by Gina Rosavin
I love you.
His eyes widened as she clearly thought the words. She felt his joy, his exuberance over her declaration. He leaned over her.
"And I love you." Hearing him say it aloud, not in their thoughts, brought tears to her eyes. She tugged at her hands once more, and he reached up and loosened the sash. She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him atop her.
"What the hell took you so long?" she demanded, before taking his mouth in a passionate kiss.
He pulled away and laughed, the hand between her legs moving slightly and making her gasp. "What can I say? Better late than never?"
He lowered his mouth to hers, his tongue parting her lips and sweeping inside to steal her senses. His fingers once more teased, the moan which escaped her full of frustration.
"Is there something you want?" he whispered.
"You. I want you."
He smiled, dipping into her heat and making her groan. "Is there something else?"
She recalled his earlier words. Damn him, he was still playing games! He stroked her again, and she tossed her head. He let his tongue play along the column of her neck, and she bucked against him.
"Adrian, please…"
"That's the magic word." Then he was over her, his golden eyes filled with heat and promise. As he filled her, nothing had ever felt so right. She kissed him hard, the tip of his fangs pricking her lips.
She drew away, and silently answered his unasked question. He nodded, a slow smile revealing the white pointed eyeteeth. He took her higher and higher, his hands and lips bringing her as much ecstasy as his body. Finally, as she sailed through euphoric clouds, the familiar twinge in her neck sent her flying over the first crest. As his mouth drew sensuously, she flew even higher, each peak surpassing the last, until finally, he pulled away.
"Mine," he gasped, as he exploded within her. "All mine."
She drew him close, stroking his back as she slowly came to her senses. A cool breeze along her back startled her. She lifted her gaze.
Adrian shook his head and grinned. "This is not my doing."
'The shock in her eyes was almost as enjoyable as knowing her desire and love had been so great, they had manifested themselves this way.
He held tightly to her as she peered underneath to see just how far off the bed they were levitating. Her arms tightened around his neck.
"Is something wrong?" he asked.
She shook her head and they were slowly lowered back to the bed. Adrian rolled to his back and settled her across him. He lifted her hair with his fingers, letting it slide between his fingers. Nothing had ever been more right than this moment.
"I didn't have any control while we were making love. Stefan was right." Adrian's mood immediately darkened at the mention of the wizard.
"Why are you thinking of that traitor in our bed?"
"Because he said if I didn't control my emotions, my powers would act accordingly."
"Kat, I don't think it matters if it happens while we are here. In fact, I rather enjoyed it."
She rested her chin on her hands folded upon his chest. "What if I get into a situation where I can't control my emotions? I can't afford for my powers to be unstable."
She was right, but he didn't want to dwell on outside forces now. He wanted to savor this new bond. He had admitted his love for her tonight, and it changed everything.
"Don't worry about that now. This is all you should be concerned with." He drew her close and claimed her in a heated kiss, pressing her against the pillows as he rose above her.
* * *
Machiavelli paced, his annoyance at the wizard growing. "Why didn't you tell me this when we first made our deal?"
"I had no idea you would want her dead. If I'd known, believe me, I wouldn't have helped you."
Machiavelli grabbed the wizard's throat. "I could just kill you now."
Stefan vanished from Machiavelli's grip. The vampire growled. "You could try," Stefan said. "But you still need me. All I want is your promise to leave Katerina unharmed."
Machiavelli lunged at the wizard once more, but found himself stumbling against the empty air. Spinning about, his fury grew when he spotted Stefan sitting leisurely in a chair. He stalked toward him, but Stefan held up his hand.
"We shouldn't waste any more time this way. Bring her here, he'll come for her."
"I wanted the child. The witch can help him."
Stefan shook his head and stood, slowly reaching the vampire. "No, I can freeze her powers. She'll be useless to him, and when he's gone, I'll take her with me."
Machiavelli pondered the wizard's words. Finally, he nodded. "All right. I'll tell Sophie to bring them both."
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Katerina stirred. Adrian's fingers moving lightly over her back brought her more fully awake, and she snuggled against him, resting her head on his cool chest.
"Sleep well?" he murmured against her ear. A swift arc of desire spread through her.
"Mmm. The best in days." She pressed against him, and lifted her head for his kiss, but the sound of Victoria's cry made her stiffen. Adrian tried once more to kiss her, but she pulled away.
"I have to go to her."
He sighed as she stood and wrapped her robe about herself. He ran a hand along his face. This was one reason he didn't like children. He hated the attention it took from him.
But when Katerina returned with his infant daughter in her arms, his resentment fled. His heart pounded, as it always did at the sight of the baby. Katerina got into the bed beside him, and he peered at the tiny baby, who watched him with bright blue eyes so like his own.
"She's hungry," said Katerina. She pulled aside her robe, and brought Victoria up to her breast. Adrian's envy raised its head again.
"That was mine a few moments ago."
She smiled, and lifted a hand to his cheek. He covered it with his own and pressed a kiss to her palm.
"Don't be jealous. She'll go back to sleep soon."
"When will she start sleeping for longer than 2 hours?" He loved his daughter, but the constant crying for meals was starting to grate on him.
"Soon, I think. But she's growing fast, and she needs to be checked out."
Adrian pondered her words. The child would need adequate medical supervision. "What does Vining say?"
"Well, here's the problem. Vining's not a pediatrician. He said I should bring her to a regular pediatrician."
Adrian sat up. Had his long-time friend gone mad? "What is he talking about? She can't be treated by a human doctor. What if…"
"He said it's okay, they wouldn't be able to detect anything. He recommended someone, though, who's aware of people like her."
"Who is it?" Adrian knew most of the medical community worldwide who were knowledgeable about vampires and witches. There were only a handful of them to begin with, and he was not aware of any children's doctors.
"I have the papers downstairs. We can go over it later. But you should be aware of something."
He didn't like the way her expression grew serious, her eyes darkening. "What?"
"She's going to be immortal."
Adrian stared at his wife as she held their nursing infant. He wasn't sure he'd heard her correctly.
"What did you say?"
"She'll grow to adulthood and at some point, she'll stop aging and live forever."
Adrian could only gape at her as the realization the tiny baby he and Katerina had created would live forever. Never in his wildest imaginings had this occurred to him.
"Are you sure?"
Katerina nodded. "Vining ran some blood tests. That's why he suggested the doctor. Any regular doctor would be suspicious when she starts developing faster than a normal baby."
Adrian stood and began to pace. Aware Katerina watched him curiously, he paused. "I must speak with Vining. As soon as possible."
"We can call him later." She held out her hand to him. "Come sit with us." He did, stretching out beside them. Katerina lifted the baby
to her shoulder and patted her back. Adrian was startled by the belch which escaped the tiny creature. He chuckled.
"She needs to learn some manners."
Katerina fixed a mock glare on him. She cradled the baby against her for a few moments, then held Victoria out to Adrian. He seemed surprised, but accepted his daughter, his hands closing gently around the blanket-wrapped bundle. His eyes were alight with joy as Victoria squeaked at him.
"She's got your eyes," she said.
Adrian nodded. "Yes, but she looks just like you."
"She's her own self." She met Adrian's gaze.
"Yes, she is. And she will have every advantage at her disposal."
Katerina arched an eyebrow at him. "Only if she wants it."
He sighed and nodded. "Only if she wants it. Whatever she wants, it's hers."
Katerina doubted that. She had no doubt Adrian would dote on Victoria, but would he try and control his daughter, mold her into whatever plans he might have? So far, he hadn't revealed anything, but she had learned to be ready for whatever he attempted.
"Adrian, promise me one thing."
He smiled. "I already know what you're going to say."
She arched an eyebrow. "Do you really?"
"Yes. And never fear, our daughter will live her life as she chooses. Unless it places her in danger. I will not allow that."
Katerina smiled. He really had changed so much from the megalomaniac he'd been when she first met him almost a year ago. How much she'd changed. "I expect you to protect her however you can. And I appreciate your willingness to let her have freedom of choice. Just make sure you keep your word."
"I will." He offered Victoria back to Katerina and stood. "Joshua is expected this morning. He was to try and reach Sophie. I must learn what he's uncovered."
"I'll call Dr. Vining and ask him to set up an appointment for us."
"Let me know, I will go with you."
Katerina nodded and cuddled her daughter close. Adrian stood beside them, now fully dressed. His gaze held heated promise, and Katerina's stomach flipped in response. She drew him near for a kiss. When he moved away, she pulled him back.
"Later," he promised and kissed her once more, before disappearing in a shimmer of golden light.
* * *
A scraping noise broke the silence of the nursery. Katerina spun about to find Sophie behind her, an evil gleam in her eyes.
ʺWhat do you want?ʺ Katerina remained beside the basinet, shielding her daughter from the former hunter.
ʺYou know what I'm here for.ʺ
ʺIf you think I'll let you anywhere near her...ʺ
Sophie leered at her. ʺI was hoping you'd say that.ʺ She was suddenly inches away from Katerina, grabbing her wrists with vampiric speed. But Katerina was ready and let her energy course through her arms, culminating in a flash of white light which escaped her hands and sent Sophie flying against the wall.
Muttering a few words, Katerina waved her arms over the basinet and it disappeared from view. She hoped her daughterʹs appearance in Adrianʹs office would alert him to the danger here.
Sophieʹs howl of outrage hurt Katerinaʹs ears, and she backed away as the vampire slowly neared. She threw her arms up, hoping to repel Sophie once more, but the woman was ready and dove beneath the stream of energy Katerina sent in her direction. Sophie crashed into her legs and she fell to the floor. Before she could shield herself, the vampire had her pinned and transported them both out of the castle.
They arrived in a cavernous room, and Katerina gasped to see two sets of boots beside her and Sophie. Her gaze traveled up and she stifled a gasp at the sight of Machiavelli leering at her. But what filled her with terror was Stefan beside him. His dark eyes were inscrutable, but they bored into her, and she reflexively shrank away.
ʺFine work, my pet.ʺ Machiavelli took Sophieʹs hand and helped her to stand, drawing her tightly beside him.
Katerina scrambled to her knees, ready to flee, but Stefanʹs hands on her shoulders compelled her to rise. She struggled against him, but he captured her wrists and pinned them behind her.
ʺYou bastard!ʺ She held herself straight, lifting her chin in defiance. He smiled, his free hand coming up to stroke her cheek. She jerked away, and his smile faded.
ʺYou would do well to remember your position.ʺ
ʺWhat? Victim? Captive? You hold me against my will.ʺ
He nodded. ʺYes, you would rather give yourself to that monster than become all you can and should be.ʺ
ʺYouʹre insane. Like this guy isnʹt a million times worse than Adrian?ʺ
A sharp tug on her scalp made her wince, then gasp as her head was roughly drawn back. Machiavelli pressed his face close, so his nose brushed hers.
ʺYou will find out exactly how much worse than du Lac I am, my sweet. Later.ʺ He stepped back and gave Stefan a pointed glance. ʺMalinay?ʺ
Katerina caught Stefanʹs answering nod and tried to jerk free when she felt her wrists bound together. Suddenly, she was shoved backward until she fell onto a high mattress. Stefan sat beside her, his hand on her stomach. Nausea assailed her at what he insinuated. She squirmed away, but he held her firmly.
ʺI'm going to freeze your powers,ʺ he said. He studied her, but she was careful to keep her shock from her face.
ʺYou are sick.ʺ She closed her eyes and focused, drawing her energy out into a shield, much as she had done the night Machiavelli first kidnapped her. But at Stefanʹs chuckle, her eyes flew open, and she noticed her energy had started to ebb. He held her gaze, malice clear in his eyes as he continued to chant, and her powers continued to weaken. Finally, they were gone, and she was cold without them. She closed her eyes against the sting of tears.
ʺNow you will understand and we will put everything back on its correct path.ʺ He was so close, his breath fanned her cheek. She turned away, but he grabbed her cheeks and forced her to face him. ʺOpen your eyes.ʺ
She did as he commanded and sucked in her breath at the lust she saw in his gaze. She tugged at her bound hands, but she was truly helpless. He smiled in anticipation, and his hand was suddenly on her breast, squeezing painfully. She cried out and tried to escape his grasp, but he held her firmly. ʺThis was to supposed to be mine.ʺ
Her eyes widened. ʺWhat are you talking about?ʺ
His smile changed to an evil leer. ʺWhen I agreed to help your mother restore your father, I demanded you as my payment. Now I will finally have my due.ʺ
She shook her head as his mouth lowered to hers, mashing her lips against her teeth. She bucked against him, trying to dislodge him and his hand from her breast. But she could do nothing.
He finally drew away. "Later I will teach you how to use magic in ways you never could have imagined." He drew his hand along her leg, resting on the inside of her thigh.
"You wouldn't dare."
He leaned in close, his breath hot on her cheek. "While du Lac is watching."
The horror of what he intended pierced her, numbing her with shock. His fingers squeezed her thigh, his fingers moving toward her groin in an ominous hint of what he meant to do when he had her alone.
"Malinay, control yourself." Machiavelli appeared behind the wizard and Katerina quaked. She had no way to protect herself against these maniacs. She carefully opened her mind, and Adrianʹs frantic pleas reached her. Iʹm here. Stefan and Machiavelli are with me.
Iʹm coming. Keep your mind open, I will find you.
Her heart pounded in panic. No! Stay where you are. Protect Tori. Send my father, anybody. Donʹt come here!
Before he could respond, she shielded him, unwilling to give him any more time to find her and show up in this trap.
ʺProtect your lover. But Sophie has already told her former partner where we are. I expect Adrian will be along shortly, no matter how you try to keep him away.ʺ Machiavelli sneered.
"Damn you, you won't get away with this. Adrian will kill you both." She strained against the bonds holding her arms pinned beneath her.
> Stefan chuckled. "He'll be here soon, and he'll see what's to become of you once he's gone." Stefan jerked her up, and dragged her to a large chair. He seated himself, then placed her across his lap. She tried to get up, but his hand squeezing her throat soon had her gasping for air. "You'll remain here. It won't be long."
"Sophie, can you sense Joshua?" Machiavelli asked.
