Page 91 of The Vampire's Bride

He leans in, regarding me curiously. “You truly do care for him, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“It’s nice to see you two get along so well.” He arches a brow. “And daresay I detect true romance blossoming between you?”

“What?”

“Oh come now,” he admonishes. “You all but admitted it with your concerns for his welfare. And my magic never lies about that sort of thing.”

“You can sense something like that with your magic?”

“I am an Incubus,” he replies matter-of-factly, as if that answers everything. He gives me a sly smirk. “So, tell me: am I right?”

I hesitate, unsure how to answer. Iamfalling in love with my husband, but I don’t know Aerlyx well enough to divulge this.

“Fine. Keep your secrets.” He waves a dismissive hand. “I suppose I’ll just have to find someone else to live vicariously through since I’m destined to die alone.”

His words surprise me. “But you are an Incubus. I thought—”

“That I am a master of temptation and seduction?” He flashes a devilish grin. “That I’d have no shortage of company in my bed every night to sate my ravenous appetites?” He leans forward, and rests his chin on his hand as he gives me a charming smile. “Tell me what you’ve heard of my kind, Juliet. I am infinitely curious to know what humans think of my people.”

Embarrassment ties my tongue. All the scandalous things he said are exactly the kinds of stories I’ve heard about Incubi.

Before I can think up an answer, he continues. “It’s true my people have an appetite for all sorts of pleasures. And we do tend to overindulge every now and then, but it’s all in good fun.”Sighing heavily, he sits back in his chair. “And eventually most find a mate and settle down, but that will never happen for me.”

“Why?”

“Because I am cursed,” he practically spits the word out.

I blink at him. “How did you become cursed?”

“It is a long story, and I’d rather not repeat it right now. It would kill my mood even more, you see.” Absently, he stirs his tea with one claw. “But suffice it to say that my curse is unbreakable.”

“I thought every curse had some form of remedy.” I frown. “Is that not the nature of a dark spell?”

“That’s what I used to believe too.” Bitterness laces his words. “But mine can only be broken if I find my fated mate and convince her to love me. It sounds so simple, does it not?” He stretches his purple, leathery wings before folding them tight against his back again. “But my kind do not have such a thing. Or if they do, it is so rare that there is no record of it in our people’s history.”

“What does the curse do to you?”

“It’s not so much what itdoes”—he rubs the back of his neck—“it’s more what itdoesn’tdo. I… it’s a bit embarrassing to be honest.”

“I promise I will not judge you,” I reassure him.

“As I said before, my kind are known to enjoy excess. Food, wine, games, parties, and carnal pleasures.” He arches a brow. “I can partake of all but the last one.”

“You mean… you cannot…”

“I know,” he groans. “I’m an Incubus that can tempt, but I can never truly seduce a female. At least, not unless she is my fated one.”

“That isnothow you explained it to me,” Valaric says, surprising us both as he enters the room. I’m not sure how long he’s been listening, but I suspect he’s heard almost every bitof our conversation. He crosses his arms over his chest as he narrows his eyes at the Incubus. “You said your curse caused you great pain and agony.”

“It does.” Aerlyx gives him an incredulous look. “Do you have any idea how terrible it is to be a celibate Incubus?” He sighs heavily. “It’s unbearable. I was cursed when I was on the cusp of adulthood and I never got the chance to seduce even one single female. All this to offer.” He puffs out his chest as he gestures to himself. “And no one can enjoy it.”

I clamp my lips firmly together, trying to stifle a laugh. Aerlyx is many things, but modest, he is not.

“I have a body made to tempt and please any female.” He flexes his arms and flashes a broad smile before he winks. “Not to mention my charming personality.” He lifts the back of his hand dramatically to his forehead as his gaze drifts to the ceiling. “And yet the world is deprived of my talents. It’s a shame, really.”

Valaric snorts and I laugh out loud, unable to hold it in any longer.

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