She said as much to Drake when she saw him that night.

aWhy do you need a doctor?a he asked, his brow furrowed with concern.

aIave just been feeling kind of. . . I donat know . . . sick to my stomach lately. But it isnat the flu. I donat have a fever or anything.a aI will take you to Brasov tomorrow evening.a aNever mind. I feel fine now.a aTomorrow evening,a he repeated.

Drake stood at the foot of the bed, watching Elena sleep. Lying there, with her hair spread like black silk across the white satin pillowcase, her dark lashes like fans against her cheeks, she looked like a fairy-tale princess waiting for the prince to awake her with loveas first kiss.

He watched the rise and fall of her chest, listened to the faint whisper of her breathing, the slow, steady beating of her heart. He had rarely known fear, but the thought that she might be illa"perhaps fatally soa"filled him with dread. He had never expected to fall in love. Before Elena came into his life, he had resigned himself to marrying a woman of his sireas choosing, having children, watching them grow to maturity. He had never thought beyond that. And then Elena had wandered into Wolfram Castle and it was as if sunlight had taken residence in the old place. He had basked in her glow, delighted in her innocence, reveled in her love. Even now, it was hard to believe that she wanted him, that she loved him. How would he live without her?

True to his word, Drake took Elena to a doctor in Brasov the next evening. There were several people in the waiting room, but after Drake spoke to the receptionist, Elena was immediately taken into an examination room and handed a white plastic cup.

aFor a urine sample,a the nurse explained, and directed her to the nearest restroom.

When Elena returned to the room, the nurse instructed her to undress and put on a paper gown.

A short time later a middle-aged woman with curly brown hair and kind blue eyes entered the room. She introduced herself as Doctor Mary Arcos. She listened to Elenaas heartbeat, took her temperature and her blood pressure, checked her eyes, ears, nose, and throat, drew some blood, and, lastly, did a pelvic exam that Elena found embarra.s.sing and uncomfortable.

aYou can sit up now.a The doctor removed her glove and tossed it into the wastepaper can.

aSo, is everything all right?a aYouare very healthy,a the doctor said, smiling. aAnd very pregnant.a Elena blinked at the physician. aExcuse me?a aPregnant. About twelve weeks.a aBut . . .a Elena shook her head. aThatas impossible.a aAre you telling me this is a virgin birth?a the doctor asked with a wry grin.

aNo, of course not, but . . . thatas . . . Are you sure?a aVery sure. I hope itas good news.a aOh, yes,a Elena murmured. aThe very best news. Thank you so much.a aYou may want to thank your young man,a the doctor said, chuckling. aYou may get dressed now. Be sure to start taking prenatal vitamins right away. Get plenty of rest. Try not to do any heavy lifting. And come and see me again in four weeks.a aYes, I will. Thank you.a Smiling, the doctor left the room, closing the door behind her.

Pregnant, Elena thought, removing the paper gown. She placed her hands over her stomach. How could she be pregnant? She recalled Katiya telling her that one of the vampires had impregnated a human and that both the mother and child had died. She shook the thought aside. Just because it had happened to someone else didnat mean it would happen to her.

She dressed quickly and stepped into her shoes. What would Drake think when she told him? Please, she prayed, please let him be as happy as I am.

Drake was pacing the floor of the waiting room when she entered. He went to her immediately, his dark eyes searching her face. aAre you all right?a She couldnat stop smiling. aIam fine. Letas go.a aWhat did the doctor say?a aIall tell you outside.a Her cheeks were starting to hurt from smiling so much.

Taking her by the hand, he hurried her out the door and around the corner of the building. aAll right, what did she say?a aShe said Iam going to have a baby.a aThis is no time for jokes, Elena.a aIam not joking. Iam pregnant.a He stared at her.

Elenaas smile faded. aSay something.a But he didnat speak. Instead, he placed his hand over her womb, his expression intense. aIt is a girl.a aWhat?a aThe baby,a he said, his voice filled with awe. aIt is a girl.a He shook his head. aIf I hadnat been so involved with events at the Fortress, I wouldnat have missed the echo of your heartbeat.a aYou can hear the babyas heartbeat?a He nodded.

aHow do you know itas a girl?a aI know.a aYou donat look very happy.a He drew her into his arms. aOf course I am.a aBut?a aI did not think it was possible. I know it has happened occasionally in the past, but so rarely that I put the thought out of my mind.a His arms tightened around her. aI love you, wife.a Lowering his head, he kissed her, hoping to avoid any more conversation, at least for the moment. And all the while, in the back of his mind, he was remembering Stefan and how devastated his brother had been when the mortal woman he loved had died in childbirth.

When they returned to the Fortress, Drake sent Elena to their apartment, then called a meeting of the Council. He also bid Andrei and Katiya to attend, as well as his brother Stefan.

aI am leaving the Fortress,a Drake announced when those who had been summoned were seated. aAndrei will be in charge while I am away. His word is to be obeyed as my own. Stefan, you will be second-in-command.a aWhere are you going?a Andrei asked.

aBack to Wolfram with Elena. She is with child. I do not want her here.a aShe is pregnant?a Katiya exclaimed. aOh, but that is wonderful.a Drake nodded, aware that Stefan was watching him closely. aLet us hope so.a

Chapter 31.

aLeaving?a Elena stared at Drake. aWhere are we going?a aBack to Wolfram.a aBut . . . why?a aWould you rather stay here?a She bit down on the corner of her lip. Did she want to stay at the Fortress? She had few friends back home. She loved Wolfram, but she knew she would miss Andrei and Katiya, Northa, Marta, and Elnora. And Stefan. But Wolfram was home, and it would be nice to be alone with Drake.

aNo,a she said. aI guess not. Is it all right for you to leave?a aI am the Master of the Coven,a he said. aI can do whatever I choose. And I choose to leave. Are you ready to go?a She grinned. Sometimes she forgot that her husband didnat need mortal transportation, that he could simply will himself wherever he wished to be. aIam ready,a she said, then frowned. aIt wonat hurt the baby?a aNo. Is there anything you want to take with you?a Elena shook her head. There was really nothing here that belonged to her. Except Drake.

He folded her in his embrace, kissed the top of her head, and once again, she felt herself being carried away through time and s.p.a.ce.

When the world righted itself, they were in the living room at Wolfram.

aYou look tired,a Drake said, brushing a lock of hair from her cheek. aYou should go to bed.a aOnly if you come with me.a He smiled, a real smile for the first time since he had been appointed Master of the Coven.

aAlways my pleasure,a he murmured.

aI think Iad like a bath before we go to bed. Which reminds me. Do you think we could install a bathroom upstairs? A real bathroom, with a tub and a shower and a sink and a toilet.a aIs tomorrow soon enough?a She made a face at him. aI guess so, if you canat do it tonight.a He swatted her on the rump. aGo, take your bath. I will be back soon.a Elena nodded. He was going out to feed. She would have to get used to that, now that there were no sheep to satisfy his hunger.

Elena had bathed and changed into her nightgown by the time Drake returned. She tried not to think of where he had been, or wonder who he had fed on, or what it tasted like, but the questions flooded her mind. She would always be curious about that part of his life, always wonder what it was like.

aYou could come with me next time,a he remarked, sitting beside her on the sofa.

aI donat think so. Hey! I thought you werenat going to read my mind anymore.a aSometimes I cannot help it.a aHmm.a She canted her head to the side. aIs feeding on a stranger different than drinking from me?a aVery much so.a aWhy? Blood is blood.a aWith you, it is more than easing my hunger. Though I do not expect you to understand, it is a way of making love.a aDo vampires drink from each other?a He nodded. aIt is a pleasurable experience.a aBetter than drinking from humans?a aIt depends on who is drinking from whom.a He trailed his fingertips along the side of her neck. aNothing equals what I feel when I taste you.a aAre you hinting for a taste now?a aWould you mind?a aNo. I like it when you do it.a Smiling, he took her by the hand. aI think we should continue this conversation in bed.a Excitement fluttered in the pit of Elenaas stomach as they walked up the stairs. There had been times in their relationship when she had been afraid that Drake was lost to her, that she would have to spend the rest of her life without him. But those days were behind them now. They were back in Wolfram where they belonged, with a baby on the way.

She put all thoughts of the past behind her when Drake drew her gently into his arms. Whispering that he loved her, he kissed her as he backed her toward the bed, then slowly lowered her onto the mattress.

They undressed each other with impatient hands.

She closed her eyes and gave herself into his keeping, sighing as he rained kisses on her cheeks, her brow, the length of her neck. She moaned when his fangs p.r.i.c.ked her skin, sighed as their bodies came together, fell asleep with the sound of his voice whispering that he loved her more than life itself.

The next day, Elena couldnat think of anything but the baby. A girl, Drake had said. After breakfast, she went down the hall to the bedroom next to their own. This would be the nursery. Standing in the middle of the floor, she imagined how she would decorate it. Yellow for the walls, she thought. White furniture. The crib near the window where her daughter would be able to see the sun and the sky. A rocking chair in that corner. New carpeting for the floor, new curtains for the windows. Perhaps a mural on one wall. Maybe a country scene, with baby animals frolicking in a green pasture, or perhaps scenes depicting the Disney princesses. After all, her daughter lived in a castle and would be viewed as a princess in her own right by those in the Fortress.

They would definitely need a bathroom now, Elena thought as she returned to her own bedroom. There was no way she was going to bathe a new baby in that wooden tub!

Anxious to begin remodeling the nursery, she dressed quickly in a sweater and a pair of jeans, grabbed the keys to the Porsche, and drove into the city.

She wandered through the furniture store, looking at cribs and high chairs and ba.s.sinets. There were so many styles to choose from, how was she ever to decide?

She had better luck in the paint store. She found exactly the shade of yellow she wanted, bought two gallons of Summer Sunlight paint, a quart of white for the door, brushes, masking tape, paint thinner and a roller, and headed for home.

Drake was waiting for her in the main hall when she arrived.

She smiled when she saw him. aHi, Iave beena"a aI know where you have been.a She frowned, puzzled by his harsh tone. aIam sorry I didnat tell you I was leaving. I didnat want to disturb you.a He crossed the room, his movement so quick it was little more than a blur. aElena, you must be careful.a The warning in his tone made her heart skip a beat. aWhy? Is something wrong?a aNo.a His hand smoothed her hair. aForgive me. I am overreacting.a aIam sorry,a she said, confused by his att.i.tude. aI didnat mean to worry you, but why are you so upset?a He smiled at her. aWorrying too much,a he said lightly. aI have never been this close to being a father before. I cannot help feeling anxious when you are away. So, what did you buy in the city?a aPaint, for the nursery. I left it in the car.a aI will get it later.a He ran his hands up and down her arms, as if to a.s.sure himself that she was all right. aI spoke to a contractor on the phone today. He and his men will be here tomorrow to install the bathroom.a aThatas great!a aI have requested they install the bathroom between our room and the one next to it so it will be accessible from both rooms. They are also adding a closet in the nursery.a aSounds wonderful.a aIs there anything else you want?a aA kiss?a A slow smile spread across his face as he drew her into his arms. aI do not need a contractor for that,a he replied, and lowered his head to hers.

Elena had never truly appreciated the benefits of being wealthy until she saw how quickly money could get things done. She had seen some evidence of it when the castle was wired for electricity. Due to the age and size of the castle, it had taken a considerable amount of time. But that was then and this was now. She had expected it to take many weeks, perhaps several months, to build a bathroom and a closet where none had existed before. But money could buy miracles and manpower, and the renovations were accomplished in less than a month.

Elena stood in the middle of the floor, turning slowly as she admired her new bathroom. The floor was gold-veined white marble. There was a white oval tub with a Jacuzzi, a square shower big enough for two, a toilet that flushed automatically, recessed lighting, and two sinks set in a granite countertop. She had not yet decided on a color for the walls.

Since the rooms were so large, the contractor had suggested adding a walk-in closet for the master bedroom. It was, Elena thought, big enough to be a room of its own. Drake moved their old wardrobe into one of the other bedrooms.

The new bathroom, walk-in closet, and smaller closet in the babyas room made the nursery a little smaller, but Elena had a.s.sured Drake that wouldnat be a problem. When their daughter grew older, she could simply move into one of the other, larger bedrooms.

Elena thought of little else besides the baby. How strange, to think that she carried a living being inside her. She could hardly wait to hold her daughter in her arms. What would their child look like? Would she have her fatheras blue eyes or her motheras brown ones?

Drake drove her into the city the evening after the renovations were complete. He agreed with her choice of the white crib and the rest of the furniture and arranged to have it delivered at the end of the week.

aYouare going to spoil me, you know,a Elena remarked on the drive home.

aThat has always been my intention,a he replied, squeezing her hand. aWhatever you want, whatever you need, you have only to ask.a Elena spent the next day painting the nursery and thinking she had never been happier than she was now. The man she loved slept in the next room. They were having a baby. A girl, she thought, smiling. Life was good. No, it was better than good. It was perfect.

She had just finished painting the window seat when Drake appeared in the doorway.

aYou have been busy,a he remarked, glancing around the room.

aDo you like it?a He nodded. aYes, but should you be painting in your condition?a aIam pregnant, silly, not sick. Besides, itas nice to have something to do to pa.s.s the time while you rest. I was thinking of painting the bathroom the same shade of yellow as the nursery,a she mused aloud. aOr maybe a light blue. What do you think?a aWhatever you decide is fine with me.a aI think, in deference to your masculinity, Iall paint it blue.a aThank you,a he said, chuckling. aWhat would you say to a walk down by the lake?a aThe same thing I always say,a she replied with a saucy grin. aYes!a The lake was beautiful, as always. Stars winked on the black blanket of the sky like the twinkling lights on a Christmas tree.

Kneeling on the sh.o.r.e, Elena dipped her hand into the water, and quickly jerked it out. aI was hoping to go for a swim, but itas too cold.a aIs it?a aFeel for yourself.a He shook his head. aI believe you, but if you want to swim, then swim we shall.a Elena heaved a sigh as he quickly undressed. Being a vampire, she supposed he was immune to the cold.

aAre you coming, wife?a aNo. Itas like melted ice in there.a aWill you not trust me, my sweet?a With a sigh, Elena pulled her sweater over her head, stepped out of her shoes, socks, and jeans, removed her underwear, walked into the lake. And shrieked when the chilly water swirled around her ankles. When she would have retreated, Drake captured her hand in his and gently tugged her toward him.

Surprisingly, as she waded out closer toward him, the water grew warmer. aWhy is it warmer out here?a she asked suspiciously. aYou didnat pee in the pool, did you?a Drake threw back his head and laughed. aNo, my love. I merely infused a little preternatural power into the water to warm it for you.a Elena sighed with amazement. Truly, there was nothing this man couldnat do.

Holding her against his side, he carried her out to deeper water. Once, she had been frightened to be out so deep, but no more. Nothing could happen to her while Drake was there. Leaning against him, she gazed up at the stars.

aWhat shall we name our daughter?a she asked after a while.

aI have not given it any thought, but I think you have.a aI was thinking about naming her after my mother, if itas all right with you. Unless youad rather name her after your mother.a aNo. What was your motheras name?a aKaitlyn.a aA fine old-fashioned name,a Drake said. aI like it.a aI looked it up. It means apure.aa She smiled up at Drake. aAre you as happy as I am?a aNever doubt it for a moment.a He brushed a kiss across her brow. aYou have given me more happiness than I deserve.a aDrake! What a thing to say. You deserve to be happy, just like everyone else.a aI am pleased that you think so, but there are incidents in my past, things you do not know.a He thought of the people he had killed when he was a new vampire. His lack of compa.s.sion. Of Luiza. aEvents I regret that I can never make right.a aShh.a Elena twined her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. aI donat care what youave done in the past, or why you think youare unworthy of happiness. Itas over and done and none of it matters now. Got it?a aYes, wife,a he replied solemnly.

aGood. Youare my hero. My knight in shining armor. And I wonat have you thinking otherwise.a aTarnished armor,a he said with a wry grin.

aStop that!a aI will do my best not to let you down.a How could he do otherwise when she was looking at him like that, as if he were Superman and Albert Schweitzer all rolled into one.

She kissed him then, her lips achingly sweet and filled with love, and in that kiss he found hope. And an encompa.s.sing warmth that felt like forgiveness.

Chapter 32.

The next day, Elena called the furniture store and asked if it was possible to have their order delivered that night. The salesman said he didnat think so, but after asking her name, he quickly changed his mind and a.s.sured her that it would be there by nightfall. She was grinning when she hung up the phone. Amazing, she thought, the miracles that could be obtained just by mentioning the Sherrad name.

They were arranging the furniture in the nursery later that night when the doorbell rang.

Elena looked at Drake. aAre you expecting someone?a He shook his head and turned away, but not before she saw the worry in his eyes.

She followed him down the stairs, hanging back a little when he opened the door.

It was Andrei.

aIs something wrong?a Drake asked after inviting his brother inside.

aLiliana has returned to the Fortress,a Andrei replied. aI thought you would want to know.a Drake lifted one brow. aYou came here to tell me that?a aNo.a Andrei nodded at Elena before returning his attention to his brother. aStefan has left the Coven.a aWhere has he gone?a Andrei shook his head. aNo one seems to know.a aWhen did this happen?a aI am not sure. I have been busy looking after Katiya and making sure your new rules are upheld. Cullin has claimed Marta for his own. She is now living in his apartment. I was not aware that Stefan was missing until Liam informed me last night. The last time anyone remembers seeing Stefan was four nights ago.a aPerhaps he has gone hunting,a Drake suggested.

Andrei sat on a corner of the coffee table. aHe would not leave the Fortress without telling someone. I thought perhaps he had come here.a aNo. I have not seen him.a aKatiya thinks . . .a aThinks what?a Drake asked.

aThat with you and me being happily married, and our wives pregnant . . .a aYou told Katiya about Stefan?a Drake asked sharply.

Andrei shrugged. aNot intentionally.a aWhat about Stefan?a Elena asked, perching on the arm of the sofa. aOh!a Drake looked at her, his eyes narrowed. aOh, what?a aHeas the son, isnat he? The one who got a girl pregnant and the girl and the baby died.a aKatiya told you that?a Drake asked.

aShe didnat mention his name when she told me. She didnat know which brother it was.a aWell, she seems to know now,a Drake muttered. aDammit!a He paced the floor from one end to the other.

aDo you have any idea where he might go?a Andrei asked.

aHe once talked about going to America,a Drake replied.

aAmerica!a Andrei exclaimed. aDo you really think he would go that far?a aWould that be so bad?a Elena asked, glancing from Drake to Andrei and back again.

aHe would have no one to protect him there,a Drake said. aNo place to go should he be injured or in need of refuge.a Elena was contemplating what Drake had said when there was a ripple in the air, like lightning before a storm, and Liliana appeared in front of the hearth. She looked like an ice princess in a long white gown, her blond hair streaming down her back, her pale face like something carved from ivory.

She glared at Drake. aThis is all your fault!a she cried. aHad you accepted your responsibility to Katiya and the Coven, Stefan would not have run away.a aHe ran away because he is still grieving for a woman my father refused to allow him to wed,a Drake retorted. aHad my father been less of a tyrant, Stefan would be here now.a Even as he spoke the words, he wondered if Katiya had the truth of it, and that Stefan had left the Fortress because he couldnat abide being around Katiya and Andrei because they were constant reminders of what he had lost.

aYour father knew what was best for our people, best for the Coven. You have changed our laws, laws that made our people strong. You are nothing like your father,a Liliana said, her voice dripping with malice.

aWell, thank goodness for that,a Elena exclaimed, then clapped her hand over her mouth.

Andrei grinned, then quickly covered it with a cough.

Drake laughed out loud.

Liliana glared at Drake. aIf anything happens to Stefan, it will be on your head.a Her voice was every bit as cold and unforgiving as her expression.

aSo be it,a Drake said, his voice equally cool. aGo home.a Tension flowed between Drake and his mother, so strong that Elena was surprised the room didnat burst into flame.

Liliana scorched them all with a final glance and then, with a wave of her hand, she was gone as if she had never been there.

aWell, she is going to be loads of fun to live with now,a Andrei muttered.

aIf you hear anything of Stefan, you will let me know immediately,a Drake said.

aSure.a Andrei smiled at Elena. aGood to see you again, sister. Married life seems to agree with you.a aIt does indeed.a Rising, she slipped her arm around Drakeas waist. aTell Katiya h.e.l.lo for me.a aWill do,a Andrei said, and then he, too, was gone.

aMust be fun, being able to zap yourself wherever you want to go, just like that,a Elena said with a snap of her fingers.

aIt has its advantages.a Drake kissed her cheek. aI hope Stefan will be all right.a Elena nodded. aAre you really worried about his safety?a aI am confident he can take care of himself.a aBut youare still worried.a She sat on the sofa, one leg curled beneath her.

aYes.a He dragged his hand over his jaw, his expression thoughtful. aStefan has spent most of his life at the Fortress. He has never had to defend himself, never had to make any effort to hide what he is, with one exception.a aWhen he fell in love with a mortal girl?a aYes.a aWas she one of the sheep?a aNo. He had gone to Bucharest with my brother, Ciprian. Stefan met Cosmina in a nightclub. When Ciprian returned to the Fortress, Stefan stayed behind. I do not know the full story of all that happened, only that Cosmina became pregnant and pa.s.sed away. It never should have happened. Stefan was not old enough to father a child.a aMaybe he was just mature for his age,a Elena mused.

aPerhaps. He has not been with a woman since then.a aHmm.a aWhat does that mean?a he asked, taking a seat beside her.

aHave you been with a lot of women?a Drake stared at her, taken aback by the question and wondering why she hadnat asked it before. And how he was going to answer it now.