Page 167 of The Vampire's Bride

“Fine.” His eyes turn black once more. “But remember, there’s a storm coming and you wouldn’t want to be caught outside with nowhere to go.”

I’m sure he thinks his thinly veiled threat will scare me, but he’s wrong. He underestimates me. I’d much rather take my chances with the weather than remain his prisoner.

I stand, but Lena’s hand clamps around my wrist, stopping me from moving. Her eyes snap up to mine, full of menace. “I’ll go with you.”

Worry spikes through me, but I ignore it and give her a tight nod. I’d hoped to go alone, but as I glance at all the people around us, I know it won’t take much to get lost in the crowd. I just need to time it right.

A bead of sweat trickles down my back as I make my way to the cleansing room, my skin prickling with awareness of the High Elf’s proximity as she trails me through the inn. My heart pounds as the throng of people thins in the hallway. I need to make my move and I need to do it fast.

We’re nearly to the entrance of the kitchen when Minda rounds the corner, carrying a tray full of food. Lightning fast, I grasp the tray and spin back toward the High Elf, smacking her over the head with all my strength.

Minda lets out a startled shriek as Lena hits the wall and slides down to the floor in a crumpled heap. Her eyes are wide as she stares down at the High Elf. “What in the—”

“Minda, it’s me.” I throw back my hood.

“Seven hells!” She gasps as she takes in my face. “Lady Juliet, what happened to you?”

Concerned that we’ll draw too much attention, I pull her into the kitchen. “Those men are holding me against my will. They hurt my husband and set fire to the castle.” The words leave me in a panicked rush. I glance over my shoulder, afraid Jonathan will appear at any moment. “I need your help to escape. Can I borrow a horse from your stables?”

“Of course, my Lady.” She replies without hesitation. “Come with me.” She leads me through the kitchen to a door in the back. “This way to the stables.”

She removes her cloak and wraps it around my shoulders. “Here. You’ll need this.” Cold wind blasts through the entrance when she opens the door, scattering snowflakes across the stone floor. “Bernyd!” she calls out.

He rushes toward us. “Yes, my dear wife?” He grins. “What can I do for you on this fine day?” he jokes, gesturing to the cloud covered sky overhead.

“I’ve no time for your teasing.” She hits at his shoulder. “Lady Juliet needs our help.”

His expression falls as his head snaps to me. “Lady Greyvale?” His gaze rakes over my bruised face. “What in the seven hells—”

“She’s been abducted by those men who arrived earlier. She needs a horse. Give her Allegra. She’s the fastest,” she adds. “Now hurry!”

His eyes are full of questions as he looks me up and down, but instead of asking, he gestures. “Follow me, my Lady.”

“I’ll do what I can to keep them here,” Minda calls after me. “Be careful.”

Bernyd leads me to the stables. Quickly, he readies a horse and then helps me into the saddle. “Allegra’s fast, my Lady. She’ll get you away from here in a hurry.”

He hands me the reins and then gestures in the direction of the town entrance. “Ride swiftly to the gates. Call out for Edgyr and Danor when you approach. Tell them their father said to allow you to pass and for them to shut the gates behind you. It will slow down the men if they come after you.”

Tears blur my vision. “Thank you,” I tell him, touched by the kindness of him and his wife.

“You can thank me by being careful, my Lady,” he replies. “Go now. Before those terrible men realize you’re missing.”

“What about you and Minda?” I ask, concerned. “You need to be careful. Some of them are soldiers and they have a High Elf woman with them.”

“Aye,” he says. “We’ll do what we can to try to keep them here, to slow them down.”

Before I can say anything else, he smacks a hand on the horse’s flank and she breaks into a run.

When I reach the gates, I call out to Edgyr and Danor, relaying their father’s message.

Edgyr runs down the ladder from his post on the wall, mounting his horse, while Danor and the other guards open the gates. As I wait for them to open, he rides up beside me and hands me a sword. “Take this, my Lady.”

I’m shocked he would part with his weapon. “Do you not need it?”

He pats another one sheathed at his side. “I’ve got a spare.” He glances over his shoulder. “Hopefully, we won’t need to use them.”

“We?”

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