The Taste of Magic (33 page)

Children were messy and loud, and capable of breaking many of his valuables. He sighed. Learning to live with that would be a challenge, but with Kat by his side, he would survive.

Peaceful sleep had claimed her. He took the opportunity to study her, and realized there were already subtle changes. Though the dark smudges beneath her eyes betrayed her weariness, there was a glow about her which made his heart ache.

He caressed her arm, and she sighed at the touch, rolling to her back. He let his gaze wander, coming to rest on her slightly protruding belly. How had he not noticed this before? Slowly, he rested his palm there, as the reality of the situation finally struck him.

His child was nestled safely in Kat's womb, and he had to protect both of them. Her worries were valid. His fingers clenched at the thought of the danger they were still in. Machiavelli was out there, waiting for a chance. Adrian would not give him that chance. No one would ever take his family from him again.

He stiffened. Family? What a different meaning the word had suddenly taken. Before his family consisted only of those who served him and a handful of trusted friends and advisors. Now his family would be his wife and child. And there was no doubt Kat must marry him. He would not allow her to refuse. Tomorrow, he would tell her of his plans, and she would agree to them.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Katerina stared at Adrian in disbelief. Surely he wasn't serious? But she knew from the set of his jaw and the iron in his eyes that he was. Annoyance flashed through her and she lifted her chin.

"You can't order me to marry you," she said.

"I am not ordering you. But you must agree, this is the best way."

She shook her head and paced. "For who? You? What about me? I thought you said you wouldn't try and control me anymore."

He grabbed her arm as she passed, forcing her to stand still. "I am not trying to control you. But our child deserves a proper home. With a mother and a father."

"He'll have that. But it doesn't have to be this way. I won't be part of your games, and I won't allow you to use our child to force me into them."

"There are no games. I'm willing to give up what I worked for, all for you. And still that isn't enough. I want us to be married. I want you to be my wife."

"I want you to love me."

"I cannot describe what I feel for you. I only know that without you by my side, life has no pleasure at all. If that is not what you want, I don't know what else to say."

She closed her eyes against the plea in his. She wanted to hear him admit his love. Why wouldn't he use that word? "What are you afraid of?"

He stiffened, his eyes narrowing. "I am afraid of nothing."

"You're afraid of love."

His eyes hardened and he looked down at his hands, shifting uneasily as he spoke. "Love." He spat the word, as if it tasted vile. "What is love but a notion made up by bards and poets. It's not real. What's real is how much I need you to survive."

The silence between them was thick with tension. Finally, he raised his head and met her gaze. She tentatively reached out with her thoughts, surprised that he didn't resist her. She was overwhelmed by the discomfort that held him in its grip. He was clearly unused to being in such a vulnerable position, judging from the way he backed away from her when she neared.

"I understand now." She spoke aloud, afraid doing so in their thoughts would shatter the fragile moment.

"What do you understand?" Blue eyes turned to chips of ice. He was already shutting off the emotions.

"That such deep feelings are new for you. You think caring about someone makes you weak. But you're wrong. It makes you stronger, in ways that you can't imagine. You do feel it, but you're fighting it. Don't."

One golden eyebrow lifted. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"You already told me you care about me, you can't deny it. But you're afraid to admit any more than that. It's okay. I can wait." She turned away. She had to, for the smile that threatened at his strangled gasp was impossible to resist. It was about time he found out what it was like to be toyed with.

"You mock me." There was a bitter edge to his words, and her humor faded. She turned.

"No. But you need to face the truth, and admit that I'm right." She stepped closer. "And that's something you just can't bring yourself to do."

"Because I don't think you are right." He was before her in a flash, his arm sliding around her waist and drawing her against him. "We should be married immediately. There is no denying the child bonds us further."

She nodded. "You're right. But I don't think we should rush into something…"

"Will you ever trust me?"

She hesitated before answering. She wasn't sure if she could. But he'd tried so hard to do things her way, to let her make the decisions, to abide by whatever she wanted. What she wanted was for him to admit he loved her. It was the only obstacle that still remained. The only one keeping her from accepting his proposal. He had earned her trust, and she knew he would do anything for her. Was it enough?

"I don't know." She had to be honest. She pressed her fingers against his lips when he began to protest. "But I am trying. And I know you are. We have time."

"We don't. Our child will be born soon. I want us to be wed before then." He caressed her growing belly, and the touch left her knees weak. Damn him, he wasn't playing fair, and judging by the sparkle in his eyes, he enjoyed it.

She pushed him away. "I won't have you bringing this child up to be ruthless and greedy. I won't allow it."

"I would not second guess any decision you made in raising our child."

She arched an eyebrow. "Yes you would, so don't lie. The question is, can you accept it when your solution isn't the right one?"

"Of course I can. Haven't I proven that these last few weeks? I have not interfered at all with anything you wanted or needed to do." She smiled. His efforts had been admirable, even when she'd asked him to pipe American Rock and Roll into the office when they were working. She bit back a chuckle as she recalled how he'd insisted on working that afternoon in another part of the castle. She sobered as another realization dawned.

"Why are you insisting so hard?"

"Because I won't allow my child to be born a bastard."

She closed her eyes and turned away at his confirmation. His hand was on his shoulder, but she shrugged him off.

"It's just because of the baby, isn't it?"

"How can you say that? Kat, I asked you to marry me before I knew you were pregnant."

He was right, and she hated him for it. The baby kicked, a strong one that made her gasp. His hands were on her arms, but again, she pulled away.

"Please."

How could she refuse such an urgent plea? She turned to face him. "Is it truly me you want? Or just the baby?"

He smiled, his eyes warming as he drew her near. "It's always been you. Kat, I want you beside me. Our child is a blessing, but you are who I need beside me."

She bit her lip, then nodded. "All right, let's do it."

He let out a whoop of delight, and drew her close for a kiss. As her senses whirled, the baby kicked again, jolting her back to reality. Immediately, Adrian's eyes grew serious.

"Is something wrong?" he asked.

She shook her head and smiled. "No. Here." She took his hand and guided it to her belly. The baby kicked again, and once more. Adrian's eyes widened as they met hers. She grinned.

"Feel that?"

"Our child?"

She nodded. "Stefan and my mother say it's a girl, I'm not sure I believe them."

"A girl? Can Vining tell?"

"He's taken some blood. He says he has ways of finding out."

"Summon him, I want to know what he's learned."

Katerina laughed. "I have an appointment the day after tomorrow. We'll find out then. You can wait."

He narrowed his eyes, but soon nodded, resignation in his eyes as he realized she wouldn't be manipulated. His arms tightened around her.

"I will make the arrangements tomorrow. We can be wed this Saturday."

Katerina's chest tightened in apprehension. The enormity of her decision left her speechless. She merely nodded, and refused to meet his questioning gaze.

* * *

Katerina stood on the steps of her parent's house, debating whether she should knock. Before she could decide, the door opened.

Olga's eyes widened in surprise, but a hopeful smile brightened her tired face. "Katerina, I didn't expect to see you. I was just going into town. To do some shopping."

"Mama, there's something I need to…something's happened, and I need to tell you."

Alarm now filled Olga's eyes as she motioned Katerina inside. "Come, sit down and tell me what's wrong."

Katerina shook her head. After the last argument with her mother, she worried this would lead to another one. She took a deep breath.

"Nothing's wrong. It's just that Adrian and I are going to be married. I…I'd like you to come."

Olga blinked several times, then shook her head. "You mustn't."

"Why not? What is this secret you're keeping from me? Is it because of Stefan? Because if it is, you need to stop listening to him. He's hateful, he wants to destroy Adrian. I don't know why…"

"No, Katerina, it's not Stefan. du Lac is a vampire. He will destroy you. And what about your child?'

"You're wrong, Mama. Adrian cares. He won't hurt me, I trust him not to. Or our child. Besides, I love him."

"No, you can't! If you do…" Olga broke off and started to pace the room.

"What, Mama? Whatever lies Stefan has been feeding you, you can't believe him. Adrian means no harm to any of us, to anybody at all. Not anymore."

Olga stopped short and pierced Katerina with an intense stare. "What do you mean?"

"He's made some promises, and…"

"You believe him? You are a fool. No different than your father." The bitterness in Olga's words made Katerina wonder what had caused such resentment.

"What do you mean?"

Olga shook her head. "You will see. And you will know I was right."

Katerina threw her arms up in frustration. "I hoped by coming here, you would offer your support. But your hatred of Adrian is fueled by whatever it is you think he's done to you. I wanted you to come on Saturday, to witness what is supposed to be a very happy time for me, but I can't trust that you won't try to ruin it. I'm sorry I came."

Katerina turned and strode to the door. She paused, her hand on the knob, and turned to look at her mother. Olga simply stared at her, saying nothing, her eyes reflecting her anger. With a sigh, Katerina opened the door and left.

* * *

Adrian hung up the phone as Joshua entered his office. He stared at the hunter, for the first time actually pleased to see him. He motioned to a chair and leaned on the desk as Joshua settled himself.

"What have you learned?"

"Sophie was staying at a hotel in Luxembourg. She checked out yesterday, but her trail is cold now. I left two of your men to see if anything turns up. They'll report back here if they find anything."

Adrian growled in disgust. Machiavelli had taught Sophie well, but he shouldn't be surprised. She'd been trained to know everything vampires were capable of, so she knew what to expect, more than any other fledgling.

"Kat and I are getting married on Saturday." He folded his arms as he waited for Joshua's response. For several moments, there was none. Until Joshua leapt from the chair.

"What? You're marrying her? I thought…"

"That she hated me. No, quite the opposite, in fact." Adrian smiled. Katerina loved him, he was sure of it. "In any case, I've started to spread the word among my people. I'm hoping it will draw Machiavelli out."

"You want to set a trap? What does Katerina think?"

"She doesn't know." Adrian stood and came around to stand before Joshua.

"Don't you think you should tell her what you're planning? I don't think she'll be too happy when she finds out you're using her wedding as a way to settle the score between you and Machiavelli."

"He'll be destroyed before he can get near us. I will have every one of my strongest men on guard, they won't get past them. The great hall will be warded against them both, they won't get anywhere near Katerina." He turned and paced, satisfied with the trap he had formulated.

"How do you plan to accomplish this?"

"Dimitri will cast the spells to seal off the hall, and once Machiavelli is on the grounds, he will be rendered helpless. He is not immune to what I have planned for him."