Part 16 (1/2)

She said as much to Drake when she saw him that night.

aWhy do you need a doctor?a he asked, his brow furrowed with concern.

aIave just been feeling kind of. . . I donat know . . . sick to my stomach lately. But it isnat the flu. I donat have a fever or anything.a aI will take you to Brasov tomorrow evening.a aNever mind. I feel fine now.a aTomorrow evening,a he repeated.

Drake stood at the foot of the bed, watching Elena sleep. Lying there, with her hair spread like black silk across the white satin pillowcase, her dark lashes like fans against her cheeks, she looked like a fairy-tale princess waiting for the prince to awake her with loveas first kiss.

He watched the rise and fall of her chest, listened to the faint whisper of her breathing, the slow, steady beating of her heart. He had rarely known fear, but the thought that she might be illa”perhaps fatally soa”filled him with dread. He had never expected to fall in love. Before Elena came into his life, he had resigned himself to marrying a woman of his sireas choosing, having children, watching them grow to maturity. He had never thought beyond that. And then Elena had wandered into Wolfram Castle and it was as if sunlight had taken residence in the old place. He had basked in her glow, delighted in her innocence, reveled in her love. Even now, it was hard to believe that she wanted him, that she loved him. How would he live without her?

True to his word, Drake took Elena to a doctor in Brasov the next evening. There were several people in the waiting room, but after Drake spoke to the receptionist, Elena was immediately taken into an examination room and handed a white plastic cup.

aFor a urine sample,a the nurse explained, and directed her to the nearest restroom.

When Elena returned to the room, the nurse instructed her to undress and put on a paper gown.

A short time later a middle-aged woman with curly brown hair and kind blue eyes entered the room. She introduced herself as Doctor Mary Arcos. She listened to Elenaas heartbeat, took her temperature and her blood pressure, checked her eyes, ears, nose, and throat, drew some blood, and, lastly, did a pelvic exam that Elena found embarra.s.sing and uncomfortable.

aYou can sit up now.a The doctor removed her glove and tossed it into the wastepaper can.

aSo, is everything all right?a aYouare very healthy,a the doctor said, smiling. aAnd very pregnant.a Elena blinked at the physician. aExcuse me?a aPregnant. About twelve weeks.a aBut . . .a Elena shook her head. aThatas impossible.a aAre you telling me this is a virgin birth?a the doctor asked with a wry grin.

aNo, of course not, but . . . thatas . . . Are you sure?a aVery sure. I hope itas good news.a aOh, yes,a Elena murmured. aThe very best news. Thank you so much.a aYou may want to thank your young man,a the doctor said, chuckling. aYou may get dressed now. Be sure to start taking prenatal vitamins right away. Get plenty of rest. Try not to do any heavy lifting. And come and see me again in four weeks.a aYes, I will. Thank you.a Smiling, the doctor left the room, closing the door behind her.

Pregnant, Elena thought, removing the paper gown. She placed her hands over her stomach. How could she be pregnant? She recalled Katiya telling her that one of the vampires had impregnated a human and that both the mother and child had died. She shook the thought aside. Just because it had happened to someone else didnat mean it would happen to her.

She dressed quickly and stepped into her shoes. What would Drake think when she told him? Please, she prayed, please let him be as happy as I am.

Drake was pacing the floor of the waiting room when she entered. He went to her immediately, his dark eyes searching her face. aAre you all right?a She couldnat stop smiling. aIam fine. Letas go.a aWhat did the doctor say?a aIall tell you outside.a Her cheeks were starting to hurt from smiling so much.

Taking her by the hand, he hurried her out the door and around the corner of the building. aAll right, what did she say?a aShe said Iam going to have a baby.a aThis is no time for jokes, Elena.a aIam not joking. Iam pregnant.a He stared at her.

Elenaas smile faded. aSay something.a But he didnat speak. Instead, he placed his hand over her womb, his expression intense. aIt is a girl.a aWhat?a aThe baby,a he said, his voice filled with awe. aIt is a girl.a He shook his head. aIf I hadnat been so involved with events at the Fortress, I wouldnat have missed the echo of your heartbeat.a aYou can hear the babyas heartbeat?a He nodded.

aHow do you know itas a girl?a aI know.a aYou donat look very happy.a He drew her into his arms. aOf course I am.a aBut?a aI did not think it was possible. I know it has happened occasionally in the past, but so rarely that I put the thought out of my mind.a His arms tightened around her. aI love you, wife.a Lowering his head, he kissed her, hoping to avoid any more conversation, at least for the moment. And all the while, in the back of his mind, he was remembering Stefan and how devastated his brother had been when the mortal woman he loved had died in childbirth.

When they returned to the Fortress, Drake sent Elena to their apartment, then called a meeting of the Council. He also bid Andrei and Katiya to attend, as well as his brother Stefan.

aI am leaving the Fortress,a Drake announced when those who had been summoned were seated. aAndrei will be in charge while I am away. His word is to be obeyed as my own. Stefan, you will be second-in-command.a aWhere are you going?a Andrei asked.

aBack to Wolfram with Elena. She is with child. I do not want her here.a aShe is pregnant?a Katiya exclaimed. aOh, but that is wonderful.a Drake nodded, aware that Stefan was watching him closely. aLet us hope so.a

Chapter 31.

aLeaving?a Elena stared at Drake. aWhere are we going?a aBack to Wolfram.a aBut . . . why?a aWould you rather stay here?a She bit down on the corner of her lip. Did she want to stay at the Fortress? She had few friends back home. She loved Wolfram, but she knew she would miss Andrei and Katiya, Northa, Marta, and Elnora. And Stefan. But Wolfram was home, and it would be nice to be alone with Drake.

aNo,a she said. aI guess not. Is it all right for you to leave?a aI am the Master of the Coven,a he said. aI can do whatever I choose. And I choose to leave. Are you ready to go?a She grinned. Sometimes she forgot that her husband didnat need mortal transportation, that he could simply will himself wherever he wished to be. aIam ready,a she said, then frowned. aIt wonat hurt the baby?a aNo. Is there anything you want to take with you?a Elena shook her head. There was really nothing here that belonged to her. Except Drake.

He folded her in his embrace, kissed the top of her head, and once again, she felt herself being carried away through time and s.p.a.ce.

When the world righted itself, they were in the living room at Wolfram.

aYou look tired,a Drake said, brus.h.i.+ng a lock of hair from her cheek. aYou should go to bed.a aOnly if you come with me.a He smiled, a real smile for the first time since he had been appointed Master of the Coven.

aAlways my pleasure,a he murmured.

aI think Iad like a bath before we go to bed. Which reminds me. Do you think we could install a bathroom upstairs? A real bathroom, with a tub and a shower and a sink and a toilet.a aIs tomorrow soon enough?a She made a face at him. aI guess so, if you canat do it tonight.a He swatted her on the rump. aGo, take your bath. I will be back soon.a Elena nodded. He was going out to feed. She would have to get used to that, now that there were no sheep to satisfy his hunger.

Elena had bathed and changed into her nightgown by the time Drake returned. She tried not to think of where he had been, or wonder who he had fed on, or what it tasted like, but the questions flooded her mind. She would always be curious about that part of his life, always wonder what it was like.

aYou could come with me next time,a he remarked, sitting beside her on the sofa.

aI donat think so. Hey! I thought you werenat going to read my mind anymore.a aSometimes I cannot help it.a aHmm.a She canted her head to the side. aIs feeding on a stranger different than drinking from me?a aVery much so.a aWhy? Blood is blood.a aWith you, it is more than easing my hunger. Though I do not expect you to understand, it is a way of making love.a aDo vampires drink from each other?a He nodded. aIt is a pleasurable experience.a aBetter than drinking from humans?a aIt depends on who is drinking from whom.a He trailed his fingertips along the side of her neck. aNothing equals what I feel when I taste you.a aAre you hinting for a taste now?a aWould you mind?a aNo. I like it when you do it.a Smiling, he took her by the hand. aI think we should continue this conversation in bed.a Excitement fluttered in the pit of Elenaas stomach as they walked up the stairs. There had been times in their relations.h.i.+p when she had been afraid that Drake was lost to her, that she would have to spend the rest of her life without him. But those days were behind them now. They were back in Wolfram where they belonged, with a baby on the way.

She put all thoughts of the past behind her when Drake drew her gently into his arms. Whispering that he loved her, he kissed her as he backed her toward the bed, then slowly lowered her onto the mattress.

They undressed each other with impatient hands.

She closed her eyes and gave herself into his keeping, sighing as he rained kisses on her cheeks, her brow, the length of her neck. She moaned when his fangs p.r.i.c.ked her skin, sighed as their bodies came together, fell asleep with the sound of his voice whispering that he loved her more than life itself.

The next day, Elena couldnat think of anything but the baby. A girl, Drake had said. After breakfast, she went down the hall to the bedroom next to their own. This would be the nursery. Standing in the middle of the floor, she imagined how she would decorate it. Yellow for the walls, she thought. White furniture. The crib near the window where her daughter would be able to see the sun and the sky. A rocking chair in that corner. New carpeting for the floor, new curtains for the windows. Perhaps a mural on one wall. Maybe a country scene, with baby animals frolicking in a green pasture, or perhaps scenes depicting the Disney princesses. After all, her daughter lived in a castle and would be viewed as a princess in her own right by those in the Fortress.

They would definitely need a bathroom now, Elena thought as she returned to her own bedroom. There was no way she was going to bathe a new baby in that wooden tub!

Anxious to begin remodeling the nursery, she dressed quickly in a sweater and a pair of jeans, grabbed the keys to the Porsche, and drove into the city.

She wandered through the furniture store, looking at cribs and high chairs and ba.s.sinets. There were so many styles to choose from, how was she ever to decide?

She had better luck in the paint store. She found exactly the shade of yellow she wanted, bought two gallons of Summer Sunlight paint, a quart of white for the door, brushes, masking tape, paint thinner and a roller, and headed for home.

Drake was waiting for her in the main hall when she arrived.

She smiled when she saw him. aHi, Iave beena”a aI know where you have been.a She frowned, puzzled by his harsh tone. aIam sorry I didnat tell you I was leaving. I didnat want to disturb you.a He crossed the room, his movement so quick it was little more than a blur. aElena, you must be careful.a The warning in his tone made her heart skip a beat. aWhy? Is something wrong?a aNo.a His hand smoothed her hair. aForgive me. I am overreacting.a aIam sorry,a she said, confused by his att.i.tude. aI didnat mean to worry you, but why are you so upset?a He smiled at her. aWorrying too much,a he said lightly. aI have never been this close to being a father before. I cannot help feeling anxious when you are away. So, what did you buy in the city?a aPaint, for the nursery. I left it in the car.a aI will get it later.a He ran his hands up and down her arms, as if to a.s.sure himself that she was all right. aI spoke to a contractor on the phone today. He and his men will be here tomorrow to install the bathroom.a aThatas great!a aI have requested they install the bathroom between our room and the one next to it so it will be accessible from both rooms. They are also adding a closet in the nursery.a aSounds wonderful.a aIs there anything else you want?a aA kiss?a A slow smile spread across his face as he drew her into his arms. aI do not need a contractor for that,a he replied, and lowered his head to hers.

Elena had never truly appreciated the benefits of being wealthy until she saw how quickly money could get things done. She had seen some evidence of it when the castle was wired for electricity. Due to the age and size of the castle, it had taken a considerable amount of time. But that was then and this was now. She had expected it to take many weeks, perhaps several months, to build a bathroom and a closet where none had existed before. But money could buy miracles and manpower, and the renovations were accomplished in less than a month.

Elena stood in the middle of the floor, turning slowly as she admired her new bathroom. The floor was gold-veined white marble. There was a white oval tub with a Jacuzzi, a square shower big enough for two, a toilet that flushed automatically, recessed lighting, and two sinks set in a granite countertop. She had not yet decided on a color for the walls.

Since the rooms were so large, the contractor had suggested adding a walk-in closet for the master bedroom. It was, Elena thought, big enough to be a room of its own. Drake moved their old wardrobe into one of the other bedrooms.

The new bathroom, walk-in closet, and smaller closet in the babyas room made the nursery a little smaller, but Elena had a.s.sured Drake that wouldnat be a problem. When their daughter grew older, she could simply move into one of the other, larger bedrooms.

Elena thought of little else besides the baby. How strange, to think that she carried a living being inside her. She could hardly wait to hold her daughter in her arms. What would their child look like? Would she have her fatheras blue eyes or her motheras brown ones?

Drake drove her into the city the evening after the renovations were complete. He agreed with her choice of the white crib and the rest of the furniture and arranged to have it delivered at the end of the week.