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“I chose her,” Vlad said in a voice that was edged with anger. “You may have directed my attentions toward her, but I alone chose her. ”

“Forgive me,” the Baroness said with a winsome smile. “I spoke hastily. ”

“You know I need her. I wish to move to England and I need her to establish a mortal life there. Glynis can give me the life of a mortal man,” Vlad reminded her.

“I long to be what she is,” the Baroness whispered. Her fingers trailed through the thick blood congealing on the table and pressed them to her lips. “I wish to take life as you do and make it my own. ”

Vlad was growing restless and he moved swiftly across the room. Taking the Baroness’ face roughly in his hands, he said softly, “You directed my eyes to Glynis. You told me she was the most perfect of all the English noblewomen in Buda. You told

me how beautiful she was. How lovely. And when I saw her, I wanted her. You helped Stephen convince her parents to come to me. You gave her to me. Do not start resenting her. In the end, you will be her sister and my Bride. You will be with her forever. ”

The Baroness lowered her eyes. “I long for the day. To be your favored Bride and love. ”

Vlad laughed, kissed her roughly then threw her to the ground. “Glynis is the first among my Brides. You will serve her. Do not forget that. ”

I drew in a breath in shock. He named me the first. Not Cneajna. He had said this once before, but I thought it idle flattery, a bribe to gain my devotion. But he said the words now in all sincerity. My mind whirled at the concept, of the possibilities. What did it mean?

I still reel at the thought.

The Baroness lay on the floor in silence, her eyes welling with tears. “You love her!”

Vlad merely smirked. “I need to go to my wife. The night is drawing to an end. She will wonder where I am. As will my brother in law. I will see you another night,” Vlad said to her.

“You love her!” The Baroness voice rose angrily. “You love her!”

I could not stand there and wait for Vlad to respond. I grabbed Brice’s hand and hurried us both down the passage. Vlad would be seeking me out soon and I knew the Baroness’ tirade would not last long with his temper.

“Do you understand now? All she speaks of since she discovered you had come to Buda is you. She is obsessed. ”

“Yes, I understand too well. Your mistress conspired against me and my family,” I nearly growled. “Damn her!”

“She yearns to be what you are,” Brice said, his gray eyes tormented with sadness.

“And Vlad has promised her. I will kill her first. She will never join us,” I vowed through clenched teeth.

“Do what you must, but I beg of you one thing,” Brice said as we reached the darkened hallway leading to the ballroom.

I whirled about and stared into his craggy face. “What do you desire?”

“When you are free of him, you will come for me. Let me go back with you to England. ” His voice was filled with great yearning and sadness.

“Very well,” I answered him. “I will not forget what you have revealed this night and I will come for you. You will go home to England. I vow it. ” Then I turned to hurry down the hallway to the ballroom.

Vlad met me at the doorway, both of us reaching it at the same moment. He was so flushed with blood that he looked human. He grabbed hold of my arm, pulled me back away from the doorway behind a curtain, and kissed me deeply through my veil. I could taste the blood on his lips and teeth and my hunger responded to his kiss. With passion and hunger, I kissed him, holding tight to him.

He released me and tucked my veil back into place. “Sometimes I forget that there are more annoying women than you on this earth. ”

I lifted my chin and said, “A fight with your mistress?”

Laughing, he swung me about in a little dance, then pulled me against him. “Choices have been made this night that will liberate you in ways you cannot imagine. ”

“Tell me?”

With a smirk, he released me, took my hand, kissed it, and then shook his head. “No. ”

He led me into the ballroom and all that followed held no meaning.

Now I sit at my desk in my room, the sun threatening to appear in a few minutes. Vlad is already at rest. As I write all this down, I realize that Vlad and I are entangled in a game of which I do not understand the rules. The Baroness accused him of loving me, but I do not think he loves. In me he has found an adversary and compatriot. We are both headstrong and somewhat ruthless. Tonight, I am beginning to believe we may be evenly matched.