Page 35 of The Vampire's Bride

“You’re the one, aren’t you?” Minda stares at Valaric in wonder. “The one who—”

“The Shadow Blade all are gone,” he says flatly. “Relegated to myth and legend.”

She shakes her head. “There is yet one that still lives.” Her gaze drops again to his wrist before she brings her hand to her chest, resting her closed fist over her heart. “May your blade prevail against the darkness,” she says solemnly. “And may the light protect your soul.”

“Those words are dangerous,” Valaric murmurs, his crimson eyes meeting hers evenly. “Especially when uttered by a human in the Vampire kingdom of Morrowynd. If you value your life, you would do well to remember that.”

I blink several times, startled by his warning.

Minda darts a nervous glance at me before dipping her chin in a quick nod.

“If you do not mind,” he says, “we’ll take our meal in our room.”

“I—I’ll have it brought to you, my—my Lord. My lady,” she stumbles over her words before scurrying back to the kitchen.

Curious, I look at my husband. “What is a Shadow Blade?”

“Not here.” Valaric’s gaze sweeps over the other diners nearby, each of them pale, trembling, and trying very hard to look as if they are not watching us like scared rabbits. He leans in and speaks in a voice so low I almost miss it. “I promise I will explain everything when we are alone.”

Whatever this is, it’s important and, according to what he told Minda, it’s dangerous as well. I nod in agreement and we make our way back to our room.

It isn’t long before Minda sets up a table near the bed with a hearty bowl of stew, bread, water, and tea.

I have so many questions, but I’ll ask them later. As much as I’m curious to know more about my new husband, I’m also a bit nervous. Especially with the way he and Minda were speaking.

The stew is delicious and the bread is fresh and warm from the oven. I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until now, and I’m thankful Minda encouraged us to eat dinner.

Valaric takes a sip of his tea and settles back in his chair. He is still a bit on edge, so I decide to try conversation, to take his mind off whatever troubles him.

I glance at his cup and arch a brow. “I had no idea Vampires liked tea.”

“I cannot speak for all of my kin, but I quite enjoy it.”

“Do you have a flavor you especially like?”

“Peppermint, and sometimes I indulge in chocolate biscuits in the evening as well,” he adds.

“You can eat”—I start to say“real food,”but decide better of it—“other things besides…” I allow my voice to trail off. I’d rather not mention the word “blood” while I’m eating.

“Other things”—he emphasizes the words—“do not nourish me. But there are some items I do miss from before.”

“Before?” I frown.

“Before I was turned.”

My mouth drifts open. “I didn’t know. I just assumed you’d always been—”

“No,” he replies sharply.

“When? How?” I blurt and then wince inwardly when he lowers his gaze, staring into his cup. “Forgive me. I don’t mean to pry.”

“It’s fine,” he murmurs, but the tightening of his grasp on his cup tells me otherwise. “You are my wife. You have a right to know what you’ve wed.”

It doesn’t escape my notice that he says “what” instead of “who.”

He turns his gaze to the fire with a faraway look. Wherever his mind has taken him, the memories must be painful.

“I was turned only two days after my twenty-sixth name day,” he says, and I realize he was only two years older than I am now.

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