Page 116 of The Vampire's Bride

She recoils as if slapped.

He jerks his head up to her, his expression full of remorse. He looks to his guards. “Leave us,” he commands. “Stand post at the doors. Make sure no one disturbs us.”

They bow and then head back to the manor, standing guard at the entrance to the ballroom to ensure no one else comes outside.

Raine turns to me. “Dismiss your Incubus. Now.”

I turn to Aerlyx. “Stay close,” I mouth.

He dips his chin in a subtle nod and disappears into the shadows.

Raine turns his attention back to his blood wife, and I’m surprised by the tenderness in his gaze as he takes her hand. “Forgive me,” he murmurs, pressing a kiss to the inside of her wrist. “I did not mean to—”

“You were in pain,” she whispers, cupping his cheek.

Juliet moves to my side. She trails her hand down my forearm and then threads her fingers through mine.

Raine blinks up at us, as if only now remembering we’re still here. “Come,” he says, his expression hardening again. “Follow me.”

CHAPTER 49

JULIET

Tension is thick in the air as the prince leads us further into the labyrinth of the gardens. The hedges lining the walkway are as tall as trees. When we reach the end of the path, it opens up into a wide space full of flowering bushes and a ring of white marble columns that look out over the cliff and the ocean below.

I’m so worried this is all some sort of elaborate trap. The dull roar of the sea carries on the wind. Hopefully it’s loud enough to mask the sound of my rapidly beating heart.

Raine stops near the edge of the cliff and turns to Valaric. “You should thank me, you know.” His gaze darts to me. “Her scent is enticing. True wife or not, it was unwise to bring her here when you haven’t yet fully claimed her. My attentions this evening have kept the others away from your bride.”

Valaric narrows his eyes.

I glance up at my husband, wondering again why he has not given me his mark and his venom. Is it because he believes I do not want this? Or is it something else?

Doubt wraps tight around my heart. Perhaps he is undecided about staying with me. Maybethatis the problem.

“Are you going to growl and glare at me all evening, Lord Greyvale?” Raine huffs. “Or are you going to thank me as you should?” He gestures to me. “If I’d done as my father instructed, I would have already taken her from you to return her to the human king and his sniveling nephew.”

“Touch her and I will end you,” Valaric grinds out.

“Those are treasonous words,” Raine says darkly. “It’s unwise to threaten royalty. Especially if you value your life.”

“You will not take my mate from me.” Valaric growls.

“Tell me why I should not?” he counters. “Our ally, the human king of Aralon, is demanding her return to his nephew—her betrothed.”

“Jonathan isnotmy betrothed,” I interject.

The prince’s gaze slides to me, eyes narrowing. “So you’ve said.” He turns to Valaric. “I will see for myself.”

“Raine, no.” Alayna’s voice is urgent. “Don’t do this. Please.”

He ignores her as his crimson eyes fix on my husband and then turn into obsidian orbs.

All the color drains from Valaric’s face and he drops to his knees. “Juliet, go,” he grinds out in pain, covering his ears. “Now,” he barely manages.

“Valaric!” I fall to the ground beside him. “What’s wrong?”

He glares up at Raine; his body shudders a moment before he bares his fangs and issues a threatening growl.

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