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Adem arched an eyebrow, obviously not understanding.

“I am a vampire because of them. They conspired against me and my family and delivered me to Vlad. ”

“Your husband. ”

“Yes,” I answered, feeling my face flush even more.

“Prince Vlad, Count Dracula of Wallachia, is your husband, but you are furious with his minions for delivering you to his castle?” Adem raised both eyebrows, his keen dark eyes observing the expression upon my face.

Slightly lowering my gaze, I sighed. “Vlad killed my family in a rage and made me his Bride. It was nearly a year ago and it is difficult. . . to forgive. ”

Tucking the letters into his coat, Adem inclined his head. “Not to intrude into your private affairs-“

I laughed, amused at his words. “Excuse me, sir, but did you not deliver one of your men so that I could feed? I do believe you are most certainly involved in my most private of affairs. It seems of little consequence for you to know that I do hate those who betrayed my family to Vlad. ”

Adem began to speak, but thought better of it.

“I live a complicated life,” I said in a tone that held a tinge of my anger.

“I see. ” Adem studied my expression, then stepped back to the door. “I shall make sure your letters are posted. ”

“Thank you. ”

“Is there anything else you desire tonight?”

My anger was gone now, rushing out like a dark tide that would return later. I felt the stark loneliness threatening to return.

“Yes. I would like to ride tonight. Please arrange to have a horse saddled for me. ”

Adem nodded and moved to exit. “I will come with you. ”

I started to protest, then thought better of it. “Yes, of course. ”

“Where are we going, may I ask?”

“To find the resting place of the Countess Dolingen,” I answered. I watched his expres

sion, curious to see if he knew Erzsébet.

Inclining his head slightly, his expression delivering neither confirmation nor a denial of his knowledge of Vlad’s betrayed first wife, he slipped out of my room.

Chapter 3

I could not help but find myself distraught and desperately missing Magda, my former maid, as Katya assisted me with my bath and dressing. Magda had always performed her duties with just the appropriate amount of care and attention to detail, while allowing me to retain some sense of privacy and dignity. Katya, however, fawned over me, fussed with my hair and clothing, attempted to bathe me and at one point, overtly bared her throat to me.

At last I lost my temper. I took her by the shoulders and shook her. “If I desire to feed from you, I will do it! Do not try to seduce me!”

To my dismay, she burst into tears and flung herself into my arms, sobbing hysterically. I was tempted to toss her onto the floor, but thought better of it. Her father’s assistance was imperative to my long stay at his hotel. I willed her to sleep and dropped her onto the bed to slumber while I rode with Adem.

I straightened my hat, fluffed my curls and smoothed out the wrinkles from my long, navy blue riding dress. I rather liked the austere design with its high collar and tight cuffs. The hem of my petticoat had precious delicate tucks and navy blue ribbons. I had only worn it a few times in Buda and it brought me fond memories. Vlad had insisted that I ride with my brother, Andrew, during his visit and had approved of the outfit when I had first appeared in it. His admiration had made me blush, but now infuriated me. Reflecting upon my time in Buda, I felt a pang of sorrow mixed with anger, for I suspected every kindness was a grand manipulation.

Snatching up my gloves, I let myself out of my room. I was not surprised to see Adem waiting for me. Together we hurried down the long hall, the gentle snores of the sleeping travelers lodging in the hotel the only noise other than our footfalls.

I was anxious to be out of the hotel and into the night. I was ecstatic to depart on an adventure. I had high hopes that I may find Erzsébet’s resting place, though I feared that Vlad’s last mysterious task had been to hide her. I desperately hoped he had merely raised strong wards about her crypt to hide it from the gaze of anyone stumbling upon it. Perhaps now that he was entombed, the ward would fall as his power waned.

“It is a good night for a ride. It rained today and the sky is clear,” Adem said as we stepped outside.

A light mist flowed over the cobblestones as night birds sang in the cypress trees. Two guards waited for us, holding the reins of two absolutely beautiful black horses. They were tall, sleek, and fiercely arrogant. Tossing back their manes, the horses regarded me with dark eyes. I was shocked when those luminous eyes flared red for an instant.