Page 132 of The Vampire's Bride

Relief flits across his expression before he turns to his mother. “Head straight for the Gate, outside the city. When you reach the other side, make your way to the inn at Grimwood and procure a room. I will meet you there when night falls, and we can travel the rest of the way together.”

Reyla’s eyes are bright with tears as she hugs him tight. “I love you with all my heart,” she whispers. “Be safe, my darling boy.”

My heart clenches as he embraces her and speaks softly in return. “I love you too, Mother. I will.”

CHAPTER 55

VALARIC

It’s only been one day, but I’m anxious to return to Juliet. It’s late, and the bakery has been closed for the past several hours. The scent of freshly baked pastries fills the air, intertwining with the subtle hint of Aerlyx’s magic that permeates the entire space.

Each of us takes a seat at the wooden table in the kitchen, the surface covered with an array of delectable treats.

Eben devours a trayful of chocolate chip cookies and then pops a mini croissant into his mouth while Damar looks on with barely concealed disdain. He leans in close and whispers. “The wolf’s stomach must be a bottomless pit. I’m surprised he and his pack have not eaten you out of house and home back at the castle.”

“Do you have any more of those delicious raspberry tartlets?” Eben asks Finn.

The Fae purses his lips. “I’ll retrieve more from the back.” He stalks off, muttering under his breath about a wolf eating all of their profits.

“This is delicious.” Eben mumbles around a mouthful of food before downing a glass of milk. “The best desserts I’ve ever eaten.”

“Of course they are,” Aerlyx says, reclining in his seat. “Everything here is baked with magic meant to enhance your enjoyment of it. And the more you eat, the better it is for replenishing my powers.”

“Happy to help.” Eben grins as he gathers all the crumbs on his plate and licks his fingers before setting it aside.

“You know,” Damar begins. “If you are going to be a member of House Greyvale, you will have to work on your manners.”

Eben’s head snaps to him, eyes narrowing. “And you need to work on yours,” he shoots back. “For a male who supposedly knows so much about etiquette, you sure do like to stare rudely at people while they’re enjoying a meal.”

I stifle a laugh. Damar turns to me, arching a brow, but I simply shrug. “He has a point, you know.”

“Tell me,” Aerlyx says as he rests his chin on his hand, leaning in close to Damar with a cheshire grin. “Do you ever smile, or is that scowl permanently etched on your face?”

Eben bursts out laughing.

Damar narrows his eyes at them, growling under his breath.

Aerlyx’s gaze flicks to me, amusement curving his mouth. The dark circles under his eyes are fading, but they’re still there. He believes he’ll be recovered enough to open a portal within the next evening or so, but as far as I’m concerned it cannot be soon enough.

I’m desperate to see my bride. To know she is safe and well.

“You never told me why Prince Raine wished to speak with you.” Damar’s voice pulls me back from my thoughts. “What did he want?”

“My loyalty. To him over the crown.”

A deep frown mars Damar’s brow. “Such talk is treasonous.”

“I am aware,” I reply grimly. “But I didn’t have a choice. Lord Jonathan Harker—Juliet’s former betrothed—is nephew to the king of Aralon. He appeared before the Vampire court, demanding her return, claiming she had been stolen from her home.”

“That’s ridiculous!” Eben growls. “Juliet is not a prisoner.”

“Raine knows that,” I tell him. “I explained it to him and he said he would tell his father our marriage is true and legitimate so that she cannot be forced to return to Aralon. But in exchange, he wanted me to swear my loyalty to him.”

“For what purpose?” Damar asks.

“Raine believes the Order of Mages are a threat to Morrowynd. He thinks we should side with the Dark Elves and the others who are fighting against them.”

Eben’s eyes flash with anger. He and his family have a deep mistrust of the mages, especially after they marched on the kingdom of Snowhelm and destroyed their village, leaving them homeless.

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