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“I almost lost myself when he bit me. ” I swallowed, my disgrace making my face flush. I averted my eyes in shame.

“His blood is in your veins. ” Ignatius reached out to touch my hand. “There is nothing to forgive. ”

I dared to look at him and saw the sincerity in his eyes. I let out a harsh cry, tears unexpectedly filling my eyes. “I am disgraced and fouled by him. The. . . bond. . . ”

Ignatius moved to sit by me on the bed. His fingers gently stroked my cheek and neck. “Be calm, Glynis. Our nature works against us. Torments us. Our blood ties to those who created us are dangerous and cruel at times. ”

“I laid with him once of my own free will. I was so alone. So. . . tormented. It is the only peace I have ever found with him. But tonight I just felt sullied when I felt my darkness call to him. ” I couldn’t bear to gaze upon Ignatius’s face.

“And when you are with me?”

“Joy,” I answered easily. “Love. Peace. Happiness. ”

Drawing my face to his, my beloved Ignatius kissed me. It was a soft, chaste kiss. “There is nothing to forgive. ”

We lay down together, facing one another. I drew up my knees and curled up on the pillows. His fingers brushed my hair as he smiled at me.

“How can you be so kind?”

“It is easy with you. ” Ignatius replied, smiling. “You bring out all that is best in me. ”

His smile drew out my own. “And you do the same for me. ”

“Come here,” he whispered, drawing me close.

I slid into the shelter of his arms and he wrapped himself around me. My face buried in his throat, my hands resting against his chest, I felt safe and loved. I sobbed softly as his tenderness began to scour away the taint of Vlad’s touch. He made no move other than to hold me, listening to me cry as

his fingers trailed through my curls.

It was I who rose up to kiss him. Ignatius kissed me lightly, his hands cupping my face. I deepened the kiss, tasting his tongue and lips. My fingers trembled as I began to undress him.

“Are you certain?” he whispered.

“Yes. I want to be cleansed by your touch. ”

Sliding his fingers into my hair, he kissed me passionately.

When he entered me, his lips and tongue upon my breasts, I closed my eyes and felt only my love for him. I wrapped my legs tighter around him, pulling him deep, experiencing the exquisite sensation of his manhood full and hard inside of me. My hands traced down his back, feeling the strength of his muscles as well as his long silky black hair under my palms. This was the man I loved, and I relished his touch and his body. When he at last filled me, I let out a soft gasp of pleasure as he kissed my throat, my cheeks and my mouth.

Tangled together in the aftermath of our lovemaking, I knew that all was perfect between us and all fear and pain was banished.

Chapter 36

The Journal of Lady Glynis Wright

December 24, 1820

The Dosza Palace

Christmas is here! Though we are practically buried under snow, the house is full of light and warmth. Ignatius ventured into the blizzard and returned with a pine tree for us to decorate. We made a fine evening of popping corn and stringing it on thread. Katya and Laura brought up apples from the cellar and tucked them into the branches. Though we had no gifts to set under the tree, we still had a joyous time.

Lady Astir made an unexpected appearance clad in a long green velvet gown and glorious red hat. To Magda’s delight, she brought along Magda’s child. The little boy joyously flung himself into Magda’s arms and made us all laugh.

Astir was in a rather good mood and surprised us with gifts. Laura received a lovely hat to match the coat I bought her before her death. Ignatius was less than pleased with a gift of the writings of Saint Ignatius, but Astir thought it was a grand joke. She reclaimed the book and gave him a pocket watch instead. As for me, she gave me a ring. It’s an aquamarine in a white gold setting. She took it from the box and slid it onto the finger where I had once worn Vlad’s ring.

Though he no longer haunts my dreams, I sometimes wish I still wore the cursed ring as protection. But this ring is a lovely substitute. It is bright and lovely unlike the ring Vlad had given me.

“What shall you tell all your society gossips when spring comes and your husband is obviously not returning?” Astir asked, tilting her head so her exquisite diamond drop earrings glittered in the candlelight.