In chaos we reign Both Charlie and Damon grew up to realize that the people that were meant to protect them did nothing but steal from them—their youth, their innocence, and their very trust in human connection. But they never let the darkness they carry within stop them from being a bright spot for others. Through humor and a bit of bloody justice, they try to be the light for others they never had. And there’s no better way to keep your heart and soul safe than swearing off any sort of relationships. A good mutually beneficial fucking? Sign them up. Love and trusting someone with the darkest parts of you? No, thank you. What they don’t expect is to feel a spark ignite when they meet for the first time. They form a bond based on light-hearted fun and sexy banter, but are too afraid to let anything beyond friendship blossom. Before they know it that little spark grows into a blaze, illuminating their lives in vibrant color and making them second guess everything they once felt about relationships. Can two broken people come together to learn to hope again? Trust again? Love again? Or will the demons from their past thrust them into darkness once and for all? That Emerald Vow is a stand-alone sequel, and book two in The Crimson Creed trilogy. This can be read as a standalone, but is recommended to read after finishing These Crimson Bonds. Please read the trigger warnings that can be found on author website and in the authors note in the beginning of the book as needed.