Chapter 54
CHAPTER 54
JULIET
S tanding before the window of the study, I pull back the curtains just enough to gaze out at the sea. Storm clouds gather overhead, muting the early morning sun. Thunder rolls above us as lightning fingers across the sky.
It’s been three hours since Aerlyx left me here at the manor. Closing my eyes, I send another silent prayer to the gods, begging for a sign that Valaric and the others are all right.
Alayna’s warning echoes through my mind. She said our Great House has many enemies, and I wonder if any of them decided to strike. Maybe that’s why Valaric and the others are missing. If so, it is only a matter of time before they come for me as well.
I’m not afraid for myself. I’m worried for Valaric, Eben, Aerlyx, and even Damar. Swallowing against the lump in my throat, I stare out at the waves rolling toward the shore.
This waiting is agony. I never expected to truly fall for my husband, but I have. Regret settles like a heavy stone in my chest. I should never have left his side. I should have insisted that we stay together. I love him and I left him behind. If I had stayed, maybe then we would at least be together now.
Tears threaten to fall, but I blink them back. I have to be strong. I don’t want to break down, and I cannot afford to lose faith.
“The horses are ready and tied in the courtyard. You must go, my Lady,” Lysander’s deep voice says behind me. “My mother has already readied your things.”
“We cannot just leave,” I protest. “We need to wait. We need to give them a chance to come back.”
“If they could have, they would have already returned.” He gives me a pitying look. “Because they have not, we must assume it isn’t safe to remain here. You must go to Greyvale castle.”
“Why?”
“Because there is strength in numbers,” Reyla says from the doorway. “The wolf pack can protect you during the day, and my son will guard you at night. The pack is loyal to your husband. They will help us keep you safe.” She glances at Lysander. “My son is strong, but he is one person. We need the others.”
Guilt swells my chest. I understand what she’s saying. Staying here puts not only myself, but also her son in danger, since he feels obligated to protect me. I won’t be responsible for him coming to harm. I look between Lysander and Reyla. “You have both been so kind to me, but I will not ask you to risk your lives for mine. You owe me nothing. I—”
“Lord Greyvale could have turned us away when we came to him for protection, but he did not.” Reyla rests a hand on my shoulder. “You are the most important person in the world to him. You are his true wife. We will not abandon you.”
A lump forms in my throat at the reminder of what a good man my husband is to inspire such loyalty in those who know him.
Despair tightens my chest. I hate not knowing where he is and what has happened. And the thought of leaving here without him is almost more than I can bear.
“My Lady?” Lysander says gently. “You and my mother need to leave. Now.”
A tear slips down my cheek. “I can’t.”
“I know you’re worried for him.” Reyla cups my face with weathered hands, her warm brown eyes full of sadness. “We are too. But it’s what he would want, Lady Juliet. He would want you somewhere safe.”
“We cannot just run.” I implore them to listen. “What if Valaric and the others are imprisoned? I cannot just leave my husband.”
“If he was their prisoner, they would have sent word already with one of their human messengers or one of their day guardians,” Reyla says. “They would have sent terms for conditions of release.”
“My mother is right,” Lysander agrees. “We’ve heard nothing.”
My stomach drops as the unthinkable fills my mind. “You think they are dead.” My voice quavers. “Don’t you?”
Lysander clenches his jaw as if what he wants to say is too painful, before he finally offers, “I want to believe they’re alive, but most Vampires do not take prisoners.”
Without warning, his head snaps toward the door, his red eyes narrowing. “Someone is approaching,” he says, his voice a low rumble of unease. “Stay here.”
My heart hammers as I nod. Reyla clasps her hands together, her face etched with concern as her son rushes from the room with inhuman speed.
Minutes stretch like an eternity before he finally returns, his expression grim. “It’s Prince Raine’s blood wife and two of his day guardians. She is asking to speak with you. She claims to have a message from the prince.”
His gaze shifts to the door. “The wards will not allow them to enter the manor unless we invite them. I suggest you both leave through the tunnels. If the prince sent any magic wielders, it will take them at least an hour to break through the barrier.” He pauses. “You should go now. I fear this could be a trap, my Lady.”
“If it was, why would she come alone?” I ask. “The prince is very protective of her. He would not put her in danger.”
Reyla turns to me. “Are you certain of this?”
“Yes.” I look at her and Lysander. “Let her in. Bring her to the study. We need to find out why she is here. If the prince is holding them captive, maybe he sent her to deliver terms for their release.”
With a reluctant nod, Reyla leaves to fetch Alayna.
When they return, Alayna greets me with a warm smile. “It is good to see you again.”
“You as well,” I reply, trying to hide my nerves. “To what do we owe this visit?”
Instead of answering, she turns to Lysander and frowns. “The sun is already out. You are up rather late, are you not?”
Lysander stiffens, but he says nothing.
Alayna’s expression falters a bit and she turns to me. “I was hoping to speak with you alone, if I may?”
Lysander’s gaze flicks to me, and I nod. He leaves, closing the doors behind him.
Awkward silence settles between us. I want so much to ask her about my husband and the others, but something makes me hesitate. Drawing in a deep breath, I steady myself and fall back on all my years of proper etiquette ingrained in me by my mother and offer Alayna a seat. “Would you like some tea?”
“Thank you.” A faint smile hovers on her lips. “But I won’t be long.” She scans the rooms and then leans in and whispers. “Do you trust your servants?”
“With my life,” I reply in an equally low voice. I move a bit closer. “Do you trust your day guardians?”
She nods. “The guards assigned to me are carefully picked. Only those who Prince Raine trusts completely are selected.”
“Does he worry someone might try to harm you?”
A flicker of something unreadable passes over her face. “As I mentioned before, the royal court can be full of danger.” She reaches into her cloak and pulls out a parchment, sealed with the royal crest. “The prince sent this for you.”
My heart hammers as I take it from her, worried it’s some sort of terrible decree—an announcement of imprisonment or scheduled execution of Valaric and the others. The best I can hope is that it may be a note of ransom… some sort of bargaining for their safe return.
My fingers tremble as I break the seal and unfold the thick paper. With shaking breath, I scan the document, my brow furrowing as I read the proclamation.
It’s an official recognition of my marriage to Valaric, endorsed by the crown. Confused, I glance up at Alayna. “Why did the prince send this?”
Alayna frowns. “Valaric did not tell you?”
I start to ask how he could possibly tell me something when he is missing, but I bite my tongue and shake my head.
She continues. “They struck a bargain. Valaric pledged his loyalty to Prince Raine in exchange for his assurance that you will not be forced to return to Aralon. This document recognizes your marriage as legitimate here in Morrowynd. You are free from any claims your former betrothed—Lord Jonathan Harker—might have thought to enforce through his uncle, the King of Aralon.”
Stunned, I absorb her words as I hold the parchment in my hands.
“The prince wanted me to bring this to you and your husband.” She lowers her gaze. “I believe it is his way of apologizing for the argument they had before Lord Valaric left.”
Lord Valaric left. Her words echo in my mind, filling me with hope. Valaric is not being held. At least… not by the prince. My joy is short-lived. If he and the others are not there, then where are they?
“Argument?” I blink several times. “What happened?”
She gives me a puzzled look. “Lord Valaric did not mention it to you?”
“No,” I reply quickly, still not wanting to give away that he is not here. “With all that happened, he must have forgotten.”
“I suppose it was a rather eventful evening,” she says politely. “After you left, your Incubus friend returned to collect your husband and the others. Raine was still so enraged that he threatened them before they disappeared.”
Hope sparks again in my chest at the confirmation that they did indeed leave with Aerlyx, but it’s quickly tempered by worry. Why aren’t they here? Where could they possibly be?
“I believe Raine sent this”—Alayna gestures to the parchment—“as a peace offering. To ensure he and your husband are still on good terms.”
Alayna has lived in this world of darkness far longer than I have. There are so many questions I wish to ask her. To see if she has any idea what may have happened or who might have a grudge against House Greyvale.
I want to trust Alayna, but she is blood wife to the prince, and despite this peace offering, I’m still not sure if he’s friend or foe. Especially since I did not get a chance to talk to Valaric before Aerlyx came for me.
Instead of telling her the truth, I fall back on the familiar etiquette I know so well. “Thank you.” I smile. “I will be sure to tell my husband as soon as he wakes.”
She nods. “It was lovely to see you again. Even if only for a short visit.”
Alayna turns to leave, but I stop her. “Wait.”
“Yes?”
I hesitate a moment, unsure if I should ask before finally deciding that this may be my only chance. “He is good to you?”
“Yes,” she replies without hesitation. “And your husband? He truly is kind to you?”
“Yes.”
She embraces me warmly and whispers in my ear. “Then it seems that the prince has chosen his ally well.” When she pulls back, her hazel eyes meet mine. “I am glad to have had a chance to call upon you, Lady Greyvale. I hope we meet again soon.”
When she leaves, Lysander and Reyla walk back into the study, staring at me expectantly.
“The prince does not have them.”
“Thank the gods.” Reyla places a hand to her chest.
Lysander frowns. “The fact remains that they are still missing.” He turns to me. “You should still leave for the castle, before it is dark.”
“Why?”
“Because we still do not know where they are. And it’s where he would expect us to take you.”
“You are certain?” I ask, unsure.
“Until we find out what has happened to Lord Valaric and the others, you are safer there. Further away from Stryker and the rest of them,” he explains. “Wolves are well-known to be excellent fighters, formidable enemies to Vampires. The pack is a good deterrent to anyone who might try to come for you.”
“All right,” I agree. “I’ll go.”
Relief flits across his expression before he turns to his mother. “Head straight for the Gate, outside the city. When you reach the other side, make your way to the inn at Grimwood and procure a room. I will meet you there when night falls, and we can travel the rest of the way together.”
Reyla’s eyes are bright with tears as she hugs him tight. “I love you with all my heart,” she whispers. “Be safe, my darling boy.”
My heart clenches as he embraces her and speaks softly in return. “I love you too, Mother. I will.”