Page 136 of The Vampire's Bride

“I’ll be sure to look out for him, and I’ll keep a room ready in case he wishes to rest.”

I smile. This is a much better reception than I had expected. I glance around the room, the warmth of the innkeeper’s welcome soothing some of my worry. “This is a lovely place you have here.”

“Thank you,” he says, practically beaming with pride. “It has been in my family for six generations.” He smiles. “We’re honored to have you here, Lady Greyvale. If you need anything, let me know and I’ll be glad to help you however I can.”

He walks away to tend to his other customers and after a while I hear several hushed whispers of my name floating around the room.

“It seems our innkeeper friend has spread the word that we’re here,” I murmur under my breath to Reyla. “Do you think we’ll have any trouble?”

She casts a quick glance around the room and then subtly shakes her head. “It seems you and Lord Greyvale are popular, and not in a bad way.”

We quickly finish our meal. As we cross the room to head for the stairs, a woman walks toward me. “You’re the one, aren’t you?” she says, her eyes wide in something akin to wonder. “The sanishon of the fallen knight.”

“What?” I blink several times, unsure to what she is referring. “I—forgive me,” I stumble over my words. “I think you have me mistaken for someone else.”

“No,” she insists. “It’s you. You’re the one.”

“Aye,” another woman says. “You’re the one foretold in the prophecy.”

I glance at Reyla, who appears just as confused as I am. “What are you—”

“Excuse me,” Jaryd steps between me and the women. I glance around the tavern and notice several pairs of curious eyes watching us. “As I’m sure you can understand, Lady Greyvale and her companion are tired from their journey and need their rest.”

“Of course,” the closest woman says, guilt easily read in her features. She looks around him to me. “Forgive me, my Lady, I meant no disrespect. It’s just”—she gestures to the rest of the room—“you and your Lord husband are famous.” She gives me an awkward bow. “You’ve given us hope, my Lady.” She offers me a warm smile. “Many blessings to you and Lord Greyvale.”

“I—” I hesitate a beat, unsure how to respond before I finally say. “Thank you.”

Jaryd ushers us up the stairs and to our room. It’s quaint, cozy, and clean. With a double bed in the corner, a window overlooking the street, a fireplace with a fire already lit in the hearth, and a cleansing room attached.

When we step inside, I turn to Jaryd. “Do you have any idea what that was all about?”

He frowns. “Have you not heard?”

“Heard what?”

“Well, it’s a couple of things, really,” he hedges. “You see, Lord Greyvale is the first Vampire to take a human as his true wife. It’s the first time one of their kind has treated one of ours as their equal. It gives our people hope, you know, that they see us as more than just servants or walking meals.” He chuckles. “For lack of a better term.”

“What is a sanishon? Why were they calling me that?”

“Oh that.” He waves a dismissive hand. “The word means ‘outsider’ in the ancient tongue. It seems that some of the more religious folk have begun spreading the word that your marriage is the fulfillment of some ancient prophecy. People are taking it as a good sign, my Lady.”

I’m unsure what prophecy he is speaking of. I’m a bit uncomfortable with so much attention, but at least it doesn’t seem to be anything bad. Jaryd prattles on, trying to reassure me that the people downstairs mean no harm before he launches into the latest gossip he’s heard from previous travelers.

He continues. “For a while, all anyone could talk of were the rumors about the weakening of the wards along the Northern Veil.”

Reyla goes pale.

“But not to worry,” Jaryd adds. “King Corvin sent some of his best magic wielders to strengthen them before anything foul came across.”

“What do you mean?” I’ve heard of the Northern Veil, but I thought it was simply a boundary on a map, marking the northernmost edge of Morrowynd. “What’s on the other side?”

“Some believe dark creatures make their homes there. Foul beasts that could tear a man limb from limb.”

I frown, not particularly liking the image forming in my mind. “And… what do you believe?”

“I think it’s nothing more than an icy wasteland.” Jaryd shrugs. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my line of work, it’s that people love to spin all sorts of stories. For example: many claim all Vampires are monsters, but most of the ones I know are good people. Some I even call my friends.”

He continues. “Ale makes men say all sorts of things. I’ve heard tales you wouldn’t believe, including ones that would keep even the bravest warrior awake at night. But until I see it with my own eyes, I don’t let it bother me much. I just go about my business and live my life the best I can.”

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