Page 55 of The Vampire's Bride

Valaric says I’m safe here, but I still worry.

Despite the innkeeper’s reassurances, I fear the villagers may send a hunter to assassinate him now that they know what he is. I’m also concerned that my attacker knows I survived and they’re searching for me, wanting to finish what they started to make sure I don’t live long enough to remember who they were.

On top of all that, a small part of me worries that Iwillremember everything that happened. I’m not sure I want to recall the terrible details of how I came so close to death.

Closing my eyes, I turn onto my side and try to force myself to relax. I’m still not entirely used to sleeping during the day, but as my mind wanders, I slowly drift away into sleep and straight into a dream.

The sound of stringed instruments carries on the breeze as I walk through the gardens. I glance back at Brimley manor, gazing at the dancing couples through the ballroom windows.

Cold awareness prickles my skin, raising the hair on the back of my neck. I’ve never feared the dark, but I cannot ignore the feeling that something is out here, watching me.

A twig snaps behind me, and I spin back. The large shadow of a man peels away from the trees. His face is obscured in darkness. “Who are you?”

Instead of answering, he stalks toward me.

Cold fear trickles down my spine, and I turn and race for the manor. I open my mouth to call out for help, but something slams into my back, sending me sprawling to the ground. I scramble to push myself up, but I’m forced again to the dirt as someone crawls over me, pinning me in place.

A terror-filled cry rips from my throat as I scream into the night.

CHAPTER 18

VALARIC

The day sleep calls to me, but I am restless. When I close my eyes, the image of her writhing beneath me as I drank from her and the feeling of her body pressed against mine in the kitchen keeps replaying in my mind.

Her enticing scent lingers in my memory. My fangs lengthen and intense need burns through me. I desire her more than I’ve ever wanted anything before.

I picture her lovely face and the way she gazed so trustingly at me, even after I told her of my dark past. I’m not sure what I’ve done to earn her trust or her faith in me. And I feel so underserving of both.

She has no idea of the secrets I’m keeping from her. Even if I could tell her everything, I’m not sure I would. I don’t want her to fear me. Unfortunately, she will find out soon enough, and when she does, I may lose her. Selfishly, I want to enjoy every moment that I can with my bride before that moment comes.

I long to hold her in my arms again. I wonder if she would welcome me to sleep beside her or if she prefers to keep somedistance. I promised her I would not touch her until she asked, and I came so close to breaking that vow in the kitchen.

Swallowing hard, I clench my jaw. I nearly succumbed to the temptation to drink from her again. I want so much to claim her: heart, mind, body, and soul.

But I must be patient and allow her to come to me. I sigh heavily. I am tempted to go to her room. Even if only to watch her as she sleeps.

To distract myself from these dark urges, I pick up Juliet’s manuscript. Her story is captivating. My eyes fly over the pages as the daring knight, Sir Danric, attacks Evil Lord Soryn, demanding to know where he has hidden the Princess Cassia.

My brow furrows as I read the description of their duel, wondering why on earth Danric would spin around before striking out, leaving his back vulnerable in such a way. He then rolls on the ground before jumping up to deal another blow to his enemy and then flips twice in the air before stabbing him through with his blade.

Then, as Evil Lord Soryn lies bleeding on the ground, he lifts his head to curse Danric, gasping repeatedly for air as he speaks. He gives a final death rattle and clutches his chest dramatically, heaving out a great wheeze before falling still as blood spurts from his open wound like a beating pulse.

I arch a brow. I’ve been involved in more than a few sword fights in my life, but none as dramatically performed as this.

I continue reading.Danric races through Lord Soryn’s castle and finds Princess Cassia, her wrists and ankles bound with rope. He swiftly cuts away her bindings, and she lifts her eyes to his and—

A wave of terror washes through me, crashing against my mind like a giant wave upon rocks. Panic fills me when I realize it is not mine. It came from Juliet through our faint bond.

A terrified scream echoes throughout the castle. My heart stutters and stops as I recognize its pitch.

It’s Juliet.

Leaping from the bed, I rush to the door and fly up the stairs into the main part of the castle. Eben is already heading for the upper floor, but I’m faster, reaching Juliet’s room before he’s even reached the first landing.

I throw open the door, hissing as a sliver of bright sunlight spears through the curtains, burning like fire across the bare skin of my chest. Lightning fast, I move into the shadows and rush to her bedside.

Juliet thrashes beneath the blankets as if fighting an unseen foe. Her eyes are closed as she cries out again, and I realize she is dreaming.

---