Chapter 51
CHAPTER 51
VALARIC
T riumph flares in Raine’s eyes, but his expression quickly sobers. “There is one other thing you must do, Lord Valaric.”
“What is it?”
“Claim your bride. Give her your venom to mark her with your scent.” He pauses. “If you want to protect her from the others, you will do it soon. The annual gathering is in three months. All the nobility are required to attend. If you haven’t done it by then, I am certain Stryker or one of the others will challenge you for her.”
“She is my true wife . They cannot.”
“They will.”
I frown. “How do you know this?”
He arches a brow. “If you could have heard some of the thoughts I did when she first entered the ballroom, you would realize I have done you a favor by providing my guards to watch over your bride this night.”
Ice cold fear floods my veins. I hadn’t wanted to claim Juliet because I didn’t want the witch to realize how important she is to me, but if I want to protect her from my enemies, I may have to reconsider.
First, I need answers. “Tell me truth now. No games, Prince Raine. Why do you need my loyalty?”
“I want your support during the High Council meetings.”
“I don’t understand.” I frown. “Damar sits on the Council; not me. Even if I attend, each Great House is only allowed one vote, which is cast by the High Lord or High Lady of each House.”
He arches a brow. “Perhaps you are unaware, but you and Lady Juliet have captured the attention of many. Word has spread far and wide throughout Morrowynd of not only your past but also the fact that you have taken a human as your true wife.” He meets my gaze evenly. “You have become a symbol, Lord Greyvale.”
“A symbol of what?”
“Hope.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Tell me,” he says. “Are you familiar with any of the prophecies of the Lythyrians?”
I’m familiar with them because Damar is obsessed with their writings and their history. Many nights, it was all he would talk about. “I know of them, but I have not studied the ancient tomes.”
“One of their prophecies speaks of a fallen knight—'a blade once wielded in the light, now tempered by darkness.’ ” His piercing gaze meets mine evenly. “ ‘A blade in the shadows.’ ”
Raine continues. “The prophecy foretells that this fallen knight will be fated to a sanishon —an outsider. Together, they will stand against an army of darkness.”
He arches a brow. “Does any of this sound familiar?” A sly smirk twists his lips. “In your mind, I saw a golden thread, and that can only mean one thing.”
I’m tired of his games. “What is it?” I ask, not bothering to mask my irritation. “What point are you trying to make?”
“I know what she is to you.” My heart stops. “And I believe it’s the reason your mind is so resistant to my abilities.”
Worry settles deep in my gut. Not because I believe this prophecy is about me and Juliet, but because it seems the prince does. And he knows she’s my ashaya. I promised him my loyalty, but I do not want my bride anywhere near him and the royal court.
“The prophecies were written centuries ago in language that has not been used in hundreds of years,” I point out. “Even translating one word wrong in any language can change the entire meaning of a sentence.”
“You do not believe? Fine.” Raine shakes his head. “I don’t need you to believe, I simply need you on my side.”
I stare at him in confusion. “For what purpose?”
“The priests and priestesses of the old religion believe the prophecies of the Lythyrians are divine messages from the gods.” He pauses. “They hold great power over their followers. Some might say even more so than a king or a prince.
“If the people believe you are the fallen knight of the prophecy and Lady Juliet is your bonded sanishon, destined to stand against an army of darkness, House Greyvale will hold even more sway over the High Council than it already does.”
“And in return, so will you,” I reply as understanding dawns. I’ve never been one to mince words, and I will not do so now. “If you think to use me or my bride to make a play for the crown, you are mistaken. I will not allow you to put her in danger.”
His eyes darken. “I do not seek to steal that which will eventually become mine anyway. I am merely trying to ensure that there will still be a kingdom to rule over when that time comes.”
“What are you talking about?”
“As I’m sure you’re aware, The Order of Mages invaded Snowhelm. They overthrew the government and it is rumored that they murdered the entire royal family.” He shakes his head. “They approached us for an alliance, but my father refused.” He clenches his jaw. “King Varys of the Dark Elves came to us as well, asking for our support.”
I had not heard this news. “What of the High Council? How did they vote?”
“They have not,” he replies. “But it will be brought to a vote soon. Which is why I need you.”
Worry twists deep within. “Why?”
He runs a hand roughly through his hair as he turns his gaze out to the sea. “My father believes we should not choose any side. He does not believe the war with the Mages will touch us here.”
“But you believe otherwise.”
He nods and then turns to me. “I am going to share something with you that I have told no one else.”
“What is it?” I ask warily. Despite that I’ve already pledged my loyalty to him, I still do not entirely trust the prince, and I’m not sure I want to be in his inner circle.
“I received a report from the Fortress in Ironshade, along the Northern Veil.” He gives me a grim look. “The magic barrier has begun to weaken.”
This is troubling news. The Northern Veil was erected centuries ago, after the Vampire Civil War and the defeat of the Ancient Ones. It was forged to contain the foul creatures born of their dark magic. This barrier is enforced by every arcane spell known to exist.
“We have sent several magic wielders to reinforce it. Fortunately, the damage was repaired before anything was able to slip through the wards.”
“What caused it to weaken?”
“Whatever it was, I do not believe it was mere chance,” he replies grimly.
“Why do you say this?”
“Because I find it odd that not long after my father refused to ally with the mages, the wards along the Veil began to weaken.” He turns to me. “The Mages are the only ones, aside from our kind, who use blood magic. If anyone would know how to sabotage the protective wards, it would be them.” He pauses. “And before you ask, I do not believe it was one of our kind.”
“Why not?”
“Because I doubt that any Vampire would be mad enough to intentionally try to release the foul creatures that were created by the dark magic of the Ancient Ones.”
“But why would the mages want to do this?”
“To win their war.”
“But how would bringing down the Northern Veil help them with that?”
“If Morrowynd were to suddenly find itself overrun by dark creatures, the first people we would turn to for help would be the ones who helped our ancestors create the Veil in the first place: the Order of Mages.” He pauses. “And their aid would no doubt come with a price—a pledge to fight alongside them as they wage war against the Dark Elves and the others.”
An icy chill runs down my spine. “Have you spoken to anyone else about this?”
“No.”
“Why me?”
“Within the royal court and the High Council, secrets can easily be turned into weapons. Depending upon who wields them, they can be twisted… used to ensnare or destroy.” His crimson eyes meet mine evenly. “You are a made Vampire—an outsider among our kind. You may be a Lord of a Great House, but you do not think like the others. You do not run in the same circles as the rest of the nobility. You are not constantly plotting and scheming to better your House or position.”
He gestures to the manor. “Lord Damar is similar. He is not power-hungry like the rest of the nobility. It is one of the reasons his words hold so much sway upon the Council.” His gaze holds mine. “I saw enough of your mind to know you would not betray me. Not unless you thought I was a threat to those you care for.”
“I promised you my loyalty, but I will not be used as a pawn,” I state firmly. “When I was a knight, I learned too late that I followed a king with no honor. I will not make that mistake again.”
“You misunderstand,” Raine says. “I don’t want a pawn, I want an ally. Someone I can trust.”
“Trust is something earned.”
A hint of amusement curves his mouth. “Then I will endeavor to earn yours, Lord Valaric.”
As Raine’s gaze holds mine, it occurs to me that I may have misjudged him. Perhaps he is not the male I thought him to be. But until I know for certain, I will maintain my guard.
“Tell me who cursed you,” he says, changing the subject. “Since we’ve established that I need you on my side, I would like to help you deal with this problem. After all, I cannot have something disrupting my plans.”
Despite our conversation, I’m wary of divulging all my secrets. But if he can help me with this, it’s worth the risk. “The blood witch Talindra of Vangmar.”
A string of curses leaves his mouth as he scrubs a hand roughly through his hair. “Why in the seven hells would you get involved with a blood witch? Did no one teach you how dangerous they are?”
Like most people, I was aware of the dangers, but I was so consumed by grief and rage that I didn’t care. I never expected to survive when I sought my revenge against those who took everything from me. “When I made the bargain, I did not believe I would live long enough to have to repay it.”
He gives me a frustrated look. “Here.” He pulls a knife from his belt and hands it to me. “Take this.”
I look down at the blade. The black wooden handle is carved with a pattern of vines with leaves and thorns wrapped around it. The metal is etched with intricate symbols and runes. “What are these markings?”
“A dark enchantment,” he replies. “If you nick your opponent and draw even one drop of their blood with that blade, it will remember.” He looks down at the knife. “It is called ‘Oathrend.’ After it has touched the blood of your enemy, all you need do after that is to throw it and it will find its mark and strike true.”
I give him a skeptical look. “You truly believe this will work against one with her power?”
“Silver may not be fatal to our kind, but I assure you that it will most certainly kill a witch.” He gives me a sobering look. “Now, find a way to quickly dispose of her. We cannot afford to have you tangled up in some ridiculous curse while the fate of the realms hangs in the balance.”
He clenches his jaw. “It’s the best I can do for now. A blood witch is not an easy thing to take care of. If I think of anything else that may help you rid yourself of her, I will contact you.”
I’m shocked at his offered support. He’s right. Her kind are dangerous because they are tricksters. They layer their spells and curses with traps. It is the reason I’ve refused Damar’s help in the past. Because her enchantment could be such that any outside force could have devastating effects on those cursed and the ones trying to help.
“No.” I look at the prince. “This is something I must do. Otherwise, I risk Juliet’s safety.”
“Fine. But be sure to shore up your defenses and deal with the witch as swiftly as possible.” He gestures to the manor. “It is good that you have Day Guardians,” he says referring to Eben and Aerlyx. “For I suspect you will need them.”
Worry prickles my skin. “What do you mean?”
“Your bride is human, Lord Valaric,” he says pointedly. “As I mentioned earlier, word has already traveled far and wide about your true wife, and I’m sure it will spread even further. Any who may still harbor resentment toward you for your past transgressions, might seek to strike back by targeting Lady Juliet.”
Ice fills my veins as Raine continues. “Judging by the thoughts I listened in on this evening, I believe your House may have more enemies than you realize.”
“Who did you—”
A scream pierces the darkness, and my gaze shifts toward the manor. A human woman bursts from the ballroom doors and races out into the gardens. Three Vampires chase after her.
One of them grabs her by the waist and pulls her back to him while the other two surround them, their black eyes gleaming with wicked intent as they flash their fangs.
Unable to stop myself, I rush to intervene, but stop when the woman grins and pulls the closest one toward her, wrapping herself around him.
He sinks his fangs into her neck. An erotic moan rises in her throat as the others bite her tender flesh, drinking from her as well.
Raine calls out to his guards and two of them quickly appear at his side. “Double the guards outside my chambers. Allow no one but me to enter. Do you understand?”
They nod and then rush back to the Manor.
Concerned, I turn to him.
He arches a brow. “I see you’ve never stayed very late at these gatherings.” He sighs heavily. “With so many bloodsworn humans and alcohol, these events often devolve into”—he glances at the woman and the three Vampires still latched onto her—“primal affairs, as you can see.” He looks at me. “But do not worry. I allow no one to touch my blood wife, and I will see to it that no one touches yours.”
Despite his reassurance, he posted more guards to his chambers, telling me he is more concerned than he wants to let on. Fierce protectiveness surges through me. Raine already told me there are some here who wish to harm my wife, and I will not risk Juliet’s safety. “Aerlyx,” I call out, knowing that somehow he will hear me. “Now!”
Raine’s eyes turn raven black as he grits through his fangs. “What did you just do?”