Blood on the Floorboards

In the Silver Cathedral, Cirrien "Cirri" lai Darran, a mute servant, is thrust into chaos when a young woman, Antonetta, is found dead on the eve of her forced marriage to Lord Bane, the monstrous vampire Lord of the Rift. The Sisterhood, desperate to fulfill the Blood Accords that keep their nation safe from the wargs—shapeshifting wolf-men—must find a new, pure-blooded bride. Cirri, invisible and undervalued, is chosen for her lineage and expendability. The weight of her country's safety falls on her silent shoulders, and she is swept into a world of blood, politics, and ancient grudges, her fate sealed by the blood soaking the floorboards.

A Monster's Bargain

Lord Bane, once a beautiful vampire, is now a fiend—transformed by war and sacrifice into a monstrous protector. Bound by the Blood Accords, he must marry a human to retain his title and keep the peace. Haunted by his own monstrous form and the knowledge that his bride will likely fear and despise him, Bane journeys to Argent to claim his bride. The carriage ride is heavy with dread and duty, as Bane and his advisor Olwyn steel themselves for a union neither wants, but both know is necessary for the survival of their people.

The Silent Bride Chosen

Cirri is hastily prepared for marriage, her protests unheard. The Sisterhood values her silence, believing it will keep their secrets safe. She is dressed in red, adorned with rowan and silver—symbols meant to ward off vampires, but now only reminders of her powerlessness. At the altar, she meets Bane, whose monstrous appearance is both terrifying and strangely compelling. Despite her fear, Cirri does not scream. The marriage is swift, transactional, and leaves her feeling more like a sacrifice than a bride.

Vows in Crimson

The wedding is a tense, joyless affair, witnessed by wary Sisters and Bane's bloodwitch advisor. Cirri's silence is both a shield and a prison. Bane, expecting revulsion, is surprised by her composure. The ceremony is a blend of human and vampire traditions, sealed with blood and wine. Both bride and groom are haunted by what they must do to uphold the peace, and by the knowledge that their union is a cage for them both. As they depart for the Rift, the true test of their resolve begins.

Into the Fiend's Lair

Cirri is whisked away from everything she's known, trapped in a carriage with her monstrous new husband and his bloodwitch. The journey is fraught with tension, misunderstandings, and the ever-present threat of wargs. Cirri's attempts to communicate are stymied by her lack of tools and Bane's limited knowledge of her sign language. Yet, small gestures of kindness—a journal, a book—begin to bridge the gulf between them. As they near the Rift, both are forced to confront the reality of their new lives.

Thorns and Wolves

The journey is interrupted by the threat of wargs, and Bane's true nature as a protector—and a killer—is revealed. Cirri witnesses the violence and sacrifice required to keep the peace, and the ever-present danger that haunts the Rift. The couple's arrival at Ravenscry is marked by suspicion, ancient rituals, and the planting of a bloodrose vine—a symbol of their union and the hope that something beautiful might grow from blood and pain.

A Marriage of Strangers

Cirri is thrust into the role of Lady of the Rift, surrounded by vampires and expectations she cannot meet. Bane, haunted by his monstrous form and the memory of what he sacrificed, struggles to connect with his silent bride. Through small acts—gifts, shared meals, attempts at communication—they begin to see each other as more than burdens. Yet, the chasm between them remains wide, filled with fear, shame, and the ghosts of the past.

The Language of Hands

Determined to be heard, Cirri teaches Bane the basics of her sign language. Their tentative efforts at understanding each other are fraught with frustration and vulnerability, but also moments of genuine connection. Bane's efforts to learn, and Cirri's determination to be seen, lay the groundwork for trust. As they navigate the complexities of their new roles, the first seeds of companionship—and perhaps something more—are sown.

The Rift's Reluctant Lady

Cirri's presence in the Rift is met with skepticism from both humans and vampires. She is an outsider, a figurehead, and a target. The Rift-kin's superstitions and the ever-present threat of wargs keep her under constant guard. Yet, through her intelligence, resilience, and growing bond with Bane, she begins to carve out a place for herself. The library becomes her sanctuary, and the journal her voice. But danger and betrayal lurk in the shadows, threatening the fragile peace.

The Wedding Night Fractures

On their wedding night, Cirri and Bane attempt to consummate their marriage, but centuries of fear and trauma overwhelm her. Bane, wounded by her terror, withdraws, and both are left feeling rejected and alone. The gulf between them widens, filled with shame, longing, and the weight of expectations. Yet, even in their pain, small gestures of care—a journal, a poem, a touch—hint at the possibility of healing and intimacy.

Blood and Boundaries

A celebration in the Rift turns deadly when old superstitions and new betrayals collide. Cirri witnesses Bane's capacity for violence as he defends her honor, and the line between protector and monster blurs. The arrival of guests—other fiends and their troubled brides—exposes the cracks in the Accords and the cost of peace. As Cirri navigates court intrigue, jealousy, and the ever-present threat of wargs, she must decide who to trust, and what she is willing to sacrifice.

The Vampire's True Face

Cirri's research in the library uncovers ancient truths about the origins of vampires and wargs, and the rituals that bind them. Bane's past—his transformation, his guilt, his violence—comes to light, forcing both to confront the darkness within and between them. Betrayal from within the keep leads to tragedy, and Cirri is forced to reckon with the reality of the monster she has married. Yet, in the crucible of pain and confession, the possibility of forgiveness and acceptance emerges.

The Feast of Bloodrain

The Bloodrain festival brings together allies and enemies, exposing old grudges and new betrayals. Cirri faces jealousy, suspicion, and the machinations of those who would see her fail. Miro, a trusted artist, reveals his true colors, and Cirri is kidnapped, her fate once again out of her hands. As Bane and his brothers prepare for war, the cost of peace—and the price of love—becomes painfully clear.

Betrayal in the Shadows

Miro's betrayal is revealed in full, and Cirri is taken into the heart of enemy territory. The true nature of the wargs, their rituals, and their connection to the vampires is laid bare. Cirri's resilience is tested as she faces captivity, violence, and the threat of being used as a pawn in Hakkon's war. Bane, driven by love and guilt, gathers his brothers and prepares to cross the border, risking everything to save her.

The Wolves' Return

Hakkon's army of wargs, bred in secret and unleashed in a wave of violence, threatens to overwhelm the Rift and destroy the fragile peace. Cirri, trapped and powerless, becomes the key to Hakkon's plans. Bane and his brothers, united in purpose and pain, confront the reality of what they have become—and what they must do to save the woman they love and the world they have sworn to protect.

The Price of Monsters

As the battle rages, Cirri is forced to witness—and endure—unspeakable violence. Bane, embracing his monstrous nature, fights through a sea of wargs to reach her. The cost of power, the burden of guilt, and the possibility of redemption are weighed in blood. In the crucible of battle, love and monstrosity are revealed as two sides of the same coin, and both Cirri and Bane must decide what they are willing to become for each other.

The Ritual Revealed

Drawing on her research and the power of blood and tears, Cirri enacts the ancient ritual of the Fae, binding the wargs in a bramble of thorns and roses. The battlefield is transformed, the tide turned, and Hakkon is destroyed. Yet, the cost is high—Cirri is broken, her hands shattered, her life hanging by a thread. Bane, refusing to let her go, gives her his blood, binding them together for eternity.

The Fall of Tristone

The war is over, but the wounds run deep. Cirri's recovery is slow and painful, her hands forever marked by violence and sacrifice. Bane, haunted by guilt and love, struggles to accept what he has become—and what he has done. The truth of their origins, the cost of peace, and the possibility of a future together are all weighed in the balance. As the Rift begins to heal, Cirri and Bane must decide what kind of world they want to build.

The Wargbinder's Sacrifice

Cirri's actions have made her a legend—the Wargbinder, the Scrollkeeper, the woman who turned the tide. Yet, she is haunted by what she has lost, and by the knowledge that peace is always fragile. Bane, too, must come to terms with his monstrosity and his love. Together, they begin to rebuild, forging a partnership based on truth, trust, and the hard-won knowledge that love is not the absence of darkness, but the choice to face it together.

The Bramble's Embrace

As the brambles of Cirri's ritual continue to protect the Rift, she and Bane find a new equilibrium. Their love, forged in blood and pain, becomes a source of strength. The truth of their origins is preserved, the knowledge of the Fae and the rituals hidden but not lost. Together, they face the future—not as monsters or martyrs, but as partners, bound by choice and by blood.

The Scrollkeeper's Truth

Cirri, now the Scrollkeeper of Ravenscry, dedicates herself to preserving the truth and ensuring that the mistakes of the past are not repeated. Bane, at peace with his nature, stands by her side. Together, they work to build a world where love and monstrosity can coexist, where the lessons of blood and tears are not forgotten. Their story is not one of happily ever after, but of the ongoing, imperfect work of building a life—and a peace—worth fighting for.

Homecoming and Healing

A year after their ordeal, Cirri and Bane return to Argent to settle old debts and lay the past to rest. Cirri, now fully herself, repays the Sisterhood for her education and claims her place as Lady of the Rift and Scrollkeeper. The wounds of the past remain, but they are healing. Together, Cirri and Bane look to the future—not as monsters or martyrs, but as partners, bound by love, choice, and the hard-won knowledge that peace is always worth the price.

Characters

Cirrien "Cirri" lai Darran

Cirri is a mute woman of noble blood, abandoned by her family and raised as a servant in the Silver Cathedral. Her silence, often mistaken for weakness, is her greatest strength—she observes, learns, and endures. Chosen as a sacrificial bride for Lord Bane, she is thrust into a world of monsters, politics, and ancient magic. Cirri's journey is one of self-discovery and resilience; she transforms from an invisible servant to the Scrollkeeper and Wargbinder, a woman whose intelligence and determination change the fate of nations. Her relationship with Bane is fraught with fear, longing, and hard-won trust, and her love is both a weapon and a balm. Cirri's arc is one of claiming her voice, her agency, and her place in a world that tried to silence her.

Lord Bane, the Lifegiver

Bane is a vampire transformed into a fiend—a monstrous being forged by war, sacrifice, and guilt. Once beautiful, now terrifying, he is both protector and pariah, bound by the Blood Accords to marry a human and keep the peace. Bane's psyche is a battleground of shame, longing, and the desperate need for redemption. His relationship with Cirri is a crucible, forcing him to confront his own monstrosity and capacity for love. Bane's journey is one of acceptance—of his nature, his past, and the possibility of happiness. He is both the monster at the door and the man who would do anything to keep his beloved safe, even at the cost of his own soul.

Olwyn (Wyn)

Wyn is Bane's bloodwitch advisor, a half-vampire, half-human with a sharp mind and sharper tongue. She is fiercely protective of Bane and the peace he upholds, willing to bend rules and break taboos for the greater good. Wyn's sanguimancy is both a weapon and a tool for healing, and her experiments—especially the creation of the golems—are pivotal in the battle against the wargs. She is a voice of reason, a source of comfort, and a reminder that power and compassion can coexist. Wyn's arc is one of loyalty, innovation, and the willingness to do what must be done, even when it costs her dearly.

Visca

Visca is Bane's creator and the commander of his legions. A warrior of unmatched skill and a woman of deep loyalty, she is both mentor and mother-figure to Bane. Visca's pragmatism and ferocity are matched only by her love for her wife, Wyn. She is a stabilizing force, a voice of experience, and a reminder that strength and vulnerability are not opposites. Visca's arc is one of leadership, sacrifice, and the unyielding will to protect those she loves.

Miro Kyril

Miro is a half-Forian artist, embittered by his outsider status and driven by envy and ambition. His talent for imitation—both artistic and literal—makes him a dangerous spy and a master of deception. Miro's betrayal is the spark that ignites the final conflict, and his transformation into a warg is both a punishment and a fulfillment of his own self-loathing. Miro's arc is a cautionary tale of resentment, wasted potential, and the destructive power of envy.

Thurn Hakkon

Hakkon is the high priest of Wargyr, a man who has embraced monstrosity and made it his creed. Charismatic, cunning, and utterly ruthless, he is both a leader and a force of nature. Hakkon's philosophy—that to be a monster is to be free—is a dark reflection of Bane's own fears and desires. His relationship with Cirri is one of predator and prey, but also of twisted respect. Hakkon's arc is one of hubris, ambition, and the inevitable downfall of those who believe themselves above consequence.

Wroth

Wroth is one of Bane's fellow fiends, a once-proud warrior now trapped in a loveless, spiteful marriage. His bitterness and despair are a warning to Bane of what can happen when love curdles into resentment. Wroth's arc is one of suffering, endurance, and the faint hope that healing is possible, even after unimaginable pain.

Andrus

Andrus is another of Bane's brothers, a man who lost everything and became a monster in search of salvation. His faith, his guilt, and his hope for redemption are both a comfort and a challenge to those around him. Andrus's arc is one of atonement, faith, and the belief that even monsters can find peace.

Rose and Thorn

Rose and Thorn are golems created from Cirri's blood, the thorns and roses of her wedding ritual, and Wyn's sanguimancy. They are both protectors and extensions of Cirri's will, embodying the power of love, sacrifice, and ancient magic. Their journey—from silent companions to the instruments of the wargs' destruction—is a testament to the enduring strength of hope and the possibility of transformation.

Eldest Sister Sifka

Sifka is the head of the Silver Sisterhood, a woman clinging to relevance in a world that has moved on. Her rigidity, pride, and inability to adapt are both her downfall and her salvation, as Cirri's final act of repayment gives the Sisterhood a chance to survive. Sifka's arc is one of decline, pride, and the possibility of renewal.

Plot Devices

Blood Accords and Political Marriage

The Blood Accords are the foundation of the story's world—a fragile peace between humans and vampires, sealed by the marriage of the vampire lords to human brides. This device creates both external and internal conflict: the threat of war, the burden of duty, and the personal cost of peace. The political marriage between Cirri and Bane is both a symbol and a crucible, forcing them to confront their own fears, desires, and the possibility of love in a world built on blood and compromise.

Dual Perspectives and Epistolary Elements

The narrative alternates between Cirri and Bane, allowing readers to experience both sides of the story—the silent, internal world of the voiceless bride, and the haunted, monstrous psyche of the fiend. The use of journals, letters, and sign language as means of communication is both a plot device and a symbol of the struggle to be heard and understood. The epistolary elements—poems, confessions, and research—add depth, intimacy, and a sense of immediacy to the unfolding drama.

Ancient Rituals and Lost Knowledge

The discovery and translation of ancient rituals—particularly the binding charm of the Fae—are central to the plot. The loss and recovery of knowledge, the dangers of forgetting history, and the power of myth and folklore are recurring themes. The rituals are both literal and metaphorical: they bind, protect, and destroy, and their rediscovery is both a source of hope and a reminder of the cost of power.

Monstrosity and Redemption

The transformation of vampires into fiends, and humans into wargs, is both a physical and psychological process. The story explores the cost of becoming a monster—what is lost, what is gained, and whether redemption is possible. The line between protector and predator is blurred, and the characters must confront the darkness within themselves and each other. The possibility of love, forgiveness, and healing is weighed against the reality of violence, guilt, and the need for atonement.

Betrayal, Forgery, and Misdirection

The plot is driven by betrayals—Miro's treachery, Ellena's false accusation, the forged letter that nearly destroys Cirri and Bane's relationship. The use of imitation, forgery, and misdirection is both a plot device and a commentary on the difficulty of discerning truth in a world of secrets and lies. The characters must learn to trust themselves and each other, even when the evidence is against them.

The Bramble and the Binding

The bramble that grows from Cirri's blood and tears is both a literal weapon and a metaphor for the power of love, sacrifice, and the willingness to face pain for the sake of others. The binding of the wargs, the healing of wounds, and the creation of the golems are all acts of magic rooted in emotion, memory, and the willingness to endure suffering for a greater good.

Analysis

A Vow of Blood and Tears is a dark, romantic fantasy that interrogates the boundaries between monstrosity and humanity, love and violence, sacrifice and survival. At its heart, the novel is a meditation on the cost of peace—personal, political, and existential. Through the dual perspectives of Cirri and Bane, the story explores what it means to be seen, heard, and loved in a world that values power, silence, and conformity. The use of ancient rituals, lost knowledge, and the ever-present threat of violence serves as both plot engine and thematic core, reminding readers that history is never truly past, and that the choices we make—out of love, fear, or duty—echo through generations. The novel's greatest strength lies in its refusal to offer easy answers: love does not erase monstrosity, nor does sacrifice guarantee redemption. Instead, it offers a vision of partnership forged in blood and pain, where healing is possible but never complete, and where the work of building a life—and a peace—worth fighting for is ongoing, imperfect, and deeply human.

Last updated: October 28, 2025