Page 62 of The Vampire's Bride

I gaze down at my wife. To break the curse, I will eventually have to show her my monstrous form. But not yet. I need more time. She must fall in love with the man that I am before she sees the monster.

I wish I could warn her… prepare her for what is to come, but I cannot. The witch bound my tongue. If Juliet found out about the final test, she would immediately succumb to the curse and end up in a glass coffin like the others.

“Can I open my eyes?” Juliet asks, ripping me back from my dark thoughts.

“Not yet.”

The breath puffs from her lungs in white vapors. Unfastening my cloak, I drape it atop her own, around her shoulders to keep her warm. She is delicate and lovely, my human bride. And so fragile, compared to my kind, that it scares me.

Perhaps this is why I am always quick to use any excuse to give her my cloak, covering her in my scent. It settles the primitive instincts within, warning others that she is mine and under my protection.

With her eyes still closed, she gives me a beautiful smile as a lovely pink blush steals over her cheeks. “Thank you, Valaric.”

It’s strange to think that only a few months ago, I did not even know she existed. And yet, her kind and gentle heart has already stolen mine, completely and irrevocably.

Snowflakes swirl around us as I lead her down one of the winding paths toward the back garden wall. Clenching my jaw, I drape a protective wing around her shoulder as we pass the enchanted rosebush.

The blood red roses are now in full bloom, reminding me that my time with her could soon come to an end. I would give anything to shield her from the dark magic of my curse.

“Are we almost there?” she asks softly.

“Just a few more steps.” When we reach our destination, I stop and turn to face her. “Open your eyes.”

Juliet watches in awe as dozens of lights begin to emerge from the bushes. A single pixie flies toward us, its delicate wings shimmering with gold luminescence as it circles my bride.

A stunning smile curves her mouth. “You remembered,” she whispers.

“Of course,” I reply softly. “I remember everything about you.”

Her smile grows even brighter.

“Pixies can be dangerous, but these will not harm you. In exchange for living within the protection of my wards, they are bound to House Greyvale and its inhabitants.”

“Beautiful,” she whispers, extending her hand toward the closest one.

The pixie darts a glance at me. “She is mine,” I state firmly. “My mate and my bride.”

Dipping her chin in a subtle nod, the pixie alights on Juliet’s open palm.

She smiles at the small creature, inhaling sharply when it grins in return, revealing two rows of tiny, razor-sharp teeth.

Juliet presses closer into my side. “It’s all right,” I whisper. “They cannot harm you.”

Dozens more pixies emerge. Mesmerized by their beautiful glow, Juliet steps toward them.

I stare, completely transfixed by my lovely wife as snowflakes catch in her long golden hair, and the pixies hover around her in a dance of light and shadow.

They converge around me, their playful energy pulling me toward my bride with a gentleness that belies their mischievous nature.

I give in to their insistence and gather Juliet in my arms. Spreading my wings, I lift into the sky. She gazes at me in awe-filled wonder, her emerald-green eyes luminous against the glowing pixie lights surrounding us, and her smile as bright as the very sun itself. “It’s so beautiful, Valaric,” she whispers. “Like something from a dream.”

“It is,” I agree, but I am staring only at her.

CHAPTER 22

JULIET

Valaric’s strong arms enfold me, holding me close to his chest. Hovering above the garden, his powerful wings beat a steady rhythm as we spin in a slow circle. The pixies whirl around us, like shimmering golden lights against the darkened sky.

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