Chapter 19.

Katiya stood in the middle of her chamber, one foot tapping impatiently as her mother and Liliana fussed over her gown and her hair. She did not want to be there, did not want to marry Rodinas oldest son. She had tried both anger and tears, but, for the first time in her life, her sire had turned a deaf ear to both.

Even her mother had refused to be swayed. aWe do not marry for love,a Stefanya had replied, her patience quickly coming to an end. aYou have a duty to our people to produce as many offspring as you can, while you can.a Katiya heaved a sigh as Liliana and Stefanya stepped back to admire their handiwork. There were no mirrors in the room, but she could see herself reflected in her motheras eyes. The dress, of fine burgundy silk and satin, was exquisite. They had piled her hair atop her head, leaving several ringlets to fall artfully over her bare shoulders.

What would Lord Drake think when he saw her? Not that she cared. She wanted nothing to do with him, or his family, or this impending wedding. She didnat want to live in the Fortress, ora"she shivered with revulsiona"share Drakeas bed.

aYou look lovely,a Liliana said, smiling.

aThank you,a Katiya muttered. aHow long do I have to spend with Drake?a aKatiya!a aIt is quite all right, Stefanya,a Liliana said. aI think we all know that Drake is also opposed to this match.a aThen why must we go through with it?a Katiya exclaimed. aWhy must I do this? It is so unfair! I will not even be his first wife!a aLife is often unfair,a Stefanya said calmly. aThis will not be the last time you are required to do something you find unpleasant.a aI hate you!a Katiya cried. aI hate all of you!a The sound of Stefanyaas hand striking her daughteras cheek echoed like thunder in the room. aEnough!a Tears welled in Katiyaas eyes and trailed down her cheeks like drops of scarlet rain.

aIt is time,a Stefanya said. Turning, she opened the door and left the room.

aNone of us marry for love,a Liliana said quietly. aWe do what we must do. You may not love my son, but you will love your children for as long as they let you.a Drake paced the drawing room floor, his strides long and impatient. His future bride was late, adding to his irritation. The sooner she arrived, the sooner they could get on with this farce.

Rodin turned away from the window. aI would remind you that Elenaas well-being depends on your behavior this evening.a aYou have made that abundantly clear.a Rodin nodded. aSee that you do not forget it.a He lifted his head, sniffing the air, then strode toward the door. aYour bride is on her way.a Rodin had no sooner left the room than the door opened again and Katiya glided into the room, a pout on her pretty face. She closed the door behind her, then stood there, her hands clasped in front of her.

aGood evening,a Drake murmured.

She inclined her head, acknowledging his greeting.

Mindful that his father could overhear everything that was said if he so desired, Drake forced a smile into his voice. aWould you care for a gla.s.s of wine?a aYes, thank you,a she replied, her voice carefully polite.

aPlease, sit down,a Drake invited, gesturing at one of the green-and-beige striped silk settees.

He scowled as he moved toward a table that held a variety of crystal decanters and goblets of varying sizes. How long was he supposed to entertain this stranger and what the h.e.l.l were they going to talk about until he could escort her back to her apartment?

He filled two gla.s.ses. Then, schooling his features into a more pleasant expression, he carried them across the room and offered her one.

She took it with a murmured thank you.

Blowing out a sigh, Drake sat beside her. She was beautiful, of that there was no doubt. He supposed he should be grateful for her comeliness, if nothing else.

aSo,a he said, ahow soon are we to wed?a aNever, if I could have my way,a she replied candidly.

Drake stared at her. aYou do not want this?a aNo!a He sat back, his legs comfortably stretched out in front of him as he mulled her response.

aI have no wish to marry a stranger,a she said, and he heard the tears in her voice. aI know it is our way, for men and women to mate when the man is of age and the woman is fertile. I know such matches are arranged between familiesaa"she sniffed loudlya"abut I have read of other ways to choose oneas mate.a aIndeed?a Drake asked, intrigued by her comment.

aYes! There are places where people are allowed to marry for love.a aI fear that thought is akin to treason,a he muttered. Vampire marriages were arranged much like those of royalty in ancient times, mainly to unite families or ensure continued peace between rivals.

Katiya met his gaze for the first time. aYou were married before, to that mortal woman. Did you love her?a aI will always love her,a Drake replied quietly, and then he grunted softly. aYou are also in love with someone else, are you not?a aYes.a Her chin lifted defiantly. aYour brother, Andrei.a Andrei! Drake shook his head. Head had no idea.

aYou did not know?a Katiya asked.

aI had no idea. How long has this been going on?a aSince last November.a Drake grunted softly. Andrei and Drake were half brothers, born to different mothers only a few months apart. aPerhaps this will work to our advantage,a he said, thinking out loud. aPerhaps your sire would accept Andrei as your mate. He is far more suitable than I.a Katiya shook her head. aMy sire thinks only of power. As the eldest son, you are next in line to rule the Carpathian Coven. My sire thinks to ensure the continuance of our treaty.a Exhaling a sharp breath, Drake took Katiyaas hand in his and gave it a squeeze. aMaybe if we try very hard, we can figure out a way for both of us to get what we want,a he said, though he didnat really have much hope for either of them.

Drake thought about what he had told Katiya long after he had bid her good night.

Vampires lived a very long time. Once a male had fathered children, his obligation to the Coven was fulfilled. And since vampires married out of a sense of duty and not for love, it wasnat uncommon for couples to go their separate ways once their children were grown.

He raked a hand through his hair. He didnat want to sire a child with a woman he didnat love. Nor could he expect Elena to wait for him until his child was grown. He might not age, but she grew older with every pa.s.sing day. Dammit! There had to be a way out of this!

He paced the floor in long angry strides. He didnat want Katiya. She didnat want him. What if she simply refused to accept him as her husband? He grinned inwardly. In front of the Council, Rodin had decreed that the marriage would be performed at a time of the brideas choosing. And if she chose not to marry, what then? Would Rodin hold to his word? Could the answer be so ridiculously simple?

Elena sat in the library, a book open in her lap, her gaze on the flames in the hearth. It had been nearly two weeks since she had seen Drake. Their encounter in the dungeon was never far from her mind. What would have happened if she hadnat forced him to stop? If she hadnat had that candle, she would have been helpless to fight him off. Would he have drained her dry?

Driven by the need to see him, to a.s.sure herself that he was still alive, she had gone back to the dungeon two nights later, but Drake hadnat been there and she had lacked the nerve to try to find his room for fear of knocking on Rodinas door. Or Vardinas, she thought with a shudder.

Lost in thought, she leaned back and closed her eyes. In two weeks, she hadnat seen anyone save for the drone who stood guard at her door. Eager for company, she would have asked to be quartered with the sheep if there had been anyone to ask.

How much longer would Rodin keep her here?

Elena was almost asleep when the library door opened and Liliana stepped into the room. Stepped wasnat really the right word, Elena thought, watching the vampire move toward her. Vampires didnat walk like normal people. They sort of glided effortlessly across the floor.

aI hope I am not disturbing you,a Liliana said, her voice as smooth and cool as her ice green gown.

aNo, of course not.a Elena closed the book in her lap. aIam glad for the company.a Liliana lifted one brow. aYou are lonely?a aYes, very.a a Hmm.a aHavenat you ever been lonely?a aNo.a The vampire glanced around the room, as if gathering her thoughts. aWe are having a reception tonight to celebrate Drakeas forthcoming marriage,a she said at last. aYou are welcome to attend, if you wish.a Elena started to decline, and then she hesitated. The last thing she wanted was to see Drake dancing with his bride-to-be, but if she refused, she might never see him again. Forcing a smile, she murmured, aThank you, Iad like that.a aYou are a most complicated creature,a Liliana remarked. aYou will find something suitable to wear in the wardrobe. Be ready in an hour. Your drone will escort you to the ballroom.a Elena nodded. She watched Drakeas mother glide out of the room, then frowned. She had wandered all over the Fortress but she hadnat seen anything resembling a ballroom. Had she missed something?

Laying the book aside, she went to her room to get ready.

The formal gown Liliana had left for her was exquisite. Pale blue in color, the full skirt was scalloped around the hem, revealing a dark blue underskirt trimmed in yards of white lace. Matching blue ribbons were woven through the neckline of the bodice; a wide sash of the same dark blue as the underskirt circled her waist.

Elena brushed her hair until it shone like ebony, brushed her teeth, sprayed herself with perfume, and told herself she wasnat the least bit nervous.

Nevertheless, her stomach fluttered with anxiety as she followed her drone down the corridor. He paused halfway between the art gallery and the library. Elena looked at him, askance, wondering what they were waiting for, when he placed his hand on the wall. Much to her surprise, a door opened.

She paused before following the drone up a long flight of stairs, wondering, as she did so, if there were other doors hidden in other corridors. Were there bolt-holes here, as well? No time to think about that now.

Chiding herself for foolishly agreeing to attend a gathering where she would be the only sheep among a pack of wolves, she followed the drone down a narrow hallway that opened onto a large, rectangular room. Three of the walls and a good portion of the ceiling were made of gla.s.s, affording the guests a splendid view of the valley below and the star-studded sky above.

A trio of long tables covered in gold damask held dozens of crystal decanters and winegla.s.ses. No other refreshments were in evidence.

The room, the view, the vampiresa"it was the most amazing sight Elena had ever seen. If she hadnat known the truth, she would never have guessed these beautifully coiffed and gowned women and handsome men were vampires. They looked more like movie stars from a bygone era, when an air of mystery still surrounded actors and actresses.

A woman with bright red hair sat at the grand piano located on a small stage at the far end of the room. She closed her eyes as her long, pale fingers flew effortlessly over the keys, never missing a note.

Elena stared at the mirror that took up most of the wall behind the stage. It reflected the woman at the piano and the vampires who stood in cl.u.s.ters around the room, laughing and talking, as well as the couples who were waltzing in the center of the floor.

She frowned. There had been no mirrors in Wolfram. All the myths said vampires couldnat see their reflections, and yet that obviously wasnat true.

A tall, dark-haired mana"one of Drakeas many brothers by the look of hima"approached her, a smile of welcome on his face. aGood evening, Miss Knightsbridge. May I have this dance?a His request startled her, leaving her speechless.

aI am Andrei. Do you waltz?a aNot very well.a aThen I shall teach you,a he said, and taking her hand in his, he led her onto the dance floor.

aI fear your visit has not been a happy one,a he remarked as he guided her around the floor. aFor that, I am truly sorry.a aThank you.a aYou are in love with Drake.a It wasnat a question but a statement of fact and she saw no reason to deny it. aYes, I am.a Andrei nodded. aOur people do not often fall in love. They marry only to beget children.a aI think thatas terrible,a Elena said candidly, then bit down on her lower lip. aIam sorry. Itas not for me to judge you or your ways.a He laughed softly. aOur ways are changing, much to my sireas vexation.a aOh? In what way?a She glanced around the room, hoping to catch a glimpse of Drake.

aHe is not here yet,a Andrei said with a knowing smile. aAs I was saying, our ways are changing as more of us choose to leave the Fortress and spend time in the outside world. Some of us, our women especially, are beginning to resent being forced to marry men for whom they have no affection.a aThatas very interesting,a Elena said politely, abut what does it have to do with anything?a aKatiya does not wish to marry Drake.a Hope flared in Elenaas heart with all the intensity of a Fourth of July sky rocket. Perhaps all was not lost. aCanat she refuse him?a aShe could, but she is young. I fear she lacks the courage to defy both her sire and mine.a aOh.a Having seen Rodin up close, Elena could understand Katiyaas reluctance to defy him.

aI understand how you feel more than you know,a Andrei said quietly.

aI doubt it.a aAh, but I do.a He laughed, but it rang hollow. aYou see, my dear Miss Knightsbridge,a he said, swinging her around and around, aI am in love with Katiya.a aIam sorry,a Elena said, though it was hard to speak, he was making her so dizzy.

aAnd she loves me. So you see, I understand exactly how you feel.a He stopped abruptly. aThey are here.a The dancers drifted off the floor to line the walls as the piano fell silent.

Rodin entered first, with Liliana at his side. A couple Elena didnat know came next. One look at the man and the woman and she knew they had to be Katiyaas parents.

Katiya and Drake came last. She wore an exquisite gown of jade green velvet that showed off her perfect figure. He wore black trousers, supple black leather boots, and a long black coat over a white silk shirt open at the throat. They made a stunning couple. Arm in arm, they walked across the floor, glancing neither to the right nor the left.

Rodin looked every inch the master of his domain as he took the stage. aGood evening to you all,a he said jovially. aAs you know, we are here tonight to celebrate the forthcoming marriage of my oldest son, Drake, to the fair Katiya. The wedding will take place tomorrow night. . . .a Elena gasped. Tomorrow night! So soon? She heard Andrei mutter, aWhy didnat she tell me?a Gathering her wits about her, Elena stared at Drake, but he refused to look at her.

a. . . and so,a Rodin was saying, alet the festivities begin.a He smiled expansively. aPlease, enjoy yourselves. If the wine is not to your taste, there is other refreshment available upon request.a Elenaas stomach churned. aHe means the sheep, doesnat he?a she whispered, looking up at Andrei.

He nodded. aThere are Master Vampires here from many foreign lands. It is customary to provide nourishment.a He took her hand in his cool one. aCome, the music is starting again.a aHow can you be so cheerful?a Elena asked. aTheyare getting married tomorrow night!a She almost choked on the words.

Andrei shrugged one shoulder. aIt is all an act. What would you have me do? Throw myself on the floor and wail like a spoiled child? For now, we must make the best of it. Relax, and follow my lead. And try to look as if you are having a good time. It will drive Katiya and Drake crazy with jealousy.a Laughing in spite of herself, Elena glanced around Andreias shoulder to see Drake watching her through narrowed eyes as he waltzed by with Katiya.

aDid I not tell you?a Andrei exclaimed. aHe is green with envy.a Andrei insisted they dance every dance. Between sets, he kept Elena close to his side, made sure her winegla.s.s was always full. He regaled her with stories of growing up in the Fortress.

aThose were happy times, the days of our youth, before the need for blood overcame every other thought, every other pa.s.sion. I surrendered to the compulsion several years before Drake. Though he is the eldest, he held out the longest. My brothers and I tormented him terribly.a aWhy?a aWe were jealous of his determination to resist the compulsion, envious of his ability to consume mortal food, to roam outside in the sunas light.a Andreias gaze focused on Drake. aOnce we poisoned his supper.a aThatas terrible!a aIt only made him sick for a short time. He got even with us, though. He fed the sheep absinthe. It didnat hurt the sheep, but it made the rest of us violently ill.a aThatas terrible, too,a Elena said, but she couldnat help laughing.

It was nearing four in the morning when Elena insisted she needed to sit down. aYou might have the staying power of twenty men,a she told Andrei, abut I donat.a aVery well.a He escorted her to a chair, stood beside her while she rested. She noted the crowd had thinned considerably. Had the vampires retired early? Or were they dining below? She was about to ask Andrei to walk her back to her room when she saw Drake and Katiya gliding toward them.

aGood evening, brother,a Andrei said with a slight bow.

aAndrei,a Drake replied with a nod. aI wish to dance with Elena.a Andrei darted a glance in Rodinas direction. He stood on the other side of the room, conversing with several men. aDo you think that is wise?a aNo, but it will be my last chance to hold her. I am willing to suffer whatever punishment Rodin sees fit to inflict on me.a aVery well,a Andrei agreed. aKatiya, will you dance with me?a aYou know I will.a She glanced at Drake. aIf Rodin says anything, tell him this was at my request. Come, Andrei.a Drake led Elena onto the floor as the pianist began to play. The music was unlike anything Elena had ever hearda"soft and slow, yet there was a dark sensual edge to the notes. She gazed up at Drake as he drew her into his arms. He must have fed well, she thought. The burns and blisters accrued during his stay in the tower had all but disappeared from his face and he looked again like the dashing man she had fallen in love with such a short time ago. How was she going to live without him?

He held her close, his gaze never leaving her face. aForgive me,a he murmured.

aThere is nothing to forgive, my lord.a aI could have killed you.a aIt doesnat matter now.a Nothing mattered now, she thought, and perhaps never again.

aI am not giving up,a he said fervently. aNo matter how long it takes, I will find a way for us to be together.a He caressed her cheek with his knuckles. aUnless you tell me you no longer love me.a Conscious of the curious looks of the other dancers, she blinked back her tears. aIall love you till my dying breath,a she whispered. aAnd into eternity.a aElena.a He murmured her name and then a curious thing happened. He swept his gaze over her lips, and even though his mouth was not touching hers, she felt the press of his lips, warm and sweet, on her own.

When the music ended, Rodin stood beside them, his devil dark eyes glinting with barely suppressed fury. Andrei and Katiya appeared as if by magic.

Elena glanced anxiously at the three male vampires. Rodin looked ready to explode. Drakeas face was expressionless. Andrei appeared faintly amused.

Katiya smiled at her future father-in-law. aIt was my doing,a she said, taking Drakeas hand in hers and squeezing it tightly. aPlease do not blame Drake. I wished to dance with Andrei and Drake graciously permitted it.a Rodin studied her face for several moments, as if trying to determine the veracity of her statement. Katiya met his gaze unwaveringly.

With obvious reservations, or perhaps to avoid a scene, Rodin muttered, aOf course,a and then, with a courtly bow, he strode away.

Elena glanced from Andrei to Katiya. It was easy to see they were very much in love. She wondered how Rodin could be so oblivious, but then she recalled Andrei telling her that vampires didnat marry for love. Perhaps one had to experience the emotion to recognize it.

When the strains of another waltz filled the air, Drake reluctantly led Katiya onto the dance floor.

Andrei looked at Elena. aShall we?a aNo, I think Iad like to go to my room, if you donat mind. I feel a headache coming on.a aOf course.a Taking her by the hand, he escorted her from the ballroom. aMaybe all is not lost,a he said as they walked down the corridor toward her quarters.

Elena shook her head. aThe wedding is tomorrow night.a aThere is still hope that Katiya will find the courage to defy Rodin and her sire. I know Cezar has ignored her tantrums at being forced to wed against her will, but if she can find the nerve to say no during the ceremony . . .a Andrei swore softly. aAll she has to do is say no. With so many witnesses, her sire may concede.a aDo you really believe that?a aI have to.a He made it sound so easy, Elena thought when she was alone in her room. Just say no. She didnat know about Katiyaas sire, but having seen how Rodin meted out justice, Elena doubted she would have the nerve to disobey the Master Vampire. Nor did she believe that Katiyaas father would accept her refusal. But, as Andrei said, it was the only hope they had.

After undressing, she washed her hands and face, pulled on her nightgown, and crawled into bed. She stared up at the ceiling, determined not to cry, but it was no use. Her tears came quickly, burning her eyes, scalding her throat. Tomorrow night, Drake would be forever lost to her. He would marry Katiya and give her children and Elena would never see him again, never lie nestled in his arms, never taste his kisses or experience the wonder of his body melding with hers.

Flopping over onto her stomach, she wailed softly into her pillow, then cried herself to sleep.

Elena woke abruptly, all her senses alert. She didnat know what had awakened her but somethinga"some innate sense of self-preservation perhapsa"told her she was no longer alone.

She sat up, reaching for the lamp beside her bed. A scream rose in her throat and was trapped there when a large hand wrapped around her neck.

aNot a word,a hissed a voice in her ear. aIf you cry out, I will break your neck. Understand?a Heart pounding like the hooves of a runaway horse, she nodded as best she could.

Cool fingers caressed her cheek. aEver since that first taste, I have hungered for more of your blood.a Vardin! She shuddered as he ran his tongue along the side of her neck, then bit down hard on her earlobe.

He made ugly sucking noises as he drank, then smacked his lips. aEven better than I remembered.a He released his hold on her neck, then pulled her roughly into his arms, his hands sliding suggestively up and down her back and thighs.

aWhy me?a she gasped, hoping to divert him. aThere are plenty of sheep to satisfy your thirst.a He snorted disdainfully. aI do not want one of the sheep. There is no fire in their blood. I want a tiger.a Knowing he wanted resistance, she went lax in his arms. Perhaps, if she didnat defy him, he would drink from her and let her go.

aTomorrow night, Drake will wed Katiya, and when it is done, I will see that you are returned to the sheepfold. And then I will claim you as my own.a She stared at him in horror. Could he do that?

aYou will be mine until I tire of you.a Taking hold of the collar of her nightgown, he ripped it down the front. aBut that will not be for a long, long time.a With a hoa.r.s.e cry, she tried to cover herself, but he trapped both her hands in his and began to kiss her, his tongue plunging into her mouth. Sheer terror welled up within her when he pushed her down on the bed, then covered her body with his.

Certain she would rather die than have him violate her, she screamed as loudly as she could.

The bedroom door flew open almost immediately. In the pitch blackness of her room, she couldnat see much of anything, only a dark blur that hurtled inside, grabbed hold of the man atop her, and flung him against the wall. There was the sound of a scuffle, a sharp gasp of pain, and then silence.

The unmistakable scent of blood filled the air.

A moment later, the light came on and Drake was at her side. Wrapping her in a blanket, he cradled her in his arms. Shaking uncontrollably, she glanced over his shoulder. A body lay on the floor, covered from head to midthigh with the bedspread, now sodden with blood.

A number of other vampires materialized in the corridor and inside the room as if conjured by witchcraft. Rodin and Liliana were among them.

aWhat is going on here?a Rodin demanded.

aVardin attacked Elena.a Drakeas voice was tight with anger as he grabbed Elenaas robe from the foot of the bed. Shielding her from view with his body, he helped her into the robe.

Rodin glanced at the body on the floor. A muscle twitched in his jaw. Liliana dropped to her knees beside her son, a harsh cry of denial rising in her throat. A single red tear slipped down her cheek.

Rodin fixed Elena with a hard stare. aIs it true that Vardin attacked you?a Elena nodded.

aI want her sent home, now,a Drake said. aBefore anything like this happens again.a Rodin ignored Drake, his gaze still on Elena. aWhy did my son attack you?a he asked brusquely. aThere is no shortage of nourishment here.a aHe said he . . . that he didnat want . . .a She shuddered. aHe didnat want one of the sheep.a Liliana glanced up at her husband, a question in her eyes.

Rodin nodded tersely. aShe speaks the truth.a Stefan stepped forward. aI will take Elena home.a aThank you,a Drake said quietly. aTake Andrei with you.a He looked up at Rodin. aAny objections?a aNo.a Rodin glanced from Stefan to Andrei. aTake the woman and go. Now.a Elena clung to Drake. The moment she had dreaded had arrived.

Drake looked at his sire. aWe will need a moment alone, to say good-bye.a A muscle twitched in Rodinas jaw, but he didnat argue. Two of the vampires lifted Vardinas body and carried it out of the room. Liliana followed behind. Rodin jerked his chin toward the door and everyone else left the room.