This is a skillfully crafted tale.
I enjoyed a story that focused on the brides perspectives, giving them a single voice was a very affective and unique choice that helped to draw readers into the story.
There were moments of sorrow, passion, struggle and deep insight from the brides which really helped to develop their characters.
In a way they made me think of J K Rowlings dementors, or Voldimort's Death Eaters from the Harry Potter series.
I did feel sorry for those poor horses, but if I remember right that happened in the book as well as the movie.
This was definitely an original and dark story.
Excellent job.

This, Thyme, was one of the hottest things I have ever read. Your descriptions are so vivid, and I loved the mindset of the Brides and the relationship between them and Vlad. 'Tis now time to systematically read every one of your stories of whose fandom I am familiar!

Incredible.

The brides have always fascinated me. In a sense, they were the not-quite-so-mindless night creatures that lived for their master's whims, and then again, they were "living," thinking vampires made so by Vlad's loneliness. It begs the question, did he choose these brides out of sheer loneliness or was there something in them that drew him to them? He felt responsibility for them as evidenced by what he gave them as treats and toys, but it seemed he had few feelings for them beyond that given he took off to England to find and seduce Mina. Also, would the brides have remained at the castle if Vlad had brought Mina there or would he have sent them away? Would Mina have allowed them to stay once she was princess of the castle?

I love how you weaved this lack of jealousy in the brides in the story. They were certainly curious about seeing Dracula in love with the lady whose portrait hangs in the castle, but there was no anger or resentment. There was merely a justification that their long years had earned them the right to see what was never theirs -- they'd get to see Vlad in love, being loved.

First person plural was a very brave choice for this story, and though I cannot quite believe this characterization, I applaud you for working with this point of view.

Wow! Lovely work. ^_^

Wow. Very beautifully written. And it's very thought out as well.
Great job! Keep up the awesome, lovely work, as always.