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“I can assure you that every chance I have to see you I shall grip firmly with both hands and hold onto tightly. It has been a difficult month. I daresay that I have not been in the best frame of mind. ”

He nodded, his long face somber. “I know. I feel it. What he did to you. ”

I turned my face away, embarrassed and distraught. I was uncertain what he meant. I was distressed to think he would know that I had lain with Vlad after being with him.

“He renewed his bond with you. I can feel it. It is stronger than before. ” He looked quite sad as he said these words.

“I will not always be with him,” I said firmly. “I can promise you that much. I cannot allow myself to continue as I am now. I despise him and I loathe that I am bound to him. ”

Ignatius turned to me, his hand raising mine to his lips. Kissing my fingers, he whispered against my skin. “If you despise him and love me, than I can endure our complicated existence a bit better. I have never loved any woman as I love you. You have complicated my life beyond my expectations, but I am willing to wait for that night you are mine and mine alone. ”

“You have my heart. That is why I am here. When I am free, I will come to you,” I declared. “Do you not think I am quite overwhelmed by how I feel for you? I hardly know you, but I love you so fiercely it hurts. I am yours, sir. Perhaps not by blood, but my heart, my mind, and what is left of my soul is yours. ” My words were vehement and the truth.

He smiled when I finished, and his kiss enraptured me.

When we parted, he said, “Then we shall enjoy this time together and not think of unpleasant things. For tonight, we belong only to each other and no other. ”

“Agreed,” I answered him. “Now, what shall we do to celebrate our time?”

“I can think of many things, but tonight, I desire to take you someplace I know Vlad would never dare take you. ”

“Really? And where would that be?” I was instantly intrigued.

Ignatius gave me a secretive smile. “Ah, but it is a surprise. ”

I pouted at him. He laughed.

“Truly, it is best if it is a surprise. ”

Walking together, we passed among the humans still out and about at this late hour. Carriages rattled by while music filtered out into the night through closed doors. The elite of Buda filled the fancy restaurants and concert halls as we slipped easily through the throng.

We turned down a long narrow side street as Ignatius pressed my hand gently with his. I adored the way his eyes admired me as he drew me closer.

“I am pleased that you are here with me,” Ignatius said softly, then we turned into a dark alcove set into a wall.

In the darkest corner was a narrow door that looked quite worn and battered. He knocked upon it and it opened on silent hinges. With a glimmer in his eyes, he stepped into the darkness beyond.

I was a little taken aback by the dank void that lingered beyond the tiny, narrow battered door, but I trusted him, so I followed.

I was plunged into icy darkness, then abruptly I was in a brightly lit hallway that glittered with gold. I raised my hand to shield my eyes that were still adjusting to the sudden brilliance.

Turning about in surprise, I saw a footman closing an enormous gilded door that lead onto the street. It did not resemble in any way the tiny door we had passed through. I knew then that I was in a place of magic and wonder.

Turning back around, I looked up at the chandelier sparkling with gold and crystal. The walls were decorated in rich scarlet paper with intricate gold designs flowing over it. The carpet beneath my feet was thick and exotic in design.

Ignatius stood in the candlelight thrown by the chandelier, smiling at me. He reached out his hand and I took it, laughing excitedly. Paintings adorned the walls portraying exotic lands and beautiful people. I spun about on my heel trying to take in the sheer beauty of the hallway, but Ignatius pulled me on.

A butler greeted us with several maids behind him. The women took our cloaks and disappeared through another door hidden by scarlet curtains.

“Where are we?”

Ignatius kissed my forehead. “Purgatory. Or so the proprietor likes to call it. ”

It was then that an amazing creature appea

red from behind another set of thick velvet curtains. It moved toward us as if it was gliding, not walking. It was tall, elegant, pale of face and had long, flowing blond hair. I knew instantly it was not human, but it was also not a vampire. It wore a long white gown that was draped artistically on its pale form as if it were some sort of Greek statue.

And its eyes, its eyes, were like were like flames of fire.