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Sliding my hands up to cup his face, I kissed him. “I wish to be with you. Free of him. ”

Laying his hands over mine, he whispered back, “And you will be. ”

We kissed a chaste kiss despite our passion for each other.

“I am saddened by your status, yet enthralled to be with you,” Ignatius said, standing to take me fully into his arms.

“I dreamed of seeing you again and it gave me hope,” I confessed. “I wanted desperately to come to you. ”

“I understand now. Do not worry yourself about that,” Ignatius smiled wryly. “I must confess, I came here tonight seeking you. I saw you in passing, in the carriage with Vlad, coming here. I could not see your face, but I felt your presence. And I had to know if you were all I believed you to be. ”

I was hurt by his words.

He touched my face to console me. “I know who Vlad is. I know what he is capable of. I had a moment of sheer panic, I admit to that. ”

How could I not forgive him?

I kissed him and felt our passions growing. I knew, in that moment, all I wanted was to flee into the night with Ignatius and risk Vlad’s wrath.

Ignatius suddenly withdrew. “Someone approaches. ”

The doors to the balcony slammed open and the chill night wind howled into the room.

I heard the door open behind me.

As quickly as the wind had rose up, it dissipated, leaving me standing alone before the open doorway staring up at the night sky. My arms were empty and my lips felt naked as the cool breeze brushed against them.

Ignatius was gone.

“Countess Dracula, I have been searching for you,” a very prim and British voice said from behind me.

I turned around to see a tall man framed in the doorway. It was the servant who had spoken with the Baroness earlier. I recognized his rugged handsome face instantly and I smiled at him.

His face went slack and his eyes widened.

It was then I remembered my veil. Reaching up, I drew it down over my features quickly.

“Madam, forgive me! I am so sorry to interrupt your…moment alone. ”

“There is nothing to forgive,” I answered quickly. “But, why were you searching for me?”

He stepped tentatively into the room, his eyes darting about, searching the shadows.

I was certain he had seen Ignatius vanish.

“My name is Brice, Madam. I am also from Great Britain. When I saw you last year, madam, I knew you were in danger, but I could not warn you. Forgive me, but it was already too late. But tonight, I can warn you. Your husband is a most evil vile man and my mistress is his faithful servant. Even now, she caters to his every wish. ”

I was so shocked by the servant’s bluntness, I could not think of what to say.

“Forgive me, please,” he said in a voice that was desperate and yet reserved.

“You saw me when I was here last year?”

“Yes, Madam. I was at my mistress’ side when she greeted you on the banks of the Danube. There were a great many people there that afternoon, so I am not surprised you do not recognize me. I attempted to speak with your father, but I was thwarted. ”

I felt chilled to the bone and whispered, “What do you know? Of my. . . husband?”

“That he is not human. That you and he are what the Baroness yearns to be. It is all she desires. To live forever. ”