Of Blood and Roses

In exchange for protection, Emperor Amias de Marc has two requests of the people of a willing supply of blood sacrifices, and a wife...

Every hundred years, the vampire Emperor opens the gates to his Eternal Palace to select a human bride. In 'The Picking', unmarried maidens turning twenty in the winter are requested to attend, and, from them, the one to make the flowers bloom becomes his betrothed. Refusal means certain death.

Lamia Fontaine is a girl hell-bent on revenge. And her target is the Emperor. Lucky for her, she's part of The Picking, and has an invitation to attend the Palace. Now, all she needs is a chance to get close enough to strike...