She glared at him. “How could you? You lied to me,” she cried, her voice rising with every word. “You promised I could marry whoever I wished. You promised!”
“You’re my daughter. I did what I thought was best for you, just as I always have.”
“You used me as bait to trap Stefan.” Scrambling out of bed, her eyes filling with tears, she pummeled his chest with her fists. “Your own daughter!” she shrieked. “How could you?”
Grabbing hold of her hands, Barrett shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. He wanted to argue, to defend his actions, but how could he when everything she said was true?
“What are they going to do with Stefan?” she asked, wrenching her hands from his grasp.
“Nothing. As long as you marry Bloodworth in the morning.”
Bryony stared at him, aghast. “Tomorrowmorning?”
He nodded. “Bloodworth decided he didn’t want to wait any longer.”
“He couldn’t wait a few more days?” she asked, drying her eyes on a corner of the bedsheet.
Barrett shrugged. “He’s afraid you’ll change your mind. Or run away again.”
“I willneverforgive you for this,” she said, her voice as cold as winter ice. “Not as long as I live.”
There was nothing but confusion in the morning as Maida and Veronica fussed over Bryony. Since her father refused to let her wed the man she loved, she refused to wear her wedding dress. Instead, she wore the gown her mother hadworn. It was lovely but it might have been made from dirty rags as far as Bryony was concerned. She couldn’t believe her father was forcing her to marry Bloodworth, but she would have married the devil himself to save Stefan’s life. Of course, she had no proof other than her father’s word that Stefan was still alive. Or that he would survive after the wedding. She should have asked Stefan to repay the loan as soon as he offered. No doubt her father would have fussed and fumed but once the loan was repaid, it wouldn’t have mattered. She wondered if her father would have refused the money if Stefan had arrived with cash in hand. There was no way to tell. She should have just run away with Stefan when he suggested it. But it was too late now.
She stared at herself in the mirror, thinking she was the unhappiest-looking bride she had ever seen.Stefan, Stefan, where are you?
Bryony.
Stefan! You’re alive!
For now.
Where are you?
I am not sure. Your father is a far more formidable foe than I gave him credit for.
I told him you were willing to pay off the debt but he said he refused to be indebted to you.
A harsh laugh echoed in her mind.
What are we going to do? she asked, fighting back her tears.
I fear that decision rests with your father, my best beloved one.
She bit down on her lip when she heard him groan. What were they doing to him? He had always been so strong, so seemingly indomitable, she could not believe he was now atthe mercy of the Guild. Where was he? Would they kill him after the wedding?
You worry too much, love.
I can feel your pain.She felt the sting of helpless tears and blinked them away. He was suffering terribly and there was nothing she could do to help.How can you endure it?
I have no choice at the moment.His captors were savvy hunters. They knew better than to look him in the eye or get too close. The blood he had lost left him weak, drained his power, his ability to force them to do his will. Without fresh blood, he would weaken a little more each day.
Stefan, what can I do? There must be something!
Not at the moment.He was in a small, dark cage, his arms bound behind him with silver chains. Other vampires had been here before him and died. The scent of death was strong, but not fresh. From time to time, he overheard them talking, planning how best to destroy him when the time came. At the moment, the only thing keeping him alive was Bryony’s promise to marry Bloodworth. Once that was accomplished…
Stefan?
I am here.
