Page 93 of The Vampire's Bride

“It means little to one like him.” I meet her gaze evenly. “He is used to getting what he wants. And what he wants right now, is you, Juliet.”

“Why me?”

“Because you are human. Because you are beautiful. But most importantly, because you are mine.”

She looks at me, stunned.

“Stryker is a born Vampire. I am made. Besides that, he and many others consider me a traitor among my kind for having killed the Vampires who slaughtered my village and my family.”

I cup her cheek, staring deep into her eyes. She is my ashaya—the most precious person in the world to me. “I cannot risk taking you to Darkhall Manor. Not when so many of my enemies will be there.”

“Don’t you see?” She shakes her head. “That’s what Stryker wants. It’s the reason he invited us. He knew you would be hesitant to bring me. And if I don’t attend, then it means we’re afraid. And fear is weakness among your kind, is it not?”

She’s right, but it changes nothing. “I will not risk you.”

“It is a chance we must take,” she counters. “If we do not, then it could weaken the position of House Greyvale.”

Does she truly believe I would worry over social standing when her life is at stake? “I don’t care.”

“Well, I do,” she states firmly. “I am going with you, Valaric. I—”

“Enough.” I slash my hand through the air. “I will go, and you will remain here with Eben and Aerlyx.”

“I am your wife,” she protests. “If you start dictating what I can or cannot do, then how is that different from being your bloodsworn?”

Her words are a stake through my heart. “You are my true wife, and I am trying to protect you. You don’t understand what you are asking or how dangerous it is, butIdo.” I grit my fangs in frustration. “Do not ask me to put you in danger, because I would sooner end my own life than allow you to be hurt.”

She opens her mouth to speak, but I turn to Reyla who is lurking in the doorway, trying unsuccessfully to blend in with the shadows. I glance back at my wife. “We will not debate this any further.”

Hurt and anger reflect behind her eyes. Before she can say anything, I start down the hallway. Perhaps she will hate me now. But if that is the price to keep her safe, then so be it.

CHAPTER 34

VALARIC

Frustration burns through me as I stalk down the hallway. I loathe social obligations. Especially frivolous ones, but I don’t have a choice. Our House cannot appear weak.

Juliet is right though. If I show up without her, Stryker will think I’m afraid, that I cannot protect my own wife.

“You’re in love with her.” Aerlyx startles me as he steps out of a ring of purple smoke.

I purse my lips. “You know I dislike when you do that.”

“Do what?” he asks innocently.

“When you teleport yourself directly in my path without warning.”

He shrugs. “Sometimes it’s the only way to get your attention.”

I narrow my eyes at him.

“Am I right?” he asks. “Are you in love with your new bride?”

I open my mouth to deny it, but then close it again because I cannot. “She is my fated one.” His eyes widen. “I did not expect it to feel like this so quickly.”

“Have you told her?”

I shake my head. “Humans do not have fated mates. I… worried she might not understand.”

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