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Rising up, she clutched my hands. “Please, tell me what I can do. ”

Lightly touching her face, I stared into her eyes. I sensed my triumph over her was near. “A grand gesture of loyalty would pacify him, I’m certain. ” I knew she had married an older man who had granted her all his wealth upon his death. Money, power and lust were all she truly held dear.

She nodded her head, licking her lips, her lashes fluttering as tears coursed down her flushed cheeks. “Perhaps, I could. . . ” she hesitated, her eyes sweeping over the room.

“Yes?”

“I don’t want to grow any older than I am now. My beauty will fade. ” She lightly touched her face.

“I know. ”

Chewing on her bottom lip, she held my hand tightly. She was trembling. “Do you love me?”

I was a little taken aback, but I answered, “As a sister. ” I had not anticipated that she would possibly try to seduce me.

She released my hand so she could cradle my face in her hands. “I wish for nothing more than to be your eternal sister and to be with you and Vlad forever. Nothing in this world compares to that desire. I would give you anything, all that I possess, to be with you. ”

I gently took her hands and lowered them to her lap. “I have a husband. I need no other lover. ” A blatant lie, but I did not wish for her seduction attempt to go any farther.

Averting her eyes, I could see she was surprised at my rebuff. Teardrops shimmered on her eyelashes as she fell into silence. From the pursing of her lips and the nervous movement of her eyes, I was certain she was slowly falling into my trap.

“I will give you all my wealth as a symbol of my loyalty to you,” she whispered.

I almost smiled, but resisted the urge. “That is certainly generous. ”

“I intend to serve you loyally beyond the grave. I will give you control of my wealth as I give myself to him as a dowry of sorts. I am certain that this gesture will please him. ” Now that her decision had been made, she began to regain her composure. I could see that she was confident that her gesture would be well-received. I was certain Vlad would have found it a suitable display of her devotion if he had cared for her at all anymore.

“I think you are correct. He is a man who must have absolute loyalty. ”

Pressing her lips firmly against my cheek, she clung to me. I was startled by her sudden embrace, but wrapped my arms around her.

“We shall speak to Sir Stephan,” she whispered in my ear.

“Yes. ” I smiled into her hair as I rubbed her back, consoling her. The hollowness within me spoke, so I tilted my head and bit into her neck to feed.

Chapter 22

The Journal of Countess Dracula

October 13, 1820

The Dosza Palace

It has been nearly a week since the ring was cursed and Vlad has not reappeared in my dreams, or in my new rooms. I truly believe the curse has worked. It is a tremendous relief considering how many times I dreamed of Vlad in my bed defiling me. I am sorely tempted to return to the castle and lop off his head. Yet, I do not want to face the sisters. I left them behind to starve. I am as much a villain as Vlad. It wounds me that I am such a coward that I dare not release them from their prison. I cannot allow anyone to uncover what I have done to Vlad.

Should I be discovered, I fear that my death would swiftly follow. . .

“Life is far too complicated,” Magda sighed as she lightly powdered my face in an attempt to give me a more mortal complexion.

We were discussing our difficult relationships as Magda helped me prepare for the baroness’ ball. She was certainly no longer just my maidservant, but she also one of my dearest friends. Her allegiance to me was solidified by the sharing of my blood, but her loyalty had been unwavering even when she had been bound to Vlad. I trusted her implicitly and I felt that trust was returned.

“Adem loves you. ” I was certain that this was the truth. Now that I was aware of their growing romance, I could see the affection in his eyes whenever she entered the room.

“Yes, but he is such a noble man he cannot bring himself to sever all ties with Saadat. He wishes to speak to her and be at peace with her before he continues with me. ” Anger tinged her words, but heartbreak sang in her dark eyes.

“It shall be. I know it. ”

Finishing my makeup, she peered at me thoughtfully. “Perhaps. I just wish that the world was a simpler place and that for just a moment all was perfect. ”