Page 149 of The Vampire's Bride

When we pull back, I’m breathless as I gaze up at him. “Then let’s enjoy the time we have now,” I whisper as I brush my lips against his.

He doesn’t respond with words, but the way he pulls me closer, the way he buries his face in my hair and holds me like I’m a rare and precious treasure, tells me everything I need to know.

CHAPTER 61

VALARIC

After we have made love again, Juliet lies sleeping in my arms. I press a tender kiss to her temple and then carefully slip from the bed. I must speak with Damar, and what I have to say to him, I do not want my ashaya to hear.

Guilt floods my veins. Juliet does not know of my curse. She has no idea of the terrible fate that awaits her if it is not broken.

With everything that happened between us, I thought for certain she would speak the words—tell me that she loves me—but she did not. At least, not in a way that satisfies the terms of the curse.

When I reach the study, I find Damar sitting in one of the chairs by the fire, reading a book. I take the seat across from him.

“I sent Elsie for you two hours ago.” Irritation laces his tone. “I was beginning to think you were not going to come.”

“I was with Juliet.”

“You think I am unaware?” He arches a condescending brow. “The wolves are happy that you’ve finally fully claimed your bride. They believe your curse is broken, but it’s not, is it?”

I blink at him. “How do you know?”

He looks out the window, to the gardens. “I visited the enchanted rosebush. It’s still there, and the blooms are beginning to wilt. You haven’t much time, Valaric.”

Worry twists deep within. “I know.”

“Which brings me to another point.” He leans forward, steepling his hands. “I believe we must consider an alternate solution to breaking your curse.”

“No,” I reply quickly because I already know what he will say and the risk is far too great.

“I grow tired of this witch’s influence over the future of my Clan.” His crimson eyes turn black. “And I’ve decided that we must kill her.”

“We talked about this,” I state firmly. “It’s too great of a risk. If we were to end her, it may break the curse or it may not. It could even make things worse,” I add. “Killing the blood witch could cause Juliet to end up like the others. Permanently.”

“It is a risk we must take.”

“No.”

“Listen to me, Valaric.” He runs a frustrated hand through his hair. “If Juliet hasn’t spoken the words to end the curse by now, I doubt she will do so before time runs out.” He huffs. “Seven hells. Even if she does speak the words, there is no guarantee she will still love you once she watches you turn into a monster.”

“She already knows what I am and it does not scare her,” I counter. “She accepts me, Damar.”

“Because you appear human, more or less,” he points out. “How do you think she will react when you turn into something that looks more like a beast than a man?”

“Her feelings for me will not falter. I’m sure of it. I am so close. I just need more time.”

“Time,” he says darkly, “is something you do not have in abundance right now.” He rises from his chair. “Perhaps you need a reminder of what is at stake.”

“What do you mean?”

“When was the last time you went into the rooms you’ve sealed off?” He cocks his head to one side. “You have the wolves take care of them, do you not? Because you cannot bear to look upon them yourself… to be confronted by your sins.” He meets my gaze evenly. “Tell me I am wrong.”

Clenching my jaw, I glare at him. He ventures into dangerous territory.

“You made a bargain with a powerful being and you failed to consider the consequences. Your hubris is the reason your previous wives are locked in the west wing inside their glass coffins.” He glares at me accusingly. “How many more lives must be sacrificed to this curse before you realize I am right?”

He shakes his head. “You only have a few days left at most. In the end, Juliet will meet the same terrible fate as the others. And in those last moments, you will witness the sadness in her eyes when she realizes you betrayed her trust, and it will destroy you.”

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