Chapter 32
CHAPTER 32
JULIET
A wareness slowly trickles back into my mind, and I open my eyes, wincing as my vision is assaulted by light. I quickly bury my head in my pillow and groan as a dull ache throbs in the back of my skull.
“Juliet.” Valaric’s voice sounds from somewhere nearby. “How are you feeling?”
I freeze as the memory of last night returns and groan even louder when I remember how wanton I behaved.
Completely mortified, I send a silent prayer to the gods. Oh, please, let it all just have been a dream.
I raise my head and the room begins to spin. A room that isn’t my own.
Valaric sits in a chair next to the bed, his crimson eyes full of concern.
Oh gods, last night wasn’t a dream. It was real.
A foggy memory floods my mind of him speaking to me when I asked for a kiss. “You do not want this,” he’d said as he gently pushed me away.
I don’t know why he would say that. Maybe he thinks I do not want his touch, when nothing could be further from the truth. Heat floods my cheeks as I recall how he pinned me against the cliff wall on the beach. I was nervous and wanted to slow down a bit, but I still wanted him.
With a low groan, I push myself up to sitting. Without warning, bile rises in the back of my throat, and panic spikes through me. “Valaric, I think I’m going to—”
I slam my hand over my mouth and rush from the bed to what I hope is the cleansing room. I push open the door and rush to the sink, doubling over. My stomach twists in a knot and violently releases its contents.
With a miserable moan, I close my eyes, my entire body shaking as another wave of nausea rolls through me. Oh gods, I don’t want to throw up again.
“Juliet?” Valaric’s voice is soft in my ear.
Unable to speak, I pant heavily as my stomach churns and I grip the edge of the sink, my body trembling as bile burns its way up my throat.
Valaric pulls back my hair, keeping it out of my face as I throw up again. My stomach cramps, and I cannot stifle a groan of misery as I dry heave.
Still holding my hair, my husband gently runs his other hand across my shoulders soothingly as I catch my breath.
When I lean back a bit, his movement is a blur of motion as he offers me a cup to rinse out my mouth and presses a warm cloth to my face, cleaning my lips and my chin. When he’s finished, he hands me a cup of tea. “Here. Drink this. It will settle your stomach.”
Shakily, I lift the cup to my lips. It smells of peppermint and strong herbs. I take a tentative sip, glad when my stomach doesn’t protest. I drink some more and sigh in relief as my nausea slowly begins to subside.
He smooths the hair back from my face. “Is that better?”
“Yes,” I whisper. “Thank you.”
“I’ve prepared a bath for you.” He gestures to a large sunken pool in the center of the space, full of crystal-clear water. Steam rises enticingly from the surface, along with the smell of lavender.
Now that my stomach has settled a bit, I allow my gaze to travel over the room. It’s carved from gray marble, the stone threaded through with veins of white and black. A small door off to the side opens into a water closet. A bench with a stack of fresh folded towels and a robe sits next to the pool.
“If you need anything, I will be right outside the door,” Valaric says before disappearing into the bedroom.
Quickly, I rinse out my mouth again and then bathe. Valaric was right. That medicinal tea really helped. I no longer feel ill.
I pull the robe around my shoulders and tie the sash securely around my waist. The silken green material is soft and clings to me like a second skin, accentuating the curves of my form.
Gazing in the mirror, I’m glad to notice the color has returned to my cheeks. Any other time, I might feel desirable, but right now, I just feel embarrassed. I cannot believe how I acted last night. I practically threw myself at my husband. I wince inwardly as I recall how he gently pushed me away.
As if all of that wasn’t bad enough, then I threw up just now. He took care of me, but I hate that he had to see me this way.
With a heavy sigh, I push the door open and step back into the bedroom. Unable to meet his gaze, I look down at my hands. “I’m sorry, Valaric.”
“For what?”
Reluctantly, I lift my head. Although I know that people get sick every day, I cannot help the shame and embarrassment that burns through me. I cover my face with my hands. “For throwing myself at you last night. For you having to take care of me when I woke up. For—”
I still as his arms encircle my waist and he pulls me into his chest. “There is no need to apologize,” he murmurs, enveloping me in his wings. A hot puff of air hits the top of my head as he huffs out a laugh. “Especially not for the attempt to entice me, my Juliet.”
My Juliet. Something about the way he calls me his warms my heart.
“But more importantly”—he pulls back and places two fingers up under my chin, tilting my face up—“are you feeling better now?”
Under the intense scrutiny of his concern, all my earlier worries fall away. A faint smile crests my lips. “Yes.”
He gestures to two dresses laid out on the sofa near the hearth. “Your clothes were delivered a few hours ago. I took the liberty of picking these out for you to choose from this evening. But if you’d prefer something else, the rest are upstairs.”
They are both lovely, but my favorite is the pale lavender gown with a delicate pattern of vines and roses. The sigil of House Greyvale is centered and easily visible on the bodice.
I take the dress and move back into the cleansing room to change, but when I try to reach the fastenings along the back of my gown, I realize that I need help.
“Valaric?” I call softly as I push open the door. “Can you please come help me with the back?”
His cheeks and the tips of his ears flush dark as he dips his chin in a subtle nod. “Of course.”
I face the mirror and turn my back to him. He hesitates a moment before coming up behind me. Gently, he pushes my hair to one side, draping it over my left shoulder. I shiver when his fingers brush lightly across the skin of my lower back as he carefully secures the fastenings.
The heat of his body radiates to mine as his masculine scent surrounds me, heady and intoxicating. His warm breath whispers across the back of my neck, and I fight the urge to lean back into him.
Heat blooms in my chest at the memory of his mouth on me last night, on the beach, and a small whimper escapes me as desire coils tightly within.
He must mistake the sound for fear because he goes completely still and then takes a small step back. “Forgive me,” he says. “I did not mean to stand so close. I… I’m sorry for what happened on the beach, and I—”
“You don’t have to apologize.” His gaze meets mine in the mirror. “I wanted to kiss you.”
“But you were afraid.” He frowns. “You told me to stop. You—”
“I wasn’t scared, I was nervous. I’ve never—” Heat creeps up my neck to my face. “I haven’t been intimate with anyone before you. And all of this is new to me, but I know one thing for sure.” I twist back to look up at him. “I want you, Valaric.”
His red eyes turn into twin pools of black ink, fierce possessiveness reflecting in their depths. He secures the final clasp of my dress and smooths his hands lightly over my bare shoulders before trailing them down my arms to my sides.
He presses his hands to the curve of my waist, his fingers flexing as if he’s trying to decide if he should push me away or pull me closer.
I make the decision for him, leaning back into his chest. He enfolds me in his wings. “I love when you hold me.” My heart flutters as he tightens his arms around me, gently nuzzling my temple as I run my fingers through his hair. “And I know we’re married, but is it all right if we only kiss and touch each other for now?”
“I will never ask you for more than you are willing to give.” He leans in, the tip of his nose skimming along the curve of my neck. “Your scent is intoxicating. That you even allow me to touch you is a precious gift,” he whispers against my skin. “We will wait until you are ready. You have my most solemn vow.”
My heart melts at his words. I love knowing that he respects my wishes. That he doesn’t simply assume because we’re married that my body belongs to him.
“Come.” He drops his forehead gently to mine. “You should eat. Reyla has made a broth that will remedy any lingering effects from the wine.”
Already, I feel better, but I’m not going to turn down the offer. Especially when I remember how terrible I felt when I first awakened this evening.
Aerlyx greets us when we reach the first floor. “You look ravishing.” He winks at me and Valaric growls low in response. “I take it you are fully recovered?”
Before I can reply, Valaric snaps. “No thanks to you.”
Aerlyx’s head jerks back. “What?”
“Do you have any idea how ill that wine made her?” He grits his teeth. “I can’t even imagine how much worse it would have been if she’d had a whole glass.”
The Incubus blinks at me in shock. “I didn’t know it would affect you like that. Truly.” He takes my free hand and drops to one knee, pressing his forehead to the back of my knuckles. “I swear I did not mean you any harm.” He lifts his head, his eyes pleading. “I know I’m an Incubus and my people have a reputation for mischief, but I did not do this on purpose. Please, believe me.”
There’s a vulnerability in his eyes that makes me inclined to think he’s telling the truth. Valaric, however, judging from the snarl on his lips, is not yet entirely convinced.
“Unhand my wife,” he grits through his teeth. “Now.”
“Really, Valaric?” Aerlyx huffs. “You still think I’m trying to steal her from you?”
Instead of answering, my husband glares at him, and the Incubus rolls his eyes.
“It’s all right, Aerlyx,” I reply before they can start arguing again. “You don’t have to apologize. I rarely partake, so I think my body is just not used to having wine. That’s all.”
I turn to Valaric. “And you don’t have to worry about anyone trying to coax me away from your side. I told you before: I swore myself to you in a temple of the old gods, and I did not make my vows lightly.”
His expression softens.
“Besides,” Aerlyx adds. “You know I’m different from the rest of my kind.”
Something about his statement loosens the tense set of Valaric’s shoulders. I want to ask what Aerlyx means when he says he is different, but Lysander interrupts. He looks at my husband. “There is someone here to see you, my Lord.”
“Who is it?” Valaric asks.
“One of Lord Stryker’s bloodsworn.” My ears perk up, wondering if it’s Maryl, but then Lysander adds. “He says he has a message for you from his Lord.”
Valaric clenches his jaw, obviously disconcerted. “I’ll meet with him in the drawing room.”
They quickly excuse themselves, leaving me alone with Aerlyx.
I turn back to him. “Would you care to join me in the study for tea?”
He flashes a quick grin. “I was hoping you would ask.”
We sit across from each other, a slight frown marring his brow. “You know,” he says thoughtfully. “You’re very different from the last one.”
I freeze at the mention of Valaric’s previous wife, and then set down my cup. “You knew her?”
“Yes. But she is the only one, besides you, that I’ve met. I didn’t know him when he was wed to the others.”
Others . Jealousy rises, unbidden, but I push it back down. “What was she like?”
“Reserved, with a hint of arrogance that most of the nobility seem to possess… entirely unfriendly in my opinion,” he muses. “It was no secret that she disliked Vampires and otherworldly beings. She was rather cold and indifferent to him.”
“That’s terrible.” My heart hurts for my husband. “Why was she like that to him?”
“Why is any human this way toward those that are different from them?”
His words fill me with shame for I know they are true. I judged Valaric the first moment I saw him. I’d believed he would be cruel simply because he was a Vampire and I could not have been more wrong.
“I cannot speak for all of my people,” I begin. “But I can tell you that what I was taught of Vampires… I realize now how much of it was false.” I meet his gaze evenly. “And I suspect much of what I learned about others, Incubi included, is probably wrong as well.”
He studies me curiously as I continue. “It makes me concerned for my husband’s safety,” I admit. “Tell me: will your wards be able to keep out any hunters that might come for him?”
“Unless they’ve got a particularly skilled mage or witch at their side,” he answers. “Which is highly unlikely given that most hunters have a general disdain not only for Vampires, but for any beings that possess or wield magic.”
His words are reassuring, but I still worry. I’m also afraid that my attacker may come to finish what they started, but I do not voice this aloud. To do so would only lead to questions about my attack, and that is the last thing I wish to talk about. Especially given the frequency of my nightmares.
He leans in, regarding me curiously. “You truly do care for him, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
“It’s nice to see you two get along so well.” He arches a brow. “And daresay I detect true romance blossoming between you?”
“What?”
“Oh come now,” he admonishes. “You all but admitted it with your concerns for his welfare. And my magic never lies about that sort of thing.”
“You can sense something like that with your magic?”
“I am an Incubus,” he replies matter-of-factly, as if that answers everything. He gives me a sly smirk. “So, tell me: am I right?”
I hesitate, unsure how to answer. I am falling in love with my husband, but I don’t know Aerlyx well enough to divulge this.
“Fine. Keep your secrets.” He waves a dismissive hand. “I suppose I’ll just have to find someone else to live vicariously through since I’m destined to die alone.”
His words surprise me. “But you are an Incubus. I thought—”
“That I am a master of temptation and seduction?” He flashes a devilish grin. “That I’d have no shortage of company in my bed every night to sate my ravenous appetites?” He leans forward, and rests his chin on his hand as he gives me a charming smile. “Tell me what you’ve heard of my kind, Juliet. I am infinitely curious to know what humans think of my people.”
Embarrassment ties my tongue. All the scandalous things he said are exactly the kinds of stories I’ve heard about Incubi.
Before I can think up an answer, he continues. “It’s true my people have an appetite for all sorts of pleasures. And we do tend to overindulge every now and then, but it’s all in good fun.” Sighing heavily, he sits back in his chair. “And eventually most find a mate and settle down, but that will never happen for me.”
“Why?”
“Because I am cursed,” he practically spits the word out.
I blink at him. “How did you become cursed?”
“It is a long story, and I’d rather not repeat it right now. It would kill my mood even more, you see.” Absently, he stirs his tea with one claw. “But suffice it to say that my curse is unbreakable.”
“I thought every curse had some form of remedy.” I frown. “Is that not the nature of a dark spell?”
“That’s what I used to believe too.” Bitterness laces his words. “But mine can only be broken if I find my fated mate and convince her to love me. It sounds so simple, does it not?” He stretches his purple, leathery wings before folding them tight against his back again. “But my kind do not have such a thing. Or if they do, it is so rare that there is no record of it in our people’s history.”
“What does the curse do to you?”
“It’s not so much what it does ”—he rubs the back of his neck—“it’s more what it doesn’t do. I… it’s a bit embarrassing to be honest.”
“I promise I will not judge you,” I reassure him.
“As I said before, my kind are known to enjoy excess. Food, wine, games, parties, and carnal pleasures.” He arches a brow. “I can partake of all but the last one.”
“You mean… you cannot…”
“I know,” he groans. “I’m an Incubus that can tempt, but I can never truly seduce a female. At least, not unless she is my fated one.”
“That is not how you explained it to me,” Valaric says, surprising us both as he enters the room. I’m not sure how long he’s been listening, but I suspect he’s heard almost every bit of our conversation. He crosses his arms over his chest as he narrows his eyes at the Incubus. “You said your curse caused you great pain and agony.”
“It does.” Aerlyx gives him an incredulous look. “Do you have any idea how terrible it is to be a celibate Incubus?” He sighs heavily. “It’s unbearable. I was cursed when I was on the cusp of adulthood and I never got the chance to seduce even one single female. All this to offer.” He puffs out his chest as he gestures to himself. “And no one can enjoy it.”
I clamp my lips firmly together, trying to stifle a laugh. Aerlyx is many things, but modest, he is not.
“I have a body made to tempt and please any female.” He flexes his arms and flashes a broad smile before he winks. “Not to mention my charming personality.” He lifts the back of his hand dramatically to his forehead as his gaze drifts to the ceiling. “And yet the world is deprived of my talents. It’s a shame, really.”
Valaric snorts and I laugh out loud, unable to hold it in any longer.
Aerlyx purses his lips. “Well, it’s good to know I’m useful for something. I’m glad my tragic predicament could bring you both some amusement today.” He crosses his arms over his chest. “And here I thought you two were my friends.”
Now, I feel bad. “Aerlyx, I’m sorry.”
“Thank you.” He takes my hand and presses a kiss to the back of my knuckles. “Should you ever tire of your brooding husband”—he flashes a mischievous grin—“I would be glad to entertain you as best I can.”
“ Aerlyx .” Valaric growls. “ Unhand my wife .”
The Incubus rolls his eyes at my husband as he relinquishes my hand. “You know I’m merely teasing you, my friend. It’s so much fun, I cannot help myself.”
Valaric slips his arm around my waist, tugging me to his side, and something about the possessive gesture quickens my heart.
I turn to him. “What did Stryker’s messenger say?”
My husband’s expression turns grim. “He sent a formal invitation to the ball at Darkhall Manor. One that cannot be ignored.”
“Why?”
“Lord Stryker Blackthorne is the younger brother of the Vampire King of Morrowynd. To refuse his invitation could be viewed as a slight to their Great House, and by extension, the crown itself.”
That Stryker is related so closely to the king is troubling to say the least. “Can you not make an excuse?”
“I wish I could, but it is not that simple. I must attend.”
I am the daughter of a High Lord of Aralon, but everything I learned of that world pertained to humans. I am woefully unprepared to navigate the politics of the Vampire kingdom of Morrowynd. But I am wed to a Vampire Lord of one of the Great Houses, and I need to learn as much as I can so that I do not inadvertently bring shame or dishonor to House Greyvale.
“I don’t understand. Why can you not refuse?”