Page 169 of The Vampire's Bride

A tear escapes my lashes as I whisper the name of my beloved, both a prayer and a thanks to the gods. “Valaric.”

CHAPTER 72

VALARIC

“It is still daytime,” Damar insists. “We must wait until it’s fully dark.”

Standing near the mouth of the cave, I glance outside. The sky is covered with clouds so dark they block the light of the sun as distant thunder rolls overhead and snow falls in thick sheets. “We have plenty of cover.”

“If the storm clears, we’ll be exposed to the sun. We cannot risk—”

“Stay here if you want, but I’m leaving,” I snap. “Juliet needs me and I will not wait any longer.”

“Fine.” Irritation shifts into Damar’s gaze. “I will go with you.”

Without hesitation, I take to the sky. Spreading my wings, I soar out over the forest, searching the woods below for any signs of Juliet and her abductors.

Murderous rage churns deep within. Jonathan has seen his last sunrise this day. He will die for daring to harm my bride.

Movement catches my eyes in the forest below.

“There.” Damar points to Jonathan and his men.

Juliet is in Jonathan’s arms, her hands bound with rope as he carries her to his horse.

Anger blisters through me. All of them will pay for taking my bride.

Folding my wings to my back, I dive toward her abductors. Shocked and terrified cries ring out as the soldiers scatter, searching for cover.

Jonathan’s archers let loose a volley of arrows as the High Elf uses her dark powers, sending sizzling red bolts of destructive magic arcing toward us, but we easily avoid them.

Gritting my fangs, I look at Damar. “No mercy.”

His eyes are black as pitch as he nods in agreement. “No mercy.”

Damar slams into one of the archers, and I crash into the one beside him, sinking my fangs deep into his neck. The bittersweet taste of iron feeds the fire in my veins, coursing through me like lightning.

We turn our attention to the High Elf, but she disappears in a whirl of black smoke. The stench of fear permeates the air around us as the remaining soldiers flee into the woods, scattering like cowards and leaving their Lord behind.

My heart stutters and stops as I turn toward Jonathan. He’s holding Juliet in front of his body like a shield, a knife at her throat.

“Unhand her.” Rage blisters through me. “And I will give you the quick death you do not deserve.

Jonathan’s dark eyes meet mine as he smirks. “I don’t think so.”

A soft whimper escapes her lips as he presses the tip of the blade harder into her skin.

My vision turns red as a trickle of blood runs down her neck. Lightning fast, I rush forward. The world blurs around me as I crash into Jonathan, knocking him away from Juliet.

We tumble to the ground in a tangled mess of limbs, and I sink my fangs deep into his neck. Sharp pain slices through my back as he stabs me with his blade before falling still.

His heart begins to slow as I drain him of his lifeblood.

“Valaric, no!” Juliet calls out. “He’s under a spell.”

I rip my fangs from his neck, and he crumples to the ground.

My lips curl in disgust as I glare at my enemy. I will give him a slow and painful end later. Right now, I must tend to my mate.

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