Chapter 2
Poppy POV
My bare feet brushed against the cold ground as Arya led me toward the altar. A long white veil covered my face, following the tradition of my people.
The villagers we had invited watched in silence as we walked down the narrow path. It had been a long time since we last celebrated a wedding—probably years. And now that we were, the hall was filled with many people.
Ahead, at the gods' altar, my betrothed stood waiting. Jon. A man I had known since childhood and fallen in love with. He wore the ceremonial robes of white and red.
Drums began to beat. I stared at my Mama through the veil, and she looked proud of her daughter. My breath caught as I neared the altar, thrilled at the thought that I was going to be a married woman any moment from now. I stared at the ancient stones at the altar—stones that spoke of gods who watched and waited.
Since winter's arrival, we had begged the gods to free us from the vampires. But they wouldn't listen. Or they heard and went silent.
I turned to Arya, who flashed me a smile. She would rather perform spells than fall in love and marry. She was irked by the idea of love. She had turned down many suitors who were interested in her.
As we continued walking, the women threw red petals at us, wishing me a long-lasting and happy marriage.
Once I reached the altar, I stood next to Jon.
The priestess, Freydis, stepped forward. She was dressed in long white robes, her hair covered by a hood.
"Poppy," she called, holding my hands in hers. She held Jon's too.
Opening her mouth, she spoke to the crowd, welcoming them to the wedding celebration.
"This hand-knotting symbolizes our tradition and your union in marriage," she said to Jon, who smiled at me.
Jon was beautiful. He had dark blond hair, pale blue eyes, a long straight nose, and thin lips. Even though I was tall, Jon stood a few inches taller than me.
Though many people—especially Arya—had tried to turn my heart away from him, I couldn't stop loving him. He had helped me and my family in times of need. He was like a godsend.
"Do you swear from this day forward to honour and respect her in sickness and in health?"
"I do," he answered.
She turned to me and asked the same question.
Just as I opened my mouth to answer, I felt something.
The wind that blew inside the room was stronger than anything I'd ever seen. It swept off the roof, allowing snow to fall on us.
My body trembled in fear, and the red knot the priestess was holding slipped from her hands. I ran to hug Jon quickly.
I heard it.
The sound of a hound howling in the distance.
I remembered my Mama's words: When the Vampire King is near, you'll hear the sound of hounds howling. He has two hounds bound to him.
I looked at the altar—and it started to bleed. It foretold a coming tragedy. And it was right, because within the next moment, two hounds came walking through the door.
Behind them came the Vampire King, on a horse. His horse looked terrifying and unnatural. It looked... dead.
Black as the midnight sky, snow coated its fur. Its eyes were red, like every vampire's. Cold and lifeless.
It moved slowly, but at the same time, it was powerful—like it couldn't feel pain. It didn't even snort. It wore no armour to shield it from the cold, only a saddle for the Vampire King.
The room had turned silent, everyone as still as a statue. No one spoke. It was even hard to breathe with Rhain's presence.
Slowly, he came down from the horse, his eyes locking onto mine. He wore a long black fur cloak. His face was hidden behind a steel mask. His hands were covered in black gloves.
It felt like a dream. Like the dreams I'd had in past years. I was shaking with fear.
The Vampire King had come for his bride.
But who was he going to choose?
"I come with an offer," he said, his voice soaked in darkness.
My Mama stepped forward.
"What do you want, King Rhain?" she asked.
"I want your daughter as my bride," he said, turning to me. My eyes widened. "She is the Chosen One."
"No," Jon said instantly.
The Vampire King turned to him, and I glared at Rhain. My legs trembled with cold and fear. For a moment, I thought the ground would open and swallow me.
"You wish to wed my daughter? No," Mama said.
My fingers trailed down to the pendant around my neck. How had he found me? I thought this would protect me from him.
I slowly turned to Arya, whose eyes were wide, as if they were about to fall out. I wondered what was going through her mind, finally realizing that everything we had feared was real.
I did not want to be Rhain's bride.
Rhain stared at Mama. "You would choose bloodshed so quickly?"
"I care for my children. And I will not let you marry any of them."
I swallowed hard. "If you wanted a wife, why wait until my wedding night to ask for my hand?"
He turned to me. "I didn't know I wanted you until now."
"She is my wife," Jon said, drawing his sword and shielding me behind him. "She does not belong to you."
The Vampire King chuckled. "If you don't agree, then there will be bloodshed."
Jon shouted, raising his sword, and some men from the hall did the same.
Before I knew it, chaos erupted.
The hounds were let loose and attacked the men.
The Vampire King raised his hand, and long steel chains covered in ice shot out. The edges were spiked.
"Poppy!" Mama pulled me back.
"We must leave now!"
Arya grabbed my hand.
"No... No! My Jon. He's going to die!" I cried as Arya dragged me toward the entrance.
Before we could leave, a tall female with red hair appeared at the doorway. She raised her hand, and Mama and Arya fell to the ground.
A gasp escaped my lips as I looked around—the people were on the floor. Blood was everywhere.
They were all dead.
I spotted Jon and ran to him, pulling him to my chest. His chest was torn open. His heart—gone.
I cried. I screamed for Mama and Arya to wake.
Slowly, the Vampire King walked up to me. I trembled in fear.
"You killed them," I said. "You killed my people."
"Not all," he replied. "Your Mama and sister are not dead. But if you don't come with me, they will be—very soon."
As he said that, I turned to see the other female aiming a bow and arrow at them.
Tears rolled down my cheek.
Something I had dreaded for years had come to pass.
I was the Chosen One—
The Vampire King's bride.