Page 125 of The Vampire's Bride

“Do you have a death wish?” I hiss at the Incubus.

“Not particularly.” He shrugs. “I’m just trying to lighten the mood.”

Before I can say anything else, he waves his hand and everything goes dark.

I blink and suddenly we’re standing in the study of Mysthaven Manor, overlooking the sea. The world tilts a bit, and I grip the edge of the sofa to steady myself.

“Wait right here,” Aerlyx says. “I have to go back for Valaric.”

A rush of wind buffets my back, and I turn to see Lysander, his eyes wide. “How are you here? How did—” His nostrils flare and dawned understanding touches his features. “The Incubus.”

“Yes.”

“The others?” his mother asks from the doorway. “Are they all right?”

“I don’t know.” Worry twists in my gut. Aerlyx was only supposed to transport me if something went wrong.

Sensing my concern, Reyla wrings her hands in her skirts and looks to her son. “Check the perimeter,” she says urgently. “Make certain the wards are still holding.”

He nods and then rushes from the room.

“Come,” she says. “Beneath the manor is a network of tunnels that—”

“No,” I state firmly and she halts. “We should wait here for them.”

“My Lady, we need to be prepared to leave if they do not return.”

“We must give Aerlyx a chance to bring them back.” I glance at the window and the soft hint of early morning light barely peeking over the horizon. “It will be dawn soon. We’ll be safe here from the others if”—I swallow against the lump of worry in my throat—“they try to come for us.”

“My Lady, you must hide.” Pity shines in her eyes as she takes my hand. “If they come, it will not be for me.”

Fear trickles down my spine, but I straighten my shoulders, shoring up my courage. “I will wait here for my husband.”

Lysander walks into the room and gives me a subtle bow. “Forgive me, Lady Juliet, but my mother is right. As soon as the sun rises, you should both leave for Greyvale castle. I will follow when night falls again.”

Reyla’s eyes shine with worry as she looks at her son. “What about you?” she asks softly.

“I’ll come as soon as I can, Mother.” He rests a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “I will be fine. I promise.” He turns to me, his gaze dropping to my palm as if he can somehow see the symbol Valaric drew, beneath my skin. “Lord Greyvale gave you the rune to activate the gate.”

I nod.

“I’ll saddle two of the horses before the sun is up. If you ride hard, you can reach the Dark Gate, outside the city, in less than half an hour.”

Worry wraps tight around my spine, but I push it back down as I send a silent prayer to the gods to bring my husband and everyone else back safely.

CHAPTER 53

VALARIC

Irush into Prince Raine’s chambers just as Aerlyx and Juliet vanish through the portal. Raine turns to me, rage twisting his face. “You dare to send your Incubus into my personal rooms? After I explicitly told you I did not want that Demon anywhere near my blood wife?” He seethes. “I am your crown prince. I—”

“You wanted my loyalty? You have it,” I state firmly, cutting him off. “But as I pointed out earlier, you have your own guards protecting your blood wife. Which tells me that you have some concerns about the safety of your human. And after what I just witnessed outside in the gardens, I have my own concerns too.”

I pause a moment to allow him to refute my assertions. When he does not, I continue. “So you’ll excuse me if I am protecting my bride by having her returned as quickly as possible to our home.”

“You are in dangerous territory, Lord Valaric,” Raine replies, not backing down. “You disobeyed my direct command.”

“You should have no concerns for your bride’s safety, Lord Greyvale,” Stryker says as he steps through the doorway. Several guards and guests stand behind him, obviously attracted by the commotion. “As your true wife, Lady Greyvale is protected under the Right of Guest.” He places his palm on his chest. “It wounds me to think that you have so little faith that I would uphold one of our most sacred tenets.”

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