Page 20 of The Vampire's Bride

She is my fated one—my ashaya—and I hate that I have made her afraid.

The ones before her feared me, but it never affected me in this way. They preferred to remain distant and, even though I knew it meant there was no hope to break my curse, I respected their decision.

But with Juliet, everything is different. I don’t want her to be scared or to push me away. I want her to look upon me as her husband. I don’t want to be a monster in her eyes—a creature to be feared or merely tolerated, like I was with the others.

I’ve been trapped in this state of misery for so long, I mistakenly believed I’d lost the ability to feel.

My heart squeezes painfully in my chest at the memory of Juliet tracing her delicate fingers over the enchanted rosebush. As if somehow drawn to the very thing that will number her days.

Clenching my jaw, I push my dark thoughts aside and force myself to focus as I glide above the tree line, searching for something to slake this infernal thirst that rules my cursed existence.

Lightning fingers through dark clouds and rolling thunder rumbles nearby, echoing my mood. There’s a storm approaching from the north. This region is known for its violent and unpredictable snowstorms. If I don’t hurry, I risk being caught out here when the sun rises.

My nostrils flare as the enticing scent of fresh prey drifts on the wind. I swoop down low to investigate and find freshly churned snow. Dozens of hoofprints carving a path through the woods.

A large herd of elk must have passed through here recently. I follow the tracks until I find a stag grazing in the distance. A layer of white frost blankets his fur—a camouflage that would likely hide him from lesser predators.

Unfortunately for him, I am no such thing.

I’d much prefer a snowcat, but this will have to do. My control is barely hanging by a thread, and it will not be safe for Juliet if I return to the castle without satisfying my dark hunger.

After I’ve slaked my thirst, I carry the stag back to the castle. Eben and the others always appreciate when I bring back a fresh kill.

Flying past Juliet’s balcony, I peer inside her room and notice she is gone. The fire has burned down to mere embers in the hearth. Perhaps she is wandering the castle.

I am anxious to find her, to apologize and explain my actions. I only pray that when she looks upon me, it is not with the same fear she had in her eyes earlier.

Drawing in a deep breath, I head straight for the kitchen and find Eben and the others sitting around the table. The long counter is full of chopped meat and vegetables. The savory smell of venison stew intermingles with the fresh scent of baked bread and butter.

A hint of peppermint touches my nostrils and I narrow my eyes. If Elsie thinks to get back in my good graces, she is sorely mistaken. It will take more than a pot of my favorite tea to make me forgive her for drugging me yesterday.

Standing just outside the doorway, I observe the wolf pack as they partake of their meal. Elsie has her granddaughter—Kaely—sitting beside her. She points at Kaely’s nearly full bowl of broth. “Just a little more, my angel.”

Kaely clamps her mouth shut, shaking her head. She is nearly four years old and adorably stubborn, determined to have her way. She definitely takes after her grandmother in this regard.

Kaely’s mother, Ava, shares a long-suffering look with her mate, Cole. He wraps his arm around his wife and she snuggles into his side as he presses a kiss to her cheek.

Seeing them all gathered like this in the kitchen sharing a meal reminds me so much of my own family. My mother, father, younger brother, and sister. Absently, I rub at my chest as if that will somehow dull the ache that still lingers even after all these many long years.

When the wolves first arrived at the castle, I would have turned them away if not for the winter storm and the fact that they had a child with them. They’d been displaced when the mages invaded their pack lands in Snowhelm.

Normally wary of strangers, I have wards around the castle to deter company. Wolf-Shifters, however, are immune to magic. They were only supposed to stay one night, but after a little over a week, Elsie informedmethat I needed them to stay and help me keep up my castle.

Deciding to announce my presence, I walk into the kitchen. Passing the table, I drop my kill just outside the storeroom.

Everyone falls silent, their eyes shifting to Elsie and then back to me. It seems they are all aware that she drugged my tea.

“Did you sleep well, my Lord?” Elsie flashes a bright smile, undoubtedly trying to smooth things over.

Either that, or she truly believes I do not know what she did.

“Yes.” Her smile grows wider, but her expression quickly falters when I narrow my eyes. “But you know that already, don’t you? Because you put something in my tea.” I arch a brow. “Did you think I wouldn’t notice?”

“Seven hells,” she huffs. “It was an accident. I had no idea elyrian root was so potent to Vampires.”

“You could at least have the decency to look chagrined.” I bite back a growl, not wanting to upset the little one.

“Don’t you be looking at me like that.” She wags a stern finger. “Besides, the tea helped to calm you while you were changed into your cursed form.” Her words stop me short as she continues. “At first, you were roaring so loudly the walls were practically shaking around our ears.”

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