Page 147 of The Vampire's Bride

It doesn’t take long before I’m crying out his name as my release rushes through me like fire, leaving behind nothing but ash in its wake.

He moves back up my body and roars out my name as thick, viscous ropes of his release cover my abdomen and chest. He smooths his hand over my body, spreading his essence over my skin as he stares deep into my eyes. “Mine.” He growls low in his throat.

“And you are mine,” I reply softly, still breathless and panting.

“Yours,” he agrees as he curls his wings around my form and tucks me into his side.

I’m about to drift off again, but he gently nuzzles my temple. “I brought you some food while you were sleeping.” Carefully, he sits up and gestures to a tray on the side table with a platter of food and a pot of tea. “You should eat, my ashaya.”

He pours a cup of tea and hands it to me.

I love how attentive he is to my needs. All the little things he does to show me that he cares. “When did you get this for me?”

“About an hour ago, while you were still asleep.”

My heart fills with warmth. “Thank you.”

When I bring the cup to my lips, a familiar bittersweet scent touches my nostrils. All the warmth leaves my chest. “Is this moon tea?”

“Yes. I asked Reyla to help me prepare it, to make sure I got it right.”

I glance down at the liquid, steam rising from the cup. This tea prevents conception. When we first got married, I’d told him I wanted to use it until I was sure of him.Of us.I wonder if he believes I’m still uncertain.

If he does, I want to put his concerns to rest. I love him. With all my heart. “I appreciate that you made this.” I take his hand in mine. “But I have no hesitations about our marriage, Valaric. If the gods decided to bless us, I would welcome a child from our joining. Unless…” I allow my voice to trail off as doubt begins to creep in. Perhaps he did not make this tea for me but for him.

“Unless what?”

I lower my gaze. “Unless you do not want children.”

He cups my chin, tipping my head up to bring my gaze back to his. “I do, Juliet.” Sadness flits briefly across his expression before he hides it behind a mask. “But not yet. I… feel we should wait a bit before starting a family.”

I don’t understand why he looks so pained. Now I’m beginning to regret that I asked him to mute the bond between us, because I’d love to know what he is thinking.

It’s not unusual for couples to delay having children in the early years of their marriage. Perhaps I am concerned for nothing. “All right,” I agree. “We have plenty of time to think about it. We have many years ahead of us. And we can use this time to just… enjoy being with each other, right?”

“Of course.” He smiles, but it does not touch his eyes. “Yes.”

A soft knock draws our attention and he moves to answer it, dressed only in his pants. Embarrassed that I’m still unclothed, I pull his discarded tunic on and cover my bare legs with the blankets before he opens the door.

“Excuse me, my Lord. I—” Elsie stops abruptly and looks around Valaric to me on the bed, a stunned expression on her face. “You—well… this is excellent.” She clasps her hands together. “I didn’t realize things had progressed so well.” Shegives us a beaming smile and then looks up at Valaric. “Does this mean the cur—”

“Perhaps we could speak later.” Valaric cuts her off and her expression falls. “Are Damar and Eben back?”

“Aye. That’s what I came to tell you.” She crosses her arms over her chest. “And Lord Damar is in a foul mood. He’s in the study, waiting for you. But don’t you worry. I’ll let him know you’re otherwise engaged.”

Heat scalds my cheeks.

“Take your time.” She winks. “Truth be told, Lord Damar could use some lessons in patience.”

When she leaves, Valaric turns to me. His gaze travels up and down my form appraisingly, and a deep growl builds in his chest.

Standing next to the bed, I’m dressed in only his tunic. The bottom hem falls just above my knees. The sleeves hang past my hands, so I push them back to my elbows. And the neckline is so large it hangs off of one shoulder.

His eyes swirl black as he walks toward me like a predator cornering its prey. “I love the sight of you wearing my tunic and nothing else.” His voice is a low and sensuous purr. He leans in and dips his head to the curve of my neck and shoulder, inhaling deeply. “Covered in my scent and bearing my mark upon your skin.”

He wraps his wings around me, pulling me close. “No one will ever take you from me,” he murmurs into my hair. “I will do whatever it takes to keep you by my side.”

“You made a bargain with Prince Raine,” I murmur against his chest as his words spark the memory of Alayna’s visit.

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