Page 5 of The Vampire's Bride
He is fierce and ethereally handsome all at once. There’s something so alluring about him, something that draws me in.
It’s difficult to resist this pull, and I am beginning to understand now how Vampires lure their victims.
“You must be more careful.” His deep voice sends a shiver down my spine. “You are still weak.”
The top of my head is just below his chin as he looms over me, enveloping me in a strange sense of security and fear in equal measure. His long, elegant fingers are tipped with lethal, black claws. His lips part slightly, revealing two sharp, white canines, reminding me that my new husband is far from human.
He is something else… something dangerous.
“I’m fine,” I whisper. His masculine scent—mint and cedar—surrounds me, a potent and heady mix. Fighting this strange pull between desire and caution, I force myself to take a small step back. “I was just a bit dizzy, but I’m well now.”
His hands are still at my waist, making sure I have my balance. “Would you like me to let you go?”
Heat flushes my cheeks as he studies me with a piercing gaze. I could so easily lose myself in his eyes. Lord Greyvale is the most handsome man I’ve ever seen. It’s a bit unnerving that despite knowing what he is, I still find myself wanting to lean into him.
Fortunately, the rational part of my mind breaks through the fog of attraction and I force myself to pull away. “Yes.”
He removes his hands from my waist. As his eyes search mine, the realization hits me that this man will be my husband.
I always knew I would marry someday, but I never imagined it would happen like this. What sort of life can a human hope to live with a Vampire, a creature as cold as they are beautiful? One who can exist only in darkness and never venture into the light?
Despair rises within me. “Please. Is there no other payment that can be made for your bargain?”
Something—an emotion—flashes behind his eyes, but it’s gone too quickly for me to know what it is as his face returns to an impassive mask. “No, there is not,” he replies, crushing myhope. He offers me his arm again. “Come. If we are to have a ceremony, it must be done at once.”
When we enter the parlor, my stepfather—Buryk—stands next to my mother as she gathers me up in a crushing embrace. My older brother, Stephen, joins her. Both of them are crying as if I’ve just returned from the dead.
Which, I suppose, in a way, that I have.
It’s so strange, for I feel as though I only left the house a few minutes ago to attend Lucy’s wedding.
Blinking back tears, I hug them tightly. Tonight is the last I will ever see of my family. I could be mad at the bargain they made, but I understand that in truth, it was not much of a choice at all.
My mom and my brother love me. Fiercely. Just as I love them. If our roles were reversed, I would have done the same. So, how can I be mad at them for choosing what they did? I would have died if not for Lord Greyvale’s intervention.
I have always been one to try to focus on being positive. My father used to say that every dark cloud hides a clear sky. You just have to wait for the storm to pass and then the sun will eventually come out again.
I was only ten years old, but I clung to those words full of hope, even as I watched the fever slowly take him from us. Despite that he’s gone, I’ve carried them with me ever since.
I’m not quite sure if he’d believe this same advice applies to marrying a Vampire, but the memory of him telling me this, provides a small measure of comfort.
My mother hugs me close, whispering in my ear. “My darling daughter, I’m sorry. I could not let you die.”
Given the choice between death and life, I would have chosen the same if the decision had been mine to make. “It’s all right,” I reassure her. “I understand, and I’m not upset with you.”
I dart a glance at Lord Greyvale, standing off to the left, giving me space as I speak with my family. I am fortunate they found him in time. Not many so close to death get a second chance.
Someone clears their throat, and my breath catches when I notice Jonathan standing near the mantel. His gaze shifts to my future husband. “May I have a moment alone to say goodbye?”
I’m not sure what Lord Greyvale’s answer would have been because I nod before he speaks. Everyone leaves the room. Valaric’s blood red eyes meet mine briefly before he steps out into the hallway, closing the door behind him.
Jonathan rushes forward and takes both my hands in his. “We can leave right now,” he whispers urgently. “I can take you away… somewhere he’ll never find us.”
As tempting as it sounds, I know enough of bargains to understand that dark magic cannot be so easily broken. “A deal has already been made.”
“You would justgiveyourself over to this creature willingly?”
Anger floods my veins, and I jerk my hands from his grip. “Iwas not given a choice.”