“Leave that to me.”
“All right. Oh! Tomorrow’s New Year’s Eve.”
“And I can’t think of a better way to start the new year. You call Jilly and Bailey. I’ll bring the priest.” With a last, speculative glance, he left the room.
When she was certain he had left the condo, Tessa collapsed on the bed and let her tears flow.
* * *
Andrei stood on the landing, hands fisted over the railing as he tried to figure out what was bothering his bride-to-be. Women were complicated creatures. In spite of centuries of experience with females—human and vampire alike—he didn’t think he would ever understand them.
It troubled him that Tessa wouldn’t confide in him. Was it something major worrying her, or just a case of pre-wedding jitters? His biggest fear was that she was suddenly regretting her decision to become . . .
Vampire!
Andrei swore as the wind shifted and a familiar scent stung his nostrils. Katerina! Damn the woman. What was she doing lurking around here? Did the vindictive witch intend to burn down the condo, too? Not that he’d put it past her.
Hands curled into fists, he opened his preternatural senses, but it was too late. She was already gone. Nevertheless, her scent lingered in the air, an odious reminder of unfinished business that would mean the end of one of them.
Or perhaps both.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Tessa stared at her reflection in the mirror. It was her wedding day. Again. Hopefully, this one would end better than the last. Andrei had assured her last night that there was no way Katerina could cause trouble this time. She couldn’t enter Tessa’s house, couldn’t mess with Tessa’s mind as long as she kept her walls up.
Praying Andrei was right, she lifted a hand to her veil. It was as light and airy as finely spun sugar.
She heard the doorbell, the sound of voices as Jilly and Luke came in, followed by Bailey and Tristan.
Jilly was starting to look pregnant.
Tessa sighed. Why was she letting her friend’s good news upset her so? Given a choice, she would rather have Andrei than a dozen babies fathered by another man.
There was a knock on her bedroom door. “Tess?”
“Come in, Jilly. You too, Bailey.”
Faces wreathed in smiles, they stepped into the room.
“Oh, Tessa,” Bailey murmured, “you look just like Cinderella going to the ball.”
“Told you so,” Jilly said. “Seriously, girlfriend, you look beautiful.”
“Is Andrei back yet?” Tessa asked.
“No.”
“Maybe he couldn’t find a priest willing to marry us on New Year’s Eve.”
“I’m pretty sure Andrei can persuade just about anyone to do just about anything,” Jileen said dryly.
“I’m sure you’re right,” Bailey remarked, grinning.
“We brought a wedding cake,” Jilly said. “Even if you don’t eat it, I thought you should have one. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Jilly, that’s so sweet! Of course I don’t mind. Thank you.” Tessa glanced toward the living room, her heart suddenly beating faster. The way it did whenever Andrei was near. “The groom’s arrived. And he’s not alone.”
Jilly nudged Bailey. “Time to take your place out front.”
Bailey winked at Tessa, then left the room. She and Tristan were going to be their witnesses.
“Are you ready, Tess?” Jilly asked.
She nodded. This was it. Finally.
Moments later, Luke poked his head into her room. “Ready?”
“Yes.” More than ready, she thought, as a million butterflies of excitement took wing in the pit of her belly.
Jilly took her place and Luke and Tessa fell in behind her. Tessa placed her hand on Luke’s arm, took a deep breath, and then they followed Jilly down the narrow hallway into the living room.
Andrei and the priest stood in front of the fireplace. Tristan and Bailey stood to one side, his arm around her waist.
Tessa’s heart skipped a beat when she met Andrei’s gaze. He was all man, she thought, admiring the width of his shoulders, the inky blackness of his hair, the heat in his eyes. All man. And all hers.
She and Luke stopped in front of the priest. Luke stepped back and Andrei took his place at her side. He smiled as he took her hand in his. Hello, beautiful.
She squeezed his hand.
The priest cleared his throat. “We are gathered here today to join Andrei Dinescu and Tessa Blackburn in the bonds of holy matrimony. Marriage is an honorable estate, not to be entered into lightly. Andrei, do you take Tessa to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love her and cherish her as long as you both shall live?”
“I do.”
“Tessa, do you take Andrei to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and to cherish as long as you both shall live?”