Page 44 of The Vampire's Bride

She grabs a thin chain around her neck and lifts it over her head to hold it out to me. My breath catches when I notice the silver pendant that dangles from the end—the banner of our Order. A white cross with a rose-covered vine wound around it, set on a green background.

I’m so stunned to see this relic from my past that my voice comes out as barely a whisper. “Where on earth did you get this?”

CHAPTER 15

JULIET

The sound of people talking brings me back into awareness. Blinking my eyes open, I roll onto my side and see Valaric standing at the door, speaking to Minda.

I bite my bottom lip to stifle a laugh as I hear her giving my new husband a hard time, telling him he’d better make sure I’m happy in our marriage.

He may be a Vampire, but he is also a good man. I walk up behind him, ready to defend him to the nice but rather nosy innkeeper, when I see her offer him her necklace.

Valaric goes completely still. “Where on earth did you get this?” he rasps.

He appears so visibly stunned, I rest a hand on his forearm to let him know I am here. His left wing curls instinctively around my shoulder, tugging me into his side.

“I knew you looked familiar,” Minda says. “And when you gave me your name, I was certain.”

“Of what?” Valaric asks, his gaze still fixed upon the pendant.

Tears gloss her eyes. “Fifty-two years ago, you gave this to a frightened little girl who’d gotten separated from her family during the evacuation of Belgrane. You told her it was charmed to give good fortune and protection to the wearer, and you helped her find her mother.”

“That was you,” he murmurs, his voice barely a whisper.

“I was seven years old; I’ve carried it with me ever since.”

“We failed you.” Regret lines his handsome features. “So many were lost.”

Tears sting my eyes at the devastated look on my husband’s face.

“But many were saved as well,” Minda admonishes. “Thanks to the sacrifices made by the Shadow Blade.” She offers him the necklace. “I believe it is time to return this to its owner.”

“I’m not him.” He lowers his head in shame. “I’ve already told you. Even if I wish I were, I amnotthat man anymore.”

Minda takes Valaric’s hand and places the chain in his palm, closing his fingers around it. “Perhaps this will help you remember who you are.” Her eyes sweep to me. “Now, see to your new bride, Sir Valaric, First Knight of the Shadow Blade, and Lord of the Greyvale. Bernyd will retrieve your horse.”

“Would it be possible for us to leave out the back?” I ask Minda. “I’d like to avoid any unwanted attention.”

She glances down the hallway and nods.

Valaric looks at Minda. “Are there any hunters in this village?”

“A few pass through here from time to time.”

He narrows his eyes. “Do you believe we’ll have any trouble from them?”

“No one has disappeared. You haven’t given them a reason to come after you.”

“Most hunters kill for the sport of it,” he grits through his fangs. “You know this as well as I do.”

Minda sighs heavily. “Harvik’s got a big mouth on him. After the terrible fright you gave him last night when he was trying to flirt with your wife, I’m sure half the town already knows about you. But don’t you worry,” she says. “I know everybody that lives here. I’ll spread the word of who you are, and I’m sure they’ll all calm down in no time. I believe the hunters will leave you alone.”

“When you speak to them, make sure they understand.” Valaric tightens his wing possessively around my shoulder and growls low in his throat. “I protect what is mine.”

Her eyes widen slightly. “I’ll be sure to warn them against trying anything foolish.”

“What about the storm?” I glance at the window. “Is it safe enough to travel?”

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