A Promise to Keep

The Story

A ritual bride earns her living by preserving the bloodlines of men who die young. She has completed this grim duty for one hundred and seven deceased men, collecting three hundred silver coins for each ceremony. Tradition dictates that she performs the wedding rites with the corpse and then finishes the rituals in a prepared bridal chamber. Today, she accepts her one hundred and eighth job and her one hundred and eighth husband. Yet this particular engagement feels distinct from her previous experiences.