Chapter Nineteen #2
Barrett paced the floor for several minutes after his visitor’s departure, his thoughts churning, fear for his daughter like acid in his gut.
His baby, in the hands of a vampire. It was unthinkable.
Fighting to remain calm, he summoned his butler.
“There is a vampire in the vicinity. I fear he has Bryony in his power.” No doubt the foul creature had forced her to write that damn letter, he mused.
But why? Why say anything at all? What had the vampire hoped to gain by coming here?
“Shall I notify the Guild?” the butler asked.
Barrett scrubbed a hand across his jaw, and then nodded. “Yes, Alistair, I think that would be wise. We need to find Bryony before it’s too late. Inform the Guild that no action is to be taken against whoever is holding her until she is safely home.”
The butler nodded and left the room.
Barrett clenched his hands at his sides. By damn, if that inhuman monster harmed one hair of his little girl’s head, the damn, bloody vampire would lose his own.
In the morning, Bryony woke with a smile.
Lying there, staring up at the ceiling, she wondered if it would be so bad to stay with Stefan for more than three months.
She enjoyed his company. He continued to treat her like a queen, granting her every wish, showing her a world she had never seen before.
Perhaps, if she agreed to stay longer, he would take her home to visit her family for a few days before the three months were up so she could reassure herself that they were well, to let them see that she was alive and happy.
Happy, she thought, surprised to find it was true.
Turning on her side, her thoughts turned to Stefan.
No doubt he would be a wonderful lover. Thinking about lying in his bed, in his arms, made her blush from head to foot.
His kisses were incredibly intoxicating.
Gentle one minute, demanding the next. She loved the feel of his hands moving over her, the husky sound of his voice when he whispered that he loved her, desired her.
What would it be like to caress him in return?
To run her hands over his muscular arms and chest? To touch him and taste him?
Slowly, her smile faded. She was forgetting one important thing. Stefan was a vampire. He had bitten her and taken her blood. How could she live with that? Had it been as terrible as she remembered?
She sat up, suddenly recalling that Stefan had promised to deliver her letter to her family last night. Had he done so? Did he have a return message for her? Had he seen her family? Were they well?
Too nervous to sit still a moment longer, she dressed, ate a quick breakfast, then went into her sewing room, hoping to take her mind off her family and the message from her family—if there was one. Try as she might, she could think of nothing else.
She was at her easel, painting her family home, when Stefan appeared in the doorway.
“You have a good memory,” he remarked, studying the canvas. “You have captured it perfectly.”
Laying her brush aside, she turned to face him. “Did you see them?”
“Only your father.”
“Is he well?”
Stefan nodded, wondering if she knew that her father had once been a hunter.
“What did he say?”
“He said they love you and miss you and are eagerly awaiting your return.”
“Nothing more?”
“I did not stay long,” he said, noting the disappointment in her eyes. “He did threaten to see me dead if anything happens to you.”
Bryony smiled faintly. Her father didn’t make idle threats. Unfortunately, she doubted if her father or any mere mortal could slay Stefan.
Stefan took her out to dinner at a fancy restaurant and then they went dancing in a quiet club.
She had danced with young men before at parties and social gatherings.
She had danced with Elon at the celebration in the village.
But dancing with Stefan was more than just moving around the floor.
He held her close, his gaze caressing her face as the music seemed to enclose them in a world of their own, so that she was scarcely aware of the other couples.
There was only Stefan, his dark eyes adoring her, his voice soft and sensual as he whispered her name, then brushed his lips across hers.
She had no sense of time passing or anything else.
There was only Stefan holding her close.
When he lowered his head to her neck, she knew he was going to bite her but somehow, it didn’t matter. He needed what she had, and she was willing to let him take it. There was no pain, no fear, only a warm, sensual pleasure that made her wonder why she had been so appalled the last time.
It was very late when they returned home. When they walked through the door, she felt as if she were waking from a dream.
She sat on the couch, watching him.
He glanced at the hearth and a fire sprang to life. He glanced at the oil lamp on the side table, and it began to glow.
“You bit me tonight.” She hadn’t meant to say the words aloud.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Why?” A faint smile twitched his lips. “Surely by now you must know why.”
“It didn’t hurt.”
“Did it hurt the last time?”
She frowned, trying to remember, then shook her head. She hadn’t felt any pain, only the fear and terror of the unknown. “Is it my blood you want? Is that why you insist on keeping me here?”
He laughed softly. “Ah, my fair Bryony, I want all of you. Your heart, your soul, your blood.” He knelt on one knee before her, captured one of her hands in his and kissed her palm. “And your love. Do you think you could ever love me?”
She stared at their joined hands, hers so small and fragile, his so large and strong.
Could she love a man who was a vampire and a witch?
A man who wasn’t really a man at all? And yet he was the most remarkable person she had ever known—intriguing, mysterious, powerful, magical, sinfully handsome, and more desirable than any man she had ever met.
She cared for him, enjoyed his company and his kisses, pitied him for the solitary life he had led until they met.
If she said she loved him, would he keep her here forever?
If she said she didn’t, would he let her go?
Stefan watched the play of emotions chase themselves across her face as he waited for her answer.
At last, she sighed and slowly withdrew her hand from his.
“You ask if I could love you,” she murmured, not meeting his gaze.
“I don’t know. I’ve never been in love. I’m not even sure I know what it is.
” She looked up at him through the veil of her lashes, her heart beating wildly. Would he be angry? Hurt?
He rose to his feet and drew her up beside him. Taking her in his arms, he kissed her lightly. “Perhaps in three months’ time you will find the answer.”