“It’s true, wife.”
Maida stared at him a moment, disbelief turning to anger. “How in the world could you give our daughter permission to marry a monster?” she asked, her face as white as the napkin in her hand. “Are you mad?” Rising, she pointed her finger at Bryony. “You willnotmarry a vampire! Do you hear me? I forbid it. My sister was killed by one of those dreadful creatures. I will not have one in the family.” Tossing her napkin on the table, she fled the room.
Fighting tears, Bryony pushed away from the table. Not meeting anyone’s eyes, she ran up the stairs to her room. Slamming the door, she locked it, then threw herself on the bed. Why had no one ever told her what had happened to her mother’s sister? Surely her father could have mentioned the cause of Aunt Celeste’s death before now. Angry tears stung her eyes. Her father had known full well what her mother’s reaction would be. He had purposefully chosen this moment to let it slip that Stefan was a vampire.
She stilled when there was a knock at the door.
“Bryony? Let me in.”
“Go away.”
“Please, Bry?”
Dashing the tears from her eyes, she rose and unlocked the door, locked it again when Veronica was inside.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Veronica asked, sitting on the edge of the bed. “But really, Bry. A vampire? How on earth did you meet?”
“I met him when I ran away. It’s a long story.”
“I’m listening.”
Huffing a sigh, Bryony sat beside her sister and related everything that had happened.
“And you really love him?” Veronica asked when Bryony finished her tale.
“Very much.”
“I admit, he’s quite handsome.” Veronica’s eyes widened. “The portrait!” she exclaimed, glancing over her shoulder. “You painted him as he really is. I can’t believe none of us guessed. Well, except for Father.”
“Mother will never let me marry Stefan now that she knows.”
“Well, you can’t blame Mother for the way she feels. I never knew Aunt Celeste was murdered.”
“It seems that none of us did. Except for Father.”
Veronica sighed. “I was so looking forward to a double wedding.”
Bryony smiled faintly. “Me, too.” But it would never happen now. The only way she would be able to marry Stefan was if they eloped. Perhaps once it was done, her parents would accept it. And if not, what then? Would she never be welcome in her father’s home again? Never be allowed to see her family?
“Oh, Bryony,” Veronica murmured. Wrapping her sister in her arms, she rocked her back and forth as she wept.
Imagine, wanting to marry a vampire, Veronica mused. It was beyond belief that such things even existed.
Chapter Twenty-Four
On waking from the dark sleep, Stefan was immediately aware of Bryony’s distress, though the source was unclear. He washed quickly, dressed, and transported himself to the Barrett estate. On arriving, he opened his preternatural senses. And swore under his breath.
Barrett had intentionally informed the family that Stefan was a vampire. Bryony’s mother had declared that a vampire had killed her sister and announced that there would be no marriage now or in the future between Bryony and a monster.
He swore again, though his anger was not directed at Bryony’s mother. He could not fault the woman for hating his kind. She had good reason. He raked his fingers through his hair. Once again, he had caused Bryony pain. He should have stayed away from her, as he had planned instead of letting Charis sway his judgement.
Go back to your little mortal, she’d said.No one else will make you happy.
That was true enough, he thought, but how could he be happy when he seemed to bring Bryony nothing but misery? She loved her family and had strong ties to her brother and sister. What right did he have to come between them? What right did he have to make her choose between himself and her loved ones?
He shook his head. What a fool he was! The answer to his problem was remarkably simple. All he had to do was wipe the memory of what he was from the minds of her parents and her siblings. Problem solved. But first, he would have to let Bryony know what he intended.
A thought took him to the balcony outside her bedchamber. Peering inside, he saw her lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling, her cheeks stained with her tears. He rapped softly on the glass door.
