Bloodlines of the Damned

Curse of the Curse one

Vane's POV: A Storm of Choices

The grand hall of the Erebus castle was quiet, save for the distant echoes of servants moving about, preparing for the evening feast. Vane sat at the long table in the center of the room, a glass of blood-red wine in front of him. But his mind was far from the drink. It was lost in thought, swirling like the stormy skies outside the castle. His gaze was unfocused as he stared at the ornate walls, every intricate design telling the story of his family's legacy, a legacy now burdened with the weight of expectations.

As the new heir to the Erebus throne, Vane was expected to carry the mantle of his bloodline, to step into a role that required not just power, but strategic decisions that would shape the future of their empire. And yet, every time he thought about the marriage arrangement with the Windsar family, his chest tightened.

He hadn't wanted this. Not really.

He hadn't wanted to be bound by the chains of politics, forced into an arranged marriage with Alexandra Windsar, the daughter of the powerful Wind King. But the reality was clear: this was not just a marriage of convenience—it was a union designed to fortify their position in a world that was growing more dangerous by the day. The Windsar family's power over the elements, especially the wind, was unmatched, and their alliance with the Erebus family would secure his future, not just as the ruler of his house, but as a force that could challenge the growing threat of the Thorne family and anyone else who dared challenge them.

And yet, there was Lyra.

He had promised her. He had promised that no matter what, they would remain a part of each other's lives, that no force, no matter how powerful, could tear them apart. And now? Now, he was bound to someone else. A marriage that was more political than personal, more about the bloodline than the heart.

The thought of it caused a deep ache in his chest, one that he couldn't ignore. The pain was sharp, almost suffocating, and every time he thought about it, it made him feel like he was betraying Lyra. She had been his constant—his friend, his confidante, his anchor. They had shared moments that no one else had, moments of peace in a world that had always been chaotic, moments where they had allowed themselves to simply be.

But he had made his decision.

The Windsar alliance was crucial, not only for his family but for the entire kingdom. And in truth, it wasn't just about political leverage. There was more at stake. Vane's mind drifted back to his time in the Dark Forest, to the secret his grandfather, Hadrien, had shared with him, one that still haunted him.

Flashback: A Curse Unveiled

"You're not just the heir to the Erebus bloodline, Vane," Hadrien had said one night, his voice low and heavy with a weight Vane had not fully understood at the time. "There's more to your destiny than just power. There's a darkness in the world, a darkness that has been hidden for centuries."

Vane had listened intently as his grandfather spoke of the ancient curse that had been placed on the half-bloods of the vampire world, a curse that had marked Lyra's family. "The curse of the Cursed Ones," Hadrien had called it. "Your mother, Seraphine, and the Windsar family... they were all born from that curse. It's why half-breeds like Lyra are treated with disdain, why they're feared and rejected. They carry the mark of an ancient bloodline that was never meant to exist."

Vane had felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise at the words. The story had been long lost in the shadows, something whispered about but never truly spoken of. But now, hearing the truth from his grandfather, it had shaken him to his core.

"Your father, Aelric, married your mother not just for love," Hadrien continued. "He married her to protect the world from the dangers of that curse. You are a key to that protection, Vane. The curse can't be lifted, but it can be controlled. And the Windsar alliance, your marriage to Alexandra, is a part of that protection. It is the only way to ensure that the balance is maintained."

Vane had felt a sense of helplessness then, the weight of the world crashing down on him. He had wanted to protect Lyra, wanted to keep her safe from the prejudice and hatred that surrounded her. But now, he saw that there was more at play than just his feelings for her. His duty to the Erebus bloodline, to his kingdom, and to the world itself was more complicated than he could have ever imagined.

Present Day: The Battle Within

Now, as he sat in the grand hall, Vane's thoughts turned back to Lyra, to the girl he had known since childhood. She had suffered so much at the hands of those who saw her as less than human, less than vampire. The prejudice she faced, the cruelty of the world she lived in, had always angered him. But hearing what his grandfather had told him had made him realize something even more chilling: the world itself feared her. The very blood in her veins was a curse to those who saw it as such. And in a twisted way, her very existence had always been a reason for her persecution.

Vane had to make this sacrifice. He had to marry Alexandra Windsar, not just to secure his family's legacy, but to protect Lyra. The alliance with the Windsars would ensure that no one could touch her. It would protect the Erebus name and, in the long run, it would keep Lyra safe—if only from the political chaos that loomed on the horizon.

He closed his eyes, his fingers gripping the edge of the table, and he could almost feel the pressure of Lyra's gaze on him, even though she was miles away. He knew what this would do to her. He knew she would feel betrayed, hurt by his decision. But he couldn't tell her the truth—not yet. He couldn't burden her with the secret of her own bloodline, not until he could figure out how to deal with the curse that threatened not just her, but their entire world.

Lyra's POV: The Unseen Truth

Lyra stood at the edge of the balcony, her hands gripping the stone railing. The sun was setting, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, but the beauty of the moment was lost on her.

Her thoughts, once again, were consumed by Vane. Since his return, she had felt the distance between them grow. It was subtle at first—a slight change in his demeanor, a coldness that hadn't been there before. But now, it was unmistakable. He was different. There was a wall between them that she couldn't cross.

What hurt the most was that he hadn't told her why. He hadn't explained the reason for the sudden shift. She had wanted to believe that their bond, their connection, was unbreakable. But now, she wasn't so sure.

Her heart told her that there was something he wasn't telling her—something big. She had always known that Vane carried the weight of his family's legacy, but this felt different. This felt like something far beyond his usual responsibilities. The coldness in his eyes when they spoke, the way he pulled away when she tried to reach out—it was as if he was preparing to leave her behind.

And though she didn't know why, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was losing him.

Vane's Decision: A Path of Shadows

Vane finally stood, pushing away from the table and walking toward the open window. The night air hit him like a physical blow, but it was nothing compared to the storm inside of him. He had made his decision. The path before him was clear, and he would walk it—no matter the cost.

He could only hope that, in time, Lyra would understand.

But as the first stars began to twinkle in the sky, he knew it wouldn't be that simple. There was a darkness in the world, and in Lyra's bloodline, that he couldn't ignore. And so, he would sacrifice his own heart to protect hers, even if it meant breaking both of them in the process.