Page 67 of The Vampire's Bride

“Gods, Eben,” I wince, dragging my hand over my face. “I really messed things up last night.”

Eben frowns, crossing his arms. “What happened?”

I lean back against the stone wall, the memories of last night breaking through the fog in jagged pieces. “She kissed me. And for a moment everything felt right. But then, I sensed the change coming on.” I clench my jaw in frustration. “She thinks I rejected her. She doesn’t understand why I pushed her away.”

Eben sighs, running a hand through his dark hair. “Well, that’s... complicated,” he mutters. He looks at me, a flicker of understanding in his eyes. “But I think she’ll forgive you.” He flashes a teasing grin. “But if she doesn’t, I’ll be more than happy to take her off your hands and court her myself.”

Anger surges through me. “She is mine,” I growl.

“Then what are you waiting for? Go to her,” he insists. “Tell her that you want her.”

“It’s not that simple,” I snap.

“Yes, it is. She’s obviously falling for you, Valaric. It’s you who is making it complicated.”

Frustration fills me. “You don’t understand, Eben.” I meet his gaze evenly and tell him the truth that has been torturing my soul. “The witch changed my curse.”

“What?” He frowns. “How? What did she do?”

“If Juliet fails the final test, she will not simply fall asleep like the others.” I swallow hard. “She will die a true death.”

His eyes widen. “It won’t happen,” he says. “She’s the one who will break your curse.” He gestures to the rosebush. “They’ve only started to bloom and Juliet has already kissed you. It’s a good sign, Val. She wouldn’t have done it if she didn’t have feelings for you.”

That may be, but her emotions could quickly disappear after she learns the truth. “She doesn’t know of my curse. She has no idea what happened to my previous wives.” I clench my jaw. “I cannot rush this with her, Eben. If she discovers my dark secrets, she will be afraid, and love will be the last thing on her mind.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I cannot risk telling her now. Not when she is beginning to trust me. She looks to me for comfort.” Pain tightens my chest. “I cannot bear to see the look in her eyes when she sees my cursed form.”

“Have faith in her, Valaric.” Eben claps a hand on my shoulder. “Juliet cares for you. She will look past it. I know she will.”

“I’m so afraid, Eben.” The words leave my lips in barely a whisper as I admit my biggest fear. “If we don’t break the curse, she’ll die.”

His silver eyes flash with concern.

“Promise me you’ll end me,” I tell him.

“What?”

“If it ever comes down to me or her, I want you to save her.” I meet his gaze evenly. “Do you understand?”

He shakes his head in disbelief. “Does it even work like that? Can your death free her and the others from the curse?”

“I don’t know,” I tell him. “But it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make.”

Eben looks down at the ground. “I… don’t know if I can do that, Val. Your my best friend, I—”

“I love her.” The words leave my mouth, full of conviction. “If she speaks the words, I’ll transform,” I tell him. “And when I do, if she rejects me, then she is dead. Either by my hand, in my monstrous form, or by the curse.” I lean in. “Promise me, Eben. Swear to me that you will do whatever it takes to save her.”

Reluctantly, he nods. “But I truly believe she is already falling for you, Val. You’re going to break the curse and then, you’re going to name your firstborn child Eben, after your best friend.” His mouth curves in a teasing smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes as he tries to lighten the mood. “All right?”

Emotions lodge in my throat, but I somehow manage a half-grin. “All right.”

He claps a hand on my shoulder, but I can see the sadness still lingering in his gaze. “I’ll hold you to it. But before you go.” He hands me a cup. “Drink this.”

The scent of iron touches my nostrils. “Where did this come from?”

“Cole and I set some aside from our last kill in case you needed it. Which, you do.” He pushes the cup closer to my mouth. “Now, drink up.”

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