I survey the blood-soaked plain, searching for Kilgren, though I know I won’t find him. The coward never comes into battle with his men, always instead watching from afar and letting them fall in his place.

“Do you want to press after them?” I glance around and do quick calculations before shaking my head.

“No, let them go. We’ll fall back to the ridge and regroup. See if they try to press forward again or retreat back past the river.” The Revenant stronghold was just over The Devil’s Tongue, a dangerous, roaring river with only a single bridge across. To Kilgren’s credit, it’s a smart choice and easily defended, which is why we’ve never tried a full attack on them there. I was surprised when reports came in of a Revenant unit moving down towards the eastern side of the Sisters. They don’t typically engage here as there’s no real point—there’s no way through the mountains here. So, I’d made a point to come myself despite the Revenantforces being relatively small. Something about this was strange, and I’ve been fighting this war long enough to know that strange is never a good sign.

“I’ll tell the others.” Just as Elias turns to head back into the thinning fray, an arrow sails into my shoulder—throughmy armor. Sharp pain sears my arm, blood pouring hot and thick. I stagger back a step from the force of the blow, gnashing my teeth.

“Alaric!” Elias cries, eyes wide in shock. “How the fuck…” He trails off as I bare my fangs in utter rage, turning to find the bastard who shot me. I find him easily, standing atop a small boulder, black fangs shining as he grins triumphantly. Another leaps from the boulder and sprints away from the battle, running so fast he’s nearly a blur.

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