Page 165 of The Vampire's Bride

I try to shift in the saddle, but a strong arm tightens around my waist. “We’re almost to Corvania,” Jonathan says. “And then it’s not much further until we reach Aralon.”

Anger burns through my veins as I pull against the rope binding my wrists, the rough twine digging into my already raw skin. “Untie me,” I demand. “Let me go.”

Jonathan leans in, and a shiver of disgust moves through me as he whispers in my ear. “You don’t know what you’re saying. You’re obviously still under the Vampire’s thrall.”

“He is my husband,” I snap. “He wasn’t holding me against my will.”

He grips my chin roughly, twisting my head back to him. “Those bite marks on your neck tell me otherwise.”

“And what about the bruises you gave me?” I shoot back. “What are those? They’re certainly not proof of yourchivalrousnature.”

He wraps his hand around my throat, his eyes turning raven-black. “Watch what you say.”

“Or what?” I challenge.

He tightens his grip on my neck. “Can you truly not see that I’m saving you from a monster?”

“Valaric isn’t a monster.Youare.” I meet his gaze evenly. “You’re under some kind of dark spell, Jonathan. You are not yourself.”

“I am more myself than I’ve ever been,” he grits through his teeth. “Trust me. You will thank me for saving you later.”

“No, I won’t.” I shake my head. “This isn’t you. You need to fight whatever this is that has hold of you. You—”

“Enough,” he snaps. “It isyouwho is under a dark spell. Not me.”

I glance at the High Elf woman on the horse beside us, glaring at her. “It’s her, Jonathan.” I’m certain of it. “She’s ensorcelled you.”

Her eyes flash with a purple glow a moment before returning to their amber color as she gives me an evil grin.

“She is not the enemy, Juliet. Lena is going to use her High Elf magic to help you break free of the Vampire’s dark magic.”

Anger tightens my chest, but I bite my tongue and remain silent. Jonathan is completely under this woman’s spell, and nothing I say will change that.

Dark smoke spirals into the wintry sky in the distance as we approach the village at the base of the mountain.

“We’ll rest the horses in Corvania,” Jonathan calls out to his men. “And then we’ll be on our way. We should cross into Aralon before nightfall.”

As we approach the village gates, an idea occurs to me. Perhaps I can signal one of the guards, and—

Something sharp digs into my back, just below my rib cage. “Do not speak when we approach,” Jonathan hisses. “Do you understand?”

Narrowing my eyes, I look back at him. “You’re not going to kill me.”

“I’d rather not.” His eyes turn into obsidian orbs. “But if I cannot have you, no one can.”

My breath catches, horror filling me at his words.

“Try anything, and you will force my hand,” he grinds out. “Do you understand?”

I give him a tight nod.

He pulls the hood over my head, hiding my face in shadow so that no one can see my features or my bruises. I’m sure the last thing he wants is someone asking questions about my injuries.

The wind picks up, clawing at my cloak as snow falls steadily, filling in the tracks of our horses almost as fast as we make them.

Regardless, I’m sure Valaric knows where Jonathan is taking me. He’ll find me. I know he will.

When we reach the village gates, two guards along the fortress wall train their arrows toward us as the ones below call out a question. “What business do you have here, travelers?”

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