Page 62 (1/2)

Like a dutiful wife, I stood on the steps and watched hie was out of view, I turned and fled up to my room I found myself in tears as I ripped off da appeared beforeup at her, I wiped ht I need to feed"

My thoughts, of course, had turned to Ignatius I needed to see him To feel untainted by Vlad’s power I could not bear to think ofinto madness in the Carpathian Mountains or how Vlad had drawn h his blood I wanted to be free of it all andin one of ainI sat at da fixed my hair and adorned it with jeweled coda said finally

There were no mirrors in our hoown as I looked up at her "Thank you, Magda"

Rising to lanced attoward the door, she hurried behind ," I told her

"I will have your bath ready," she assured ardens of the hotel if I wished to see Ignatius

"Shall I have the about the caleche?" she asked as she hurried down the stairs after me

"Oh, no I am much quicker without it"

She nodded, but her brow furroorriedly

Flashing her htest sht It was a lovely, clear evening with the stars glittering coldly in the sky The breeze off the Danube was refreshing and cool againstto realize that I felttian to feel unshackled fro bond I now had with Vlad Away froan to fade frohts that I had not realized the full depth ofpast the estates of Buda’s wealthiest, I cast a disparaging eye upon the home of Sir Stephen I missed the presence of my brother, but I land To know he is safely away is a great co the bottom of the hill, I slowed to aabout to make certain no one was about, I leapt easily over the wall and into the garden beyond Landing elegantly, I adjusted natius was seated near the fountain reading a sht and held back by a silver clasp Dressed in an elegant scarlet velvet coat and black long trousers, he was quite striking

As I drew near, he glanced up ataway the book in his coat pocket, he rose, taking my hands in his

"I cannot express how infinitely joyful I aled at his words while s him with my fan "You are too htly His dark blue eyes gazed at ht as he tucked my hand into the crook of his ar you would join ht Word is your Master is out of town and I dared to hope to see you," he said

"I can assure you that every chance I have to see you I shall grip firhtly It has been a difficult month I daresay that I have not been in the best fra face somber "I know I feel it What he did to you"

I turned ht I was uncertain what he meant I was distressed to think he would know that I had lain with Vlad after being with him

"He renewed his bond with you I can feel it It is stronger than before" He looked quite sad as he said these words

"I will not always be with him," I said firmly "I can promise you that much I cannot allow myself to continue as I am now I despise hinatius turned to ers, he whispered against my skin "If you despise him and love me, than I can endure our complicated existence a bit better I have never loved any woman as I love you You have co to wait for that night you are mine and mine alone"

"You have my heart That is why I am here When I am free, I will come to you," I declared "Do you not think I am quite overwhelmed by how I feel for you? I hardly know you, but I love you so fiercely it hurts I am yours, sir Perhaps not by blood, but my heart, my mind, and what is left of my soul is yours" My words were vehement and the truth

He smiled when I finished, and his kiss enraptured me

When we parted, he said, "Then we shall enjoy this tiht, we belong only to each other and no other"

"Agreed," I answered him "Nohat shall we do to celebrate our tiht, I desire to take you someplace I know Vlad would never dare take you"

"Really? And where would that be?" I was instantly intrigued

Ignatius gave me a secretive shed

"Truly, it is best if it is a surprise"

Walking together, we passed aes rattled by while h closed doors The elite of Buda filled the fancy restaurants and concert halls as we slipped easily through the throng

We turned down a long narrow side street as Ignatius pressed ently with his I adored the way his eyes admired me as he drew natius said softly, then we turned into a dark alcove set into a wall

In the darkest corner was a narrow door that looked quite worn and battered He knocked upon it and it opened on silent hinges With a glimmer in his eyes, he stepped into the darkness beyond

I was a little taken aback by the dank void that lingered beyond the tiny, narrow battered door, but I trusted hied into icy darkness, then abruptly I was in a brightly lit hallway that glittered with gold I raisedto the sudden brilliance

Turning about in surprise, I saw a footilded door that lead onto the street It did not reseh I knew then that I was in a place ofback around, I looked up at the chandelier sparkling with gold and crystal The walls were decorated in rich scarlet paper with intricate gold designs flowing over it The carpet beneath natius stood in the candlelight thrown by the chandelier, s excitedly Paintings adorned the walls portraying exotic lands and beautiful people I spun about onto take in the sheer beauty of the hallway, but Ignatius pulled reeted us with several maids behind hih another door hidden by scarlet curtains

"Where are we?"

Ignatius kissed atory Or so the proprietor likes to call it"