Page 141 of The Vampire's Bride

“I could have killed her.” His crimson eyes meet mine evenly. “I still might.”

His words shock me. Not many would dare try to harm a blood witch for fear of retribution should they fail. “No, Damar. The risk is too great. A blood witch is a dangerous creature.”

“Go back to your wife and do whatever you must to break your curse, and I won’t have to.” He grits his fangs. “I grow tired of this hold she has upon a member of my Great House, and I’ve decided I will tolerate it no longer.”

Aerlyx walks over to me, interrupting our conversation. “Are you ready to go?” He gestures to the growing light outside the window. “If not, you need to make your way down to the cellar.”

“I’m ready,” I tell him.

I bid Damar and Eben goodbye, waiting until they are out of earshot before I turn back to Aerlyx. “There is something I must ask you.”

His expression turns serious. “What is it?”

“The witch changed my curse. Instead of falling into an enchanted slumber, Juliet will die if we fail to break it.” I meet his gaze evenly. “I need to know: If I sacrifice myself, will it save her?”

He hesitates a beat before he gives me a grim nod. “Yes.”

“Please, tell me you haven’t given up,” he says. “You could still break the curse. You cannot lose hope. Not yet.”

“I haven’t,” I reassure him. “But if it comes down to it, I will do whatever it takes to free her. To save her from my curse.”

He swallows hard. “Then let us pray it does not come to that.” His gaze holds mine a moment before he asks, “The manor or the castle? I only have enough strength for one try.”

“The castle.” I know Lysander and Reyla. And I trust them to protect Juliet. The castle is by far safer than the manor, not only for its location, but because the wolf pack is there. They would have considered this when deciding upon a course of action.

“Are you certain?”

I trained Lysander. He is strong and he is as smart as his mother. I’m confident that’s where they are. “Yes.”

CHAPTER 58

VALARIC

Aerlyx waves his hand and conjures a swirl of purple smoke, forming a large ring. He gestures for me to go first. “After you.”

With one last glance at Damar, I step through. The world fades into darkness, the strange sensation of nothingness is disorienting yet familiar. The air shimmers, and I find myself standing in the entryway of Greyvale castle.

Aerlyx moves to my side, each of us listening carefully for any sounds.

“The wards are still intact,” he whispers.

Our bootsteps echo throughout the space as we walk across the polished stone floor toward the hallway. My nostrils flare and happiness fills my chest when I catch a hint of Juliet’s delicate scent in the air. Quickly, I follow it to the castle’s study.

It has been two torturous nights since we parted, and I am eager to see her again.

A tall shadow steps into my path. “Valaric?” Lysander’s red eyes meet mine and relief flickers across his features.

“Thank you for bringing her here, Lysander.” I clap a hand on his shoulder. “I knew I could count on you to keep her safe.”

He dips his chin in a subtle bow. “She’s in the study.” He answers my unspoken questions. “She insisted on waiting for you there.”

“You’re back.” Reyla hugs me. “Thank the gods.”

“Where have you been?” Elsie chimes in beside her. She embraces me warmly and then glances over my shoulder. “Where’s Eben? Is my son all right?”

“He’s safe,” I say quickly.

Her shoulders sag forward in relief. “What happened to all of you?”

---