Page 15 of The Vampire's Bride

I suspect these flowers are the result of an enchantment for them to grow like this during the winter. It’s so lovely out here. Like a magical garden straight out of a fairy tale.

Snow crunches beneath my shoes as I walk along the main path. The ice-covered stream beside it shimmers like liquidsilver cut through the earth. It leads to a large, three-tiered fountain of frozen water with icicles hanging from each level.

It’s beautiful out here, and I can already imagine myself spending many hours wandering along the various walkways and planting vegetables in the spring.

I trace my fingers over the softly glowing petals of a red rose. There is magic here in the untamed growth of this place, as if it has been given the opportunity to thrive and claim the space all around it. A garden not planted or made, but rather, allowed to become.

The soft nicker of a horse comes from the stables at the end of the path. It’s a large stone structure with heavy wooden doors. I’ve always loved to ride and I wonder if my new husband does as well.

On the other side of the fountain, I discover a wooden bench. Beside it is another rosebush, but this one is smaller than the rest, as if newly planted. The others around it are already in full bloom, whereas this one has several buds scattered throughout, only the barest hint of red peeking out from the dark green foliage.

I’m about to take a seat when a deep voice startles me. “What are you doing out here?”

I snap my head toward the sound to find Valaric standing behind me.

He studies me with a piercing gaze, his expression somewhere between concern and disapproval. “Why are you out here in the cold?” In one fluid movement, he removes his thick cloak and drapes it over my shoulders. The weight and warmth are comforting against the cool night air. “You should be resting.”

The smell of mint and cedar drifts up from the heavy fabric, enveloping me in his masculine scent as he tucks it securelyaround my form. I’m so stunned by the tenderness of this gesture, it takes me a moment to find my voice.

“I wanted to see the gardens. It’s lovely out here. These in particular.” I gesture to the roses. “Are they enchanted?”

“They are Fae roses, infused with magic.”

“And what of this one?” I ask, caressing the soft leaves of one of the newly formed rosebuds.

His sharp gaze tracks my fingers as he eyes the smaller bush. He clenches his jaw. “It is… new.” Before I can ask anything else, his red eyes snap back to mine. “Why are you out here alone?”

“Elsie told me about the stairs from my balcony. So, I decided to explore.” I gesture to the bench behind me. “I think I need to sit down for a bit. Would you like to join me?”

“What’s wrong?” Concern laces his tone. “Are you feeling weak?”

“I’m fine,” I lie, practically collapsing onto the bench.

“You are not fine.” He hoists me to his chest as if I weigh nothing and starts back for the castle. “You need to rest. Your body is still healing.”

I open my mouth to argue but then decide against it. He’s right. I am feeling a bit exhausted. “Is it normal to take so long to recover?”

“Your injuries were”—he clenches his jaw as if what he wants to say is difficult—“severe. You were very close to death when I first saw you.”

I hate that I have no memory of what happened. A shiver runs down my spine at the thought that my attacker is still out there somewhere.

Valaric must mistake my shiver for the cold because he carries me up the stairs to the second floor and back to the room I was in earlier. Gently, he sets me down on the sofa. He removes his cloak and mine before he pulls a fur blanket from the bedand wraps it around my shoulders to ensure I’m warm. Then he moves to the fireplace and adds more wood to the hearth.

With his back to me, I take a moment to study him. My gaze travels over his large black wings, his broad shoulders and his lean muscular form. He moves with a preternatural grace, everything about him exuding power and strength.

“Is that better?” he asks over his shoulder as he stokes the fire.

“Yes.” I stand and walk over to his side, holding my hands out to the flames to warm them.

“Are you hungry?” he asks. “Thirsty?”

“No, thank you.” I’m glad of the extra care he gives me. He is already a better husband than I expected when I first learned I would be wife to a Vampire. I glance around the bedroom, noting the absence of anything suggesting that he means to stay here. “Is this to be our chambers?”

“This is your room,” he replies. “I must sleep downstairs to avoid the sun.”

“Will we not be sharing a bed while we sleep then?”

He stills, his entire body tensing. “That will not be necessary.”

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