Page 90

I almost drew away, but caught myself. Instead, I forced a laugh that sounded a little too high and nervous. To my surprise, she laughed with me.

“I am inclined to adhere to the agreement my brother and I have with your husband. My brother disagrees with me, but then again, Gavril sees everyone as a threat. He is quite protective of me. ” Ilinca smiled. It was sweet and pure and yet terrified me.

“I am not privy to my husband’s dealings,” I said quickly.

“You’re not?” She studied me closely.

Shaking my head, I said in all truth, “Vlad never speaks to me of his plans. I was not even aware there were other vampires about in the city. I only learned of you and your brother through Lady Astir. ”

“That is what Astir said to us. ” She seemed pleased with my honest response.

“My husband is not inclined to share any of his business with me. ” I allowed the bitterness I felt against him to taint my words.

“Therefore, he sent you back to Buda without informing you of Baatar’s fate?”

“I did not even know about Baatar until recently. Or about you. ” I shrugged slightly. “My husband would prefer that I do as he says and not ask questions. ”

“Is that difficult for you?”

“I am merely his loyal wife. ” I suspected she could sense my rebellious nature and I shifted uncomfortably on my feet.

“Truly?” She arched her fine, dark brows slowly.

“Of course! He expects nothing less than complete loyalty. ”

“Then why did Father Ignatius come to you?”

I could not speak. I merely stared at her.

“A loyal, faithful wife to Count Dracula would not consort with his most detested enemy, would she?” That lovely smile was ever more terrifying despite its sweet appearance.

“They are brothers by their mistress’ blood. ” My defense sounded empty even to my own ears.

Ilinca’s eyes sparkled as she laughed lightly. It was a carefree sound, yet it made me want to retch out of fear. “My brother and I agree that you are much more than Vlad Dracula’s vapid English Bride no matter what Lady Astir proclaims. Gavril is afraid that you are a co-conspirator against us. I disagree. I do not think you met with Father Ignatius to plot against us. I think you met with him to plot against your absentee husband. ”

I lowered my gaze as I was left speechless. I struggled to grasp the words to say, but I could not fashion a response.

Pulling me deeper into the shadows, she drew close to me. Her eyes staring into mine, she whispered, “I know what it is to love he that is forbidden. I can see it in your eyes. ”

“I. . . ” Words were lost to me.

“I know that you hate Vlad. I have seen it in your dreams. He killed your family, did he not? Killed you? Made you his Bride? Now he has cast you aside to reside in the city while he does as he wills elsewhere. I know all about Vlad Dracula. The plotter, the schemer, the warrior, the prince, the impaler. ”

I could not take my gaze away from her face as she spoke. I was mesmerized.

“You are his little pawn on an enormous and complicated chessboard. I can see that so clearly. But you do not want to wait for him to return to reclaim you as his own. I sense that within you as well. Is that why Father Ignatius visited you?”

“He is my friend,” I whispered.

“He is your lover. ” She smirked. “Are you conspiring against Vlad?”

“No. ” It was the honest truth.

Her eyes stared deeply into mine. “I believe you. ”

“All I desire is to live my life in peace. I will not interfere with you, or your brother’s dealings in any way. I swear it. ”

Nodding, she released my hand and touched my cheek. “I believe you. I see it in your eyes. ”