The Taste of Magic (44 page)

He stroked his daughter's back and stood. Sitting in the chair left him cramped, something that hadn't affected him in centuries. The oddity of the sensation brought a startling realization. Grief caused the physical ache, and made him more human than he could ever have imagined. Adrian stretched out on the bed, carefully positioning Victoria atop him so she was most comfortable. He closed his eyes, only for a moment, he thought. But again, he was assailed with memories, vivid images of his beautiful Katerina.

He recalled the night of her welcome home party, when he'd first seen her. Determined to be free of him, while he had been determined to possess her at all costs. Their short time together wasn't enough, he raged silently. It wasn't nearly enough!

He shifted and let Victoria slide to the bed beside him. He leaned over her, resting his head on his hand, while he stroked the child's back with his other hand, smiling at the recollection.

"Your mama didn't like me very much when we first met. Not that I gave her much of a reason."

He sighed and sat up. This agony gnawed at him, making his insides feel as if they were being twisted by an invisible fist. He half expected to see her come into the room, dressed in a silky robe or nightgown, and chastise him for letting the baby sleep on her stomach. He hung his head, wishing it could be true. She was lost to him forever. Forever. The word echoed in his mind, tormenting him. He had forever and now he was going to spend it without her. His hands curled into fists, and he wanted to scream with anguish, let it roar out of him and somehow take the hurt away with it. But if he did, Victoria would awaken. Such behavior accomplished nothing but more misery.

He stood and stretched. He was hungry. A good hunt was what he needed, a sating meal. Worried the baby might wake while he was gone… If Kat were here, she would offer herself. He could still taste her rich sweetness. He would never forget.

A noise in the hall had him at the door in a flash. He stood behind it as it slowly opened. Who would dare disturb him now? His mouth fell open when Olga stepped full into his view. The witch was a fool. He remained motionless.

She crept slowly across the room and stopped beside the bed. For several long moments, she stood there staring at the baby. Her hand slowly reached out to the child.

"If you hope to have any chance to leave here alive, you won't touch her."

She froze at his voice, laced with menace. Her heart raced, the sound beckoning him, his senses sharpened by hunger. He could almost taste the sweat that beaded her brow. The nervous shiver revealed her fear. She slowly turned. For a moment, there was a flash of Katerina in the curve of Olga's face. The thought angered him. Now fully transformed, he opened his mouth wide to reveal his fangs. She gasped, backing up a step. He was beside her before she could take another breath. She swallowed a cry, her glance darting ever so briefly to the baby before returning to him.

"How dare you come here? What did you hope to accomplish?" Olga, eyes wide, shook her head. She began to speak, and choked back a sob. "She's my granddaughter. I have a right to…"

Adrian grabbed her wrists with one hand and jerked her against him, his free hand tangling in her hair and yanking her head back. "You gave up those rights when you betrayed your daughter. Your granddaughter has no mother. It is your fault," he growled.

"Oh, God, no, I didn't mean to…" She was openly sobbing now, but did not resist him. Was she giving herself to him freely? He pulled back and stared at her. With a snort of disgust, he shoved her to the floor. She knelt there, arms wrapped around herself as she sobbed.

Victoria stirred, and Adrian immediately retracted his fangs, and closed his eyes. When his daughter's eyes opened, she saw only the daddy she knew. Chubby hands reached for him, and he swept her into his arms, savoring the way her fingers tightened on his. He turned to look at his mother-in-law.

"To honor Katerina, I let you live. Get out before I change my mind." She nodded and waited until he'd left the room before standing and slowly leaving the castle. He knew the exact moment she was gone, her presence faded away to nothing as she left the grounds. He heaved a deep sigh. His daughter waved her arms, catching him in the cheek.

He chuckled. "Are you hungry? Let's see what we can find." He held her closer and transported out of the room.

* * *

Adrian adjusted his cape and strode to the windows of the great hall. It was a fine night, and he needed to hunt. He pushed one of the panes open.

"The cape's a nice touch. Makes you look like Dracula."

He froze. He was going insane now, hearing her voice as if she were standing right behind him.

"Aren't you even going to say hello?"

He was losing his mind. It had finally happened. But he had to look. He couldn't help it. He turned.

On Satan's soul, she was standing before him. As beautiful as the day he'd met her. His heart slammed against his chest.

"Kat? Is it really you?"

She smiled, and nodded, her eyes shining with pink-tinted tears. "It's me."

He reached out slowly, hesitantly, afraid if he touched her, the illusion would shatter. His fingers brushed against her cheek, the satin feel of her skin lifting the cloud of anguish which had held him these last days. For the first time in a week, he felt alive again.

Then he held her, crushing her tightly against him. From this point on, he would never let her go. After several moments, he set her back from him, but did not release her, afraid she might vanish if he did. He shook his head, trying to gather the rambling questions as they formed.

"I watched you die. I tried to bring you back, but it was too late. How?"

"Your wife came to see me a couple of weeks before her untimely demise."

For the first time, Adrian noticed Peter Vining behind Kat. "Vining, what are you talking about?"

"Katerina didn't want to be bitten, to face death in such a manner. But she wanted to know if there were other ways to become a vampire."

Adrian drew his gaze back to Kat. She nodded. "Dr. Vining has been working with other types of methods. Thankfully, I decided to try it out. About a week before Sophie attacked me."

Adrian gaped. He'd never heard of such a thing. But the proof was there, in the gold flecks that formed in her dark eyes. His breath caught at the sight. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Your wife had a lot of misgivings about the situation. After the first session, she wasn't sure she'd return for another." Vining went to the table and poured himself a glass of wine. "I wasn't even sure if one time would be enough. I now know it is. Although since Katerina is a witch, the magic may have helped."

Adrian pulled Katerina close again. "How come I never heard of this before?"

Vining shrugged and sipped his wine. "I dabble, much of it comes to nothing. Finding suitable subjects willing to participate in such experiments isn't easy."

"Of course."

"One more thing," Vining continued. "The transformation is particularly slow and painful. Katerina insisted you not know. In case…"

Adrian gripped her shoulders tighter. He knew a traditional transformation was difficult itself. "You shouldn't have done this alone. I would have helped you."

Katerina shook her head. "I…if it didn't work and I…died anyway… Adrian, I couldn't bear for you to have watched me. All that matters is that it worked. I'm…okay."

He closed his eyes, and she realized the thumping she heard was his heart. His hands tightened still more, but the pressure was welcome, and warm. She ran her hands along his shoulders, savoring the way he trembled beneath her caress. Their telepathic connection was fully opened, but all she sensed was a blinding joy. It mingled with her own, and she clung to him, almost as tightly as he held her. Knowing he shared her excitement grounded her a little, his embrace soothing. The overwhelming anticipation of coming to him had left her hungry. But the feeling of being home helped her keep it at bay.

He kissed her, hard and deep, and when he drew away, the thrill lingered, leaving her breathless. Every sensation multiplied a thousand-fold, until her body hummed with energy. She grinned.

"That's amazing, it's so…intense."

Adrian smiled. "That's only the beginning." He pressed a kiss to her lips, and she shuddered. "Show me, darling."

She smiled, opening her mouth wide to reveal two sharply pointed eyeteeth. He laughed aloud and hugged her.

"You are exquisite." He turned briefly to Vining. "You may go. I wish to speak to you later about this, so be ready when I call you."

When they were alone, he hugged her again. "I cannot believe this is true. Victoria has missed you as much as I."

Katerina smiled. "I stopped in the nursery when I first arrived. I missed her so much. And you too."

"Darling, I am going to hunt. Come with me."

She finally drew out of his embrace, and stepped back. Her hands twisted together. "I can't. I'm not ready to…kill."

He shook his head, and cupped her face in his palm. "You needn't kill. But to share this with you…it's a dream I'd thought shattered."

The thought of feeding renewed the hunger, but she couldn't drink from a living person. She shook her head. "I'm not ready. Adrian, please, I need to take it slow. Dr. Vining kept my hunger appeased, but not like that."

"Bottled blood is nothing compared to the real thing. You will understand once you experience it."

"I'm sure, but I can't hurt someone."

He shook his head and smiled. "There is no need for that. In fact, you may feed from me."

She lifted her head, her eyes wide. She'd never even entertained that thought. "You? But…"

"It will cement our bond further."

She pondered his words, then nodded. He knew more about this than she. Still, she had concerns, and more than a little fear. "But…"

"I will guide you. Don't be afraid."

She smiled. "I'm with you. I'll never be afraid again."

His expression sobered as studied her. His grip held her motionless, his gaze moving over her face. "This past week has been agony. You should have told me."

"I couldn't bear it if it didn't work. The pain was agonizing, I wanted to truly die several times. Vining had to…restrain me. When my magic returned, the power was dangerous. I think I blew out every light in his house. The energy generated by the transformation was intensified by the magic."

"Your magic is back?

"Yes. When I revived, my powers were restored. Stefan's spell broke when my heart stopped beating."

He shook his head, anger rising at what she'd been through. "I will kill him for what he's done."

The image of Adrian facing Stefan again filled her with a powerful fear, and her hunger increased. She fought it back. "No, it's not worth it."

"I would have my revenge for what they put us through."

"It's over. He, and my mother, can't hurt us ever again." His fingers stroking her neck eradicated thoughts of their enemies. A new hunger arose, stronger. "All I want, Adrian, is for you to make love to me."

He smiled. "Gladly." He moved to wrap his arms around her, but she shook her head and grinned.

"Let me." She curled her arms around him and closed her eyes in concentration. The sensation of falling helplessly was no longer present. Instead, a gentle floating sensation engulfed her for a moment, before her feet were once again on the solid floor. She opened her eyes. They were in their bedchamber. The excitement in Adrian's eyes was contagious. She laughed aloud. "I did it."

He hugged her. "You did." He lifted her chin, brushing his lips against hers, and she had to push back the energy rising, as it caused a rush of arousal that nearly overwhelmed her. She drew away.

"Adrian?"

"Yes, my love?" His lips moved along her throat, and she let her head fall back. His mouth seemed to vibrate against her, causing a maelstrom of sensation that left her weak in its aftermath. She struggled to find her voice.

"My magic is…more powerful now. I have to be careful."

His head moved ever so slightly. "No."

"But it could be dangerous."

He raised his head and pierced her with his gaze. The answering jolt in her core left her panting. "I don't want to be careful. Unleash your magic, Kat, let it go."

His hand cupped her breast. Desire had never risen so swiftly, and she gasped.

"Are…are you sure?" She couldn't think as his tongue swirled around her ear, his leg pressing between hers. She was floating again, and his chuckle told her he heard her thoughts. She opened her eyes. They both hovered above the floor.

"Positive." The gravel of his voice sent a shiver along her spine. She was suddenly on her back, Adrian kneeling above her, his mouth once again claiming hers. Had she done that, or had he? Her heart threatened to pound out of her chest, their mingled harsh breathing roaring in her ears. His hands made quick work of her blouse and slacks and she was bared before him. Eagerly, she pulled at his shirt, savoring the way he shuddered beneath her caresses. Her fingers played upon his muscular back, feeling the ripples as he trembled beneath her touch. The feel of his flesh left her aching with want, and she clutched him to her.