Chapter 53
CHAPTER 53
VALARIC
I rush into Prince Raine’s chambers just as Aerlyx and Juliet vanish through the portal. Raine turns to me, rage twisting his face. “You dare to send your Incubus into my personal rooms? After I explicitly told you I did not want that Demon anywhere near my blood wife?” He seethes. “I am your crown prince. I—”
“You wanted my loyalty? You have it,” I state firmly, cutting him off. “But as I pointed out earlier, you have your own guards protecting your blood wife. Which tells me that you have some concerns about the safety of your human. And after what I just witnessed outside in the gardens, I have my own concerns too.”
I pause a moment to allow him to refute my assertions. When he does not, I continue. “So you’ll excuse me if I am protecting my bride by having her returned as quickly as possible to our home.”
“You are in dangerous territory, Lord Valaric,” Raine replies, not backing down. “You disobeyed my direct command.”
“You should have no concerns for your bride’s safety, Lord Greyvale,” Stryker says as he steps through the doorway. Several guards and guests stand behind him, obviously attracted by the commotion. “As your true wife, Lady Greyvale is protected under the Right of Guest.” He places his palm on his chest. “It wounds me to think that you have so little faith that I would uphold one of our most sacred tenets.”
Everyone is silent, waiting for my response.
I bite back a growl. If Stryker and the prince are waiting for a groveling apology, they will be waiting until they are dead. I don’t regret having Aerlyx spirit Juliet away from this den of vipers.
Damar pushes through the crowd and enters the room, disapproval burning in his eyes as they meet mine.
Guilt trickles through my veins as I realize the precarious position I’ve placed him in. I would be dead now if not for the protection he gave me by making me a member of his House.
Bracing myself, I meet his gaze evenly, awaiting his judgment. I wouldn’t be surprised if he finally cut me free to salvage the reputation of House Greyvale.
He crosses the room in three strides to stand next to me, facing the prince and Lord Stryker. “You are correct, Lord Stryker,” he says smoothly. “The Right of Guest is one of our most revered tenets. And yet, less than a hundred years ago this sacred law was broken. My entire Clan was murdered in one night.”
He darts a glance at me before turning the full weight of his stare to Stryker. “Given House Greyvale’s history, I’m sure you understand why we are of the mind that there is no length we will not go to in order to ensure the safety of the members of our Great House.”
He pauses, allowing his words to sink in. “Which is why you must excuse our use of Day Guardians”—he gestures to Eben—“in the protection of Lady Juliet.”
To his credit, the wolf shifter betrays nothing of his surprise at Damar’s words.
Damar continues. “The Incubus and the wolf are only acting in service to their Great House.”
As if on cue, Aerlyx reappears. The crowd inhales sharply as his mouth curves in a devilish smile.
“Everyone into the circle,” he mutters under his breath, a forced grin on his face as worry flashes in his lavender eyes. “Quickly, please.”
Damar, Eben, and I step into the ring of smoke and everything goes dark.
The world blinks back into focus. We’re standing in a kitchen with a long countertop covered with bowls and various ingredients: flour, milk, eggs, sugar. Warmth radiates from the large oven behind us, and the delicious smell of baking bread fills the air.
The quaint wooden building is adorned with painted flowers and vines along the baseboards and moldings. The early blush of dawn is visible through the line of windows along the wall opposite the counter.
I don’t recognize this place. We should have been transported to the Manor. “Where are we?”
“My bakery,” Aerlyx says proudly. “What do you think? I’ve always found it rather cozy myself.”
I glance around the room. “Where is Juliet?”
“About that.” He clears his throat.
“Aerlyx,” I growl, impatient. “Where is my wife?”
“I took her back to the manor.”
Anger blisters through me. “Then why in the seven hells would you bring us here?” I turn to face him and inhale sharply when I notice his haggard appearance. Dark circles rim his eyes. His hair is disheveled and his wings and tail hang limply behind him. Concern rapidly replaces my wrath. “What is wrong with you? Are you ill?”
Leaning heavily on the counter, he shakes his head. “I’ve never transported so many at once. And in such a short span of time.” He walks to a nearby table and collapses into the chair. Hanging his head back, he stares lifelessly at the ceiling. “To be honest, I wasn’t sure we would make it here.”
“Why did you not take us to Mysthaven Manor?” Irritation laces Damar’s tone. “Why bring us to this place?”
“My magic brought me here to regenerate.”
“Regenerate?” Eben asks. “What do you mean?”
“I’m an Incubus,” Aerlyx replies as if that should answer all questions. “My magic needs to be replenished.” He sighs heavily. “Most of my kind choose to engage in rigorous carnal activities to do this, feeding off their partner’s pleasure. But because of my curse, I cannot. So, I do the next best thing.”
“What is that?” Eben asks.
“I bake things with magic.” He huffs out a laugh. “In turn, the delightful ecstasy my customers experience when they taste my pastries and breads replenishes my powers.”
The sound of humming drifts through the air and my head snaps toward it as a Fae male with shoulder-length blond hair rounds the corner, a pan full of cookies in his hands. He halts in his tracks when he sees me and Damar, his face turning ashen. “Seven hells!” he cries out, dropping the tray.
“It’s all right, Finn. They’re with me.” Aerlyx calls out, and the male’s shoulders sag forward. “They won’t harm you.”
His bright blue eyes sweep over us as his vibrant blue wings flutter agitatedly behind him. “You could have warned me, you know. Instead of just showing up out of nowhere, bringing two Vampires and a”—he looks Eben over and wrinkles his nose—“wolf shifter to our place of business.”
He crosses his arms over his chest. “It’s bad enough that you’ve left me here alone to take care of the bakery these past few days.” He huffs out a frustrated breath. “Do you have any idea how hard it is to run this place without any help?”
“I’m sorry.” Aerlyx sighs heavily. “I had things I needed to do. Besides, you were hardly alone, Finn. You have Niza here to—”
“Niza quit.”
“She what?” Aerlyx sits up. “Why?”
“Seven hells if I know.” Finn shoots him an irritated look, placing his hands on his hips. “Maybe because we were short-staffed, or perhaps because our boss left us here alone… it could have also been the long hours,” he says sarcastically, counting out on his fingers. “Or maybe it was all the angry customers, complaining about having to wait for their orders and—”
“All right, all right.” Aerlyx groans, pressing his palm to his forehead. “I get it. You’re upset. I’m sorry, Finn. But please, can we argue later? I’m completely drained and I have a pounding headache.”
“Fine,” the Fae huffs. He gestures to us. “The sun will be up soon. What am I supposed to do about these two?”
Aerlyx cracks one eye open and looks at me. “The safest place I can offer you is the cellar.”
“What about Juliet?” I ask. “Can you take us back to the manor when night falls?”
“I… don’t know,” he says a bit reluctantly. “If I can, I will.”
“What does that mean?” I frown. “I have to get back to her. She’s alone and—”
“I’ve never used up this much of my magic before. I don’t know how long it will be before I’m able to create a portal again.”
“Where are we?” Eben asks. “Perhaps we can take a carriage.”
Aerlyx shakes his head. “It’s at least a four day ride from here to Nightshade.”
Four days . Worry tightens my chest. “That’s too long, Aerlyx. There has to be another way. Juliet is alone at the manor. If any of the others decide to come for her, it’s not safe.”
“She’s not alone,” Damar cuts in. “Lysander is there. He’s a good fighter. You trained him yourself. And he’s smart. He’ll take her to Greyvale castle as soon as possible. I’m sure of it.”
“And my family will guard her once they’re there,” Eben adds.
The light grows stronger in the window, and I grit my teeth against the stinging pain in my eyes.
“Follow me,” Finn says. “We need to get you into the cellar before you both catch fire, or”—he waves a dismissive hand—“whatever it is that Vampires do when they’re left out in the sun.”
The cellar is clean, well-organized, and much larger than I’d expected. I thought it would be damp and confining, but after Finn brought us several blankets and pillows, it’s surprisingly comfortable, considering everything.
Closing my eyes, I struggle to fall asleep. I keep thinking about Juliet. Even though I know Lysander and Reyla are with her, I’m concerned about Prince Raine’s warnings. He said our Great House had many enemies. I’m worried Stryker or one of the others may send one of their Day Guardians to the manor to kidnap or hurt her.
Pushing down these terrifying thoughts, I turn onto my side and glance at Damar across the way, remembering his words to Stryker and Prince Raine. “Thank you,” I whisper, and his eyes snap open.
“For what?” he says gruffly, voice rough with sleep.
“You stood beside me when you didn’t have to. It would have been easier for you to cut ties with me for my actions. To expel me from your Great House.”
“ Our Great House,” he says pointedly. “Of course I defended you. You are part of my Clan.”
“Not by blood.”
“Since when does that matter?” Silence settles in the space between us as his gaze holds mine intently. “You have a question,” he says. “What is it?”
“Why risk your reputation for me? I am made, not born. I was a Shadow Blade. I was your enemy.”
“You weren’t my enemy,” he counters.
“You know what I mean. I was an elite knight for the King of Aralon. I killed your people.”
“And I’ve killed humans before,” he replies bluntly. “So what?”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
“I am tired. Can this not wait?”
“No, it cannot.”
“Fine.” He sits up and blows out a frustrated breath. “You want the truth?”
“Yes. That’s all I’m asking for.”
“Grief.” He clenches his jaw. “I’ve had enough of it to last several lifetimes. I will not suffer through it again.”
I blink at him, stunned.
“I lost my entire Clan—my whole family was taken from me in a single day. You are a brother to me, Valaric. I will not lose you too.” He looks at Eben, curled up in the corner in his wolf form. “Which is why I plan to ask your wolves if they will become day guardians for our House.”
“What?”
“When I told Stryker and the prince that Aerlyx and Eben were our day guardians, it was a bluff. I wanted them to know our House is well-protected. But the more I think on it, I realize it is a sound plan.”
I shake my head. “The wolves are their own people. They serve House Greyvale of their own will.”
“Be that as it may, I will negotiate with them. There are advantages to being tied to a Great House that I’m sure they will appreciate.”
“No.” Eben lifts his head, obviously having been listening to our conversation while pretending to sleep. “We earn our keep at the castle. We won’t be indebted to you or become your bloodsworn.”
Damar studies him a moment. “Name your price and I’ll give it to you.”
“You cannot put a price on freedom,” Eben states firmly. “And we don’t serve at the castle, we help out. We share chores. Everyone does.” He gestures to me. “Even Valaric. He hunts and provides for the pack.”
“Are you saying you consider Valaric a part of your pack?”
Eben nods. “My niece knows him as her ‘uncle.’”
I’m touched. I knew they regarded me highly, but I never realized just how much.
Damar lowers his gaze to the ground, a contemplative look on his face. “Would you consider becoming members of House Greyvale then?”
“As day guardians?” Eben shakes his head. “No, thank you.”
“That’s not what I’m saying,” Damar denies. “I am offering you a place in my Clan.”
Eben’s jaw drops but he quickly snaps it shut. “Is that legal? I mean… your people don’t normally mix with mine. Are there not laws against—”
“No,” Damar replies quickly. “The High Lord of a House may accept whomever they choose into their Clan.”
Eben narrows his eyes. “You’re doing this for protection.”
“Yes,” Damar answers honestly. “I am. As you know, House Greyvale has enemies. It would strengthen our House to increase our numbers. Especially with those who can walk in the sunlight.”
Eben considers him a moment before giving him a stiff nod. “My mother is the head of our pack. You must present your offer to her for approval.”
“I will,” Damar replies.
It’s hard, but I somehow manage to bite back a grin. Damar has no idea what he’s in for. Elsie will consider his proposal but, before she makes any decisions, she’ll definitely make him grovel first. I’m certain of it.
“What about Lysander?” I ask. “And his mother?”
They’ve been in service to our House even before the wolf shifters arrived. They are steadfastly loyal. Being official members of our Clan would offer them even more protection than they have now. Despite Reyla’s dislike for Damar, given his mistrust of humans, I’m sure she would not turn such an offer down if it meant another layer of safety for her and her son.
“I will speak with them,” Damar replies. He glances at the cellar door. “Do you think the Incubus will join us as well?”
“He has his own life here,” I point out. “You’ll have to ask him.”
“I will.”
Sighing heavily, Damar lies back down. He looks at me. “Is there anything else you’d like to discuss? Or can we finally go to sleep now?”
I have one more question. And it’s one that I want an answer to right now. “Why are you doing all of this?”
“I already told you.” A hint of irritation shifts into his gaze. “I’ve had enough of grief. I will not lose anyone else.”
These past few years of our estrangement have been hard. Damar is like a brother to me. He was all I had after I was turned, and I missed his company more than I cared to admit. Emotions lodge in my throat, but I somehow manage to speak around them. “Thank you.”
He nods and then turns onto his side, his back facing me. “Now, go to sleep.”