Chapter 68
CHAPTER 68
VALARIC
I t’s been two weeks since Lyra and the others disappeared from the castle. The roses on the enchanted bush are nearly dead. Only a few petals remain on two of the blooms.
It’s a blood moon tomorrow evening. A sacred time for the wolves. They left yesterday for the woods and will be gone for two days, most of which will be spent entirely in wolf form out of respect for their moon goddess. Little Kaely was excited. Only recently has she learned how to shift.
Lysander and Reyla have already returned to Nightshade, where Lysander has been discreetly investigating who ordered Juliet’s assassination attempt. I suspect it is Stryker, but Prince Raine said our Clan has many enemies, and I have to be sure before I act.
Aerlyx took me to the towns and cities where my previous wives used to live, but we found no trace of them. I am convinced the witch must have them somewhere else.
If she does, I do not understand her purpose. I have summoned her many times, but she still has not appeared. Damar and I went to her cottage and she was not there either.
Aerlyx and Damar are actively searching for a Shade Stone, but they are not easy to find. Those who have them are reluctant to part with them, no matter the price Damar has offered.
It seems there is nothing to be done but to wait for the witch to reappear. And while we do, I have promised Juliet that I will not let it ruin our time together, however short it may be.
When I walk into the study, I find her seated at her desk, her quill moving quickly across the parchment as she writes her story. A smile tugs at my mouth when she softly bites her lower lip, like she always does when she’s in deep concentration.
As if sensing my gaze upon her, she lifts her head. A stunning smile curves her mouth as her gaze meets mine. I walk toward her and she stands. Gathering her up in my arms, I lift her off the ground and spin her around once before pressing my lips to hers.
Juliet cups my cheek, her luminous eyes staring deep into mine. “You’re still holding me,” she says with a teasing smile.
“I am.” I love having her in my arms. I would hold her forever if she’d let me. “Would you like me to put you down?”
She brushes her mouth to mine. “No.”
Fervently, I return her kiss, curling my tongue around hers. I pull back and then press a line of suctioning kisses down her neck. I love the soft moan she makes as I graze my fangs along her delicate flesh and then trace my tongue over the hollow at the base of her neck, feeling her fluttering pulse beneath.
Damar steps into the room and clears his throat. Juliet freezes in my arms, embarrassment coloring her cheeks. Gently, I lower her feet to the floor and then turn to him with an irritated look.
“Forgive my interruption,” he says. “But I must speak with you before you retire to your chambers for the day.”
Juliet stretches up on her toes and gives me a quick kiss. “I’m going to watch the sunrise from the gardens, but I’ll meet you in our rooms after that.”
When she leaves, I turn back to Damar, arching a brow. “What did you need to discuss?”
“Prince Raine has been quietly encouraging the rumors about you and Juliet. Even the priests and priestesses of the temples have been spreading the belief that you are the Fallen Knight fated to the Sanishon.”
We already knew this, but I wonder why he is pointing it out now.
Before I can ask, he continues. “A majority of the Houses and the people believe this. Support for our clan has grown. But this has also gained us new enemies. Many of whom are claiming it is sacrilege to push this belief that you are part of the prophecy.”
“Sacrilege?” I’m stunned. “That’s rather extreme, is it not?”
“Not when you consider that the very record of the fated bond among our people is that of King Drovyan—the Conqueror—and his mate, Queen Kalara.” He pauses. “Nearly every Vampire knows their story.”
Unfortunately, that does not include me. I was not born to this life, and I do not know all of our history. “I’m unfamiliar with it. What happened?”
“King Drovyan was mortally wounded on the battlefield and died in her arms. She used her blood magic to reclaim him from death.”
My mouth drifts open. “How?”
“It is called the Eldura—a rune so powerful it is rumored to have been the key to the dark spell the Ancient Ones used to create their army of the dead. But instead of bringing King Drovyan back as a mindless creature of death, it restored his life.
“It is said the effect depends upon the intent and the power of the wielder, and can easily kill the one who tries to use it. That’s why it’s so dangerous. It’s the reason no one has used it since the time of King Drovyan.”
He holds out a book, opening it to a page with a runic symbol drawn in the center that I’ve never seen before. “This rune represents both destruction and life-giving energy.”
“Why are you showing me this?”
“Because I’m worried that some of those most vocally opposed to prophecy may demand proof of your fated bond.”
Worry tightens my chest as his words sink in. “You believe they would intentionally kill Juliet to force me to try—”
“Nothing that extreme,” he says. “But fated bondmates are supposed to be able to share their life force to aid in healing one another. They might injure her and ask you to prove your bond by healing her, not by giving her your blood, but by using the power of your blood magic.”
“We need to strengthen our House so that our enemies think twice before crossing us.” The stronger we are, the safer Juliet will be. The wolf pack has always stressed that there is strength in numbers, and I believe they are right. “How close are you to convincing the wolves to join us?”
“The wolves.” He purses his lips. “Elsie says that if they are to join House Greyvale, they want a wolf’s paw added to our House banner.”
“What is the problem?” I ask.
“Our sigil has been unchanged for hundreds of years.”
“It’s also never had a wolf pack among its members,” I point out. “Or a human, for that matter.”
“I suppose you are right,” he says with a long-suffering sigh. “But before we do that—”
Sudden awareness ripples through me, and the hairs rise on the back of my neck.
Damar’s eyes flash with concern. “What is it?”
“Someone has broken through my wards.”
Juliet is outside. In the daylight. Alone.
“Who is it?”
My nostrils flare as I catch a hint of a familiar scent, and a snarl curls my lips. “Juliet’s former betrothed.” A deep growl builds in my chest. “And he has not come alone.”
“Valaric!” Juliet’s sharp cry rings out, stopping my heart.