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I smiled ever so innocently at him.

“Is your brother like your father or your mother?” Vlad asked suddenly.

“Actually, he is quite a bit like me,” I answered.

“Really?” Vlad looked pensive, then shrugged. “I am sure I can deal with him. ”

I hurriedly twisted and pinned up my hair into a neat style. “Well, he does put on a very calm façade. But be warned, he has a fiery temper. ”

Vlad turned to regard me. “I have dealt with you quite well. ”

I began to fuss with the veil. “Yes, but you will not be able to beat him into submission. ”

Vlad snarled at me, then regained his calm. He stood quite still for a few moments then walked over to me. Only his green eyes now betrayed his anxiousness. He began to help me arrange the heavy veil over my face and I could feel the trembling of his hands.

“You really do want this to work,” I said softly.

“I want to go to England,” Vlad responded. “I will not be kept a prisoner forever. ”

It was as if my own words were coming from his mouth and it sent chills down my spine.

Vlad stood back and surveyed his creation. He smiled with satisfaction and reached out his hand. “Come, Glynis. Let us go greet our future. ”

I am an impatient creature by my very nature. I do not deal well with anticipation. I felt as if I would explode at any moment from the excitement I felt as our carriage wound its way through the streets of Buda to Sir Stephen’s estate.

I could not help myself and began to cry softly.

Vlad glanced at me, attempting to study my face through the thick veil. My sniffling gave me away and he snorted with contempt.

“Control yourself,” he ordered shortly.

I tried to fight down my tears of pure joy, but I was sure my bright smile could be seen beaming throu

gh the thick folds of my lace veil.

The carriage turned into the drive to Sir Stephen’s home and I sat forward in anticipation. My heart began to beat wildly within me. It was such a human reaction in a vampiric body that it surprised me.

The next few moments were a blur.

The carriage stopped.

The front door swung open.

I unlatched the carriage door.

Andrew raced down the steps toward me.

I flung myself into his arms.

Then we were locked in an embrace so tight, I am quite sure he could scarcely breathe.

“Glynis, Glynis, Glynis,” he sobbed in my ear as he clutched me to him.

“Andrew,” I wailed, my voice cracking with emotion.

My elder brother kissed my cheek through the veil and rocked me tenderly in his arms, murmuring my name over and over again. Joy, so complete and all encompassing, filled me so that the world around me disappeared. All I could feel was my brother’s love warming my soul and his arms holding me. In those wonderful moments, I felt not only his arms around me, but also my father’s, mother’s, and May’s. For a brief instant, my family was whole and complete. The love we had shared filled me and banished the darkness within with its wonderful light.

“Andrew, Andrew, you are here,” I whispered emotionally.