A Fire in the Blood

  “She burned down his house!” Jilly exclaimed. “Well, I’m not surprised. It sounds just like something that evil woman would do.”

  “I know, but still . . . anyway, we’re going to rebuild. But that’s not why I called. We’re going to try getting married again, only this time at my place. I’m not sure when. I need to find another dress because I sure can’t wear the other one.”

  “Do you want me to come along?”

  Tessa paused. Was it her imagination, or did she hear a hint of reluctance in Jilly’s voice? Was her friend afraid to be alone with her? “Sure, if you want. I’d love a second opinion.”

  “All right. Just tell me when. Are you coming to work Monday?”

  “No. I’ve decided to quit my job.”

  “It won’t be the same without you.”

  “I’m going to miss it, but . . . I just don’t think I can handle it right now.” It had been difficult being around her parents, listening to the sound of their hearts, smelling their blood. How much worse would it be in a crowded office building, surrounded by coworkers and people she didn’t know? What if she couldn’t control the urge to feed? What if Katerina came looking for her?

  “I understand, I guess. Listen, I need to go make Luke’s lunch . . . anyway, I’m free any night you want to go dress shopping.”

  “Okay, talk to you soon. Tell Luke hi for me.”

  Tessa’s next call was to Bailey, but she didn’t answer the phone, so Tessa left a message, then went into the bathroom to fill the tub, thinking a nice hot bubble bath was just what she needed.

  She was relaxing in the tub, eyes closed, up to her chin in lavender-scented bubbles, when Andrei slipped into the tub behind her. She sighed as his arms slid around her to make a slow exploration of her body from her hips to her shoulders, lingering at the interesting hills and valleys in between.

  There was magic in his touch and she moaned with pleasure as his hands drifted over her skin.

  He nipped at her ear, then nuzzled her neck. And all the while his hands moved over her, arousing her. When she thought she might burst with wanting him, he rose in a single fluid motion with her in his arms and carried her to bed.

  At any other time, she might have worried about dripping soapy water on the mattress, but not now, when she was on fire for him.

  He fell back on the mattress with her straddling his hips and it was her turn to tease and touch and taste until, with a wordless growl, he rolled over, carrying her with him. His eyes burned with heat as his body melded with hers, the fire between them so intense she was surprised the sheets didn’t go up in flames.

  And then there was only wave upon wave of sensual pleasure beyond words or description, and Andrei’s voice, whispering that he loved her, would always love her.

  * * *

  Later, after Tessa had fallen asleep, Andrei returned to the ruin that was his former lair. He picked his way through the debris, quietly cursing Katerina. He’d had a fortune in antique furniture and paintings, pieces he had collected in the last seven hundred years. His insurance would cover the cost of rebuilding the house, but the paintings by some of the Old Masters—Botticelli, da Vinci, Raphael, Tintoretto—could never be replaced.

  The stairs leading down to his lair were gone but it was an easy jump for a vampire. He brushed aside the wreckage of his bed, revealing a floor safe. It opened with a creak of protest. He withdrew several small velvet bags, a metal box, and an ornate sheath that held a silver-bladed knife. The weapon had been doused in holy water and blessed by an Italian bishop over five hundred years ago. The hilt was encrusted with rubies that glittered like drops of fresh blood in the pale shaft of moonlight that penetrated the gloom in his lair.

  It was an antique more valuable than anything else he had ever owned—an ancient, deadly weapon crafted solely to destroy master vampires.

  He felt the power of the blade hum in his hands as he turned it over. He had acquired it a century ago, solely for the purpose of destroying his sire.

  Chapter Forty-Six

  Tessa called her boss first thing Monday morning to tell him that, due to a sudden illness, she was quitting her job. She apologized for the short notice. Mr. Ambrose was both annoyed and sympathetic, and assured her that he would make certain she received whatever funds were owed her. To her surprise, he told her there would be a place for her should she ever wish to return.

  After disconnecting the call, she returned to bed. Though she could be awake during the day, she sometimes found it difficult to stay awake when the sun was up.

  “It’s more normal for you to rest during the day,” Andrei had told her on more than one occasion. “That will change as you get older.”

  “But you prefer being awake during the day,” she’d said. “And I want to be with you.”

  “Not so, my love. I only kept those hours to be with you.”

  She smiled as she slid into bed beside him. He had been unusually quiet and withdrawn since returning home. She knew he was upset over what Katerina had done, but then, who could blame him?

  Resting her head on his shoulder, she breathed in his scent. Soon, they would be married. What would their lives be like? A thought could take them wherever they wanted to go—across the street or across the world. They had no jobs to tie them down, no responsibilities. No children . . . Did Andrei ever wonder what it would have been like to have children? Did he ever think about it? Was it something he missed? Would she regret not having a family in years to come?

  Blinking back tears, she closed her eyes and let the darkness steal her away.

  * * *

  Tessa met Jilly at the bridal shop on Tuesday evening. As he had before, Andrei tagged along. His presence reminded her that Katerina was still out there somewhere, still a threat.

  Sitting in the dressing room with Jilly, waiting for the consultant to bring some dresses in, Tessa blew out a sigh. “Seems like we just did this, doesn’t it?”

  Jilly nodded.

  “Is something wrong? You’ve been awfully quiet.”

  “No,” Jilly said quickly. Too quickly.

  “Is it me? Do I make you uncomfortable now?”

  “No, silly. It’s just that . . . well, I have news but I’m not sure you want to hear it.”

  “What kind of news?”

  “Here we are,” the consultant said, sweeping into the room with several dresses draped over her arm. “If none of these work,” she said, hanging them up, “just give a holler.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I don’t know how you’ll ever decide,” Jilly said. “These are even more beautiful that the last ones we looked at.”

  “They are, aren’t they? But I want something completely different from the last one.”

  “Maybe a mermaid gown?” Jilly suggested. “Or a princess style?”

  Tessa looked them over, then picked one with a sweetheart neckline and a full skirt adorned with brilliants.

  “Oh, I like that one!” Jilly said. “You look like Cinderella.”

  Tessa smiled at her reflection in the mirror. “I love it.”

  She tried on several others, but always came back to the first one. When the consultant brought her a long veil to try on, she was sold.

  “I’ll just go ring this up for you while you change,” the consultant said.

  Tessa waited for the clerk to leave, then said, “Okay, Jilly, what’s your news?”

  “I’m . . . that is . . . we’re pregnant.”

  “That’s wonderful! I’m so happy for you. Why didn’t you want to tell me?”

  “Well, I just wasn’t sure how you’d feel, because . . . you know.”

  “Oh, right.” Vampires couldn’t reproduce. “But I’m still happy for you and Luke.”

  “He’s decided to give up vampire hunting. Says it’s too risky a job for a married man with a baby on the way.”

  “He’s right. You tell him I said so.” She stepped into her boots and opened the dressing room door. “I’ll call you when
we decide on a date. It’ll probably be in a day or two, now that I have a dress.”

  “All right. Just let me know.”

  Tessa hugged her. “I really am happy for you.”

  * * *

  It was true, Tessa thought as she hung her dress in the closet at home. She was happy for Jileen and Luke. They were very much in love. They deserved to have a family and live happily ever after.

  She stared at her wedding gown. It was beautiful. She felt like a fairy-tale princess in it. And she had her very own Prince Charming.

  So why did she suddenly feel like crying?

  She quickly shut the closet door when she sensed Andrei’s presence. “Hey, you can’t see the dress until the wedding,” she said, forcing a note of cheerfulness into her voice.

  “Right. I forgot.” He leaned his shoulder against the doorjamb. “Everything okay?”

  She nodded. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

  Stepping into the room, he closed the distance between them, his gaze searching hers. “You wouldn’t lie to your future husband, would you?”

  “Everything’s fine.”

  “Uh-huh. What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” She sank down on the edge of the bed, hands clasped in her lap.

  Andrei blew out a sigh, wishing he had never taught her how to block her thoughts because the wall she had built in her mind was ten feet high and rock solid. “Are we still getting married?”

  “Of course. Anytime you want.”

  He nodded. “How about Friday?”

  “No!” She shuddered, remembering all too clearly what had happened at the last ceremony. “Fridays are bad luck for us.”

  “Right. How about tomorrow?”

  “Can we find someone to marry us so soon?”

  “Leave that to me.”

  “All right. Oh! Tomorrow’s New Year’s Eve.”

  “And I can’t think of a better way to start the new year. You call Jilly and Bailey. I’ll bring the priest.” With a last, speculative glance, he left the room.

  When she was certain he had left the condo, Tessa collapsed on the bed and let her tears flow.

  * * *

  Andrei stood on the landing, hands fisted over the railing as he tried to figure out what was bothering his bride-to-be. Women were complicated creatures. In spite of centuries of experience with females—human and vampire alike—he didn’t think he would ever understand them.

  It troubled him that Tessa wouldn’t confide in him. Was it something major worrying her, or just a case of pre-wedding jitters? His biggest fear was that she was suddenly regretting her decision to become . . .

  Vampire!

  Andrei swore as the wind shifted and a familiar scent stung his nostrils. Katerina! Damn the woman. What was she doing lurking around here? Did the vindictive witch intend to burn down the condo, too? Not that he’d put it past her.

  Hands curled into fists, he opened his preternatural senses, but it was too late. She was already gone. Nevertheless, her scent lingered in the air, an odious reminder of unfinished business that would mean the end of one of them.

  Or perhaps both.

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  Tessa stared at her reflection in the mirror. It was her wedding day. Again. Hopefully, this one would end better than the last. Andrei had assured her last night that there was no way Katerina could cause trouble this time. She couldn’t enter Tessa’s house, couldn’t mess with Tessa’s mind as long as she kept her walls up.

  Praying Andrei was right, she lifted a hand to her veil. It was as light and airy as finely spun sugar.

  She heard the doorbell, the sound of voices as Jilly and Luke came in, followed by Bailey and Tristan.

  Jilly was starting to look pregnant.

  Tessa sighed. Why was she letting her friend’s good news upset her so? Given a choice, she would rather have Andrei than a dozen babies fathered by another man.

  There was a knock on her bedroom door. “Tess?”

  “Come in, Jilly. You too, Bailey.”

  Faces wreathed in smiles, they stepped into the room.

  “Oh, Tessa,” Bailey murmured, “you look just like Cinderella going to the ball.”

  “Told you so,” Jilly said. “Seriously, girlfriend, you look beautiful.”

  “Is Andrei back yet?” Tessa asked.

  “No.”

  “Maybe he couldn’t find a priest willing to marry us on New Year’s Eve.”

  “I’m pretty sure Andrei can persuade just about anyone to do just about anything,” Jileen said dryly.

  “I’m sure you’re right,” Bailey remarked, grinning.

  “We brought a wedding cake,” Jilly said. “Even if you don’t eat it, I thought you should have one. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Jilly, that’s so sweet! Of course I don’t mind. Thank you.” Tessa glanced toward the living room, her heart suddenly beating faster. The way it did whenever Andrei was near. “The groom’s arrived. And he’s not alone.”

  Jilly nudged Bailey. “Time to take your place out front.”

  Bailey winked at Tessa, then left the room. She and Tristan were going to be their witnesses.

  “Are you ready, Tess?” Jilly asked.

  She nodded. This was it. Finally.

  Moments later, Luke poked his head into her room. “Ready?”

  “Yes.” More than ready, she thought, as a million butterflies of excitement took wing in the pit of her belly.

  Jilly took her place and Luke and Tessa fell in behind her. Tessa placed her hand on Luke’s arm, took a deep breath, and then they followed Jilly down the narrow hallway into the living room.

  Andrei and the priest stood in front of the fireplace. Tristan and Bailey stood to one side, his arm around her waist.

  Tessa’s heart skipped a beat when she met Andrei’s gaze. He was all man, she thought, admiring the width of his shoulders, the inky blackness of his hair, the heat in his eyes. All man. And all hers.

  She and Luke stopped in front of the priest. Luke stepped back and Andrei took his place at her side. He smiled as he took her hand in his. Hello, beautiful.

  She squeezed his hand.

  The priest cleared his throat. “We are gathered here today to join Andrei Dinescu and Tessa Blackburn in the bonds of holy matrimony. Marriage is an honorable estate, not to be entered into lightly. Andrei, do you take Tessa to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love her and cherish her as long as you both shall live?”

  “I do.”

  “Tessa, do you take Andrei to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and to cherish as long as you both shall live?”

  “I do.”

  “Then, by the power vested in me by Holy Mother Church, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Andrei, you may kiss the bride.”

  “In a moment.” Andrei reached into his pocket and withdrew a wedding band studded with diamonds—the mate to her engagement ring. Slipping it on her finger, he drew her into his arms. “I will love you and no other as long as I live,” he murmured, and kissed her.

  It was, Tessa thought as his mouth closed over hers, the sweetest, most gentle sign of love and affection she had ever received.

  “All right,” Luke muttered as Andrei deepened the kiss, “break it up, you two.”

  Tessa laughed softly as Andrei growled low in his throat, kissed her again, then let her go.

  Bailey and Jilly stepped forward to hug her while Luke and Tristan congratulated Andrei.

  “Time to cut the cake,” Jilly said.

  “And drink a toast to the bride and groom,” Luke added.

  “Cake first,” Jilly insisted. She had not only brought a small wedding cake, complete with a little bride and groom on top, but paper plates, and a knife tied with a white bow as well.

  “Ladies first.” Taking the knife from Jileen, Tessa cut a thin slice of cake. She hesitated a moment. Many brides and grooms smeared the dessert over their partner’s face, but she didn’t want to make light of the occasion. She fed it to Andrei, the
n handed him the knife. His gaze met hers as he cut a small piece and offered it to her. She ate it quickly, then licked her lips. Even though she couldn’t taste it, she still remembered the taste of cake and buttercream.

  Luke filled seven glasses with champagne and Bailey and Tristan passed them out.

  Smiling benignly, the priest joined in the toast.

  “Time for a wedding photo,” Jilly said, digging her phone out of her handbag. “This is a day we want to remember.”

  Feeling as though she had swallowed a piece of the sun, Tessa stood beside Andrei. Her husband. She glanced at her wedding ring. In all the fuss and excitement, she’d forgotten to buy him one. Something she intended to remedy at the soonest possible moment. He was a married man now, and she wanted everyone to know it.

  The party broke up a short time later amid lots of winks and smirks. Jilly and Luke offered to drive the priest home so that the newlyweds could “start their honeymoon right away.”

  “Happy New Year,” Jilly said, giving Tessa a hug. “Let’s hope the new year is Katerina-free.”

  “I’ll drink to that,” Tessa said, laughing.

  “Luke and I are going out dancing at the Stardust later. If you and Andrei get bored before midnight, come find us.”

  Tessa glanced over to where Andrei and the others were standing by the door, chatting with the priest. She could hardly wait until they were alone. She grew warm all over just thinking about being in Andrei’s arms, running her hands over his hard body, testing the strength of his arms, hearing his whiskey-rough voice murmuring love words in her ear.

  “Tessa?”

  “What? Oh, thanks, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

  “No, I guess not,” Jilly said, following Tessa’s gaze. “Happy New Year.”

  * * *

  Andrei closed the door. “I thought they’d never leave.”

  Tessa nodded, surprised to feel suddenly shy now that they were alone.

  “We did it,” he said, slipping his arms around her waist.

  “So we did.”

  He gazed down at her, his brows drawn together. “You okay?”

  She stared up at him, felt her cheek grow hot under his probing gaze. “I should cover that cake and put it away.”