Page 18 of Bitten Vampire (The Bitten Chronicles #2)

Then I spot it: her phone, wedged into the sweetheart neckline of her gem-studded gown, protruding between crystals like an afterthought. She has, quite literally, shoved a phone between her breasts, and no one mentions it.

Her scowl deepens when she sees me. She halts mid-aisle, rigid. Her father tugs her arm.

“You,” she mouths.

The music continues; the quartet valiantly plays on. After a few taut seconds her father murmurs to her and guides her forward. She moves again, reluctantly.

What was that about? I was invited. She has won: she is in the dress, at the altar, about to marry my ex. I am merely a quiet guest near the back, striving to keep my face unreadable, barely succeeding.

The ceremony proceeds. When the officiant reaches the familiar line—“If anyone objects to this marriage, speak now or forever hold your peace”—the atmosphere shifts.

It feels as though every head turns towards me.

The bride whips around and glares.

Theresa’s stare drills into the side of my face, but I deny her the satisfaction. I lift my chin and picture Baylor splashing in his absurd paddling pool at home. I’m peaceful, happy, untouchable. They. Can’t. Touch. Me.

The vows conclude; they kiss. It is done. Jay is married, and I am grateful it is not to me.

I remain long enough to watch them sign the register. Important, necessary. I have shown up, been seen and hopefully patched my reputation.

But I will not stay for cake.

Yes, I feel a little guilty about wasting a meal. But Melissa’s dagger-eyes and the tension thick enough to cut with the wedding knife tell me it is time to leave. They ruined my life for a time, but I’m not about to ruin their wedding day.

I have my closure. I have made my point.

Time to go home.

I follow the golden stone path back towards my car.

“Winifred, wait!”

I stop.

Jay—of all people—strides after me. He is not with his new bride, not being photographed, not cutting the cake. No, he is here, chasing me. I tense.

“Why are you leaving so soon?”

“Your wife looked furious,” I reply coolly. “I thought it was time to go.”

Before Theresa and Melissa decide to rip out my hair too.

He seizes my arm and steers me off the path, across the lawn, towards the side of the hotel.

“What are you doing?”

“You look so… beautiful. Incredible in fact.”

“Jay, that’s inappropriate.” I wrench my arm free, skin crawling. “It is your wedding day. You should be with Melissa, not cornering me. This is wrong.”

“I can’t stop thinking about you.” He steps closer. “I’ve missed you.”

I step back. He advances again, and before I realise, I am boxed against the stone wall.

“When did you get so beautiful?” he murmurs. His breath reeks of whisky.

I plant my palms on his chest and push. “Jay, this isn’t appropriate. Step back.”

“But you’re my girl.”

“No, I’m not. I haven’t been your girl for nearly seven months, and if we’re honest, not for years. Melissa is your wife , and unlike you, I believe in commitment, in loyalty. I won’t lower my standards—or my morals—for anyone, least of all you. Move back, now.”

For one ridiculous moment I wish I had my vampire strength, my fangs.

Then—

Over Jay’s shoulder I spot someone I never thought I would see again, striding straight toward us. My mouth drops open, and a tiny squeak escapes me. Oh my ?—

“I think you’d better listen to the lady and step back before I make you,” says a velvet voice that sends goosebumps along my arms.

And there he is. Valdarr.

He radiates quiet menace, standing in full sunlight, unfairly magnificent in another immaculate suit. The black ink wrapping down around his fingers makes him look lethal. He gives me a small nod and approaches with purposeful calm.

“Apologies I’m late,” he says gently, then leans in and kisses my cheek. Soft, warm, familiar, as though we have done this a thousand times.

I stare, dumbfounded.

Jay stiffens. “Who the fuck are you?”

Oh my gosh, Jay did not just swear at my vampire! The thousand-year-old vampire wearing sunlight like a coat.

Valdarr steps between Jay and me, shielding me with his body.

“Her attachment to you is what made you special—you realise that, right? You should have counted your blessings and cherished her. She’s no longer yours,” he says, voice razor-sharp. “You are embarrassing yourself. Go back to your wife.”

“I’m not gonna take advice from a punk with a lip ring.”

Valdarr looks Jay up and down with open contempt, a slow, deliberate sneer curling his lips.

“Here’s the advice from a ‘punk with a lip ring’: learn the difference between owning and honouring . You tried the first. I’ll be doing the second.”

Wow. I have no idea what to say.

I simply stare at him. Valdarr. Standing here in the sun, dressing Jay down like an immortal knight in bespoke armour.

I don’t care what happens tomorrow; right now, he is my hero.

Jay is equally speechless. His mouth opens and shuts like a fish on dry land.

Valdarr leans closer—he towers over Jay by at least eight inches—and murmurs something too soft for me to catch.

Whatever he says drains the colour from Jay’s face.

“Come,” Valdarr says, turning to me with effortless grace. “Let me walk you to your car.”

He takes my elbow and guides me back to the path. We walk in silence.

I glance up at him. “What did you say to him?”

“Nothing important.”

I falter. “I—I don’t understand how you are here, in daylight, actually standing in the sun.”

He wears a ring I have not seen before, a large ruby that hums with magic. Perhaps it is what keeps him safe from the sun.

“I’m a gifted old vampire,” he replies, as though that explains everything. He pauses, raises a gentle hand, and brushes his thumb along my neck, just beneath my jaw, directly over my pulse. His brows knit. “What I don’t understand… is why you are awake and breathing . I can hear your heartbeat.”

I swallow. Shit, I forgot about that. I should offer him some truth. “I don’t know why I was turned, or how. I’m a vampire at night and… this during the day.” I shrug, leaving certain details unspoken. “I have no explanation.”

“I will help you discover what happened to you if you will do me a small favour. Keep your daytime humanity secret. Don’t trust anyone; no one is safe.”

I nod, ease out of his touch and resume walking. We remain quiet.

At the car he lifts the keys from my hand and opens the driver’s door.

I hesitate. “You are not going to… take me?”

“No. I won’t take you anywhere you do not wish to go.”

My throat tightens. “Why did you come?”

“I’m your clan. I’m yours. And if we are honest, I’ve known where you were since the moment you ran from the safe house.”

Oh. “You have people watching me?”

“Yes. You’re a member of my clan living in the Human Sector, and we have protocols to follow.”

My heart sinks. Oh no—Baylor, House…

“Don’t panic,” he says, offering a reassuring smile. “I’m not coming after you, your dog or your magical house. I’m glad you are somewhere safe.”

He glances down, then back at me. “I learnt about the wedding from a background check. I came to ensure you were all right. I hadn’t intended to interfere, but I couldn’t allow his hands on you. You looked frightened.”

“Thank you. I appreciate your help.”

“Always.”

He leans in again to hand back the keys, and when he kisses my cheek this time, his lips brush perilously close to the corner of my mouth.

“Happy birthday. I will be seeing you soon, sunshine.”

Dazed, I slide into the car. He closes the door with quiet finality.

He let me go.

He let me go , and he kept me safe.

I’m not wild about the idea of being followed by vampire servants… but right now? I can’t wait to tell House what happened at the wedding.

I fasten my seat belt and pull away. A glance in the rearview mirror—he is gone.

After I change gear, my fingers graze the spot on my cheek where I can still feel the ghost of his lips.