Arlene
Before the wedding began, Rosien Valmont, the vampire prince, chained me to the blood altar.
A dagger carved with a blood curse was pressed against my heart.
"Give Bertha your blood one more time and I'll honor the blood pact. Otherwise the wedding is off."
Rosien and I had loved each other for 200 years.
He swore in front of the whole clan that he would make me his princess.
Then, three years ago, everything changed when he brought Bertha Bell, a dying human, home.
Whenever her illness flared, Rosien cut open my chest to draw my blood.
On every full moon, pain ripped through my body as though my flesh were being torn apart.
Bertha Bell lay pale in his arms.
"Rosien, let it go! Katherine has waited a long time for this wedding. If she doesn't want to, I don't mind dying."
When he looked at me again, there was nothing in his eyes but impatience.
"Bertha saved my life. You're only giving up a few drops of blood."
He pushed the dagger in another inch.
"You begged for this wedding in the first place. I can call it off whenever I want. But if you're willing to give Bertha your blood, I'll still make you my princess."
I looked down at the ring on my finger and laughed softly.
"One last time."
Rosien had no idea that this was the 99th time he had taken my blood.
In three days, when the blood moon rose, the Founder bloodline sealed within me would fully awaken. I would take control of the clan.