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In silence, he seemed to ponder my words, then shrugged. “I did what I felt was necessary at the time. ”

Shaking my head, I looked away from him. “I hate you. ”

“I did not know you then, Glynis. I did not understand your nature. I treated you as I have the others. I was determined to break you. Create a perfect vessel to do my will. ”

I mocked him with my laughter, shaking my head.

He continued: “I know that you have obeyed me only out of the fear of what I can do to what remains of your family. Your brother was the leverage I needed to finally make you obey. ” His voice grew harsh at the word obey. I felt his gaze resting heavily on me.

I wiped away more tears. The ring he had given me sparkled darkly on my finger.

“I had confidence in your fear of me. I had confidence that you understood fully what I am capable of. That I could and would destroy all you love to keep you in submission to my will. ” His voice was low and thoughtful. He slightly shook his head, his long hair falling around his face. “But in retrospect…”

I dared not look at him.

“In Buda, I saw your strength and your power. I understand now that you are more of an asset than I ever dreamed. I underestimated you and that was a terrible mistake. ”

“You, sir,” I said tartly, “are a bastard. ”

He smirked at me. “Yes. ”

“I am not just a pawn in your wicked games. ” My voice was clipped as I spoke to him. “I will not be broken by you ever. Do you understand that? I am more than your Bride. I am more than that. ”

“Yes, you are,” he agreed in a soft voice. He stood and approached me.

“Have you no shame for what you have done to me?” I asked him.

“No, for I created you and you are a wondrous creation. ” His fingers lightly traced over my lips and chin.

His tenderness frustrated me, but yet calmed me.

I finally looked up at him to see him regarding me in a manner I was not used to. I cannot even describe his expression or his manner. I continued to cry as I looked upon him as I once more raised my hand to wipe away the tears that fell so freely.

In the midst of my weeping, he kissed me and kept kissing me until my frustration grew into terrible desire. I tangled my fingers in his hair and kissed him amorously as we clung to each other.

He whispered, “Be with me. ”

It was the first time he had ever asked me to lay with him, and I blinked my eyes in confusion. He had always forced me, with little regard to my own needs or emotions. I felt fresh tears tumble from my lashes as I gazed into his green eyes. I saw need and compassion in his eyes for the first time and it touched me. In this castle of horrors, strangely, he was my only companion. Slowly, I nodded and his mouth found mine in a torrid kiss.

In all my times with Vlad, this is the one time I must admit I chose to be with him because of my own needs. Not to placate him, not to keep him from beating me, not to keep him from terrible things or to deceive him, but because I needed him.

How can you hate someone so completely, yet find solace with him?

I am not certain, but that night, I did.

Our lovemaking was passionate, yet unlike any experience I had ever had with him. For once he was tender and did not treat me as merely his instrument of pleasure. His hands caressed my face and body with gentleness I had not known until that night.

For once, I was not afraid of him and gave myself willingly, without fear or regret. His touch soothed me and, for a short time, I felt at peace with him and all we had endured.

His long sharp fangs sank slowly into my throat as he undressed me and I trembled with the pleasure of his bite. Lifting me up, he released my throat to fasten bloodied kisses on my lips. I wrapped my hands in his long tresses as he carried me to the bed where he had first bestowed me with his bite.

I gasped as he licked my breast and caressed me with his hand.

“You are mine,” he whispered against my skin.

I did not answer but helped him free himself of his clothing. Leaning over me, his hair dragged across my skin and made me whimper with delight. Once more he sank his teeth into me, this time over my nipple.

Always exquisite and full of pleasure, his bite made me writhe beneath him as I strained against his body.