Page 175 of The Vampire's Bride

“It’s beautiful.”

He unclasps the necklace and holds the pendant out to me. Hesitantly, I extend my own hand to accept it. His elegant fingers brush mine as he places it in my palm. My heart flutters as his hand lingers a moment longer than necessary, sending a wave of warmth through my body.

I glance at the inside of his left wrist and notice a strange mark on his skin. “Shadow Blade,” I murmur, more to myself than to him as a hint of memory whispers through my mind. “That is what they mean, isn’t it?” I look up at him. “The pendant and the tattoo on your skin.”

His eyes search mine. “You recognize them.”

“Yes. It’s strange. I—” I shake my head softly. “You must have told me this before, didn’t you?”

The edge of his mouth curves up in a slight smile. “Yes, I did.” He curls my fingers around the pendant. “Keep it.”

“I couldn’t possibly accept this.” I blink up at him, stunned he would offer something so precious to me when we are only mere acquaintances. “We barely know each other.”

He lifts my hand to his mouth and presses a tender kiss to the back of my knuckles. “I hope to change that, Juliet.”

Warmth flushes my entire body as my name rolls off his tongue like a sensuous caress.

Lucy’s voice cuts through the night, shattering the moment between us. “Juliet!” She walks onto the balcony and grasps my arm. “You disappeared. I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” Her gaze flicks to Lord Greyvale. “We should go.”

My best friend has always been very protective of me, and I’m sure she believes she’s saving me from the unwanted attentions of a Vampire. But as she starts to pull me away, I find myself reluctant to leave.

“Forgive me, Lord Greyvale.” I hand the charm back to him. “It was lovely speaking with you, but I must go.” Lucy tugs on my arm, and I’m halfway through the door when I suddenly blurt out. “Perhaps we may speak more later?”

He dips his chin in a subtle nod as his crimson eyes pierce mine. “I will find you.”

My heart skips at his promise. As Lucy leads me back to the ballroom, my hand is still tingling with the memory of his lips upon my skin. Heat flushes through me as I recall his dark and brooding countenance. There’s just something about him that drew me in, and now I cannot stop thinking of him.

Another would-be suitor quickly finds me as Lucy guides me back to the ballroom. Not wanting to appear impolite, I take him up on his offer to dance. But as we glide across the floor, weaving in and out of the other dancers, I find myself scanning the crowd for a glimpse of the mysterious Vampire Lord, Valaric Greyvale, hoping he will keep his vow and find me again.

CHAPTER 74

VALARIC

Adeep ache settles in the center of my chest as Juliet disappears back into the manor. I glance down at my hand, flexing my fingers at the memory of her touch. I long to hold her in my arms again, but I must be patient.

Eben emerges from the shadows. “Is that it?” he asks incredulously. “Is that all you’re going to do?”

“What elsecanI do?” I snap at him, irritated. “I cannot force her to remember me.”

“Last I checked, youarea Vampire.” He crosses his arms and arches a teasing brow. “Aren’t your people known for your irresistible charm and all that? Isn’t that how Vampires lure beautiful maidens into their thrall?”

I purse my lips. “If you are speaking of my powers of compulsion, I would never do that to her.”

“That’s not what I was suggesting.”

“Then, what were—”

“Why are you still standing here?” he asks, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Go to her, Val.”

His urging sends a pulse of resolve through me. He’s right. If I want her back, I must woo her. I have to fight for the future I want. And what I want is her.

Determination steels me as I head for the ballroom, Eben walking beside me. The cacophony of music and laughter assaults my senses when we enter. But all of it fades away when I see Juliet in the crowd.

Her silken lavender gown accentuates the sensual curve of her breasts and the gentle flare of her hips. Her long hair spills down her back like spun gold. My heart stops when a man takes her hand and guides her out onto the dance floor.

He is tall and—unfortunately for me—what some might consider handsome, with a charismatic smile that she returns with one of her own as she laughs at something he has said. Jealousy floods my system as his hand drifts to the small of her back as he twirls her around the floor.

“She’s smiling,” I growl under my breath, my eyes narrowing as the man whispers something that makes Juliet laugh even louder.

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