Page 32 of The Vampire's Bride

“Juliet,” a rich and deep voice rumbles soothingly above me. “Are you awake?”

“Just a few more minutes,” I murmur sleepily into the hard pillow against my cheek.

A soft puff of air hits the top of my head as Valaric huffs out a small laugh, and I freeze.

I lift my head, shocked to realize that my hard pillow is actually my Vampire husband’s bare chest and I’m lying beside him, his soft, leathery wings folded completely around me.

I remember falling asleep in the bed and start to ask how I got here, but the question dies in my throat as the foggy memory of Valaric lifting me from the mattress and laying me down by the fire enters my mind.

My gaze travels over his broad, muscular shoulders before lifting to his face. Firelight and shadow accentuate his handsomefeatures. I study his square jawline, his full perfect lips, aristocratic nose and brow before settling on his crimson eyes that seem to pierce my very soul.

He cups my cheek. “Are you all right?”

A heated flush creeps up my neck as I nod. His body is pressed to mine, the heady scent of warm mint and cedar surrounds and envelops me.

I’m mesmerized as his eyes stare deep into mine. I look down at his gorgeous lips, and I wonder if he will kiss me. Desire pulses through me as I recall the feel of his powerful body over mine as he drank of my blood.

I’m caught in his intense gaze as his hands slide to my hips, pulling me even closer. So close that there is no space between us.

I want so much to kiss him, but I’m nervous. I’ve never done this before. Slowly, I lean in and gently brush my lips to his in a featherlight touch.

A knock at the door startles us and we quickly pull away.

“Sorry to bother,” Minda calls out. “I wanted you to know that dinner will be ready in an hour, in the dining room.”

My heart is still racing as I look at Valaric. “You should go,” he whispers. Disappointment fills me as his wings fall away from around me. I already miss the warmth of his arms.

Reluctantly, I nod. “Thank you,” I call out so Minda can hear. “We’ll be right there.”

With a heavy sigh, I push myself up to sitting. “Stay here. I’ll make an excuse for you so I can bring the food back to the room.”

Valaric nods. “I’ll draw a warm bath for you before you go,” he says, his voice a deep, soothing rumble that makes my heart skip a beat.

Before I can protest that I can do it myself, he stands and pulls me up with him. He removes the bandages from aroundhis torso, and I’m stunned to see that his wounds are completely healed.

The light from the fire dances across his bare chest and abdomen, emphasizing the sculpted muscles that flex beneath his skin as he moves with a fluid grace that leaves me momentarily speechless.

As I study him, I notice there is not even a hint of a scar left behind to mark where he was injured. And yet, he is scarred in other places. “I don’t understand,” I murmur. Without thinking, I reach up and run my fingers lightly over a jagged silver-white line just below his collarbone. “Your wounds are completely gone, but these still remain. How did you get this?”

Something flashes behind his eyes, and he takes a small step back.

“Forgive me.” I wince inwardly, worried that I’ve somehow offended him. “I did not mean to—”

“It’s all right,” he assures me. “But it is a long story. Perhaps one better suited for another time.”

Whatever it is, it must be painful, and I don’t want to press him. “Of course.”

“I’ll see to your bath,” he says, changing the subject.

“I can do it myself,” I protest.

“You took care of me last night.” Gently, he cups my chin. “Allow me to return the favor.”

“All right.”

The blizzard is still raging outside. Normally, I love to linger in a warm bath, but I’m a bit on edge about dinner. I wish the storm would pass so we could return to the castle. The longer we stay here, the more chance there is that Valaric’s true nature will bediscovered, and I worry how the villagers will react to the idea of a Vampire in their midst.

After I bathe, I change into the dress Minda provided for me and pull my heavy cloak over my shoulders to cover the puncture marks on my neck. Even though it’s not exactly proper to wear a cloak inside, this place does not seem like one to stand upon such traditions. Especially given the icy draft in the building.

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