Page 198 of The Vampire's Bride

Varys narrows his eyes, far from amused.

“But it seems we’ve gotten off to a bad start.” Aerlyx says, offering Varys his best grin and a flourishing bow. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Aerlyx the Great, Son of the Fourth House, Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Ryx, Heir to the Divine Rings of Tanos, and”—he winks at Damar—“Knight of the House of Greyvale.”

Aerlyx looks at Queen Inara and Queen Freyja and flashes a winning smile. “I have heard tales of your beauty, fair queens, but all of it pales in comparison to seeing you in the flesh.”

Aurdyn and Varys growl.

“Not now, Aerlyx,” Valaric hisses between his fangs.

“Fine.” Aerlyx sighs. “Don’t mind me. I’ll just be sitting silently in the corner.”

King Varys turns his attention back to the High Council and the Vampire king. “We came to you not long ago, seeking an alliance. You believe the war will not touch Morrowynd, but you are wrong. Why not join forces with us to put an end to this threat?”

King Aurdyn looks at King Corvin. “This was an attempt not only on your life, but also on those of your Council.” He gestures to everyone in the room. “They knew all of you would be gathered here. In one place.” He shakes his head. “The perfect chance to send the entire kingdom of Morrowynd into chaos in one fell swoop.”

“Our offer of an alliance still stands,” Queen Inara addresses the Council.

“Fight with us,” Queen Freyja says. “And we can defeat the mages and end this war once and for all.”

The entire council remains silent as King Corvin steps forward. “How do we know that this attack was not of your doing? To draw us into your war? To have us fight on your side?”

King Aurdyn gives him an incredulous look. “It was a mage that attacked you. Not one of our people. We are fighting the Order; not working with them.”

“What of High Mage Ylari?” the Vampire king’s eyes snap to Queen Inara. “Last I heard, he was still the High Mage of your brother’s court in Florin.” His gaze sweeps to her husband, King Varys. “And Florin is an ally of the Dark Elf kingdom now. Which means you are working with him as well, are you not?”

Queen Inara meets Corvin’s gaze evenly. “High Mage Ylari turned his back on the Order to side with my brother. He helped us win the battle when they attacked my brother’s kingdom.”

The Dark Elf King looks at Prince Raine. “When you invited us here, we thought your people were open to the idea of an alliance. And yet”—he darts a glance at King Corvin—“you are still undecided.”

King Corvin stands. “You are asking us to enter a war that has not yet touched our borders. We have not even determined if the mage who attacked my court was acting alone or with the blessing of the Order.” He darts a glance at his son. “This meeting was meant to present all options. So that we can decide upon the best course of action for our kingdom and our people.”

I’m surprised by the king’s statement. It’s obvious he was unaware Prince Raine had invited the Dark Elves and the Dragons to this meeting. But I suppose it makes sense that he would back his son like this. If the King’s own Great House wereto appear anything less than united, it could be viewed as a weakness among the High Council.

“We will consider your offer of an alliance,” King Corvin says solemnly. “But for now, we have more pressing issues to attend.”

“Like the failure of your wards along the Northern Veil?” Queen Inara asks. Surprised by her question, King Corvin’s stoic mask slips a moment as she continues. “We’ve heard rumors the mages seek to tear down the wards that protect your kingdom in the north. They did this to the Great Wall along our own borders as well to try and weaken us.”

“Why would the mages seek to destroy the wards along the Northern Veil?” one of the Vampire lords asks. “It is there as much for our protection as it is for the rest of the seven realms.”

“It would divide your forces,” Valaric answers. He exchanges a glance with Prince Raine, and I remember him telling me they had already suspected the mage’s involvement in the attack on the wards.

Valaric continues. “It is the same tactic that Aralon used to finally drive the Vampires back during the Blood War. With the Northern Veil weakened, we would be forced to commit warriors to guarding the barrier, taking many away from the remaining borders should the mages decide to invade.”

“He’s right,” King Aurdyn says. He turns to my husband. “What is your name?”

“Lord Valaric Greyvale.” He dips his chin and then gestures to me. “And this is my true wife, Lady Juliet.”

The Dragon King looks just as surprised as the Dark Elf King at his statement, shocked to find a Vampire wed to a human.

Queen Inara turns to Valaric. “You were in the Blood Wars?”

“Yes. I fought for Aralon.”

“You were human.” She frowns. “One of the Shadow Blade.”

Valaric’s brow furrows. “How did you—”

“My grandfather told me stories of your bravery,” she says, eyes shining with admiration. “You were his First Knight.”

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