She clung to him, lost in the wonder of his kisses. Once, she opened her eyes, surprised to find they were lying on the grass locked in each other’s arms. She didn’t remembermoving. He rained feather-light kisses over her face, her throat, pressed his lips to her breast. Heat shot through her like summer lightning as his hot breath penetrated her clothing.
“Bryony, Bryony.” He murmured her name as he gazed deep into her eyes.
There was no need to ask what he wanted. She read the desire in his eyes, felt the heat of his arousal. It frightened her even as it cooled her passion.
A muscle throbbed in his jaw. Sitting up, he turned his back to her. “Forgive me,” he said, his voice little more than a growl. The way she came alive in his arms sometimes made him forget she was a maiden.
Biting down on her lip, Bryony placed her hand on his back. She sought for something to say but words failed her. Was he angry? Or just disappointed? She didn’t like the tension that stretched like an invisible gulf between them, leaving her no way to cross it.
“Just give me a minute,” he said, his voice gruff.
Her hand slid tentatively down his back and fell away.
Damn!He was about to rise when he felt her hand on his back again.
“Stefan, please don’t be angry with me.”
He blew out a breath, and counted to ten before he turned to face her. “I am not angry.” He swore softly when he saw the tears glistening like raindrops in her eyes. “Ah, Bryony,” he murmured. “You are so young.” He took her in his arms again, meaning only to hold her, to comfort her. She came to him willingly, lifting her face for his kiss, and he was lost. He crushed her close, his mouth ravaging hers, his hands moving over her, molding her body to his. Her blood sang to him. He ran his tongue along the length of her neck, felt his fangs lengthen, and lacked the will to resist.
Holding her close, he bit her as gently as he could, his whole body responding to the sweet warmth of her blood as it spread through him.
Bryony’s eyes flew open as she felt his teeth at her throat. With a wild cry, she twisted out of his grasp and sprang to her feet. For a stretched moment of eternity she stared at him, her eyes wide with horror and disbelief. His eyes glowed red. Her blood was on his lips.
With a wordless cry, she grabbed the reins, vaulted onto Daisy’s back, and jammed her heels into the mare’s side. The horse took off at a gallop. Bryony held tight to the reins, one hand tangled in Daisy’s mane as they flew through the night. She had no idea how to find her way back to the house, but she didn’t care. All she knew was that there was a red-eyed monster behind her and she had to get away before he devoured her.
Stefan muttered an oath as he watched her race away. He was tempted to ride after her, but he was the last thing she wanted to see right now. Still, he couldn’t let her ride into the night alone. He gave the grey a slap on the rump, knowing the horse would go home. And then he followed Bryony’s scent through the darkness. With his preternatural speed, it took only moments to catch up with her.
Once out of his sight, she had apparently stopped her headlong flight. Daisy was now at a walk. Bryony leaned over the mare’s neck, sobbing. A quick look into her mind told him she was trying to convince herself that she hadn’t seen what she’d seen. But the blood on her fingers when she touched her neck pretty much verified what had happened. And she was terrified, which came as no surprise.
He faded into the shadows when she reined Daisy to a halt.
Leaning forward, Bryony stroked the mare’s neck. “I think we’re lost,” she said in a voice that quivered. “What should we do now?” She glanced around, hoping to find a landmark she recognized, but it was dark and nothing looked familiar. Had Stefan followed her? She glanced around, seeking a place to hide. What if he found her and bit her again? Was he watching her, even now, just waiting to pounce? Oh, Lord, she had never been so afraid in her life.
Dismounting, she sat on a deadfall, the reins held tight in her fist. “Maybe we’ll just stay here until the sun comes up.”
Guilt tore at Stefan’s insides as she began to cry softly, each tear like a knife in his heart. His insatiable hunger had done this to her.
After a while, Bryony tied the mare’s reins around her wrist, then stretched out on the barren ground and closed her eyes, praying that she would survive the night.
He waited until she was asleep before he moved forward. He spoke to her mind, assuring that she would sleep until morning before he lifted her onto Daisy’s back. Holding Bryony in place, he swung up behind her, his arm secure around her waist as he took hold of the mare’s reins and transported them home.
He left the mare in the barn, then transported himself and Bryony to her bedchamber. She stirred in his arms, but a thought sent her back to sleep.
Bryony bolted upright in bed, a cry trapped in her throat as she fought her way out of a nightmare. A horrible nightmare where Stefan had fangs and glowing red eyes. Herhand flew to her throat. He had bitten her with those fangs. Bitten her and drank her blood. She had to get out of here!
She pressed her hand to her heart as she glanced around. How had she gotten back here? The last thing she remembered was riding wildly through the night, frantic to get away from Stefan…and then she had stopped to rest… She must have fallen asleep. Someone had obviously found her and brought her here. She greatly feared that that someone had been Stefan. Daisy. Where was Daisy? Had Stefan left her behind?
She took several slow, deep breaths. She was probably safe for now, since he never appeared until near or after dark. Rising, she dressed and went downstairs.
“Miss Bryony,” exclaimed Mrs. Mulgrew, obviously flustered. “I had no idea you were awake. I’ll have Cook prepare your breakfast right away.”
Bryony shook her head. “I’m not very hungry this morning. Just tea and toast, please.”
Moving into the dining room, Bryony sat at the table, her thoughts churning. Maybe she could ask James or Hawkins to take her home. Assuming they knew where her father lived. River North was a small town on the coast. Not many people had even heard of it. She had never been more than a few miles from there, until now.
Constance arrived a few minutes later with her breakfast. Once she started eating, Bryony discovered she was hungrier than she’d thought. When the maid came to clear her dishes, Bryony asked for eggs, ham, fruit, and more toast. And hot cocoa.
Bryony shook her head when the maid left the room. Why was she so hungry?
