Chapter 20
CHAPTER 20
JULIET
A s I walk through the garden, remnants of my nightmare cling to my mind like cobwebs. Drawing in a shaking breath, I try to remind myself that it was just a dream as I struggle to push aside the fear of my faceless attacker.
I wish Valaric were here, but Elsie said he went hunting.
Absently, I rub the marks on my neck. He will need my blood this evening. I’m not terrified of the idea like I was in the beginning. In fact, I’m quite the opposite of fearful. Nervous anticipation flutters in my belly at the thought of what is to come.
I’m anxious for my husband to return from his hunt. His presence always seems to soothe me when I’ve had a bad dream.
Moonlight covers the garden, casting an elegant glow upon every surface as I walk along the meandering path. Long vines trail over the wall, swaying gently in the breeze against the ancient stonework. They’re covered in glowing white, red, and pink blooms that look like tiny roses, their radiance a lovely contrast to the velvet night.
Tracing my fingers lightly over the soft petals, a familiar tingling warmth spreads across my skin, and happiness fills me as I realize my husband is nearby. “Did you have a successful hunt?”
A cool breeze buffets the back of my cloak, and the scent of mint and cedar surrounds me. The lingering fear from my nightmare begins to drain away at his nearness. His minty breath is warm against the back of my neck as he speaks softly. “Yes.”
He cups my chin and gently turns me to face him. “Did you have another nightmare?”
It’s strange how he can always tell, even when I say nothing. “Yes.” I shudder inwardly as I force down the dark images that threaten to resurface. “But I’m fine now.”
He studies me a moment, as if gauging the truth of my words. My nightmares are rather frequent, and Valaric is always there to comfort me. But lately, I’m worried that he will begin to think of me as a burden, and that’s the last thing I want. So, I quickly change the subject.
“These are newly bloomed.” I gesture to the vines. “Are they enchanted?”
“No. They grow along the cliffs of the city of Nightshade, near the Shadow Sea. We have a manor on the coastline.” I understand that when he says “we,” he means, he and Damar. “I took a few cuttings and transplanted them here over forty years ago.” Reverently, he touches one of the blooms. “They remind me of my sister.”
Shadows and light play upon his face, accentuating the sorrow in his expression as his words paint haunted images of his past, filled with laughter, flowers, and sunlight.
He plucks one of the blossoms, staring down at it with a saddened look.
Without thinking, I reach out, brushing my fingers to his. The contact is tentative, an offering, as I gently take his hand. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
Normally, I’m careful to maintain some distance from him on days that he must take my blood, for I know how much it tests the control that he ruthlessly keeps in check.
Although I’ve touched him many times before, a flash of confusion crosses his features, as if he still has trouble believing I would willingly reach for him.
There are many who would consider him a monster, but he isn’t. Not to me, anyway. Underneath his daunting presence and unearthly beauty is a man who has lost and suffered, mourning the life and the family that was taken from him.
“And I am sorry for yours.” He curls his fingers around mine. “And I imagine it must be difficult to be so far from your family.”
“I do miss Mother and my brother.” I look down at our joined hands. “But I think the same can be said of any new bride. Perhaps we could visit for the summer solstice?”
It was not part of our bargain, but I ask anyway, hoping he might agree.
“Perhaps.” Something akin to guilt shadows his features before he hides it behind an impassive mask and changes the subject. “I finished your story.”
“And what did you think?” My stomach twists in a nervous knot. I’m so afraid he’s going to say it’s terrible.
“I enjoyed it.” A handsome smile curves his lips. “Immensely.”
My heart soars. “You did?”
He nods. “Except for the fact that it is not yet finished, and the sword fighting scene was a bit… difficult to imagine.”
“What?” My happiness dissolves in an instant. “What do you mean?”
“Please.” He rests his other hand atop our joined ones. “Do not think I am discouraging you in any way. Your story is wonderful. It is simply that your fight scene is… different from what one might actually see or experience in that situation.”
“How so?” I ask, mildly offended. I thought my sword fight scene was rather riveting. It certainly made my heart race even as I was writing it. “What’s wrong with it?”
Frowning, he lowers his gaze as if trying to determine how best to answer. While I appreciate that he doesn’t wish to offend me, I need to know the truth.
“Tell me,” I press. “Whatever it is, I can take it and use it to improve.”
“As we’ve only recently begun training with a blade, perhaps it would be easier to show you,” he says. Taking a small step back, he releases my hand, and I’m surprised by how much I already miss the contact. He scans the ground and picks up two long, thin branches and holds one out to me. “Here.”
I take the branch.
He holds his up like a sword, and I do the same.
“When Sir Danric is attacking Lord Soryn, he rushes forward and then flips in the air,” he says. “But a simpler and more realistic tactic would be to do this.”
He moves forward slowly, brandishing his fake sword, and I meet each pretend strike until his branch catches mine. With a flick of his wrist, he knocks it from my hand. Lightning fast, he twists to the left, coming up behind me in one solid move, bringing his branch up to my neck.
“You see.” He leans in and my pulse quickens as his minty breath fills my nose and his lips brush over my ear. “Sir Danric could easily disarm Soryn in this way.”
The warmth of his body radiates to mine, and I fight against the urge to push back into him as desire courses through my veins at the memory of his touch when he drinks from me.
He dips his head to the curve of my neck and shoulder and pleasure ripples through me as the tip of his nose skims across my sensitive skin. He draws in a deep breath and then quickly steps back.
Shocked by the sudden movement, I spin to face him. “What’s wrong?”
His crimson eyes swirl with black, the dark desire in his expression unmistakable. He shakes his head, and the normal red coloring returns. “Forgive me.”
“It’s been three days,” I say, guessing at the problem. “There’s no need to apologize. I understand.” I tilt my head to one side, offering him my neck. “You may take from me now, if you’d like.”
Guilt flickers across his face before he looks away. “It would be best to wait until it is time to sleep. So you may rest afterward.”
I gesture to a wooden bench behind him. “Then, would you like to sit for a while?”
The wind blows through the gardens, rustling the leaves, sending snow flurries scattering all around us. “Are you not cold?” he asks gently. “Would you rather go back inside?”
“Maybe in a few minutes.” I sit on the bench, and he takes the seat beside me. “I just want to enjoy being outdoors a bit longer.”
He loops his arm around my waist, tugging me to his side and curling his wing around me.
A soft sigh of contentment leaves my lips as I snuggle into his warmth. “Thank you.”
“I would make a poor husband if I allowed my wife to catch her death out in the cold.” He arches a teasing brow. “Would I not?”
I laugh softly. “You would.”
The clouds part, revealing a beautiful starlit sky with a full moon as snow falls softly all around us. I lean into Valaric, his presence chasing away the lingering fear from my nightmare.
“Do you want to talk about it?” he asks softly, and I know he is speaking of my bad dream.
Valaric is so attuned to me. Even though we are still newly married, sometimes it feels as though we’ve known each other forever. Especially in moments like this. If it were anyone else, I would be hesitant to speak my concerns aloud for fear of sounding mad. But it’s Valaric, and I trust him.
“I dreamed that I died. When I awakened, I—” My voice quavers. “I was worried that I did not survive my attack. And that this world… this life I’m living now is nothing more than a long dream I’m having after my death.”
He tightens his wing around me, but remains silent, waiting for me to continue.
As terrible as my nightmares are, I have an even greater fear. Swallowing against the lump in my throat, I meet his gaze evenly. “I know it’s been weeks since my attack, but I can’t stop worrying that my attacker might try to come for me. To finish what he started.”
“You are my wife.” Valaric cups my cheek, his red eyes blazing. “If anyone dares try to harm you, I will end them.”
My worries begin to melt away under the power of his words. He makes me feel safe. In his arms I feel cherished, protected, and cared for in a way that I never have been before.
“No one will harm you while I draw breath, my ashaya.”
Ashaya . He has called me this before. I assume it’s some term of endearment, but I’ve never asked. “What does ‘ashaya’ mean?”
His red eyes stare deep into mine as he whispers, “Beloved.”
Heat scorches through me. Is this his way of saying he loves me? Or is this simply an affectionate name like ‘dear’ or ‘darling?’ I want so much to ask him to explain, but the words get stuck in my throat.
His gaze travels over my face like a gentle caress as he cups my chin. “I have something I’ve been meaning to show you.”
I blink several times, surprised by the abrupt change in subject. “What is it?”
A hint of a smile ghosts his face. “Do you want me to tell you? Or would you rather be surprised?”
I bite my bottom lip, holding back a grin. “Surprised.”
He offers me his hand, and I take it without hesitation.