Meghann felt her own anger. How dare Alcuin presume to tell her Simon's love was false or that she shouldn't put her faith in him! Who answered her last night, saved her from a demon she couldn't control, and delivered her from a madman that wanted to destroy her and her innocent child? Why should she continue to deny Simon when the only time she truly felt secure and happy was when she was with him? Because Alcuin insisted Simon would destroy her? Ha! It was Alcuin's fanatic lapdog that had tried to kill her, not Simon Baldevar.

A small voice tried to remind her of the evil Simon did to mortals but Meghann suppressed it ruthlessly. Why should she worry about the fate of humans she didn't know when every vampire in the world wanted to hunt her down for conceiving the philosophers' stone and the one person that could protect her was looking down at her so lovingly? Her conscience stabbed her when she realized that she was not overly concerned with how Simon dealt with others, as long as he treated her well and protected the baby.

Meghann put her hand on the small, star-shaped scar above his heart, the permanent mark of the stake she'd impaled him with. "Simon, do you think we could start over?"

"I've waited forty years for you to come back to me." Simon, caressed her cheek, amber eyes probing hers until she felt exposed to her soul. "But Alcuin told you one true thing. My love for you does not change what I am. If you want to be my consort, you must be willing to give me the same things I demanded the night I transformed you your heart and soul. Are you willing to give me all I want?"

"Are you willing to treat me like a woman and not a toy?" Meghann asked back and Simon laughed, pushing her back into the silk and velvet cerise pillows on the bed.

"lie back and let me show you how well I can treat you," he murmured, wrapping his strong hands in her hair.

Eagerly, Meghann wrapped her arms around his neck and he kissed her hungrily, seeming to ask how much of herself she was willing to give. Everything, she thought hazily. Take me, make me yours again. She arched her neck, smiling when Simon's lips left hers to seek out the creamy flesh of her neck.

"It won't hurt the baby?" she asked anxiously.

"I'll only taste you, Meghann not take enough to weaken you."

"Oh, G.o.d," she breathed when his blood teeth pierced her so gently she hardly felt any pain. All she felt was exquisite pleasure pulsating through her body as he drank from her. Meghann leaned back, feeling a delicious la.s.situde build inside her along with a l.u.s.t that screamed out for Simon to take more, drink all of her With a small groan, Simon pulled away from her. "I'm not done, little one," he promised when her hands reached out to guide him back to her neck. He pressed down on the punctures, allowing a small amount of blood to flow into a crystal winegla.s.s he held to her neck.

Simon took a bit of the ruby liquid from the gla.s.s, and spread it on her nipples.

Meghann howled in pleasure and felt her body on the brink of climax as he sucked the blood off her b.r.e.a.s.t.s with slow, lazy strokes of his tongue that made her cry out and push his head down on her body. It had been so long, too long. She'd missed having a vampire lover; no mortal man could combine s.e.x and blood l.u.s.t for this unbearable pleasure "Hurry," she moaned.

Simon raised his head and gave her a sardonic grin. "Little girl, I have waited forty years to have you like this. Do you think I would ruin this moment with haste? Keep quiet and relearn the exquisite value of patience."

Her eyes widened as she watched him cover her body in blood, making a crimson path from her b.r.e.a.s.t.s past her navel. His tongue followed the blood path leisurely, lingering at her stomach, the changes in her body and the hard mound of his child beneath his hands, the tiny life growing inside her.

He used the blood to reacquaint himself with every inch of her painting long scarlet strokes over her legs that the tip of his tongue removed, nibbling at the arches of her feet, toes "Please," Meghann begged.

Simon looked up, holding the gla.s.s over her with a challenging grin. "Tell me where to put the blood, sweetheart."

Meeting his smirk with a bold glance, Meghann took the crystal gla.s.s and splashed the blood between her legs. "Lick it up."

Simon pushed her into the bed and bowed his chestnut head to her.

"Yes," she whimpered, feeling pleasure wash over her as he teased her again, licking with wicked slowness at the soft, needy flesh between her legs. "Oh, G.o.d, yes!"

Simon gave her a triumphant smile and pulled her beneath him, plunging so deep into her she almost thought he'd touch the child in her womb.

Meghann clawed at him and spread her legs wide, meeting each wild thrust with one of her own. She'd forgotten how good it was between them forgotten how Simon made her the object of his complete attention, seemed to devote himself to her pleasure while at the same time he took everything in her, made her give more of herself than anyone else ever had. Afterward, Meghann sprawled on top of her lover, and he smiled up at her flushed cheeks, bruised lips, and languid green eyes. "Feeling bleak and shattered, my pet?"

Meghann laughed, feeling nothing but an idiotic grin on her face and an urge to spin round and round, like a top.

"I'm happy," she murmured against his chest, a little surprised by that simple truth. When had her hatred for Simon Baldevar evaporated into nothingness? Was it because of the daily feedings that increased the link between them, the fact that he'd saved her life? Or had she, in her secret heart, never stopped loving him?

Simon plucked her up off the bed. "You shall be even happier, I promise you.

Now it is time to get up out of that bed, wench. We have a long evening ahead of us."

Meghann glanced down at the huge tester bed, the wildly strewn sheets liberally splashed with blood someone would think there'd been a ma.s.sacre in this bed instead of two vampires tearing into each other.

"Maybe I want a long evening here," she suggested lasciviously. It had been so long since she'd been able to enjoy blood and s.e.x at the same time. She reached out to stroke his arm. "You're the only vampire I've ever "

"I know," Simon said, kissing her lightly. "And you will have many chances to lie with this vampire again but not now, sweet. Come along, I have some surprises for you."

"Max!" Meghann squealed when Simon threw open the door to an adjoining dressing room and her Irish setter joyfully bounded toward her, putting both paws on her shoulders.

"What a good dog," Meghann praised and then gave Simon a questioning glance. "Why is he here?" When she left New York, Meghann had put Max in the care of a house sitter, bringing him to Las Vegas only after Lee a.s.sured her he'd welcome the dog.

Simon put his hand out to the dog, allowing him to sniff cautiously. "I may be an evil fiend, but I'm not a tyrant, Meghann. How could you live here without your pet? I told Vinny to bring this charming fellow along with all your other things while we slept."

Meghann raised her eyebrows. "Who gave you permission to do that?" Just because she'd wanted to stay with Simon last night when she was so frightened didn't mean she'd had any plans to live with him.

"My dear, did you think I'd be satisfied with what is the phrase? a one -night stand? From now on, you stay with me. If our renewed pa.s.sion weren't reason enough, I would think Guy's attack demonstrated how vulnerable you are. Of course, I blame myself for that entirely indulging your childish need for freedom."

"Childish need for freedom!" she screeched, and Max backed away from Simon's hand, whining uncertainly. "You archaic swine, I'll have you know it isn't 'childish' for a woman to want the freedom to "

"Meghann, you are not unintelligent so I can only a.s.sume you are not thinking clearly. Guy Balmont may be dead, but there are plenty of others, some of my own sp.a.w.n, that are jealous of the way I favor you, who would try to kill you if they discovered you're pregnant. The only way I can keep you safe is to keep you near me. Besides, I told you a long time ago that your home is with me. Now, are you going to behave yourself or do I have to tie you down to keep you here?"

"Why, Simon," Meghann purred, "since when have you needed safety as a reason to tie me up?"

Simon grinned and took her hand, escorting her to a s.p.a.cious, plant-filled bathroom. "I'll take that sultry look as acquiescence. Wash quickly, darling, and see if you can find in all those rags Vinny stored in your closets an outfit suitable for an evening out."

"My clothes are not rags!" she protested heatedly. "Don't go thinking you can go back to telling me what I can and can't wear. I won't have some overdressed fop dictating my outfits to me."

"Denim and those garish T-shirts do nothing for you. My sweet, have you no idea how lovely you are? When we lived together, I did not insist that you dress elegantly simply to be arbitrary. You are a beautiful woman and I wish to see you in clothes that complement that beauty." Seeing Meghann's eyes soften at the compliment, Simon pinched her cheek playfully and issued one more directive.

"Get dressed, little one, and meet me in the bedroom when you're done."

Meghann entered the bedroom a half-hour later. "Do you approve, my lord?"

She spun around gracefully, holding her hands away from her body so he could see how the high-necked, sleeveless bronze jersey clung to her lush curves. She knew the dull gold color of the gown brought out the copper highlights in her hair, which she'd placed high on her head in an Edwardian upsweep she knew Simon liked. A pair of oversize gold hoop earrings and the cabochon bracelet he'd just given her completed the ensemble.

"You dazzle me," Simon said. "Now, will this overdressed fop complement you?"

"You'll do," Meghann teased as she inspected the superbly tailored navy suit.

Privately, she thought Simon was the best -dressed man she'd ever seen, combining the urbane elegance of his formal wardrobe with that broad-shouldered, powerful form.

"My dear, if you keep looking at me like that, I doubt we'll ever leave this room. But you are too bare to go out."

"Too bare?" she asked in bafflement. "What are you talking about?"

"Your hands, my pet. They are utterly naked." Simon reached behind her ear.

"Now what could this be?" He opened his fist.

"Oh!" Meghann gasped at the emerald signet ring.

Simon got down on one knee, holding the ring out to her. "Meghann O'Neill, will you marry me?"

"You you never asked me to marry you before," was the only thing she could think of to say.

"You never carried my child before. I am old-fashioned enough to want legitimate issue. More important, you defied Alcuin. The only way I can think of to honor you for choosing me over him is by offering you my name. Be my bride, sweetheart."

Her eyes darkened as she stared at the ring, and the man kneeling before her.

How much had her feelings changed if she would even consider marrying him?

This was it if she accepted, it made all their time apart and all the things she'd stood for meaningless.

No, Meghann decided. It didn't, it couldn't do that. Admitting she loved Simon Baldevar didn't mean turning her back on all she'd done, on all the people she'd come to love during the forty years they'd been apart did it?

"Meghann," Simon said when she simply stood and stared at the ring. "Why do you hesitate? Are you frightened?"

"Of course I am. I'm scared of the way you can make me love you, make me forget everyone I ever cared about make me forget how I promised to honor Alcuin's code. I don't want Alcuin to be right you can't leave me with nothing."

"Of course I can't. I wouldn't want to. Listen to me. I think your morals are foolish, but I am not going to force anything upon you. All I want is your love and loyalty. Give me that and you may keep your ideals the ones that nosy cleric said I'd steal away. Keep your friend Charles you may even continue to work on healing Jimmy Delacroix if you feel you have some obligation to him." Simon smiled at her openmouthed shock. "Now, will you marry me?"

"Why are you letting Jimmy live?" she demanded suspiciously.

"Would you prefer I did not?" Under his soft tone, Meghann caught the edge to his voice and knew Jimmy might be dead in the next few minutes if she didn't drop the subject. He had said she could continue to work on healing Jimmy his reasons for that would remain his own. Simon never allowed anyone, even her, to be privy to his thoughts or motives, never let anyone get too close to him. Maybe this marriage proposal was a small step toward changing that; maybe as her husband Simon would share more of himself with her.

"What happens after Jimmy recovers?" Meghann asked. Was Simon only offering her this sop because he thought Jimmy was beyond help?

"You will tell him all that has happened between us or I will. I rather doubt he'll still wish to remain with you after that. Not that it should matter to you if you love me."

"I do love you."

"Then why do you hesitate?" Simon held out the ring again.

Meghann reached out to stroke his thick, elegantly waved hair. "I'll marry you,"

she said softly, pushing from her mind the thought of what Charles would say.

Would he hate her now? If the shoe were on the other foot, she wouldn't turn him away. Please, she prayed. Please let me somehow keep Charles's friendship.

"Come along, child," Simon said, distracting her from her worry. "If we are to be married, you must purchase a ring for me."

"No," she said and smiled, determining that if she was going to do this crazy thing, it wouldn't be a halfhearted gesture. "There's a perfectly good ring for you right here." She went over to the bureau, and plucked her father's ring from the ivory jewelry box where Simon had carefully set it down the night before.

She turned back to him, the plain gold wedding band extended toward him in her outstretched hand. "I wouldn't have this ring or my life or my child's life if it wasn't for you. I can't think of any better way to put the past behind us and show you how much I love you than by giving you my father's ring. I know it's not very expensive or elaborate but it would mean a lot to me if you wore it."

Simon blinked rapidly, and then pulled her to him in a bone-crushing embrace.

His voice sounded husky when he told her, "I would be honored." She wondered if she heard tears in his voice, but then he pushed her away and his eyes were clear. He smiled and said, "Your father would approve, Meghann. He wanted me to marry you."

"How can you know that?" she asked. "You only met my father once."

"As you may recall, he asked you to leave the room so he could speak to me privately. Once he ascertained that my intentions were honorable, he told me he was quite relieved you'd met someone a bit older of course, he didn't know how much older. At any rate, he said you were a 'great kid' but high-strung, stubborn, and impulsive. He thought you'd run roughshod over a husband your own age, and ultimately wind up being quite unhappy with a henpecked man. Your father said you needed someone who could love you but be firm when you needed it."

Simon grinned and took her arm. "Now, isn't it fortunate we're in Las Vegas? The marriage license bureau is open until midnight yes, we're having a legal ceremony."

"No justice of the peace or Elvis impersonators," Meghann protested, and Simon laughed, nodding his agreement. "Wait I know the perfect place! That rustic little chapel next to the Sands? Do you know it?"

"The Church of the West of course I know it," he replied. "It's a lovely choice, sweetheart."

Simon smiled and linked his arm through Meghann's. She smiled back, thinking Alcuin had to be wrong it would be impossible to fake the soft hap piness shining in those gold eyes. And no blood link or clever manipulation would be able to make her feel thrilled, nervous, cautious, bold, and utterly secure all at once. That feeling, Meghann knew, only came from being in love.

CHAPTER TWELVE

"Do we look like a pair of lovesick fools?" Meghann giggled after dinner when their waiter, with a soft smile and flourish, presented them with a chocolate torte that spelled out congratulations with crhme anglaise.

"This city caters to lovesick fools. I've missed you, Meghann," Simon said, suddenly looking grave.

Meghann returned his stare, not wanting to lie and say she'd missed him too anger and fear had prevented that. But now, seeing the way his amber eyes glowed in the candlelight as he smiled down at her, none of it their estrangement, Alcuin, Jimmy seemed real. It was as if they'd gone back in time; she felt as in love with him as she had the night he transformed her.

"It's so romantic here," she said instead, sliding closer to Simon on the tapestried banquette. Fiore's was everything Charles and Lee had promised, with its dark, charming interior and soft jazz playing in the background. Charles and Lee "Oh, no!" Meghann exclaimed and started pawing through her beaded evening bag. She shoved aside the marriage license that officially made her Lady Baldevar and fished out her cellular phone. "I was supposed to call Charles last night. He must be worried to death. I have to get in touch with him."

"No," Simon said flatly.

"What do you mean no?" Meghann demanded, her eyes sending warning sparks at him.

"Sweetheart," Simon said pleasantly, "how did you surprise Guy last night?"

"Because he didn't know about you Guy was shocked when I called out for you. But I don't understand shouldn't the Council know that I'd be dead by now if I wasn't drinking your blood? I mean, if you stole Lucian's diary from Alcuin "

"I believe Alcuin kept the secrets of Infans Noctis to himself. In the other accounts, the women didn't sicken as you did so they were able to continue feeding from mortals throughout their pregnancy. That's why Guy and the Council couldn't know you needed me to feed you they still don't. They also don't know that I saved you last night, that I'm aware of your pregnancy, or even that you survived Guy's attack. They know nothing so when Guy fails to reappear at Ballnamore, the Council will have no choice but to come here and seek clues. I want to flush them out of their little sanctuary."

"Oh," Meghann said, understanding. Ballnamore was still protected ground Simon couldn't set foot on the estate. But once those vampires left their stronghold, he could destroy them. "But what does all this have to do with me not contacting Charles?"

"Have you figured out yet that they learned of your pregnancy by reading his thoughts the few nights he was at Ballnamore?"

Meghann nodded and Simon smiled at her. "Good. You and your friend are both rather resourceful and stronger than one might expect, given your age. But the fact remains you are simply too young to shield your thoughts from a much older vampire in your bloodline if you're under enough duress. Doctor Tarleton's worry over you makes him vulnerable. That's why if you get in touch with him and the Council comes nosing around here, they will immediately know of my plans."

Meghann blanched, remembering what Guy tried to do to her the night before.

"But I can't not warn Charles. Don't you think when they come here they might try and torture him or Lee to find out where lam?"

"Sweetheart, that is why you cannot tell him anything. If they find him and read his thoughts, a quick glance at his mind will show them he knows nothing mortals call it plausible deniability. On the other hand, if they find some spot in his thoughts that indicates he's hiding something, they may very well put him or his lover through h.e.l.l to make him confess. Trust me, Meghann. I have deflected attacks and planned battle strategies for longer than either of you has been alive.