Chapter 33
CHAPTER 33
VALARIC
“ O urs is one of the Great Houses of Morrowynd. It is necessary to attend these functions periodically to maintain our appearance, to remind others that we are”—I start to say unafraid, but instead settle upon—“important.”
Strength and power are everything to my kind. To not attend the ball would be viewed as a sign of weakness.
Juliet studies me intently, as if weighing something in her mind before she finally dips her chin. “It’s not until Saturday, so we have plenty of time for you to give me an idea of what to expect at this sort of event.” She pauses. “I’ve been to many balls, but none outside of Aralon, and I want to make sure I don’t commit some sort of social misstep when we attend.”
I balk at the mere thought of her anywhere near the ball. She has only seen a glimpse of the cruelty my people are capable of when she met Lord Stryker. I cannot fathom taking her to Darkhall Manor—to the heart of his lair, surrounded by others that are just as malevolent as him and his true wife, Davara. “You’re not going. You will stay here with Eben.”
“Why?”
“Because it is dangerous,” I reply, hating that I have to say this when I want more than anything for her to feel safe and secure.
“Your sigil is embroidered on my clothing,” she points out. “You said that would deter—”
“It will not deter him ,” I interject, speaking of Stryker. “Not now that he’s caught your scent.”
Eben and Aerlyx quickly slink from the room to give us privacy because it’s obvious that this will not be an easy conversation.
“My scent?” Her brow furrows deeply. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“As I mentioned before, I have not marked you with my venom.”
“But you told him I was your true wife.”
Juliet is human. And as such, Stryker and the others consider her beneath them. They will not care about her title or status. The only thing they would respect is the primitive marking that would alter her scent to match mine. “Yes, but without my mark, you can be viewed as unclaimed.”
“We were wed in a temple of the old gods,” she insists. “You are my husband and I am your wife. Does that mean nothing to Vampires?”
“It means little to one like him.” I meet her gaze evenly. “He is used to getting what he wants. And what he wants right now, is you, Juliet.”
“Why me?”
“Because you are human. Because you are beautiful. But most importantly, because you are mine.”
She looks at me, stunned.
“Stryker is a born Vampire. I am made. Besides that, he and many others consider me a traitor among my kind for having killed the Vampires who slaughtered my village and my family.”
I cup her cheek, staring deep into her eyes. She is my ashaya—the most precious person in the world to me. “I cannot risk taking you to Darkhall Manor. Not when so many of my enemies will be there.”
“Don’t you see?” She shakes her head. “That’s what Stryker wants. It’s the reason he invited us. He knew you would be hesitant to bring me. And if I don’t attend, then it means we’re afraid. And fear is weakness among your kind, is it not?”
She’s right, but it changes nothing. “I will not risk you.”
“It is a chance we must take,” she counters. “If we do not, then it could weaken the position of House Greyvale.”
Does she truly believe I would worry over social standing when her life is at stake? “I don’t care.”
“Well, I do,” she states firmly. “I am going with you, Valaric. I—”
“Enough.” I slash my hand through the air. “I will go, and you will remain here with Eben and Aerlyx.”
“ I am your wife ,” she protests. “If you start dictating what I can or cannot do, then how is that different from being your bloodsworn?”
Her words are a stake through my heart. “You are my true wife, and I am trying to protect you. You don’t understand what you are asking or how dangerous it is, but I do.” I grit my fangs in frustration. “Do not ask me to put you in danger, because I would sooner end my own life than allow you to be hurt.”
She opens her mouth to speak, but I turn to Reyla who is lurking in the doorway, trying unsuccessfully to blend in with the shadows. I glance back at my wife. “We will not debate this any further.”
Hurt and anger reflect behind her eyes. Before she can say anything, I start down the hallway. Perhaps she will hate me now. But if that is the price to keep her safe, then so be it.