Page 9 of Wedlock (Vampire Bachelor Games #3)

I sit, my son on my lap, his eyes on mine as I hold his tiny, perfect feet in my hand, and adore his little toes.

‘Is Yin doing this with my little girl right now? Adoring her the way I worship her tiny brother? God, I hope so.’

I recall Eleanor’s words when she’d described losing her daughter as a template.

She’d said it was a ‘secret pain held only by mothers.’ Now I know how she must have felt, how she still feels.

I miss my daughter every minute of every day, and yet it too is a secret pain, one I can never share and must bear alone.

Tears spring to my eyes as they do so often of late, my hormones all out of whack and my nerves still frayed from all that’s happened.

“May I?” Eleanor says gently, reaching over and indicating she’d like to hold my son.

Inside, I’m railing. I don’t like anyone taking my baby.

But I nod and hand him over. Apart from the nanny, Eleanor’s the only one I see, and I want to encourage her to continue visiting, to build a bond with my boy.

I know that having a wetnurse makes me a little more dispensable, a lot more, really.

I’m secretly hopeful that no matter what happens to me when Falcon returns, Eleanor will love my little Tiger enough to protect him.

And if Jag doesn’t want him, she’ll ensure he’s looked after, somewhere, somehow.

As she cuddles him, smiling at his peaceful expression, I broach the subject that’s been on my mind ever since I learned how to track Viper and satisfied myself that he was still far from here.

“Eleanor, I know this is going to sound strange, but I have a favour to ask.”

“Go on,” she says quietly, her eyes still on her grandson.

“I need to know if Jag is OK.”

Her expression hardens as she looks up at me.

“Please,” I whisper.

Her eyes narrow slightly as she answers.

“Falcon has made a vow to kill him if he ever sees him again. As far as I know that has not yet occurred.”

“Oh.”

‘Kill him? Even if Falcon doesn’t murder Jag, I know he’ll never forgive our affair, even if he ever found out the truth behind it and his brother’s role.

He won’t forgive Jag and he won’t forgive what I did to their friendship.

And even if he could ever forgive either of us, which he won’t, there’s still the matter of his hidden daughter. ’

‘Secrets upon secrets.’

“Is that all you wish to know?” Eleanor snaps.

She raises one eyebrow and I’m again reminded of what Yin said — that the woman before me is a master manipulator, must surely be, to have survived this long in such a world holding all the confidences she does.

“No,” I straighten my shoulders and look her in the eye. “I’d like to phone him.”

“Out of the question.”

‘Of course. I’m technically dead or dying. Can’t have a zombie calling from the castle. Can’t have any whiff of intrigue reach the court to thwart Falcon’s plans or title.’

“Then,” I sigh, frowning as I try to think through my options. “I’d like you to pass a message on to him.”

“What message?” She asks quietly, her eyes flashing a warning and reminding me that I need to be very careful what I say next.

“I want him to visit my brother,” I whisper as my hand flies to my throat and I gasp for breath.

“Are you unwell?” She frowns, placing the baby to her shoulder and standing.

“No,” I squeak, “just, ah,” I smile weakly, “perhaps I need to lie down.”

“Perhaps you do,” she says, her expression puzzled as she studies my eyes. “I’ll carry Tiger.”

I nod and rise, my breath now coming easily as the forbidden topic is abandoned.

When I’m settled on the bed Eleanor hands me the baby and stares down at us.

“You want Jaguar to visit your brother?”

I nod, not daring to try to speak.

“Why?”

“I just,” I lie quickly, “want my family to know that everything is OK. They have no links to the Court or the paparazzi, they’ll never let anyone know I’m here — please?”

Her expression hardens, and I know I need to work another angle.

“I accept that you don’t want anything done that might jeopardise Falcon’s plans for the future. I’m not asking you to tell them specifics. I just need them to know that they shouldn’t worry.”

“I can send a message to your family,” she says as she turns to leave.

“No!”

She spins back and stares at me.

“Uh, they won’t believe anyone but Jag. My brother liked him when he met him here during The Games. He trusts him. Please, if you can get a message to Jag, it’s a small ask.”

I can see she’s not convinced by my argument, but whatever she’s going to say, she changes her mind.

“I’ll consider it,” she murmurs as she makes for the door.

“Eleanor,” I call as she walks away. She pauses but doesn’t turn back, and I rush on.

“I know Jag feels terrible about what happened. He told me so on the way to the castle. He delivered me personally to Falcon, even though he didn’t have to, because he recognised Falcon’s feelings for me and didn’t want to come between us.

I know he’ll want to make up for what happened in any way he can.

He’ll do whatever you ask — deliver any message you ask. ”

She nods briskly and keeps walking.

When she’s gone I turn to my baby and run my hands through his dark hair, so like his father’s.

“If Uncle Adam can pass my message onto Jag we might just get out of here alive, my boy,” I whisper. “And if not, Plan B.”

I don’t bother trying to enunciate Plan B to my infant because I’m still working on it.

Viper’s control means I can’t attempt escape, but that doesn’t mean I can’t think about it.

I’ve come up with numerous scenarios, too many to count, but the one common denominator in all of them requires the help of a vampire.

The only thing is, there’s only one vampire in this castle who I know — and she spends her time in the kitchens.