She closed her eyes when he wrapped his arm around her waist. When she opened them again, they were on the front porch.
“Until tomorrow,” he murmured. “Dream of me.”
Nodding, she lifted her face for his kiss. One was not enough and she whispered, “More,” when he started to release her.
He pulled her body against his, letting her feel his need, his longing, as he covered her mouth with his. She clung to him as the only solid thing in a world that seemed to be spinning out of control. She felt as if her bones were melting as he deepened the kiss, his tongue like a flame as it dueled with her own.
She was breathless when he released her.
“More?” he asked.
“I don’t think I could survive another kiss like that,” she said, with a shaky grin.
“We shall see, fair Bryony. Sweet dreams.”
She watched him walk away and disappear into the night. Later, lying in bed, she stared into the darkness, wondering if Stefan had ever turned anyone into a vampire. Not that she wanted to be one, she assured herself. But she was still thinking about it when sleep carried her away…
She was dreaming and she knew it, yet she seemed to be watching it unfold from a distance.They were in the Stone House in the valley. A fire blazed in the hearth. Candlelight made dancing shadows on the walls, and cast silver highlights in Stefan’s hair. He wore a pair of black trousers, nothing more. She was clad in a very prim, long white nightgown. They lay side-by-side on a thick rug infront of the fire. It was then she asked the question preying on her mind. “Have you ever made anyone a vampire?”
He rose on one elbow, his dark gaze fast upon her face. “Only once.”
“Oh?” At his answer, her heart began to beat faster. “Who was it?”
“What does it matter?”
“Tell me.”
His eyes narrowed. “It was a young woman. Salina. She was dying. She begged me to turn her. In the end, I did as she asked.” He turned his head and gazed into the fire. “She was not happy as one of the undead. A week later, she walked out into the morning sun.”
Bryony frowned at him, not understanding.
“Do you not know? Sunlight destroys fledgling vampires. She was gone in an instant.”
“It wasn’t your fault. She asked you to do it.”
“Her death has been on my conscience ever since. I swore then that I would never turn anyone else.”
“Never?”
He shook his head.
“Even if I asked you to turn me?” She held her breath, waiting for his answer, only to be awakened by the sound of someone knocking on the door.
Her maid, carrying her morning cocoa on a tray, entered at her invitation.
Bryony paid little attention as the girl laid out her clothes for the day. She was thinking about her dream. It had seemed so real. She shook her head as she sipped her cocoa. If she were a vampire, she wouldn’t be able to have her morning cocoa, or go riding on a warm summer day, or indulge in Cook’s sumptuous meals, or walk in the gardens when thedew was on the grass and share her dreams with Veronica. No, the vampire life was not for her.
When the maid opened the door to leave, Veronica brushed past her. Hurrying into the room, she perched on the edge of the bed. “Guess what? I’m getting married! Robert proposed to me last night.”
“That’s such exciting news!” Bryony exclaimed, throwing her arms around her sister. “And guess what? Stefan proposed tomelast night!”
Laughing, the girls hugged each other.
“Maybe we can have a double wedding,” Veronica suggested. “Wouldn’t that be fun?”
“Yes! Have you set a date?”
Veronica shook her head. “Not yet. I was thinking the first day of Fall. What about you?”
