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As the staff brought in wine, tea and appetizers, the three spoke co in Alistair’s territory, iiance to Britain versus control of its own governance, the possible visit by Queen Elizabeth and its impact In some ways, it was little different fro of Aussie urbanites, except he was listening to three intelligent vampires who had centuries of experience between theovernance At another ti, he would have found it interesting

“Well, I will say the new i the some decent food in this part of the world My latest cook is from Italy These appetizers will taunt you to come back for dinner soon, Danny” Alistair sent an a out in the bush, I’ on a plate other than lizards and kangaroo”

“Well, we have other offerings, but when you visit, I’llmoths is prepared specially for you,” Danny returned sweetly “Seriously, I’d love to have you and Nina out once the baby is born I still can’t believe you’re going to be a father”

“A frightening thought, for certain” Alistair cast a fond look down at his reposed servant “No one was more surprised than I when she conceived”

“I was,” Lyssa re footy boys long enough to dip your wick into a feo has been known to inflate enough to crowd out truth” As they bantered, Dev decided there was another conversation going on between Master and servant For Nina had twined her hand with his on her hip, and was tracing the creases between his fingers in a decidedly stiain, their obvious enthusiasm to flaunt their sensuality Was it just a matter of time, experience, as Thomas said? And was it a iven that his cock wasn’t protesting at all, but rising to the occasion like a daht?

“Nina’s been ” Alistair defended his honor without rancor “And even if I couldn’t plumb her mind to the depths of her soul, I would not doubt her”

Lyssa nodded, studying their linked hands as well “Then ill guard her carefully, Alistair” Alistair’s grip tightened on Nina “No one will touch her,” he said, a dangerous look crossing his face “Or our child”

“They better not,” Lyssa responded “Or I’ll feel I’ve failed in everything I’ve taught you” The dessert was brought out then, a confection of chocolate, cream and strawberries shaped into a star on each plate, and the tense ain

Who would harm the baby, love?

He wasn’t sure Danny would answer hier had rippled through the room and he saorry cross Nina’s delicate features When Danny’s answer ca of his shoulders froh her answer itself was far fro

No one would harm the baby But there are vampires ould try to pass it off as their own if they could take the ives birth They would kill Nina the moment the child was born, because she would be only a liability to them then and they would want the baby to blood-bond with them

Alistair had moved their intertwined hands down to cup over Nina’s belly, a reassurance to the er hiht have waited until Nina wasn’t in the room

No It may irritate him, but Nina needs to be as alert as he is He knows that He’s just being a typically overprotective ave hiile, but she is quite capable

However, it’s another reason Lyssa is here She’ll provide additional protection until the baby is born next month

Alistair spoke then “Lady Lyssa, as our guest of honor, would you choose the evening’s entertainment, while we enjoy our dessert?”

And just like that, Dev’s war disappeared, swept away by anxiety

20

“THOUGH of course,” Alistair continued, “I beg the indulgence of a protective father-to-be and prohibit Nina fro a sih no one in the vampire world but you understands why”—he apparently had the privilege of teasing his sire—“we can involve the house staff, though regrettably they’re not as well versed in such matters”

“I like being a woman of mystery” Lyssa took a small bite, her eyes closed as she sampled the dessert “Marvelous, Alistair My compliments to the chef” Then she opened her eyes, turned them to Devlin “I don’t think we’ll need any of the household staff I’d like to see how Devlin handles pain at the hands of his Mistress See if he will submit to it” Danny had lifted her fork with a bite of the chocolate star and was inhaling it, her delicate nostrils flared As far as Dev could tell, the suggestion didn’t cause even a hitch to her movement “Chocolate liqueurA very nice touch” She placed thea cole s, all her vampire constitution would accept of hu taste