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Vampire Companion #1.5
An Encore of Roses
An Encore of Roses is the A DOWRY OF BLOOD epilogue short story in Alexi’s POV. It was originally sent out in S.T. Gibson's newsletter as a subscriber bonus, and can be read for free on Substack.
Content guidance: This is a story about long-distance relationships and ethical nonmonogamy. It features tender sadomasochism, vampire bloodplay, breathplay, consensual sex between three adults, and a happy ending.
Content guidance: This is a story about long-distance relationships and ethical nonmonogamy. It features tender sadomasochism, vampire bloodplay, breathplay, consensual sex between three adults, and a happy ending.
14 pages, ebook
First published July 11, 2021
13 people are currently reading
7410 people want to read
About the author
S.T. Gibson
16 books4,976 followersS.T. Gibson is a poet, author, and village wise woman in training.
She holds a Bachelors degree in Creative Writing from the University of North Carolina at Asheville, and a Masters of Theological Studies from Princeton Theological Seminary.
She holds a Bachelors degree in Creative Writing from the University of North Carolina at Asheville, and a Masters of Theological Studies from Princeton Theological Seminary.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 885 reviews
September 26, 2021
They're my comfort trio your honor.
July 29, 2023
"Even if you were sunlight itself, I would still scorch myself to be close to you.
And I would raze a city to the ground if it would make you smile”
And I would raze a city to the ground if it would make you smile”
January 16, 2024
seeing that people didn't like this is crazy i loved getting a new perspective and it was so refreshing after the book
July 14, 2022
this was everything and i still want to beg for more 😭
April 19, 2024
5/ 5⭐
3/5 🌶️
This review reflects on the novella that continues the story of Constanta, Magdalena, and Alexi from A Dowry of Blood, set around the turn of the 21st century.
The novella, although short at just 14 pages, offers a compelling glimpse into the lives of these beloved characters. Told from Alexi's point of view, it delves into what each has been up to since the events of the previous book.
This novella serves as a poignant and heartfelt epilogue to A Dowry of Blood. While brief, it offers a meaningful conclusion and leaves readers longing for more glimpses into the lives of Constanta, Magdalena, and Alexi. Can wait to read book two!
🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
Found it- https://saint.substack.com/p/an-encor...
🌹🕷️🌹🕷️🌹🕷️🌹🕷️🌹🕷️🌹🕷️🌹🕷️🌹🕷️
Where can i find this!! I need this!!
3/5 🌶️
This review reflects on the novella that continues the story of Constanta, Magdalena, and Alexi from A Dowry of Blood, set around the turn of the 21st century.
The novella, although short at just 14 pages, offers a compelling glimpse into the lives of these beloved characters. Told from Alexi's point of view, it delves into what each has been up to since the events of the previous book.
This novella serves as a poignant and heartfelt epilogue to A Dowry of Blood. While brief, it offers a meaningful conclusion and leaves readers longing for more glimpses into the lives of Constanta, Magdalena, and Alexi. Can wait to read book two!
🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
Found it- https://saint.substack.com/p/an-encor...
🌹🕷️🌹🕷️🌹🕷️🌹🕷️🌹🕷️🌹🕷️🌹🕷️🌹🕷️
Where can i find this!! I need this!!
October 22, 2024
~ A short epilogue to A Dowry of Blood following up on our leads—Alexi, Magdalena, and Constanta.~
🖤🌹Alexi’s POV 🌹 🖤
“I always seemed to find myself back in New York. I loved the cramped, unexpected charm of the place, the way it distilled down so many different languages and cultures into something heady and distinctly American. America suited me, despite her puritanical mores and gross institutional mismanagement. She was brazen and loud and in love with herself, just like me.”
Though Alexi was not my favorite character in A Dowry of Blood, his inclusion to the story was both refreshing and exuberant. He complicated things in the best way possible.
However, I was not very impressed with this short story. I have a few complaints.
▪︎ As a whole, it felt pretty unnecessary in the context of how A Dowry of Blood ended. The ending felt justifiably complete and settled as is. Our leads went their separate ways after the grand conclusion knowing they were free of the trauma that bonded them together in the first place…free and fresh to create their own paths and find some semblance of peace and happiness in the aftermath of destruction.
“We are children of the same rotten family, survivors of the same intimate war. We will always be lovers, for ever bonded, across distance and time.”
▪︎ Though A Dowry of Blood had some spicy moments, that wasn’t the main focus at all of the plot. The spiciness was also so well done in that it felt seductive and erotic, not sloppy. This, on the other hand, was very much sexually focused which just felt off. Like was the whole purpose of this story to reunite the leads just for a sexual encounter?? Without saying too much, it was honestly a complete letdown as it felt like some immature young man’s fantasy playing out which is such an injustice and disappointment for the powerful females, Constanta and Magdalena.
▪︎ It seems like this may have wanted to further explore Alexi as a character but fell short. We get some hints about his internal worries, but it hardly makes sense in the entirety of things.
“But they have other lives and other lovers now, I reminded myself as the girls fussed over me and kissed and complimented me. I’m not the sun in their sky anymore.”
Rating: 2.5 ☆
I suppose in a way this solidified the vibe we pretty much already got of a happy ending to A Dowry of Blood, but I just kind of wish I hadn’t read this at all. In fact, I’ll do everything I can to delete it from my memory as A Dowry of Blood was perfect as is. I sincerely hope there are no further sequels, etc. It should be left alone as something sacred! If there are, I’ll definitely stay away!
🖤🌹Alexi’s POV 🌹 🖤
“I always seemed to find myself back in New York. I loved the cramped, unexpected charm of the place, the way it distilled down so many different languages and cultures into something heady and distinctly American. America suited me, despite her puritanical mores and gross institutional mismanagement. She was brazen and loud and in love with herself, just like me.”
Though Alexi was not my favorite character in A Dowry of Blood, his inclusion to the story was both refreshing and exuberant. He complicated things in the best way possible.
However, I was not very impressed with this short story. I have a few complaints.
▪︎ As a whole, it felt pretty unnecessary in the context of how A Dowry of Blood ended. The ending felt justifiably complete and settled as is. Our leads went their separate ways after the grand conclusion knowing they were free of the trauma that bonded them together in the first place…free and fresh to create their own paths and find some semblance of peace and happiness in the aftermath of destruction.
“We are children of the same rotten family, survivors of the same intimate war. We will always be lovers, for ever bonded, across distance and time.”
▪︎ Though A Dowry of Blood had some spicy moments, that wasn’t the main focus at all of the plot. The spiciness was also so well done in that it felt seductive and erotic, not sloppy. This, on the other hand, was very much sexually focused which just felt off. Like was the whole purpose of this story to reunite the leads just for a sexual encounter?? Without saying too much, it was honestly a complete letdown as it felt like some immature young man’s fantasy playing out which is such an injustice and disappointment for the powerful females, Constanta and Magdalena.
▪︎ It seems like this may have wanted to further explore Alexi as a character but fell short. We get some hints about his internal worries, but it hardly makes sense in the entirety of things.
“But they have other lives and other lovers now, I reminded myself as the girls fussed over me and kissed and complimented me. I’m not the sun in their sky anymore.”
Rating: 2.5 ☆
I suppose in a way this solidified the vibe we pretty much already got of a happy ending to A Dowry of Blood, but I just kind of wish I hadn’t read this at all. In fact, I’ll do everything I can to delete it from my memory as A Dowry of Blood was perfect as is. I sincerely hope there are no further sequels, etc. It should be left alone as something sacred! If there are, I’ll definitely stay away!
August 27, 2023
no one does vampiric polyamory better. most sophisticated steam I've ever read 🤌🏼
August 24, 2022
This short story occurs long after the events in A Dowry of Blood and provided a conclusion for the characters who survived the events there. It can be found online, here.
The plot was light here and instead this felt like beautiful closure for characters who had become so beloved to me. I loved witnessing their happiness and the trajectory that their lives had taken, after their harrowing ordeals.
The plot was light here and instead this felt like beautiful closure for characters who had become so beloved to me. I loved witnessing their happiness and the trajectory that their lives had taken, after their harrowing ordeals.
August 12, 2022
*sigh*
Let me start by saying that I loved "A Dowry of Blood" despite all of it's many pitfalls, it was just written so well and every scene was a joy to consume.
With that said, I absolutely hate, hate, hate this story. The poetically written and beautifully visual scenes in "A Dowry of Blood" are what made it great. There is none of that in this short story. The writing was just bad. It was very focused on the sexual aspect of this trio's relationship and trying to make everything seem sexy which was really off putting. It also felt like it was very focused on Alexi's satisfaction and feelings, to the point of making Magda and Constantina just props in some sort of Alexi fantasy. It grossed me out and disappointed me to see two powerful women written as appendages to this insecure man child. I don't know, maybe if the dialouge and the scenes weren't written so poorly I would have at least had that but it was so bad.
Also, the sex scene *barf*. All the eloquence and beauty of the sex scenes in ADOB are lost. It was like some Alexi masturbatory fantasy with little care or focus on either of the women. I just can't.
Honestly, I wish I never read this it ruins Magda and Constantina for me. I also wish Alexi, i guess wasn't Alexi, he is such a trite character.
Let me start by saying that I loved "A Dowry of Blood" despite all of it's many pitfalls, it was just written so well and every scene was a joy to consume.
With that said, I absolutely hate, hate, hate this story. The poetically written and beautifully visual scenes in "A Dowry of Blood" are what made it great. There is none of that in this short story. The writing was just bad. It was very focused on the sexual aspect of this trio's relationship and trying to make everything seem sexy which was really off putting. It also felt like it was very focused on Alexi's satisfaction and feelings, to the point of making Magda and Constantina just props in some sort of Alexi fantasy. It grossed me out and disappointed me to see two powerful women written as appendages to this insecure man child. I don't know, maybe if the dialouge and the scenes weren't written so poorly I would have at least had that but it was so bad.
Also, the sex scene *barf*. All the eloquence and beauty of the sex scenes in ADOB are lost. It was like some Alexi masturbatory fantasy with little care or focus on either of the women. I just can't.
Honestly, I wish I never read this it ruins Magda and Constantina for me. I also wish Alexi, i guess wasn't Alexi, he is such a trite character.
January 31, 2022
This was too short. I just wanted more of Constance, Maggie and Alexi's story. I wanted to know what they've been upto. But it was lovely to see that their love will transcend centuries. Alexi made me emotional and I'm glad how the two women handled the situation. Such an interesting tale of love and family.
January 7, 2024
re-read, january 2024.
first read, 2022: “We are children of the same rotten family, survivors of the same intimate war. We will always be lovers, forever bonded, across distance and time.”
i love this trio and i need more of them.
first read, 2022: “We are children of the same rotten family, survivors of the same intimate war. We will always be lovers, forever bonded, across distance and time.”
i love this trio and i need more of them.
December 27, 2022
A much needed smut.
January 3, 2022
everyone say thank you s.t gibson
March 14, 2025
╭ ✦ •
│ ⊹ 𝟺 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚜 ⊹
╰ ✦ •
this just made me want to read A Dowry of Blood again. I miss these characters😭
_________________________________
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│ ⊹ 𝟺 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚜 ⊹
╰ ✦ •
this just made me want to read A Dowry of Blood again. I miss these characters😭
_________________________________
Blog ಇ StoryGraph ಇ Instagram ಇ Twitter ಇ Facebook
January 18, 2023
A fanfiction.
Would've enjoyed it more had Constanta and Madgalena stopped infantilizing Alexi.
Would've enjoyed it more had Constanta and Madgalena stopped infantilizing Alexi.
March 27, 2024
I'm not going to write a full review for this novella as it's only 14 pages long, but I will say that I loved getting a little bit of Alexi's POV at the end of A Dowry of Blood. It is a great addition onto the end of the book, it's a little spicy and the ending is very sweet.
If your copy of A Dowry of Blood did not include this novella I highly recommend seeking it out, it changes the whole ending IMO.
If your copy of A Dowry of Blood did not include this novella I highly recommend seeking it out, it changes the whole ending IMO.
January 9, 2025
“We are children of the same rotten family, survivors of the same intimate war. We will always be lovers, forever bonded, across distance and time.”🥀🩸
“I couldn’t stop loving you if my life depended on it. Even if you were sunlight itself, I would still scorch myself to be close to you.”✨🖤🩸
“I couldn’t stop loving you if my life depended on it. Even if you were sunlight itself, I would still scorch myself to be close to you.”✨🖤🩸
October 26, 2024
Woah that was steamy. What an ending. I liked getting a snapshot of all three of them reunited. Very passionate found family i’d say, but worth reading as a companion novella to dowry of blood
September 25, 2021
my little modern world polyamory vampire family?
June 3, 2024
A small little glimpse into the lives of Constanta, Magdalena & Alexi. Told from Alexi's POV this time. A nice smutty little treat for those of us who LOVED A Dowry of Blood. I would truly love a second book... Glad I finally found where to read this!
April 7, 2023
This was too short for these characters.
I needed more conversations with them to crment their relationship and what the future would look like.
"We are children of the same rotten family, survivors of the same intimate war. We will always be lovers, forever bonded, across distance and time.”
I needed more conversations with them to crment their relationship and what the future would look like.
"We are children of the same rotten family, survivors of the same intimate war. We will always be lovers, forever bonded, across distance and time.”
September 4, 2024
downgrade from the novel. it reads like a mediocre wattpad fanfic
September 10, 2025
Perfect little reunion. 🖤
July 13, 2021
my meow meows
November 9, 2022
i'm fine.
September 25, 2024
4.5
The perfect wrap up to a great book 🥹
This trio brings me to my knees!
The perfect wrap up to a great book 🥹
This trio brings me to my knees!
July 14, 2021
"A little bit of my heart travels with them when they circumnavigate the world, and I am always desperate to be reunited with it."I loved being back with these characters. I loved having it in Alexi's POV and it's a beautiful conclusion
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️Content guidance: This is a story about long-distance relationships and ethical nonmonogamy. It features tender sadomasochism, vampire bloodplay, breathplay, consensual sex between three adults, and a happy ending.
July 19, 2022
3.25/5
December 14, 2022
“I couldn’t stop loving you if my life depended on it. Even if you were sunlight itself, I would still scorch myself to be close to you.” “And I would raze a city to the ground if it would make you smile.”
🧛❤️🔥🌹
This short and sweet epilogue takes place many years after the events in A Dowry of Blood and provides closure for the characters who survived the horrors and tribulations there. We revisit Constanta, Magdalena, and Alexi, getting a brief glimpse of the trajectories their lives have taken since their bittersweet parting decades prior. I was moved knowing that their love will transcend centuries and distances. Each of our trio has dealt with their trauma differently and healed at their own pace, yet none of them have become hardened or bitter. Their bond has grown stronger, and each of them rediscover their zest for life after overcoming such harrowing experiences. Seeing Constance and Maggie work through Alexi's insecurities with such tender love and patience made me weepy.
Gibson infuses her writing with such potency that every word will leave you breathless, trapped between anguish and pleasure. I’d love to spend more time with these characters in the future!
🧛❤️🔥🌹
"We will always be lovers, forever bonded, across distance and time."
🧛❤️🔥🌹
This short and sweet epilogue takes place many years after the events in A Dowry of Blood and provides closure for the characters who survived the horrors and tribulations there. We revisit Constanta, Magdalena, and Alexi, getting a brief glimpse of the trajectories their lives have taken since their bittersweet parting decades prior. I was moved knowing that their love will transcend centuries and distances. Each of our trio has dealt with their trauma differently and healed at their own pace, yet none of them have become hardened or bitter. Their bond has grown stronger, and each of them rediscover their zest for life after overcoming such harrowing experiences. Seeing Constance and Maggie work through Alexi's insecurities with such tender love and patience made me weepy.
Gibson infuses her writing with such potency that every word will leave you breathless, trapped between anguish and pleasure. I’d love to spend more time with these characters in the future!
🧛❤️🔥🌹
"We will always be lovers, forever bonded, across distance and time."
January 22, 2025
3.5
“It isn’t a contest, there are no winners or losers. There is only love.”
A bittersweet epilogue to A Dowry of Blood, Alexi’s perspective adds depth and nuance, but it doesn’t quite recapture the haunting magic of the original tale.
“It isn’t a contest, there are no winners or losers. There is only love.”
A bittersweet epilogue to A Dowry of Blood, Alexi’s perspective adds depth and nuance, but it doesn’t quite recapture the haunting magic of the original tale.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 885 reviews