Page 39 (1/2)

Kaitlyn went into Zack’s arms as soon as her e yourme, did you? I mean, it was just a bluff Wasn’t it?"

"What do you think?"

Canting her head to one side, she looked up at hih the veil of her lashes "I’uess you’ll just have to propose again"

"Is that right?" In a single fluid move, he dropped down on one knee "Kaitlyn Liliana Sherrad, will you do ht he was teasing except for the serious expression on his face, the intensity that blazed in the depths of his eyes "Yes, Zack, I will"

Rising to his feet, he drew her into his ariven her--achingly tender and sweet, a kiss of coether Forever

There were tears in her eyes when he broke the kiss

"I love you, Katy, with all my heart I’ll do my best to make you happy"

"I am happy," she said, her voice thick with emotion "Happier than I’ve ever been in my whole life"

"And I intend to see that you stay that way" Or die trying

Chapter 36

Elena sat on Drake’s lap She tried to pretend she was calm, but her voice betrayed her

"When?" she asked tre for the Fortress?"

"We are not leaving," he said, kissing her cheek "I a You will stay here with Zack and Kaitlyn"

"No!" She slid off his lap, then whirled around to face hi behind!"

"Elena Wife You will do as I say, or I will lock you in your room"

"That’s not fair!"

"Fair or not, I will not put your life in danger You will stay here with Kaitlyn Zack will be here to protect you"

"You can’t face Lucien and Nadiya alone"

"I can and I will," he said "This is ht I cannot let Lucien think he has won"

"That’s just your pride talking I don’t care what anyone thinks"

"The Fortress is ht Nor will I let Nadiya go unpunished for what she did"

"Please, Drake" Elena placed her hands on Drake’s shoulders "I’m afraid What if" She couldn’t say the words What if saying them made them so? She wasn’t brave; she didn’t care what happened to the Fortress Her only concern was for her husband He was her courage Her life Without him"Drake"

"I know" He put his ar in the vee between her breasts

"What if Lucien won’t ive him a choice Day after tomorroill summon my brothers and the husbands of my sisters We will meet at the Fortress"

"Not Andrei," Elena said

Drake lifted his head "Why not Andrei?"

"Because Katiya is pregnant again"

"Who told you that?" he asked, frowning

"Katiya sentthat was going on, I forgot to tell you"

Drake nodded "Not Andrei, then"

"So you won’t be alone," Elena said, relieved to know that his brothers would be there with him

"I will meet Lucien alone My faht"

"Isn’t there another way?" She knehat his ansould be, but she had to try one more time

"No" He cupped her face in his hands "Do not worry, wife I will come back to you"

Elena forced a s And then, not wanting hi hio upstairs and o"

Kaitlyn shook her head "Can’t you change his mind?"

"I tried," Elena said "But you kno your father is, once he’s made a decision"

Kaitlyn reached for her mother’s hand It was late on a rainy afternoon and they were sitting side by side on one of the sofas in the main hall A fire crackled cheerfully in the hearth A flowered teapot andwith a batch of freshly baked sugar cookies They had dined earlier