"You think to escape your just punishment?"

Christopher smiled. "With you presiding over the court and counting the votes? No. But at least I'll have the opportunity to state my reasons for my actions, and mayhap others in the cult will understand, if not approve of my choices."

Edward's smile wasn't pleasant. "I doubt it."

There was nothing else to say, so Christopher bowed and walked out. It was apparent that his uncle was determined to support the Vampires in their quest for complete domination and Christopher was equally determined to stop him. Why had Edward had such a dramatic change of heart? He was the kind of man who would do anything in his power to preserve his own skin and perhaps his family.

Did he hope for great power in the new regime? It seemed odd, because recently, Christopher had gotten the sense that Edward despised the Vampire Council and considered himself better than his allies.

Christopher had to find a way to convince the other Druid slayers and members of the Mithras Cult that total submission to the Vampires' plans had never been the aim of his people. But why would they listen to him? He was not as powerful as his uncle.

He needed to find out exactly who held the Mithras Cult records, which dated back to the reign of Julius Caesar. Surely there was something in those records that detailed the cult's original purpose to kill the heretic Druids rather than advocating the destruction of their own race by the Vampires?

His thoughts turned to Marcus Flavian. He wondered whether the old bonds between them might help him in his search. It was certainly something to think on.

Chapter 6.

Rosalind pretended to sneeze and hid her face in her hands. Sitting with Anne Boleyn's ladies was difficult when there were so many Vampires in such close proximity. She also sensed that in certain quarters, she wasn't welcome, which was hardly surprising considering her illustrious surname. She risked a glance at Anne Boleyn, who was flirting with some of the younger court gallants. The Vampire wasn't particularly beautiful, but she had a vivacity and charm that made men watch her and keep watching, something Rosalind had never mastered.

If she was being less than charitable, it was also possible that Lady Anne used some form of magic to enslave her followers. Vampires were able to control weaker human minds-that was, after all, how they managed to subdue their human prey long enough to feed from them. And there was a sense of something unnatural in the air, something that tugged at Rosalind's mind and made her want to fidget.

As a Druid, she was unlikely to be affected by the Vampire's compulsion, but Rosalind wished she could leave. Unfortunately, she needed to see the Lady Anne with the king, and she also wished to meet George Boleyn, Anne's handsome brother.

She heard a familiar laugh and turned to see Christopher enter the apartments with the very man she wanted. She slid out of her seat, glad that she was wearing one of her favorite gowns, with a green and gold embroidered bodice that pushed her breasts up quite alarmingly. She slipped between the merry throng until she reached Christopher's side. She gave him her most dazzling smile.

"My lord! How wonderful to see you."

At the sound of her voice, Christopher swung around, a quizzical look in his clear blue eyes. He made her an elaborate bow and kissed her hand. "My beloved." He kept hold of her hand and brought her in front of him. "Have you met Lord George Boleyn, Viscount Rochford?"

"I have not had that pleasure, my lord."

"George, this is Lady Rosalind Llewellyn, my betrothed."

Rosalind looked up into the smiling face of George Boleyn and breathed in the feral stench of fox. It took all her composure to curtsy to him and then take a step backward. Christopher retained his grip on her arm, preventing her from moving farther away.

Something unpleasant flashed in the depths of George's dark eyes. "Llewellyn, eh? A Welsh family like the Tudors, I suppose."

"Indeed, my lord." Rosalind finally found her voice. "My family has served the Tudors for generations."

"So I've heard." He winked at Christopher. "It is a good thing that this beautiful lady is betrothed to you, my old friend, or else I would be chasing after her myself."

"And then I'd have to challenge you to a duel, George, so perhaps it is best if you leave well alone."

George Boleyn burst out laughing and slapped Christopher on the back. "I see my reputation precedes me." His gaze slid over Rosalind again and she noticed that his smile hadn't reached his dark eyes. "I won't poach on a friend's property. I give you my word."

Rosalind feared her smile was turning into a snarl. It was hard to pretend to be a simpering fool for long. She pinched Christopher's wrist and he flinched.

"Lady Rosalind has a mind of her own, George. I doubt she would consider herself to be my property."

"I certainly would not!" Rosalind interjected, her patience at an end. "And I doubt any efforts to woo me away from my lord Christopher would succeed." She pinched Christopher again. "It was a pleasure to meet you, my lord."

George Boleyn inclined his head. "Indeed. I wish you well, Christopher. I suspect your marriage will be interesting."

Christopher led her away to the far corner of the room, and George went to join his sister at the center of the noisy crowd.

"Well?" Christopher demanded the moment they were alone. "What did you think?"

"He smells like a fox." Rosalind shuddered. "How fitting. He conceals his scent far better than his sister, but he obviously feels no need to cloak what he is. The Boleyns are either very arrogant or very sure of success." Rosalind licked her lips and wished for a glass of ale to take the acrid taste of the undead away. "I don't think he was particularly happy to meet me either."

Christopher let out his breath. "Do you think he knows who you are?"

"I should imagine so. Unlike his sisters, he was brought up in England. And female Vampire hunters named Llewellyn are quite rare."

"I suppose they are." Christopher stared out of the diamond-paned window and murmured, "I still can't believe they are Vampires."

Rosalind caught his hand in hers. "Christopher, you have to make a choice. You cannot allow your feelings for the Boleyns to jeopardize the life of the king. I thought the Ellis family swore to kill Druids, not aid and abet regicide."

He brought her hand to his lips and nipped her fingertips. "I'm not a fool. You don't have to lecture me on right and wrong."

"Are you sure about that?" Rosalind broke off, aware of the chill of the undead behind her. She breathed in honeysuckle and closed her mouth.

"My, my, are the lovers quarreling?" Anne Boleyn moved closer and stroked Christopher's sleeve. "But then, when passions run hot, sometimes an argument can be as welcome as rain during a thunderstorm." Her fingers lingered on Christopher's arm and Rosalind stiffened. "In the old days, we used to fight all the time, didn't we, Kit darling? But the making up was all the better, sweetened by a kiss."

Christopher smiled, but to Rosalind's relief he stepped slightly away from Lady Anne. "That was a long time ago, my lady."

"And both of us have moved on to different conquests." Anne flicked her fingers over Christopher's cheek. "Yet there is no harm in reminiscing, surely? Lady Rosalind was probably kissed at least once before you claimed her."

"Indeed." Christopher slid an arm around Rosalind's waist and drew her close to him, shielding her from Lady Anne's avid gaze. "But I'd rather be the last man a woman kisses than the first."

Anne clapped her hands. "You are such a romantic, Kit! Who would've thought it?"

There was a disturbance at the door and King Henry and his entourage swept in. Anne immediately turned away from Rosalind and Christopher and walked over to the king. She swept him a low curtsy.

"Your Majesty, I was just teasing Lord Christopher Ellis about his devotion to his betrothed."

The king smiled at Anne. "All men should be devoted to the women they love, should they not?" He beckoned to a page hovering behind him. "And bring gifts for their beloved too."

Anne gave a little shriek. "Oh, sire, you have something for me?"

Christopher leaned down and whispered in Rosalind's ear. "He does indeed have 'something' for her. He just received a packet containing many of Queen Katherine's jewels that he demanded back from her. Lady Anne will enjoy that. In truth, she was probably the one who insisted he reclaim the jewels in the first place."

Rosalind shivered as his warm breath danced over her sensitive skin. "I don't think she likes me, and I don't appreciate the way she keeps pawing you."

"Are you jealous, my love?" His soft laughter made her want to lean in to him and just surrender to his strength.

"You'd like that, wouldn't you?"

The grip around her waist tightened, and he backed them both out of the royal presence and then against the nearest wall. He lowered his head and his lips touched hers. She opened her mouth to him and his tongue tangled with hers, the delicacy of his touch sending shudders right down to her toes. He leaned in to her and deepened the kiss, the press of his body trapping her against the wall.

He tasted of exotic spices, of danger, and mostly of himself, and she craved him more than she wanted to breathe. When he raised his head, he was smiling.

"I also have a gift for you."

Rosalind gazed into his eyes. "You do?"

He removed something from the leather pouch slung around his waist and took her hand. "It's a betrothal ring." He slid a heavy gold band decorated with rubies onto her finger. "I had it made for you while you were gone."

Rosalind studied the gold band. "You were so certain I would return?"

"I knew the Llewellyns would never keep you out of a Vampire fight, and I guessed there would be more trouble at court before long." He hesitated. "I also had some forlorn hope that you might return for me."

Rosalind cupped his chin in her hand. Perhaps it was time to give him something back for his honesty. "If there were no war between our families, I would have come back to you."

His smile grew cocky. "I knew it. I am irresistible."

"And a terrible flirt."

"Perhaps." He kissed her. "I promise you, Rosalind, I will help you stop Anne from gaining power over the king. Just give me the opportunity to do it my way before you resort to killing her and her brother."

"Do you really think she will stop just because you ask her to?"

"I don't know, but at least let me try."

"But you will lay yourself open to her malice." Christopher stepped away from her. "Why would you think that? She must know that the Ellis family is allied with the Vampires. She will not be surprised by my taking her into my confidence."

"But she also now knows you are betrothed to me, and thus you must be suspect."

He reclaimed her hand. "There is an element of risk in all of our choices, isn't there? I have to try and find out what Anne and George are up to."

Rosalind grimaced. "I suppose you do."

He looked down at her. "Aren't you pleased that we are of one mind again?"

"You haven't let me into your mind," Rosalind retorted.

"Nor have you let me into yours."

"That is hardly surprising." She changed the subject. "Do you want to talk to Jasper and Rhys about the Boleyns?"

"I suppose I should. Not that either of them will welcome my presence or my participation in their affairs."

"I'll ask Rhys to find a quiet spot for us to meet tonight," Rosalind said.

"And in the meantime, I'll go and talk to the Lady Anne."

Rosalind stroked his cheek. "You will be careful, won't you?"

"Of course I will." He kissed her forehead. "She's hardly likely to try and kill me in full view of the court."

Rosalind allowed Christopher to walk her to the entrance to the stables. She watched him go with some trepidation. Despite his confidence, Vampires were notoriously unpredictable, especially when cornered. And it was highly likely that Anne Boleyn was playing a very deep game indeed.

Chapter 7.

After the king's departure, Christopher took advantage of the ebb and flow of courtiers and approached Anne Boleyn, who sat clutching the small golden cask full of Queen Katherine's jewelry as if she held the treasures of the entire kingdom.

Christopher bowed. "May I speak to you, my lady?"

"Of course, Kit." Anne patted the seat beside her.

"In private?"

Anne's pointed eyebrows rose. "I'm not sure the king would approve of that at all."

"Then perhaps you would take a turn with me around the gardens?"

Anne stood and shook out her full blue skirts. "There can be no harm in that." She placed her hand on his arm and scanned the mass of courtiers. "Unless your betrothed objects. She seemed a mite possessive for my taste."

Christopher smiled. "You did, perhaps, bait her a little."

Anne laughed. "Well, perhaps I did, but then I've always believed in living dangerously."

"So I've noticed." Christopher drew her out of the room and into the grounds. Like an obedient flock of birds, her ladies followed along behind.

Anne threw him a sidelong glance. "And what is that supposed to mean, old friend?"

"Only that you are aiming high these days."

"And that pride comes before a fall? I've been told that many times, but I refuse to believe it."

"What makes you think you will succeed when so many have failed?"

Anne's fingernails dug into the black silk of his doublet. "You of all people should know that."

"How so?" Christopher resisted the urge to grab her wrist and pull her hand off him.

"You're an Ellis."