Mark of the Rose: The Tudor Vampire Chronicles by Kate Pearce Page A

perhaps Rosalind’s life might have been easier?” Verity found herself glaring at him. Of course, his concern was all for Rosalind. “Why do you think my parents chose not to reveal mine? They didn’t want me to suffer as she did.” Verity finally managed to pull her hand free.
    With an exasperated sound, Rhys cut through the rest of her sleeve and made a makeshift bandage to cover her palm. “I have a salve that will help your hand to heal. I’ll bring some for you as soon as I can.”
    Verity nodded as her hand continued to throb in time with the erratic beats of her heart. She’d spent her whole life trying to conceal the mark of Awen, and to be discovered now—by Rhys, of all people—was a disaster.
    She grabbed for his blood-splattered sleeve. “You must not tell anyone.”
    “Verity, how can I not? You carry one of the most sacred marks of our religion.” He paused. “You also have a perfect right to be here guarding the king. Why didn’t you just show me the mark when I first doubted you?”
    “Because I’ve spent years hiding it!” Verity hated the way her voice was trembling, but considering the day she had endured, she wasn’t really surprised.
    “It’s all right, cariad .”
    With a muttered curse, Rhys reached for her and brought her to sit in his lap. His arms closed around her, and even though he smelled horribly of Vampire she was still glad to be held.
    He spoke against her hair. “I understand why your parents might have feared for your life when you were small, but once you were free of them, didn’t you want to tell the truth?”
    “I was never free. I went from being their child to being Gareth’s wife. And then there was no chance for me at all.”
    She felt Rhys tense. “Did your husband know of this?”
    Verity closed her eyes. “He was a traditionalist who didn’t believe that women could be slayers. He forbade me to even talk to Rosalind and insisted that it would shame him if anyone knew I was so marked.”
    Rhys picked up her right hand and brought it to his lips. “Your husband was a fool. It is an honor to be chosen by the gods.” He kissed her fingertips. “I am honored to fight beside you. You did well tonight.”
    Verity looked up at him and saw the truth of his words in his direct gaze. “And I will learn to do even better.”
    He smiled into her eyes and gently lifted her back onto her feet. “Your sleeves are ruined.”
    Verity brought her hand to her mouth as she finally took stock of his appearance. “As is your beautiful new jerkin.”
    He brushed halfheartedly at the drying blood. “Mayhap it can be saved; sometimes the Vampire blood just disappears in the daylight. Otherwise I’ll have the tailor make me another one.” He held out his arm. “I suggest you go and change and then return to the queen’s apartments. We don’t want to alarm her in her current condition.”
    Verity almost complied before she realized he might be trying to distract her. “Rhys, you must promise not to tell anyone about me.”
    Rhys halted. “I’m a loyal servant of your grandfather, my lady. How can I keep such a thing from him?”
    “Because I ask it of you.”
    “Verity, since Rosalind has been banished, there is no Llewellyn slayer to defend the king.”
    “There is Jasper.”
    “But only you have the mark of Awen. Don’t you want to take your rightful place?”
    Verity stared at him. Did she? And did Rhys really think she was capable of it?
    “I’m not Rosalind.”
    His laugh was short. “On my honor, there is no danger of me confusing you with her.”
    Resentment blossomed in her chest. “Of course there isn’t. I have none of her outstanding abilities, do I?”
    He scowled at her. “Let us not make this personal. I am concerned about the good of our race. Denying your heritage affects more than just you and me. Knowing that another Druid bears the mark of Awen, and is at court protecting the king, would gladden all Druid hearts.”
    “Even though