“I was thinking of things of a more intimate nature. Vampire males aren’t like other men, you know. We never tire, and we are very inventive in the bedroom.”
His words sent a thrill down her spine, and then she went suddenly still, remembering that she had never asked Andrei if vampires made love the way humans did.
Ask him now.
The words whispered through the back of her mind, but she couldn’t bring herself to say them aloud. Of course, it wasn’t necessary. He always knew what she was thinking. And his amused laughter proved it.
Walls, she thought, feeling herself blush. You have to remember to build those darn walls!
“Put your fears to rest, dragostea mea. I am as other men in all the ways that count.”
She didn’t know what to say, only knew she was glad he couldn’t see her burning cheeks through the phone.
* * *
They were to meet at four o’clock at City Hall. Andrei had suggested a daytime ceremony. Tessa hadn’t needed to ask why. Fledglings turned to dust in the sunlight. As for Katerina . . . Hopefully, she had left town. If not, well, there was nothing to be done about her. She was like an earthquake. You couldn’t predict it, never knew when it was coming, but when it did, it left chaos and destruction in its wake.
Tessa felt a surge of motherly love when she saw Bailey. The girl looked lovely in an ice-green tea-length dress and white heels. She wore her hair pulled back and tied with a matching ribbon. It was hard to believe that a black panther lurked under that innocent exterior.
Tessa wore a coat over her dress and carried a small overnight bag. She and Andrei were spending the night in a hotel in the next town; Bailey was going to stay with Tristan and his family.
At ten minutes to four, Luke and Jilly came to pick them up.
“This is it,” Jilly said as Tessa slid into the backseat. “No second thoughts?”
Tessa shook her head. “Not one. It just feels right.”
“Well, let’s get this show on the road,” Luke said, taking the suitcase from her hand. “The groom awaits.”
* * *
Tessa’s eyes widened in surprise when she stepped into the room where she was to be married. Ordinarily it was rather plain. White walls. A black-and-white tile floor. A table. Today, there were flowers everywhere. They lined the walls, adorned the table and the window ledge. A dark blue runner led from the door to the table where Andrei stood, waiting for her.
He came forward when he saw her, his hands taking hers as he kissed her cheek.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“I was afraid you wouldn’t come,” he admitted.
“Silly.” She squeezed his hands. “Thank you for the flowers. They’re lovely.”
A side door opened and the justice of the peace stepped into the room. “Shall we begin?”
Andrei and Tessa took their places in front of the magistrate. Jilly stood beside Tessa, Luke beside Andrei. Bailey and Tristan stood to one side, holding hands.
“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. If there is anyone, here present, who objects to this union , let him speak now, or forever hold his peace.”
“I object!”
Tessa didn’t have to turn around to know Katerina stood in the doorway. Andrei’s hand tightened on hers. Other than that, he didn’t move.
“On what grounds do you base your objection?” the magistrate asked.
“On the grounds that he already has a wife, and that she stands here before you.”
The justice of the peace looked at Andrei. “Is this true? Is this woman your wife?”
Andrei took a deep breath, his mind racing. If he refuted her, there was no telling what she might do. He heard Tristan shift from one foot to the other, heard a low growl rumble in Bailey’s throat. Do nothing, he warned her.
“Mr. Dinescu?”
“Yes,” he said. “She is my wife.”
“Then there will be no marriage today,” the magistrate declared.
Andrei nodded, his hand clenching around Tessa’s. He wanted nothing more than to confront Katerina, to rip her heart from her chest, but she would not die easily. And there was no telling what mayhem she might cause before he destroyed her, if, indeed, he could.
He turned, very slowly, to face her.
Katerina glared at him, her eyes glittering, her expression one of smug satisfaction. And then, in a lightning-fast move, she was across the room.
Certain the vampire was coming for her, Tessa stumbled backward, let out a horrified cry as Katerina’s claws tore into the magistrate’s chest and ripped out his still-beating heart, then threw it across the room. Drops of blood sprayed through the air like crimson rain, staining her dress, splashing across her cheek.