BOUND TO THE VAMPIRE KING

The wind howled through the dense Blackwood Forest as Seraphina Ashford pulled her tattered cloak tighter around her shoulders. Rain soaked her dark hair, and icy water trickled down her face. "Just a little farther..." she whispered. The small basket of herbs in her hands was all she had managed to gather before the storm struck. If she returned empty-handed, the orphanage would have nothing to sell at tomorrow's market. A deafening crack of thunder split the sky. Seraphina froze. A strange scent drifted through the air. Blood. Fresh blood. Her heart raced. The forest suddenly became silent. No birds. No insects. Nothing. Only the sound of heavy footsteps approaching from the darkness. Her instincts screamed at her to run. She turned— But a shadow appeared before her. A man. He stood impossibly tall, dressed in an elegant black coat embroidered with crimson threads that shimmered like liquid blood. His raven-black hair framed a face so breathtakingly handsome it hardly looked human. His crimson eyes glowed in the darkness. Ancient. Powerful. Deadly. A streak of blood rested at the corner of his lips. Seraphina stumbled backward. "W-Who are you?" The stranger didn't answer. Instead, he stared at her as though the entire world had disappeared. His cold expression slowly cracked. Shock. Disbelief. Then... Longing. He took one step closer. "My King..." Several cloaked figures suddenly emerged from the trees and knelt before the stranger. "We've searched for centuries," one of them whispered. "The prophecy... it was true." Seraphina's breathing became uneven. "King?" She glanced between the mysterious men before turning to flee. A cold hand wrapped around her wrist. She gasped. The stranger's touch sent a strange warmth through her body. His crimson eyes never left hers. His deep, commanding voice echoed through the silent forest. "I finally found you." Seraphina tried to pull away. "You're mistaken." "I'm not." His thumb brushed gently across the inside of her wrist. The moment his skin touched hers... A brilliant crimson symbol burst into existence on both of their wrists. It glowed like molten fire. The kneeling vampires lowered their heads. "The Blood Bond..." "The King's fated mate..." "No..." "It cannot be..." Seraphina stared at the glowing mark in horror. "What... what is this?" The stranger stepped closer until only inches separated them. His voice became softer. Possessive. Certain. "You are mine." The words echoed through the forest. Before Seraphina could protest, the Blood Bond flared again, flooding her body with unbearable heat. Far away... Inside the ancient Vampire Palace... Every candle suddenly extinguished. The royal bell rang by itself. Once. Twice. Three times. The kingdom had only one explanation. The Vampire King had found his Queen.