Page 33 of The Vampire's Bride

When I step back into the room, Valaric has already removed the dresser from in front of the door and is adding more wood to the fire. He turns to face me, flexing his impressive wings as if stretching them, before tucking them close again to his back.

“I’ll return as soon as I can.” I walk toward the door. Grabbing the handle, I turn back to ask him if he wants anything, but gasp when I find him directly behind me.

I’m not sure if I’ll ever become used to how fast and quietly he can move.

“If you run into any trouble, call out and I will hear you,” he says. “I will come immediately.”

His concern warms my heart. “I will.”

Opening the door, I slip out into the hallway and make my way to the dining area. A roaring flame burns in the fireplace on the far wall. A dozen tables are spread throughout the space, most of them empty.

There are at least half a dozen people dining alone and a few couples in here for dinner.

“We have venison stew,” Minda says brightly as she walks up beside me. “Where is that husband of yours?” She glances down the hallway. “Is he coming too?”

“He’s still a bit tired,” I lie. “I was hoping I could take the food back to our room.”

“Ah.” She grins. “Still in the newlywed phase, now, are you?”

Heat rises in my cheeks at her insinuation.

“Oh, no need to be embarrassed, dear.” She winks. “I still remember the early days after Bernyd and I were first wed.” She places her hand over her heart and sighs dramatically. “Ah, to be young again.”

I laugh softly.

“If I’d known you were newly married, I would have given you the newlywed suite,” she adds. “Unfortunately, another couple arrived after you did”—she gestures to a man and woman across the way—“and I gave it to them. But I do have something special I’d like to give you.”

“Oh, there’s no need,” I tell her. “I’ll just grab our dinner and return to our room.”

“Nonsense.” She smiles. “I make them as gifts for all our newlyweds. We’re the only inn in the village, so nearly every new couple comes to stay with us after their wedding, you see.”

I nod as she continues. “Just you wait right here, and I’ll be back with your food and your gift.”

She scuttles off to the kitchen, and I take a seat at one of the empty tables.

The front door opens, banging against the wall as a heavy gust of wind and snow blows inside from the storm. A cloaked figure walks in. With his hood pulled over his head, I can only make out a thick black beard covered with ice. He slams the door shut behind him and removes his heavy cloak.

The man is almost as tall as Valaric and heavily built. He has striking gray eyes, a square jaw, and a rather prominent nose. He combs a hand through his shoulder-length dark hair and kicks the last of the snow off his boots. If I had to guess, I’d say he’s no more than thirty years of age. And judging by his lack of coordination as he takes another few stumbling steps, he’s likely been drinking before he came here.

“I hope you have some of your good stew, Minda,” he practically yells down the hallway. “I walked through a blizzard for a decent meal, and I’d hate to have done it for anything less.”

“You’re in luck, Harvik.” Minda’s tittering laugh echoes from the kitchen. “Just take a seat and I’ll be right with you, and you’d better not be drunk!”

He turns to the dining area and starts toward one of the empty tables. His eyes lock onto me and he stops abruptly in his tracks. “Well, well, well. A beautiful woman dining all alone?” He flashes a lopsided grin and then slides into the seat across from me. “Allow me to keep you company, my lady.” His eyes rake over me as a wide grin curves his mouth. “My name is Harvik. What’s yours?”

With his rugged appearance and mischievous smile, I’m sure many women would fall for his charms, despite his obvious inebriation, but not me. “I’m here with my husband,” I tell him, hoping he’ll get the hint and move to another table.

He makes a grand show of looking around the room and then points to a few of the single diners nearby. “Is one of them your husband?”

“No.”

“Then, unless my eyes deceive me, I do not see him here.” He leans in and mock whispers. “I promise I don’t bite. Unless”—he gives me a Cheshire grin—“that’s something you’re interested in.”

“I’m married and I amnotinterested,” I state bluntly.

“So you mentioned,” he replies smoothly, his gaze dropping to my hands. “But I don’t see any ring on your finger either, my fair lady.”

Irritated, I push up from the table.

---