Page 38 of The Vampire's Bride

The sour smell of Minda’s fear wrinkles my nose, but she hides it well beneath her scrutinizing gaze. I understand what she is saying and admire her bravery. She’s worried Juliet is my bloodsworn, so I decide to assuage her concern. “Lady Greyvaleismy true wife.”

She blinks at me a moment before a wide smile spreads across her face. “Well, then, I have something I’d like to give the two of you. I’ll be right back.”

Before I can ask what it is, she disappears down the hallway.

After Bernyd hangs the new curtains and leaves, Minda returns. “Here.” She hands Juliet a blanket. “I make these for all our newlywed guests as a gift to celebrate the start of their new life together.”

Minda’s gaze shifts to me, searching for a hint of my approval, and I give it to her in the form of a subtle nod. I do appreciate her going out of her way to make my wife feel welcome.

Juliet unfolds the quilt, studying the elaborate pattern. “This is lovely. Thank you.”

“Couples swear by my blankets,” Minda says proudly. “Sleep beneath this every night and you’ll be sure to conceive in no time at all.”

My heart slams in my throat, and Juliet’s face turns beet red.

“I even added a handful of rose petals in between the layers to enhance fertility,” the innkeeper adds with a wink. “Will you be needing anything else?”

“Not at this time. We’ll be sure to let you know if we do.”

She opens her mouth as if to speak again, but I quickly shut the door and lock it.

I turn to Juliet and she looks away, purposely avoiding my gaze, obviously embarrassed by Minda’s fertility blanket.

I could strangle that old busybody innkeeper. The last thing I want is for Juliet to be uncomfortable, especially around me.

Despite my protective wards still being in place, I push the wardrobe back in front of the door. It will give us warning if anyone somehow manages to force their way into our room. I walk to the window and pull back one of the curtains to look outside, praying the weather has improved. I’m eager to leave this place. Although the new moon was only a few nights ago, the curse can turn me at any time.

The witch purposefully made the timing unpredictable. She considered it a mercy that I can feel it approaching. For when I do, I have no more than a day and no less than an hour to prepare. To lock myself away to protect others.

My monstrous form is dangerous; I have no control during the change, and no memory of what I’ve done when I awaken. The first time I transformed, I wasn’t prepared. I woke up covered in blood, and I have no recollection of what transpired. It still haunts me, even to this day.

Snow falls steadily, covering the landscape in a thick layer of white. Dark clouds spread across the sky, obscuring the moon. If I feel the change coming, I will be forced to leave Juliet here and try to find shelter in the forest, far away from any nearby humans.

Juliet walks to my side. “Do you think the storm will have passed by tomorrow?”

“Perhaps. If not, we will have to stay another day.”

She turns to me. “The innkeeper seems friendly, but this is a small village. Now that people have seen you, word will probably spread quickly about us—that there is a Vampire in their midst.”

My protective instincts flare. I hate that she is afraid, and I want only to reassure her. “I will keep you safe. I will allow no one to harm you. My vow.”

Most Vampires would view my attachment to Juliet as a weakness to be exploited; they might use her to threaten me. But judging by the reaction of the people in the dining room, they would probably believe they were saving her, delivering her from evil, if they were to end my life. I doubt they would ever hurt her.

“I’m not worried aboutme,Valaric. I’m concerned foryou.”

I’m shocked by her statement. She claims she left the castle to clear her head, but the fact remains that she only left because she was afraid of me. Not that I blame her. Especially after how I acted.

Perhaps she is telling the truth, and she was not running away. But part of me still doubts she would have returned. “Would it not make things easier for you if I were gone?”

“You are my husband. Why would I want that?” She looks at me as if I’ve gone mad. “I’m not sure what your experience was with your previous wife, but I made a vow to you before the old gods, and I did not make it lightly.”

“You left,” I point out, giving voice to my doubts.

“I know.” She looks away, worrying her lower lip between her teeth. “It was a rash decision, but I realized it too late. I know how it must seem from your point of view, but I wasn’t running away from you, Valaric. I swear it. I had already turned around to come back to the castle when the snowcat found me.”

My eyebrows shoot up to my hairline.

“Please, forgive me. I’m sorry.” She lifts her gaze to me, her eyes full of regret. “I am the reason we’re in this situation. It’s my fault that you were hurt. And perhaps this is not the ideal marriage, but I do believe we can make this work.”

---