Page 49 of The Vampire's Bride

I return her embrace. “Goodnight, little one.”

To my surprise she turns in Elsie’s arms and reaches for Juliet as well. “Goodnight, Aunt Juju.”

My bride hugs her warmly in return and presses an affectionate kiss to her forehead. “Goodnight, Kaely.”

A strange ache builds in my chest as I imagine Juliet with a child of our own.

Elsie gives me a pointed look. “Enjoy your evening.”

I dip my chin as she leaves.

Sadness flits briefly across Juliet’s face as she watches them go. I overheard her tell Elsie that she loves children. She probably dreamed of having a family someday. But now that she is married to a Vampire, I can only assume she does not wish to have them with me. Because of what I am.

Juliet is everything good and pure in this world, and she deserves so much more than what fate has befallen her. I’m a monster—completely unworthy of her love. And yet, if I do not earn it, the curse will take her from me.

The enchanted rosebush is not yet in full bloom. I still have time. I will not lose her. Not tonight, anyway.

Juliet looks up at me. Her luminous green eyes meet mine, and I cannot help the smile that tilts my mouth as she gives me a shy one in return. “Would you care to join me?” She gestures to the table. “Elsie made tea.”

There is nowhere I’d rather be. “Of course.”

I sip on my peppermint tea, trying my best not to stare at my beautiful wife.

But I cannot help it. Everything about her intrigues me.

Heat scalds my cheeks and the tips of my ears when she emits a low throaty hum as she takes the first spoonful of her stew.

Sparkling eyes meet mine, and her lips curve into a stunning smile that takes my breath away. It is as bright as the sun I have missed all these years. “This is delicious. You should try some.” Her expression falters. “I mean… if you want, or can, or—” She halts, appearing flustered.

“As I mentioned before, I can eat regular food, but it does not sustain me,” I gently remind her. “Nor does it taste… quite how I remember.”

Her eyebrows rise. “Howdoesit taste to you?”

“Bland.”

“And blood tastes… good?”

I struggle to suppress a smile as she wrinkles her nose but then tries quickly to hide it with a quick sip of her own tea. “Yes.”

“It doesn’t get old?” she asks. I’m surprised there is no judgment in her tone, just genuine curiosity. “After having it all the time, you don’t find yourself wishing for something different?”

“Depending upon the source, it does have a variety of flavor.” I lean back in my chair. “Predators, like snowcats, have a stronger flavor versus prey: deer and such.”

“And humans?” she ventures cautiously.

“I’ve found that each one is different.”

Her mouth drifts open, but she quickly snaps it shut. “How many have you—” She shakes her head. “Never mind. I don’t think I want to know.”

I nod and take another sip of my tea, expecting that to be the end of it, but she sets her spoon down with a loud clank against the bowl. “I’ve changed my mind. I need to know.”

Lowering my cup, I brace myself for her judgment, praying it does not make her fear me. Perhaps it would be better to lie. After all, I’m already keeping my curse from her. But in order to break it, she must accept all of me—both the monster and the man. And she can only do that if she knows the truth of my dark past. “A little over a hundred.”

Her eyebrows shoot up to her forehead. “You’ve killed a hundred people?”

“Killed?” I frown. “No. I did not kill all of them. Only the ones who deserved it.”

“How did you know who deserved it?” she asks.

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