The Vengeance of the Vampire Bride (52 page)

“What is the accusation?” Ilinca asked,
though she already knew.

“State the accusation, Princess
Cneajna,” Jenci ordered.

Cneajna stood, curtsied to the regents,
then turned her gaze to me. “Glynis struck down Vlad Dracula so she
could steal his blood and power. She murdered him by plunging a
stake through his back. She also attacked his Brides and left us to
starve. Once I had recovered, I came here to Buda to seek
justice.”

“Let it be noted that Count Vlad
Dracula has not been seen in the city of Buda since the last of
April this year,” Jenci added. “His absence has been a cause of
concern for the House of Gavril for some time, but the regents
graciously upheld the treaty they had entered with Count Dracula.
Because of that treaty, the House of Gavril is sworn to defend
Count Vlad Dracula and his House. Should Countess Dracula be guilty
of the murder of her Master, then the treaty must be enforced and
her life extinguished.”

“What is the defense of Countess
Dracula?” Ilinca said, her gaze drifting toward me.

“State your defense, Countess Dracula,”
Jenci directed.

I did not plan to stand, but I felt a
surge of power wrapping about me and I was forced to my feet. I
gave the little man a shocked look, but he only smiled knowingly.
Once again, I had underestimated someone.

“I have no defense. I cannot disprove
what she has said,” I confessed. “The castle is far from here and
Vlad travels extensively. I beg that you delay your judgment until
he returns to Buda.”

“So you can flee while they wait for a
dead vampire to come to your rescue?” Cneajna scoffed.

“You only wish to see her die out of
jealousy,” Ignatius said in a deadly voice.

I glanced at him with concern, suddenly
afraid of what he may do.

“We should send a party to the castle
to investigate,” Rebekah suggested.

“I will go,” Zsa Zsa called
out.

Ignatius abruptly stood up, his chair
flung back. Before he could speak, a voice said, “There is nothing
there for you to see, little one.”

It was Vlad’s voice. Its origin was
from behind me.

I whipped about and stared in surprise
as his form unfurled from the shadows. Smiling as he drew near me,
he bowed his head slightly to the gathering of vampires. Clad in
black trousers, a burgundy shirt, and black waistcoat, he was they
very essence of sophistication. His long auburn hair fell loose
around his shoulders and his mustache and beard were elegantly
trimmed. He did not look like a man who had been withered in a
coffin for more than half a year.

“Vlad!” Cneajna exclaimed. She seemed
unable to comprehend his sudden appearance.

Frankly, neither could I.

He caught my hand, kissed it, then
pressed a kiss to my lips, which were still parted in surprise. “My
beautiful wife, how lovely to see you.”

“Count Dracula, an unexpected, but
pleasant surprise to see you tonight. It appears the allegations of
your death were not true,” Ilinca called out from her
throne.

“I have been reported dead many times
over the years. Each time, those reports were untrue.” Lightly, he
rubbed my cheek with the back of his fingers. “My dear wife has
done nothing wrong. In truth she has been my most accomplished
progeny.”

“Vlad, she tried to murder you!”
Cneajna rushed across the room. “She is a liar! A thief! An
adulteress!”

I dared not move or speak. I was so
very afraid. I could only stare into Vlad’s face, and I was dimly
aware of her approach out of the corner of my eye. She was almost
upon us when Vlad flicked a hand and she was tossed to the ground
by the essence of his power.

“Do not defy me,” he
growled.

“She staked you,
stole your blood, and left you!
I
am your faithful wife!” Cneajna sobbed in despair
as she crawled to her feet. “I cared for you in her
absence!”

The vampires of the House
of Gavril watched with their cold, glittering eyes. I could feel
the tension mounting in the air as they watched the display of
defiance by Vlad’s own Bride.

“My true wife stands next to me,” Vlad
declared.

“Is there truth in Princess Cneajna’s
words?” Gavril asked abruptly. The command of his voice drew all
attention to him. “Is Princess Cneajna speaking the truth when she
says Countess Dracula attacked you and left you
drained?”

Taking my hand, Vlad guided me to the
thrones. As I passed Ignatius and Laura, I gazed at them longingly.
Laura was stricken with fear, but Ignatius looked relieved though
tense. Returning my gaze to Ilinca and Gavril, I saw them studying
Vlad with keen interest.

Cneajna threw herself at Vlad’s feet,
clutching at his hand. “Tell them! Tell them of her betrayal! I am
faithful and loyal to you always! She is nothing but a
whore!”

Shoving her away, Vlad
gazed up at Gavril. “No, she lies out of jealousy. I was tending to
my estate in the Carpathian Mountains and sent my wife to Buda to
live in comfort in the home of one of my human acquaintances. While
I was traveling, Cneajna took it upon herself to try to eliminate
the woman she regards as her usurper.”

“Are you aware that
Countess Dracula proclaimed that she loves Father Ignatius?” Gavril
asked, his brows low over his eyes.

Vlad laughed. “Yes, I am aware. I have
many Brides and mortal mistresses. She has a lover. Isn’t that the
state of things for many aristocratic marriages?” Vlad arched his
brows. Then the smirk upon his lips faded away as his expression
grew fierce. “Though my understanding is that she was forced to
reveal her secret liaison to prove her truthfulness before the
House of Gavril. I did not realize that my treaty would include the
interrogation of my wife. Let me make it abundantly clear that she
is my one and only wife. She carries my name and she is due all the
respect you have given me.”

Ilinca tilted her head as she
thoughtfully regarded me. “I see.”

Cneajna surged forward, but Vlad caught
her about the waist and hurtled her away. “As you can see, I had
difficulties at my country estate to deal with. I guess I was not
firm enough in my edicts to the other Brides.”

Gavril tapped his chin thoughtfully
with one finger, then said, “One of our concerns since the
appearance of your beloved wife in the city has been her presence.
It is filled with great power, yet she is quite young. Our esteemed
hostess, Borbála, informed us that Glynis has only been a vampire
for a little over a year. Therefore, how is she so
powerful?”

“She stole his blood!” Cneajna
screeched. “He is lying to you! He wants to protect her at all
costs!”

“I gave her my blood and power,” Vlad
responded. “Once I decided she was to be my one true wife, I deemed
it wise that she should be infused with the power to defend
herself.”

“So she is her own Master?” Ilinca
asked.

“Yes,” Vlad answered with a slight
shrug. “But we are man and wife. Our powers enhance one another.
Now that the truth has been revealed, I will take my wife home with
me.”

Ilinca and Gavril exchanged looks. I
wondered if they could speak silently to one another for Gavril
suddenly nodded, then stood. “This trial is at an end. The charges
against Countess Dracula are ruled to be erroneous and therefore
are dismissed. Count and Countess Dracula, I hope that we shall
continue to be allies and work together to keep the city of Buda
free from outside forces.”

Vlad bowed, his hand tightening on my
arm. “We thank you for your swift edict on the matter and we bid
you a good night.” Turning to leave, he began to pull me after
him.

“No!” I cried out, wrenching free. I
would not allow him to ensnare me once again. I would never return
to servitude. I would rather die than be enslaved by him. I flung
myself at the feet of Gavril and Ilinca. “If I am my own Master,
than I swear that should you accept my fealty I will be your most
ardent supporter. I own my own property within the city and I am my
own woman.”

“Glynis,” Vlad said, his tone
warning.

“I wish to establish my own house
within your city. The House of Wright. Allow me this and I shall
always be your ally.” I could hear the desperation in my voice, but
I could not stop the torrent of words from my mouth. “Vlad has
given me sovereignty over myself. You witnessed the moment. I beg
of you to accept that declaration and my house.”

“My wife is angry over my absence and
does not know what she is saying,” Vlad said tersely.

“I do know!” I gazed up at Ilinca,
appealing to the kindness I had witnessed in her eyes. “Acknowledge
me as your ally and grant me permission to establish my
house.”

Cneajna began to laugh as she pulled
herself up from the floor. “Kill her! She is defying her own
Master!”

“There has been enough death in the
city,” Ignatius said, stepping forward. “Many vampires have died in
the overthrow of Baatar. Let it end now. Vlad declared Glynis a
Master, therefore she is free to establish her own house. She has
proven she can live in discretion and has always come to you when
called. I ask of you, Gavril and Ilinca, in the name of our
Immortal Beloved, allow her to swear her allegiance to
you.”

“Should you return my overwrought wife
to me, I will not only keep my treaty with you, I will help you
spread your power across the river to Pesth and beyond,” Vlad said
swiftly.

Gavril settled back in his throne, his
hands clasped over his waist, his face thoughtful. “Upon careful
consideration, it appears that your house is in disarray, Vlad
Dracula. Your wives are battling each other and you have allowed
them to usurp you. Your strength lies here,” Gavril said, pointing
to me. “She is your greatest asset. Without her, your house is of
little consequence to me. You have disappointed me with your
weakness. So let us be done with this quarrel. Lady Glynis Wright,
I acknowledge the House of Wright within the city of Buda and
welcome you to our new alliance.”

Smiling with joy, I rose and curtsied.
“I swear I shall support your throne against all your enemies.” I
discreetly glanced at Vlad as he stood beside me, his green eyes
burning with red fires.

“Then it is settled,” Vlad said at
last. “Very well. I just have one request before I
depart.”

“What is it, Count Dracula?” Ilinca
asked.

“I wish to speak with my wife
alone.”

I heard Laura gasp behind me, and I
looked at Ignatius. He, too, looked worried.

Cneajna moved toward me, but Ferenc
grabbed her arm and tugged her way. Venomous anger burned in her
eyes and she bared her fangs at me.

“If she allows it, you may speak to
her. But you will not be allowed to kill her. Understood?” Gavril
shifted his gaze to me. “Do you agree to speak with
him?”

I knew immediately I truly had no
choice. Gavril had sworn that Vlad would not kill me and I could
not refuse. Otherwise, it would seem I did not trust the regent.
But, also, I recognized the desire within me to speak with Vlad.
Much was left unsaid between us and now was the time to set the
past to rest.

I nodded my head. “Yes, I
agree.”

“You may speak in the hall through
those doors,” Ilinca said, waving her hand to the far end of the
room.

Casting one last look at Ignatius and
Laura, I gave them a swift smile.

Vlad held out his arm, and I took it.
Together, we strode from the ballroom.

Chapter 34

The gilded door shut behind
us with a soft click that echoed in the spacious hallway. To my
left, enormous windows overlooked the moonlight drenched gardens
below. Tall pillars rose like sentinels to the arched and
elaborately painted ceiling above. A few chairs and tables were
tucked along the wall under enormous paintings depicting the lush
life of gods and goddesses. At the far end of the hall a set of
gilded double doors were closed.

We were alone.

Vlad stood beside me, tall and
imposing. His silence did not settle my already frayed nerves. I
felt the tension between us coiled tight, like a viper ready to
strike. I was shredded with emotion. He had saved my life and I was
grateful. I had betrayed him, gravely wounded him, stolen his
power, and entombed him. Yet, I knew that was not the worst of my
sins in his eyes. My worst sin was my refusal to be at his side, to
love him, and to be his true wife.

My hands trembling at my sides, I took
a step further into the hallway, my eyes averted from his stoic
face. His hand lashed out and captured my wrist. Hesitating, I
stood in silence, waiting. He had been warned he could not kill me,
but I knew he would do as he pleased.

“How,” he began in a low, cold voice,
“could you be such a fool?”

“Release me,” I demanded.

He twisted my wrist, tugging me about
to face him. Red fires burned in his glittering green eyes. Drawing
me up against him, he gazed into my face, a cruel twist to his
mouth. “Do you not realize what you have done?”