Page 7 of The Vampire's Bride
Valaric’s nostrils flare and his brow furrows deeply. “I can smell your fear. You are afraid of me,” he murmurs, mistakenly believing that my unease is directed at him. “Forgive me. When I heard you tell him to release you, I acted on instinct. I did not mean to frighten you.”
“You didn’t.” I place my hand over his, on my arm. “You defended me.”
“You are mine,” he states firmly. "I will always protect you.”
Something about his declaration sends a shiver down my spine, and I’m surprised that it’s not one of fear. Lord Greyvale is an enigma: very different from the way I’d imagined a Vampire would be.
I’d expected cruelty and indifference, but instead he has been kind, protective, and he seems to genuinely care about my feelings. I glance down at our joined hands. Perhaps our marriage will not be as bad as I feared.
He arches a questioning brow. “Do you still wish to have a ceremony?”
If things had gone differently, I could have died today. Instead, I will be wed to a Vampire. It’s strange how quickly life can change. “Yes.”
He offers me his arm, and I loop mine through his. For better or worse, Lord Valaric Greyvale will be my husband. I have a second chance at life, and I’ve decided I’m going to embrace it.
CHAPTER 3
VALARIC
The moon shines brightly over the temple of the old gods, bathing the white marble columns in silver light, illuminating the elaborate runes carved into the ancient stone. The air is thick with incense and the floor is worn smooth by the passage of countless worshippers.
When I was mortal, I was a fervent believer in the old gods. But after my entire family and village were slain by the same creatures that I have become, anger turned me from their ways. It has been over fifty years since I’ve set foot inside a place of worship.
Juliet stands before me, pale moonlight casting her in an ethereal glow. Her luminous green eyes are wide as they meet mine, and her long, blonde hair cascades down her back like a river of gold.
My gaze travels over the elegant white silk gown that accentuates the curves of her lovely form. The bodice is covered with clear tiny crystals in swirling patterns that shine like starsbeneath the flickering candlelight. A thin silver chain with a single gray pearl hangs around her neck.
Jealousy rises within me at the knowledge that it is the same dress that would have been worn in her wedding to Jonathan, but I push it back down.
She is my bride now. Not his.
Her hands tremble within mine as she repeats the ancient vows, her voice soft but clear. I admire her strength as she stands before me, her gaze unflinching as she speaks the sacred words of intent.
I’ve had four wives before Juliet. Each marriage was the result of a bargain, a contract sealed without ceremony or fanfare. I never claimed them as my mate.
But this is different. This is real. A connection, a bond forged not just by necessity to fulfill the terms of an agreement, but by something deeper, something I cannot quite name.
The priestess guides us through the ancient rites, her words resonating throughout the temple. She instructs us to hold out our hands, hesitating a moment as she lifts the ceremonial knife from the altar.
Her gaze sweeps to mine, full of concern. She knows enough of my kind to be wary of what comes next, but I am prepared and will not lose myself to bloodlust.
I dip my chin in a subtle nod, indicating that she may continue.
Carefully, she slices a line across my left palm and black blood seeps to the surface. When she turns to Juliet and does the same with her right hand, my nostrils flare as the enticingly sweet scent fills the air. I’m hit by a wave of lust and longing so intense I struggle to maintain my composure.
My gaze drifts to the elegant column of her throat. I long more than anything to pull Juliet into my arms and sink myfangs deep into the pulsing artery along her neck, marking her as my mate. To claim her according to the ways of my people.
Like Wolf-Shifters, Vampires are both monster and man. The two halves of our nature in a constant battle for dominance. The fated bond is so strong it threatens to overwhelm my control as the dark and primal creature within me awakens. It writhes beneath the surface, demanding that I seal Juliet to me and make her mine in all ways.
Clenching my jaw, I force it back down. For now, she is bound to me by blood magic. The claiming will come later.
We press our palms together as the priestess winds the red ribbon of binding between our fingers. I’m surprised at how dainty Juliet’s hand is against mine with her delicate bones and petal-soft skin. My human bride is fragile compared to my people, and it fills me with worry at how easily she could be broken.
Fierce protectiveness rushes through my veins.She is mine, and I will kill anyone who dares try to harm her.
The priestess finishes tying the ribbon around our wrists. According to tradition, it is supposed to remain in place during our first night together. And when it is removed, the knot must remain intact to ensure a successful marriage.
Juliet’s gaze meets mine and a pink blush stains her cheeks. My bride is breathtakingly beautiful, and a surge of emotions wells within me as she speaks the vows of binding.