Chapter 11
CHAPTER 11
JULIET
A s my mind slowly awakens, I snuggle deeper into the blankets, enjoying the sensation of being completely enveloped in warmth.
“Juliet,” a rich and deep voice rumbles soothingly above me. “Are you awake?”
“Just a few more minutes,” I murmur sleepily into the hard pillow against my cheek.
A soft puff of air hits the top of my head as Valaric huffs out a small laugh, and I freeze.
I lift my head, shocked to realize that my hard pillow is actually my Vampire husband’s bare chest and I’m lying beside him, his soft, leathery wings folded completely around me.
I remember falling asleep in the bed and start to ask how I got here, but the question dies in my throat as the foggy memory of Valaric lifting me from the mattress and laying me down by the fire enters my mind.
My gaze travels over his broad, muscular shoulders before lifting to his face. Firelight and shadow accentuate his handsome features. I study his square jawline, his full perfect lips, aristocratic nose and brow before settling on his crimson eyes that seem to pierce my very soul.
He cups my cheek. “Are you all right?”
A heated flush creeps up my neck as I nod. His body is pressed to mine, the heady scent of warm mint and cedar surrounds and envelops me.
I’m mesmerized as his eyes stare deep into mine. I look down at his gorgeous lips, and I wonder if he will kiss me. Desire pulses through me as I recall the feel of his powerful body over mine as he drank of my blood.
I’m caught in his intense gaze as his hands slide to my hips, pulling me even closer. So close that there is no space between us.
I want so much to kiss him, but I’m nervous. I’ve never done this before. Slowly, I lean in and gently brush my lips to his in a featherlight touch.
A knock at the door startles us and we quickly pull away.
“Sorry to bother,” Minda calls out. “I wanted you to know that dinner will be ready in an hour, in the dining room.”
My heart is still racing as I look at Valaric. “You should go,” he whispers. Disappointment fills me as his wings fall away from around me. I already miss the warmth of his arms.
Reluctantly, I nod. “Thank you,” I call out so Minda can hear. “We’ll be right there.”
With a heavy sigh, I push myself up to sitting. “Stay here. I’ll make an excuse for you so I can bring the food back to the room.”
Valaric nods. “I’ll draw a warm bath for you before you go,” he says, his voice a deep, soothing rumble that makes my heart skip a beat.
Before I can protest that I can do it myself, he stands and pulls me up with him. He removes the bandages from around his torso, and I’m stunned to see that his wounds are completely healed.
The light from the fire dances across his bare chest and abdomen, emphasizing the sculpted muscles that flex beneath his skin as he moves with a fluid grace that leaves me momentarily speechless.
As I study him, I notice there is not even a hint of a scar left behind to mark where he was injured. And yet, he is scarred in other places. “I don’t understand,” I murmur. Without thinking, I reach up and run my fingers lightly over a jagged silver-white line just below his collarbone. “Your wounds are completely gone, but these still remain. How did you get this?”
Something flashes behind his eyes, and he takes a small step back.
“Forgive me.” I wince inwardly, worried that I’ve somehow offended him. “I did not mean to—”
“It’s all right,” he assures me. “But it is a long story. Perhaps one better suited for another time.”
Whatever it is, it must be painful, and I don’t want to press him. “Of course.”
“I’ll see to your bath,” he says, changing the subject.
“I can do it myself,” I protest.
“You took care of me last night.” Gently, he cups my chin. “Allow me to return the favor.”
“All right.”
The blizzard is still raging outside. Normally, I love to linger in a warm bath, but I’m a bit on edge about dinner. I wish the storm would pass so we could return to the castle. The longer we stay here, the more chance there is that Valaric’s true nature will be discovered, and I worry how the villagers will react to the idea of a Vampire in their midst.
After I bathe, I change into the dress Minda provided for me and pull my heavy cloak over my shoulders to cover the puncture marks on my neck. Even though it’s not exactly proper to wear a cloak inside, this place does not seem like one to stand upon such traditions. Especially given the icy draft in the building.
When I step back into the room, Valaric has already removed the dresser from in front of the door and is adding more wood to the fire. He turns to face me, flexing his impressive wings as if stretching them, before tucking them close again to his back.
“I’ll return as soon as I can.” I walk toward the door. Grabbing the handle, I turn back to ask him if he wants anything, but gasp when I find him directly behind me.
I’m not sure if I’ll ever become used to how fast and quietly he can move.
“If you run into any trouble, call out and I will hear you,” he says. “I will come immediately.”
His concern warms my heart. “I will.”
Opening the door, I slip out into the hallway and make my way to the dining area. A roaring flame burns in the fireplace on the far wall. A dozen tables are spread throughout the space, most of them empty.
There are at least half a dozen people dining alone and a few couples in here for dinner.
“We have venison stew,” Minda says brightly as she walks up beside me. “Where is that husband of yours?” She glances down the hallway. “Is he coming too?”
“He’s still a bit tired,” I lie. “I was hoping I could take the food back to our room.”
“Ah.” She grins. “Still in the newlywed phase, now, are you?”
Heat rises in my cheeks at her insinuation.
“Oh, no need to be embarrassed, dear.” She winks. “I still remember the early days after Bernyd and I were first wed.” She places her hand over her heart and sighs dramatically. “Ah, to be young again.”
I laugh softly.
“If I’d known you were newly married, I would have given you the newlywed suite,” she adds. “Unfortunately, another couple arrived after you did”—she gestures to a man and woman across the way—“and I gave it to them. But I do have something special I’d like to give you.”
“Oh, there’s no need,” I tell her. “I’ll just grab our dinner and return to our room.”
“Nonsense.” She smiles. “I make them as gifts for all our newlyweds. We’re the only inn in the village, so nearly every new couple comes to stay with us after their wedding, you see.”
I nod as she continues. “Just you wait right here, and I’ll be back with your food and your gift.”
She scuttles off to the kitchen, and I take a seat at one of the empty tables.
The front door opens, banging against the wall as a heavy gust of wind and snow blows inside from the storm. A cloaked figure walks in. With his hood pulled over his head, I can only make out a thick black beard covered with ice. He slams the door shut behind him and removes his heavy cloak.
The man is almost as tall as Valaric and heavily built. He has striking gray eyes, a square jaw, and a rather prominent nose. He combs a hand through his shoulder-length dark hair and kicks the last of the snow off his boots. If I had to guess, I’d say he’s no more than thirty years of age. And judging by his lack of coordination as he takes another few stumbling steps, he’s likely been drinking before he came here.
“I hope you have some of your good stew, Minda,” he practically yells down the hallway. “I walked through a blizzard for a decent meal, and I’d hate to have done it for anything less.”
“You’re in luck, Harvik.” Minda’s tittering laugh echoes from the kitchen. “Just take a seat and I’ll be right with you, and you’d better not be drunk!”
He turns to the dining area and starts toward one of the empty tables. His eyes lock onto me and he stops abruptly in his tracks. “Well, well, well. A beautiful woman dining all alone?” He flashes a lopsided grin and then slides into the seat across from me. “Allow me to keep you company, my lady.” His eyes rake over me as a wide grin curves his mouth. “My name is Harvik. What’s yours?”
With his rugged appearance and mischievous smile, I’m sure many women would fall for his charms, despite his obvious inebriation, but not me. “I’m here with my husband,” I tell him, hoping he’ll get the hint and move to another table.
He makes a grand show of looking around the room and then points to a few of the single diners nearby. “Is one of them your husband?”
“No.”
“Then, unless my eyes deceive me, I do not see him here.” He leans in and mock whispers. “I promise I don’t bite. Unless”—he gives me a Cheshire grin—“that’s something you’re interested in.”
“I’m married and I am not interested,” I state bluntly.
“So you mentioned,” he replies smoothly, his gaze dropping to my hands. “But I don’t see any ring on your finger either, my fair lady.”
Irritated, I push up from the table.
“Wait!” He stands, knocking over his chair to rush toward me. He grabs my forearm, and I react on instinct, swiftly kneeing him in the groin.
He howls, doubling over in pain. “What was that for?” he coughs out. “I was merely trying to—”
His face goes slack as a vicious growl sounds from behind me, raising the hair on the back of my neck. The other diners snap their heads in our direction. I turn and find Valaric, his eyes black as midnight, his fangs bared in a vicious snarl. “She said she wasn’t interested in your advances. If you dare try to touch my wife again, I will end you.”
All the color drains from the man’s face as a writhing mass of shadows swirl around Valaric’s form, long tendrils of darkness snaking toward him. “For—forgive me.” Stumbling over his words, Harvik holds his hands out in a placating gesture. “I—I meant no harm. I swear.”
“What is going on in here?” Minda walks in. Her gaze snaps from Harik to Valaric and then her face goes deathly pale. She drops the tray in her hands, shattering plates and cups, sending shards of porcelain skittering across the floor. “Seven hells! You’re a Vampire!”
Harvik jumps to his feet and scrambles to the door, rushing back out into the blizzard.
The shadows around Valaric’s form retreat and then disappear entirely.
“Minda,” I say gently, pulling her attention back to me. I offer her my best smile, trying to smooth the situation. “My husband decided to join me after all. I hope that’s all right.”
Her jaw works a moment before she replies. “Of—of course.” She gestures nervously to one of the empty tables. “Any—anywhere you’d like.”
The other diners remain frozen in place, staring at Valaric as if they’ve seen a wraith. Which—I glance back at him again and his eyes are still black with rage—I suppose he does appear rather terrifying right now.
His expression softens as he turns his gaze to me, the normal red color returning to his eyes as he cups my cheek. “Are you all right?”
“Yes.”
“Will you be wanting a”—Minda halts abruptly, wringing her hands in her apron as if trying to pick her words very carefully before she says—“meal as well, Mister—”
“Greyvale,” Valaric replies. “Lord Valaric Greyvale, and this is my bride, Lady Juliet Greyvale. We’ll just need the one meal for my wife, and I will take a cup of tea if you have it.”
“Tea?” her voice rises in pitch. “I mean, yes, of course. Right away, Lord Greyvale.”
She hurries off to the kitchen and Valaric guides me to a nearby table, completely ignoring the blatant stares and worried looks of our fellow diners as we take our seats.
As soon as we’re seated, I lean in and whisper under my breath. “I thought we were trying not to draw attention to the fact that you’re a Vampire.”
“We were. But that was before that maltak started harassing you.”
“You shouldn’t have revealed yourself,” I chastise. “I had it handled.”
“You are my wife ,” he states firmly. “As long as I draw breath, no one will touch you against your will.”
My heart flutters at his possessive words, but as I gaze at the people around us, worry begins to creep in. “What if someone tries to attack us, now that they know what you are? What if a hunter comes?”
“Let them try.” His eyes darken again as he growls low in his throat. “My strength has returned. You are mine, Juliet. I will end anyone who dares try to harm you.”
An unexpected thrill runs through my veins. I love how protective he is. He makes me feel safe.
Even my own parents did not instill this feeling in me. The real reason I hadn’t told them I broke my engagement to Jonathan was because I worried they would try to force me to marry him anyway, despite my concerns about his temper.
My prejudices against Valaric’s people made me afraid of him at first. But now, I know that he would do anything to protect me.
Minda comes in with our food and drinks. The plates and cups rattling on the tray as she sets it on the table with shaking hands. She takes a healthy step back, her knuckles white as she grips the silver cross on the end of her necklace. “Will you be needing anything else?” She swallows hard. “Bernyd can go to the butcher and see if he has any fresh blood if you’d like, Lord Greyvale.”
“Thank you, but that will not be necessary,” Valaric replies as he settles back in his chair.
He reaches for his tea, and Minda gasps, her gaze locked on the rune tattoo on the inside of his wrist. The one I’d noticed earlier that he claimed was unimportant.
“It cannot be,” she murmurs, eyes widening. “You’re one of the Shadow Blade.”
Shadow Blade. The familiar term tumbles through my mind as I struggle to recall how I know it.
“You’re the one, aren’t you?” Minda stares at Valaric in wonder. “The one who—”
“The Shadow Blade all are gone,” he says flatly. “Relegated to myth and legend.”
She shakes her head. “There is yet one that still lives.” Her gaze drops again to his wrist before she brings her hand to her chest, resting her closed fist over her heart. “May your blade prevail against the darkness,” she says solemnly. “And may the light protect your soul.”
“Those words are dangerous,” Valaric murmurs, his crimson eyes meeting hers evenly. “Especially when uttered by a human in the Vampire kingdom of Morrowynd. If you value your life, you would do well to remember that.”
I blink several times, startled by his warning.
Minda darts a nervous glance at me before dipping her chin in a quick nod.
“If you do not mind,” he says, “we’ll take our meal in our room.”
“I—I’ll have it brought to you, my—my Lord. My lady,” she stumbles over her words before scurrying back to the kitchen.
Curious, I look at my husband. “What is a Shadow Blade?”
“Not here.” Valaric’s gaze sweeps over the other diners nearby, each of them pale, trembling, and trying very hard to look as if they are not watching us like scared rabbits. He leans in and speaks in a voice so low I almost miss it. “I promise I will explain everything when we are alone.”
Whatever this is, it’s important and, according to what he told Minda, it’s dangerous as well. I nod in agreement and we make our way back to our room.
It isn’t long before Minda sets up a table near the bed with a hearty bowl of stew, bread, water, and tea.
I have so many questions, but I’ll ask them later. As much as I’m curious to know more about my new husband, I’m also a bit nervous. Especially with the way he and Minda were speaking.
The stew is delicious and the bread is fresh and warm from the oven. I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until now, and I’m thankful Minda encouraged us to eat dinner.
Valaric takes a sip of his tea and settles back in his chair. He is still a bit on edge, so I decide to try conversation, to take his mind off whatever troubles him.
I glance at his cup and arch a brow. “I had no idea Vampires liked tea.”
“I cannot speak for all of my kin, but I quite enjoy it.”
“Do you have a flavor you especially like?”
“Peppermint, and sometimes I indulge in chocolate biscuits in the evening as well,” he adds.
“You can eat”—I start to say “real food,” but decide better of it—“other things besides…” I allow my voice to trail off. I’d rather not mention the word “blood” while I’m eating.
“ Other things”— he emphasizes the words—“do not nourish me. But there are some items I do miss from before.”
“Before?” I frown.
“Before I was turned.”
My mouth drifts open. “I didn’t know. I just assumed you’d always been—”
“No,” he replies sharply.
“When? How?” I blurt and then wince inwardly when he lowers his gaze, staring into his cup. “Forgive me. I don’t mean to pry.”
“It’s fine,” he murmurs, but the tightening of his grasp on his cup tells me otherwise. “You are my wife. You have a right to know what you’ve wed.”
It doesn’t escape my notice that he says “what” instead of “who.”
He turns his gaze to the fire with a faraway look. Wherever his mind has taken him, the memories must be painful.
“I was turned only two days after my twenty-sixth name day,” he says, and I realize he was only two years older than I am now.
Vampires have long lives, and I wonder how many years ago this was. “How long have you been twenty-six?”
His eyes slide to mine, a hint of sadness reflecting behind them. “Fifty-two years.”
He’s not as old as I thought. I had no idea he was born human. I’ve heard the process is very painful and not everyone survives being turned. At least a dozen questions sit on the tip of my tongue, but the first one I’d like to know, I’m unsure how to ask.
“Did you”—I hesitate, picking my words very carefully before I continue— “choose to become a Vampire?”
“I was not given a choice.” Bitterness laces his tone. “I was turned against my will.”
I cannot imagine how terrible that must have been. “What happened?”
Sadness flits briefly across his expression before he clenches his jaw.
Perhaps I shouldn’t have asked. Maybe the memories are too horrifying. I open my mouth to take back my question but stop when he begins speaking again.
“My family lived in Stargrad—a small village along the northern border of Aralon… not far from here.” He looks down at his cup. “This was, of course, before this entire region was conquered by Morrowynd, during the Great Blood War.”
My great uncle fought in this war. It began a little over fifty years ago, when the Vampires invaded Aralon. It’s strange to think that Valaric lived during that time. So many of our soldiers were lost in the conflict that the King of Aralon was forced to surrender, ceding the vast region in the north to the Vampire Kingdom.
“I remember learning of this,” I tell him. “This town—Corvania—used to be Elspeth.” It was named for one of Aralon’s legendary queens of old. I wonder if the name of Valaric’s village was changed as well. “Is Stargrad known by another name now?”
“No,” he replies soberly. “It is gone.”
Horror fills me as his words sink in. “What happened?”
“The Noctva came during one of our winter storms.”
My heart stutters and stops. The Noctva are vampire warriors. The word itself means “warriors of night.” Everyone knows of them. I’ve heard terrifying stories of their absolute ruthlessness and brutality toward their enemies in battle.
Valaric continues. “The snowfall was so thick we could barely see anything through the blizzard. We were stationed at the Fortress of Belgrane. Our orders were to hold the line—to keep the Vampire army there, buying time for our people to escape.” He curls his hands into fists on the table. “The king promised to send reinforcements to evacuate the towns and villages to the south, but they never came.”
“Why not?”
He grits his fangs. “King Duras deemed our warriors, including his loyal knights and the people in this region an acceptable loss.”
I inhale sharply. I’d never heard this version of our history. I only knew our king had surrendered the northern territories. I didn’t know he abandoned his own people to die.
Suddenly, I remember where I’ve heard the term Shadow Blade before. They were an elite group of knights that served King Duras during the Blood War.
I dart a glance at Valaric’s wrist. Minda is convinced he’s one of them, and I wonder if it’s true.
Before I can ask, he continues. “The Noctva used the cover of the storm to skirt our defenses. When we realized what happened, we went after them. Because we were familiar with the land, we were able to reach Stargrad before they did.” His nostrils flare. “But it was too late to begin evacuations. Our only choice was to defend the wall and make a stand.”
His gaze drifts to the flames of the hearth. “I lost everything in one night. My family: my mother, father, younger brother, and sister… and my sworn brothers-in-battle.”
Wanting to offer him comfort, I reach across and rest my hand gently atop his. “I’m so sorry, Valaric.”
Even as I tell him this, I know it’s not enough. No words could ever possibly begin to express such terrible loss.
“I should have died that day.” He swallows hard. “When darkness fell, they came. There was no moon that night, and the fog was so thick we could barely see more than two paces in front of us.” His voice is thick with emotion. “We were outnumbered, five to one.”
“I fought with my sword until it shattered beneath their obsidian weapons. Then, I picked up an axe from one of the fallen. When the handle gave way, I wielded the blade by itself. And when they finally managed to take that from me, I used my bare hands. I was covered in so much blood, I had to wipe it from my face so I could see.”
He closes his eyes as if reliving the terrible memory. “I fought until I finally collapsed. And when I awakened, it was to a terrible thirst unlike anything I had ever known.”
“They turned you,” I whisper in shock, the horror of what he endured forming a terrible knot in my stomach. “But why?”
“Vampires only respect one thing: strength. They turned me because I was a fighter. A Shadow Blade—one of the fiercest warriors in our kingdom and the last one to fall on the battlefield that day.” He clenches his jaw. “And my reward was to be reborn a monster.”
“You are more than that, Valaric.” My heart clenches as I gently squeeze his hand. “I have seen it.”
“Perhaps I am now, but I wasn’t then.” He pulls his hand away from mine. “I dedicated my monstrous existence to searching for the ones who slaughtered my family, the ones who had turned me.” His nostrils flare. “I killed them all. Every last single one,” he grits through his fangs. “But then, I became the hunted once again.”
“Why?”
“There is a code among Vampires. We are not supposed to kill one another. If we do, the penalty is death.”
“What did you do?”
“I found Damar,” he explains. “Or rather… he found me.”
Damar. I remember Elsie mentioning his name when I asked if there were other members of House Greyvale. “Who is he?”
“The High Lord of House Greyvale,” he replies. “The one who taught me to survive in my new and monstrous form. He protected me from the ones who called for my execution and convinced the High Council to spare me by claiming me as a member of his Great House.”
“What happened to him?”
“We grew apart,” Valaric replies, but from the saddened look on his face, I get the sense that there is more to it than this.
“Is he still alive?”
He gives me a tight nod. “It has been a while since I last saw him.”
I wonder how long “a while” is to a Vampire. “Do you… miss him?”
He sighs heavily, frowning as if gathering his thoughts before he replies. “Damar was a true Vampire. He was born , not made like I was. He was my mentor, and he became like an older brother to me. I would surely have died if not for him.”
“Why did you part ways?”
“Those who are born to this life consider it a privilege—an honor and a blessing from the gods. To them, humans are weak, an inferior species. And to be turned is to be given the greatest gift imaginable. Only one in three survive the change. Those that do are expected to forget everything of their old life and eagerly embrace the new.”
He clenches his jaw. “It was… difficult for me. I was fortunate that Damar took me in, but in doing so, as a Lord of a Great House, I had to take the oath of my sworn enemies.”
He lifts the sleeve of his tunic on his left arm, and I notice a faint silver rune on his shoulder. “It is the mark of the Noctva.” He looks down at his hands, curling them into fists. “This form is stronger. Faster. More powerful. It can be intoxicating at first to possess such strength. Most newly turned Vampires cast aside their humanity as easily as a snake sheds its skin.”
He clenches his jaw. “But I was a disappointment to Damar. I could never be the one thing he wanted me to be.”
“What is that?”
Valaric’s eyes meet mine evenly. “A Vampire who has forgotten what it once was to be human.”