Chapter
20
“Is there something wrong with Olivia?” Verity
frowned as Olivia stalked by with her nose in the air. They were
sitting in one of the more public rooms of the queen’s apartments,
a room to which most of the court had been relegated. Elias glanced
up from his book and raised his eyebrows.
“I thought Olivia was
supposed to ignore you when Lady Rochford was nearby.”
“So are you,” Verity
answered.
“But I’m not afraid
of Lady Rochford.”
“Why ever
not?”
“Because I have
persuaded her that it is in her best interests to cooperate with
me.”
Verity shot a quick
glance at Lady Rochford, who looked her usual unpleasant self. She
had noticed, however, that the Vampire was very keen to avoid
Elias’s gaze. “And how exactly did you do that?”
Elias shut his book.
“I reminded her that I knew of her association with the Boleyn plot
to turn the king into a Vampire. I suggested that she might not
like it if I gave that information to the king or the Vampire
Council.”
“And she believed you
would betray her?”
“To safeguard my own
life I would betray anyone.”
“Even
me?”
Elias considered her.
“It would be difficult, but yes.”
“Has there ever been
anyone you would sacrifice yourself for?”
His enigmatic silver
eyes met hers. “You shared my memories. You know that there was
once someone I loved.”
Verity felt her
cheeks heat as she remembered their passionate dreamlike embrace.
“What happened to her?”
His faint smile died.
“I killed her.” He brought her hand to his lips. “Do not look so
appalled. It was a very long time ago. I had almost forgotten all
about it.”
“I’m sorry,” Verity
murmured.
“There is nothing to
be sorry about. It taught me a valuable lesson. My kind is not
meant to love too deeply.”
“Why
not?”
He held her gaze and
she almost recoiled from the echoing emptiness in his silver eyes.
“Because who can sustain love for all eternity?”
Elias released her
hand and said, “Now, as to your question about Lady Olivia. I
believe she is suffering the pangs of unrequited
love.”
“She has been
suffering those ever since I’ve known her,” Verity remarked
wryly.
“Ah, but perhaps Sir
Rhys has finally told her the truth.”
“About
what?”
“About his love for
you.” Elias nodded in Olivia’s direction and she scowled at him. “I
should imagine that is it. Sir Rhys would not want her to pine
after him as he used to after Lady Rosalind.”
Verity smoothed down
her satin skirts. “He still pines for her.”
“I do not believe he
does.”
Verity had nothing to
say to that and instead turned her gaze toward Olivia. “Perhaps I
should try to talk to her.”
“I suspect you are
the last person she wishes to speak to at the moment.”
“Are you willing to
take on the task?” Verity was aware that her tone was tart, but she
didn’t care. To her surprise Elias didn’t answer her immediately as
he continued to study Olivia.
“I might be. In a
year or so,” he said thoughtfully.
“I am talking about
consoling her, not seducing her.”
Elias glanced at her
sharply. “That was not what I meant. I am almost four hundred years
older than Olivia. I simply might be able to offer her some
advice.”
Verity said no more.
She rose from her seat and curtsied.
“I will speak to
Olivia. It seems only fair.”
“And what if she
thinks you come to gloat?”
“I would not do
that.”
Elias’s face
softened. “I know you would not. But don’t be surprised if she
doesn’t wish to speak to you.” He nodded in the direction of Lady
Rochford. “I’ll waylay the dragon while you converse.”
Verity frowned at him
and made her way across the room to where Olivia had seated herself
beside the empty fireplace. She was staring out the window, a pile
of tangled swaddling bands on her knee. Verity sat opposite her and
cleared her throat.
“Is something
troubling you, Olivia?” Olivia looked at her and then looked away,
but not before Verity could see the misery in her gaze. “What is
wrong?”
“You
know.”
“I wish I did. Has
something happened to distress you?”
“Yes.”
Verity remained
silent as Olivia’s hands twisted in the pile of linen.
“I’m sure Sir Rhys
has already told you.”
“He has told me
nothing. In truth, I have not seen him since yesterday when I
accompanied him to the healer.”
“I saw him last night
when he ordered me not to fight with the Druid Vampire
slayers.”
“You were
fighting?”
“I was . . .” Olivia
sighed. “I was taunting them, and one of the slayers tried to run
me through.”
Verity brought her
hand to her mouth. “And what happened?”
“Sir Rhys insisted on
‘saving’ me, even though I was perfectly safe and could have
vanished at any second.”
“And this is what has
you so upset?’
“Yes!”
“He must have thought
you were in danger if he intervened.”
“Why?”
“Because he would not
wish to draw attention to you. Have you forgotten that you are
playing a very dangerous game? You are working with your enemies,”
Verity reminded her.
“Only to save the
queen.”
“A mere human whom
most Vampires would consider expendable.”
Olivia started to
roll up one of the strips of swaddling linen. “You sound just like
Rhys.”
“Because we both want
to protect you?”
“I do not need to be
protected! I am immortal.” She glared at Verity. “And you and I are
almost the same age!”
“And yet you seem
very young sometimes. Mayhap it is because Vampires have longer
life spans.”
“I will tell you what
I told Sir Rhys. I am perfectly capable of making my own decisions
and I do not need him, or you, to tell me what to do.”
Verity held her gaze.
“And I will remind you that you committed yourself to our cause and
we are relying on you to see it through to the end.”
“I will not fail you.
I am far more capable than you think.”
“And in danger,”
Verity said quietly. “Please don’t forget that.”
Olivia dropped her
gaze to the bands of linen and Verity realized she would get no
more from her. She rose to her feet, aware that Elias was still
watching her from across the room.
Elias stood up as she
approached and offered her his arm. “Sir Rhys is nearing the
queen’s apartments. Shall we meet him? We have much to talk
about.”
Verity agreed and
allowed Elias to lead her out of the room. The sun was low in the
sky and a cooler breeze had started up, bringing with it the first
faint breath of autumn. “How do you know where Rhys
is?”
“I can sense his
presence. Can’t you?”
“How would I do
that?” Verity asked.
“Just picture him in
your mind.”
Verity wanted to
close her eyes but forced herself not to lest she trip. She thought
of Rhys and immediately looked up. “He is just passing the
chapel.”
“Exactly, my
lady.”
“Can I find you like
that as well?”
“I should think so,
seeing as Sir Rhys managed to locate me when I spoke with Lady
Rochford last night.”
Rhys came around the
corner and Verity simply watched him stride toward them, his sword
at his side, his expression lightening as he saw her. Every time
she saw him it became harder to accept that he was not hers to keep
and that she needed to guard her heart.
“My lady, Elias.”
Rhys bowed. “I was just coming to find you.”
“Rhys, can you find
me in your mind?”
“If I can find Elias,
I should imagine that I can find you. Why? Is something
wrong?”
“No. I was just
experimenting with my new abilities.”
Rhys groaned. “I’m a
little afraid to experiment. I seem to be becoming more like Elias
every day.”
“That’s because my
blood is strong, Sir Rhys, and I suspect Lady Verity’s blood
increases all our power.” Elias beckoned them toward a more private
area off the pathway. “If we can harness this power, we can use it
against the Vampire who preys on the queen.”
“It is very strange,
is it not?” Verity said. “Not only can I sense you and Rhys quite
clearly, but I can also feel Janus more strongly.” She frowned. “He
seems almost familiar.”
“Mayhap that is
because his speech sounds Welsh.”
“That’s true. It
does,” Verity agreed.
Rhys cleared his
throat. “Elias and I think Janus might be from Druid
stock.”
A shiver ran through
Verity. “Do you mean that someone has betrayed our beliefs and
joined fully with our foes?” Both men
nodded. “That might explain why we hear him so clearly, Rhys, and
how he is able to affect us so deeply.”
“Aye.”
“It might also help
us destroy him,” Elias added.
“How so?” Verity
asked.
“I’m not sure yet,
but I believe it will take the combined strength of our blood,”
Elias answered. “I think you should consult with your Elders. I’m
certain that this particular Vampire is not the first to betray the
Druids.”
Verity nodded. “Rhys
and I can ask Mistress Hopkins when we see her next.” She
hesitated. “I wonder how long it will be before Janus strikes at
Queen Jane again.”
“I suppose it depends
on when the queen is ready to deliver her child,” Rhys
said.
Verity didn’t even
want to think about that and found herself looking away from the
two men, her heart aching for the queen.
“Lady Rochford will
warn me if the Vampire seeks blood from the queen,” Elias reminded
them. “We need to be prepared to confront the Vampire and his
associates and finish this.”
“That’s right,”
Verity said slowly. “I’d almost forgotten. There was a female
Vampire present too.”
She looked over at
Rhys. “Shall we go see Mistress Hopkins tomorrow?”
“Aye, the sooner the
better.” He looked back at the palace and frowned. “Where is
Olivia?”
Verity shared a quick
glance with Elias, who then disappeared, leaving her to deal with
Rhys. “Olivia was not in a very good humor. Elias and I decided to
leave her be. I’ll let her know what we discussed when she is in a
more receptive mood.”
Rhys grimaced. “Is
she still upset with me?”
“I believe she
is.”
He sighed. “I had to
tell her the truth, Verity.”
“No one likes to hear
that they have behaved irresponsibly.”
“Is that what she
told you?”
“You didn’t reprimand
her for tangling with our slayers?”
“I did, but . . .” He
hesitated. “I also told her that I am in love with
you.”
“You should not have
done that.” Verity half turned away from him and fiddled with her
sleeve.
“But she deserved to
hear the truth from me.”
“Because you care for
her?”
“I care for her, but
I do not love her. I love you.”
Verity closed her
eyes against the sincerity in his voice. “Rhys . . .”
“What, my
heart?”
She opened her eyes
and glared at him. “Do not do this to me!”
His smile was both
tender and inviting. “Do what? Love you?” He shrugged. “I cannot
help that.”
“And I cannot . . .”
She gasped as he took her hand and pulled her hard against his
chest.
“Cannot
what?”
She made the mistake
of looking up at him and found she could not look away. He bent
down until his nose touched hers and she shivered.
“Kiss me,
Verity.”
Her gaze was already
riveted on his mouth. “I will not.”
“Why
not?”
“Because . .
.”
He kissed her nose.
“If I mean nothing to you as you claim, surely a kiss should also
mean nothing?”
She felt as if her
heart was beating too fast to allow her to breathe. “A kiss can
lead to other things.”
“Such
as?”
Images of making love
with him suffused her thoughts and she licked her
lips.
She felt Rhys
stiffen. “Ah, cariad, you will destroy
me with thoughts like that.”
She tried to pull
away from him and felt her cheeks heating. “You can see what I am
thinking?”
His smile was so
sensual she wanted to drown in it. “Aye. Would you care to share my
thoughts?”
He closed his eyes
and a moment later her mind was filled with him, the scent of him,
the taste of him, the feel of his body moving over and within hers.
She wanted to press herself against him and devour him
whole.
“Verity.”
By all the saints,
his voice was in her head too . . . She moaned his name and he drew
her hard against his body so that she was pressed against him from
knee to shoulder. Blindly she lifted her mouth to his and kissed
him, felt him shudder as she nipped his lip and delved deeper into
his mouth.
It was like no other
kiss she had ever shared. His body and his mind aligned with hers.
Their senses reeling and blending into a sensual bliss that had no
beginning and no end. Rhys’s palm flattened over her buttocks and
he wrenched his mouth away from hers.
“I want
you.”
With all her might,
Verity clung to the shreds of her reality—of what taking him inside
her would mean. She pushed against his chest.
“I
can’t.”
“Because you don’t
believe I love you?”
She raised a shaking
hand to his cheek. “Because I will not allow you to get me with
child and marry me.”
He looked down at
her, his face expressionless, and slowly took his hands off her.
His breathing sounded harsh and she could see the bulge of his
prick pushing against the soft leather of his hose.
“Then I suggest you
run away very quickly, because if you keep looking at me like that,
I’ll have you in my arms and nothing will stop me from putting you
on your back and sliding inside you.”
Verity wiped a
shaking hand over her mouth. “You told me you were tired of me
running away from you.”
“I was wrong.” He set
his jaw. “Please, if you care for me at all, leave.”
Verity nodded and
ran. Behind her she heard Rhys cursing quietly in Welsh and she
didn’t dare look back. It had been the hardest thing she had ever
had to do in her life—walk away from such bliss. Part of her
shouted that she was a fool and that she was throwing away the
chance to be loved, but she couldn’t forget the past. She just
couldn’t.
“Verity . . .”
For a second she
thought it was Rhys trying to tempt her back and she stopped
running.
“Why don’t you let him have you, my sweet? Are you saving
yourself for me?
The scent of death
and tainted blood filled her nostrils and she brought her hand to
her mouth. Should she answer the monster? Could she?
“Go away,” she
whispered. “Leave me alone.”
The Vampire’s mocking
laughter filled her head and she wanted to puke into the nearest
bush. She couldn’t help it; she found herself turning and running
back to where she had left Rhys.
Rhys stared grimly at
the oak tree opposite him and concentrated on saying his rosary. It
was the only way he could subdue his unruly body and gain even a
modicum of calm. He wanted to chase after Verity and demand that
she let him into her bed. And what would that achieve? In his more
lucid moments he knew that the best thing to do was to wait for her
to come to him. At the moment, with his prick raging with thwarted
lust, it seemed nigh impossible.
Suddenly fear flooded
his senses and he lost his place in the prayer. He looked back
toward the path to the palace along which Verity had
fled.
She was running
toward him, and for a moment his heart leapt with joy, until he saw
her face and realized that the terror in his mind was emanating
from her. He drew his dagger.
“Verity, what’s
wrong?”
She flung herself
into his arms and buried her face against his chest. She was
trembling so hard that all he could do was hold her close and rest
his chin on the top of her head. He waited for her breathing to
even out and slid his hand under the hair at the nape of her neck,
just so that he could touch her skin.
“Cariad?”
“Kiss me,
Rhys.”
He stared at her for
a stupefied moment. “What?”
“Kiss
me!”
With a groan he
obliged her, his mouth finding hers, his arms locking around her
with all his strength. She kissed him back, her tongue in his
mouth, her teeth nipping at his lower lip. He tasted blood and his
thoughts narrowed in a haze of red-tinted lust.
Without taking his
mouth from hers, he maneuvered her backward toward the trees and
away from the path. She didn’t protest, her body pressed to his,
her hand tugging on his hair as if she wanted to devour him too. He
angled her against one of the trees and fumbled with her heavy
skirts, needing to feel her, touch her, own her.
She didn’t stop him,
her fingers now busy attacking the points that attached his
codpiece to his hose and freeing his already hard
prick.
“Ah, God, Verity.”
His breath hissed out as she wrapped her hand around him. He
plunged his fingers between her legs and found her already wet and
ready. It took him but a moment to brace her against the tree and
lift her over his aching shaft.
They both gasped as
he slid home and she moaned his name. Her fingernails dug into his
shoulders as she found her balance and he began to move fast and
rough. She didn’t seem to object and he kept up the frantic pace,
his mind entwined with hers, her desperate need for him driving him
onward toward a fiery completion.
He managed to slide a
hand between them and added his thumb to her swollen bud to
accentuate her pleasure. She rewarded him with a climax that had
him fighting the desire to spill his seed. She started to tighten
around him again and he knew it was too much, that he had to join
her, that he had . . .
That he had to pull
out, and protect her, even as she protested his pulling away from
her. He managed it and collapsed against her, barely finding the
strength to continue holding her up. His head came to rest in the
crook of her neck, his mouth pressed against the pulse leaping in
her throat. A desperate urge to bite down and taste her blood
surged through him and he wrenched his mouth away.
With trembling hands
he brought her legs down to the ground and wiped furiously at his
lips. What demon possessed him? Was he channeling Elias’s desires
or, worse still, those of Janus?
As he fought to
steady himself, Verity continued to lean against him. Eventually
she looked up and he braced himself for her
condemnation.
“Oh God, Rhys. He
speaks Welsh.”
For a moment, he was
confused. “Who does?”
“Janus!” She
shuddered. “He spoke to me and I—I was so frightened.”
“What did he say?”
His heart clenched at the tears in her eyes. “Verity, what did he say?”
“He asked why I
didn’t lie with you.” Her voice shook. “And if I was saving myself
for him.”
Pure rage flooded
Rhys’s body and he had to resist an urge to draw his
sword.
He forced himself to
look down at her. “Is that why you came back to me? To prove the
Vampire wrong?”
She cupped his cheek,
her blue eyes fierce. “I came back because you are the only man I
want and the only man I trust to keep me safe. Is that not enough
for you?”
He brought his mouth
down to meet hers and kissed her hard until she kissed him back.
When he pulled away she was panting.
“I will never allow
him to have you, Verity. By all that’s holy, I’ll die
first.”
She nodded slowly and
then pressed herself against him once again, her head on his
shoulder and her arms around his waist. As his rage cooled, he felt
an ice-cold intent to kill at any cost, and he hoped that he would
encounter Janus soon.