Caressed by Moonlight (13 page)

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Chapter Eighteen

Margaret sat peacefully in Victoria's lap, her little head resting against her sister's shoulder, her eyes half open.

“You are falling asleep, dearest.”

“No I'm not,” Margaret protested. “I'm listening. Please, keep reading.”

Victoria affectionately smoothed the girl's hair back and placed a kiss on her brow before she continued. Dorian sat behind his desk, a warm smile gracing his face. He enjoyed the intimate scene before him and he longed to be a part of it. His mother never read to him, never told him stories, and never looked on with him kindness. She had loathed him, rejected him, and his father saw him only as another strong arm in his army. No one had ever loved him or cared for him, he had always been alone, until now.

Victoria was everything he had ever wanted. She was sweet, innocent, caring, and passionate and he could not help the emotions that swelled within him every time her eyes turned to him. The last week had brought them closer and closer together. They would spend almost every minute of the day together and every minute of the night desperately clutching each other as the flames of ecstasy consumed them. He never wanted to leave. If the world was perfect, they could grow old together, but that sort of happiness was out of his reach.

Dorian turned to gaze out the window. He would never have a life of love and happiness. He was a vampire king and he had no place in his life for a family. He was here in London doing his duty to his clan and once it was done he would return home.

His stomach twisted and his heart clenched as they did every time he thought of leaving. He could not help but feel as if he were abandoning them, casting them aside as if they were nothing but a pair of old gloves.

Would Victoria be sad? Would she cry? Would she beg him to stay? He feared he would not be able to resist her tears or her pleas. But she had been practically forced into the marriage. If she had not been at risk of losing her sister he had no doubt that she would still be refusing his advances. Would she care if he left or would she be glad to see him go? That thought pained him more than a dagger through the heart.

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He pushed away from his chair and went to stand before the fire.

“Excuse me, sir,” Dobbins called from the entrance of the study.

“Yes?”

“There is a man here to see you.”

Glancing to Victoria he said, “Send him around in the morning.”

“I'm sorry, my lord, but I really think you would like to speak to this gentleman.”

Dorian nodded in understanding, there was a vampire here to see him. “Who is it?”

“It is Sir–”

“Greetings Vlakhos, I hope I'm not interrupting anything.

Thank you for showing me in Dobbins.” The butler nodded and returned to his work, straightening up the house.

“Welcome to my newest home.”

Victoria watched as the men happily shook hands. She closed the book and gently stood, cradling Margaret's sleeping form in her arms. The book slipped from her lap and clattered to the floor, bringing the men's attention her way.

Dorian came to her side, snatched up the book and wrapped a proud arm about her shoulders.

“Falcon Kenwrec, I would like you to meet my wife, Victoria, and her sleeping younger sister, Margaret.”

“Your wife?” The Black Knight’s face was priceless. His jaw almost hit the floor.

Falcon crossed the room, his cold gray eyes studying her.

He bowed and took her hand, placed a soft kiss upon her knuckles, and smiled.

“It is wonderful to meet you. I feared Dorian would never settle down.”

“Didn’t everyone,” Dorian snorted.

“It is nice to finally meet one of Dorian's friends, I was being to wonder if he had any,” she said with a light laugh.

“He has very few,” Falcon admitted teasingly.

“Will you be staying the night?” Victoria inquired.

“Yes,” Dorian answered. “I insist. It will give us time to catch up.”

“I will have Ophelia ready a room for you Mr. Kenwrec.

Now if you will excuse me, I must put Margaret to bed.

Goodnight.”

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Dorian closed the doors behind his wife.

“She is very beautiful, Dorian,” Falcon said shrugging out of his rain-drenched coat. “You are a lucky man. Tell me, how is it that you came to be wed to a mortal?”

“I will, after you tell me why you are here. Don't get me wrong, I am glad to see you Falcon, but I know your visit is one of business. You have too much work to do and hardly ever leave your land.”

“True, as King Hadrian's second in command I took over his duties when he felt he was unable to tend to them.”

“You mean when Hadrian exiled himself.”

Falcon nodded. “Rebels pop up here and there but for the most part they cause no trouble.”

“I'm glad to here that peace is finally coming to your clan.”

“No,” he said shaking his head. “Peace will never rule my people until Hadrian returns.”

“Why could I not have a loyal second like you?” Dorian sighed. He walked back to the fireplace and leaned against the mantle. “What is your news?”

“I will start at the beginning,” Falcon stated as he came to rest on the sofa. “When the hunters of the Red Order singled your clan out for extinction, I began a patrol to secure my boarders.

Then you did the one thing that no one expected, including me, you headed to London. Great plan, by the way, most of the hunters did desert your land.”

“I know,” Dorian said with a roll of his eyes. They were here, just like he had wanted only now he wished they were somewhere else.

“You aren't happy that they followed you? I thought that was your plan.”

“It was but–” Dorian stopped and slammed his fist on the mantle.

“Victoria and her little sister,” Falcon finished. He swept his eyes over his friend and smiled. Dorian was in love. He could possibly be the first vampire king to find his mate. He knew the legend all too well and he prayed every night that Hadrian would be blessed with a woman who could heal his wounds and free him of his madness.

“About a month ago, my men discovered Raphael near death on the road that you and Hadrian had cut.”

Dorian whirled around, concern and anger coloring his face and twisting his dark brows.

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“Don't worry, he's alive,” Falcon said. “Edwina saved him.”

“Is that what you came to tell me?”

“Yes and more. There was a brief moment when Raphael awoke from his healing sleep. He managed to stutter out a few words. In a round about way he told me about your letter in his pocket, the one stating that he is to be your new second. He also said 'Kal is the one'. What I think he meant is that Kal is the one who attacked him.”

“Damn it!” The fire flickered and the entire house shuddered from the force of his anger. “I knew that Kal was a traitor. I was coerced to make him my second in command. King Viktor would only pass the crown to me if I vowed to make Kal my replacement. The old vampire was on his death bed, I couldn't deny him.”

Dorian fell onto the armchair across from the sofa, his hands balled into tight fists.

“I left the moment I read your letter and I was going to head here, to inform you of what was happening, but instead I crossed the bridge that adjoins our lands. I slipped in and out of a few of your towns. I never made it to the castle. I didn't need to. It is true that the Red Order is hunting your clan, but Kal is the one that is leading them. I saw him front an attack myself. I'm sorry Dorian, but I felt that it was best that you heard the news from me rather than a letter. With witches crawling the city, there was no guarantee that a letter would ever reach you.”

“Yes,” Dorian gritted out. “But you have just brought my worst fears to light. I had suspected Kal, which is why I sent Raphael to take control and watch him in my absence. Thank you for taking care of him.”

“Don't thank me, thank Edwina. She is the one that nurtured him back to health.”

“I will thank her when I return.”

“And when will that be?” Falcon asked eyeing the king.

“You have a family now. You can’t just pack up and leave. What will you tell your wife?”

“I don't know. I have been dreading this day since we wed.”

“Women tend to complicate things,” Falcon said with a smile.

“They certainly do.” Dorian dropped his head down in his hands and ran his fingers through his hair.

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“Especially if you love them.”

“Love,” Dorian repeated, his stormy sea eyes clashing with Falcon's shinning silver gaze.

“That is what I said.”

“Impossible,” he denied.

“But you married her.”

“I rescued her,” he stated firmly. “She needed me to marry her or she would lose her sister.”

“Is that the only reason?”

Dorian smiled devilishly. “I wanted Victoria in my bed.

You said it yourself, she is beautiful.”

“Yes, possibly the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen,” Falcon added. “But, you have never lacked beautiful company. There are plenty of comely women out there Dorian, what makes this one so special?”

He did not know how to answer Falcon's question. He lusted after her since the first night they met; he had wanted her with a passion that could not be ignored. No woman had ever attracted him the way she did. She had to belong to him, only him.

She had shown him a part of life he thought he would never experience, but all good things had to come to an end.

“I will leave at the end of the week.”

Shadows of pain fell upon Dorian’s face. He would leave and he would never return. Dorian would give Victoria no hope to hold on to. He would be cold and ruthless; he would be King Dorian Vlakhos of the Mylonas Clan, hard as stone. But Falcon knew there was nothing he could do to change his friend's mind; once Dorian had made a decision, there was no arguing with him.

“How do you plan on getting home? There are hunters swarming every road, every path. They will no doubt be waiting for more of your people to cross our bridge.”

“There is one way to penetrate the castle that no one knows of except for me.”

“But they will be watching all the ports waiting for you to return.”

“Not all the ports,” Dorian said with a smirk. “My arrival will be a complete surprise.”

Victoria sat before her vanity, her long black hair cascading across her shoulders and down her slim back. She looked up, her eyes meeting Dorian’s in the mirror. She smiled and
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continued to brush her hair. Dorian hesitated a breath before he crossed the room.

His face was grim and etched with hard lines. Her smile faded as he drew nearer, she knew something was wrong. Had Falcon brought bad news?

“Victoria,” he said, his voice cold, his eyes distant. She turned to face him. Dorian stood before her like a towering ancient statue; all the light was gone from his sea-weathered eyes, replaced with a fathomless darkness.

“What is it, Dorian?”

Concern was all he could see. She genuinely cared, but he was not worthy of her affections nor did he want them. Only mortals put value on emotions.

“I sail for home at the end of the week,” he answered with a curt nod.

She blinked first in disbelief then in hopeless acceptance.

She knew this day would come, she had prayed that it would not be so soon. Victoria searched his face for a hint of the Dorian she had grown to love, but he was gone, replaced by a cold stranger. He was no longer her husband, no longer the man who had made sweet love to her. She knew he had his own life, one that was hundreds of mile away in some foreign land. He had family, friends, people that needed him. He belonged with them and not with her. He was a prince and she was a penniless woman that he had married out of sympathy and lust.

Her magnificent green eyes glistened as she turned her back to him. Dorian watched her closely. His heart screamed that he take her in his arms and tell her that he – No! He would not love her. He could not. He had to leave. He had to return to his people, they needed him, and they had to mean more to him than this woman.

“When will you return?” Her voice was low and weak.

A deadly silence filled the room. Her heart raced as she waited for what seemed like an eternity for his answer. The word

'never' had never sounded so cold, so heartless, or so final. It was like a dagger had been plunged into her heart. She bit her lip and closed her eyes against the flood of tears. She would not cry, not in front of him. She would not allow him to see how much he had hurt her.

“I will see to it that you are well provided for. An account will be set up with all the money you will ever need and more. You can stay in this house or move back out to the country if you so
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desire,” he said wanting to soothe her. He could feel her pain, taste it. But it made no difference; he would not change his mind. “You will never have to want for anything.”

Except for you
, she thought, but she did not say a word.

“I'll be down stairs with Falcon.” He turned on his heel and left the room.

Victoria watched him go. She stood, her shoulder's square and chin high and walked to the bed. She pulled back the covers but could not bring herself to enter it. This was the bed they had shared. She sighed and went to the window. She sat on the bench, leaned her brow against the glass and allowed the tears to slip from her eyes.

He was leaving.

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Chapter Nineteen

“Tory.” Lana scooted over to Victoria's side and wrapped an arm about her shoulders. “What happened?”

“Dorian is leaving.”

“He can't be. He is in love with you.”

“No,” Victoria said shaking her head. “He isn't in love with me. He married me out of pity and lust.”

“That can't be true,” Lana argued.

“Dorian saved me from losing my sister, which is nothing more than an act of compassion. He had told me himself numerous times that he desired me in his bed. Lust is not love,” she explained; unshed tears burning her eyes.

“When is he coming back?”

“Never,” Victoria managed to answer with a light sob.

“Never? He is
never
coming back? That scoundrel! That blackguard! Does he expect you to support yourself?” Lana demanded, outraged.

“He is leaving me his home and plenty of money; in fact he is meeting with some bankers this afternoon to arrange everything.”

“Oh Tory, I'm so sorry. It's my fault. I pushed the match. I wanted you and Dorian to marry. I thought you would be a perfect couple, especially since it seemed like he loved you.”

“Don't blame yourself, Lana. I was the fool that fell in love with him, not you. But I will be fine. I still have Margaret.”

“Yes,” Lana smiled. “You have your sister and now you even have the best independence a woman could ever have. A husband in name only who is hundreds of miles away, he pays for all your expenses and you can take on any lover you wish.”

“You are always looking at the bright side,” she sniffed, wiping tears from her cheeks.

“Someone has to.” Lana handed Victoria her handkerchief.

“I just need some time to adjust and accept my loss. I think Margaret and I will move back to the countryside. It is more peaceful and quiet there. Dorian said I could go back if I like. I wonder if I could buy back my family's home.”

“With his wealth, I'm sure you could buy all of London.”

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Victoria laughed lightly and handed Lana back her handkerchief.

“Thank you, Lana.”

“I am always here for you.”

Victoria sighed and leaned back against the pillows of Lana’s bed. Anger, sadness, and uncertainty swirled within her heart. How could he just leave her? She was his wife and she had every right to go with him. Victoria shot up, her back straight, her spine rigid.

“I should demand that he take us with him.”

“Demand? That he take you where? His home?”

“Yes, I am his wife, I have every right to go with him.

Besides, I should meet his family and his friends. It is the proper thing to do.”

“True,” Lana agreed with a nod. “Did he say he didn’t want to take you with him?”

“No, he never said that. Maybe he thinks I don't want to go. Maybe he thinks I would rather stay in wonderful England than go with him to some foreign country that I'm sure is cold as Hell.

He might even think that I wouldn’t want to take Margaret away from the only world she has even known.”

“A drastic change like this could be a huge shock to the poor girl and she has been through so much in these past months.

Do you think its wise?”

Victoria smiled, Margaret had been talking none stop about the possibility of living in a castle like a real princess since the night they had moved in with Dorian. “Yes, she would love to go on an adventure.”

“Did he ask you if you wanted go?”

“No, but he is mistaken if he thinks I will just stay here and pine over him for the rest of my days.” With her mind made up Victoria stood, her shoulders squared.

“If you go, when will you be leaving?”

“He plans to set sail in a few days.”

“I insist that you all come for dinner on your last night. We will have a small going away party.”

“Dorian will probably be preparing the ship, but Margaret and I will be there. I will need to give you my new address, once I learn where it is I will be living,” Victoria said with a laugh and stood. She bid Lana goodbye and showed herself out.

Victoria’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions as she planned what she would say to Dorian. She had to be a little
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diplomatic with him, the man was stubborn to a fault and she did not want to risk him telling her no.

She was so distracted with her thoughts that she had not noticed the man following her. She rounded a corner and came to an abrupt halt. Mark stood before her, a cruel smile curling his lips.

“Mrs. Vlakhos, how are you on this fine morning?” he asked in greeting tapping his hat.

“I'm in a hurry,” she said dismissively, brushing past him.

“I would like a word with you,” he continued.

“I don't have time to–” She was yanked back; her arm caught by a tall dark haired man, his grip like iron. “Let go of me!”

she demanded twisting about trying to get loose, but it was no use.

The man pushed her against the stonewall.

“Don't worry, he won't hurt you,” Mark said trying to soothe her fears. “I just want to have a little talk with you.”

She was surrounded now. All her escapes blocked. Dorian had warned her to stay away from Mark and here she was, pinned against a wall with him on one side and a large man on the other.

She prayed that someone would walk by, but it was still early in the morning. It would be unlikely for someone to be on a morning ride or walk just yet. How could she get away? Screaming wouldn't help if there was no one to hear her and she was not about to show the vile men her fear.

Mark traced her jaw with his finger, his eyes roamed over her body.

“You are a prime piece, you know,” he whispered. “It is too bad that you are now tainted. His stink covers you.” He lowered his head, his mouth an inch from her ear. His breath was hot and repulsive. She waited for him to move closer then she brought her knee up, slamming it in to his groin. Mark cried out and fell to his knees cursing. The taller man tighten his grip on her arm, she stomped her heal on his toe and wiggled free. She prepared to run but her arm was snatched again. Victoria turned, her hand raised in defense, ready to strike.

“Are you all right, my lady?” Falcon asked.

“Oh thank goodness it’s you. I thought it was one of those oafs again.” She glared at her attackers.

“Falcon?” Mark barked. “What the hell are you doing in London? Shouldn't you be home leading a civil war and slaughtering your people?”

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“I wouldn't be tossing about insults if I were you,” Falcon snapped.

“This matter has nothing to do with you, Validus.” Mark struggled to his feet, bracing himself against the wall.

“I'm inclined to disagree,” Flacon said taking a step forward, shoving Victoria behind him.

“Does the little princess need a protector?”

Falcon grabbed hold of Mark's vest and lifted the smaller man up so that they were eye to eye. “Stay away from Dorian's family. They have nothing to do with your feud.”

“She married him. She is one of them now,” Mark said.

“Until he changes her, she is still human,” he whispered, his voice too low for Victoria to hear.

“Humans mean nothing to me. Least of all those that give themselves to vampires.”

Falcon dropped the witch, who landed with a hard thud on the cement. “I think you are in the wrong profession,” was all he said to the hunter. He nodded to the other witch then turned to Victoria.

“I assume you are heading home, allow me to accompany you.”

“Thank you,” she said, turning her back on the two men.

Mark jumped to his feet and drew his dagger. He had missed Dorian's heart but he was sure he would not miss Falcon's.

He brought the weapon up and was about to let it fly when his companion knocked it from his hand.

“What did you do that for?”

“No matter how angry you get you never attack a foe from the rear,” the taller witch snapped before whirling around and stalking back to his horse that waited, tethered to a lamppost.

“Is Dorian back yet, Dobbins?” Victoria asked as she swept into the house.

“No, my Lady,” he answered. “He just left to go to the bank.”

“Will you notify me when he arrives? I have something really important to discuss with him.”

Dobbins nodded and waited for Victoria to disappear up the stairs before turning to Falcon. “There are hunters watching the
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house,” he said. “Ophelia and I are trapped here. We could not sneak out before dawn to do any of the shopping.”

“As long as you stay in the house and away from the windows, you should be fine. Or you could hide in the basement; no light will reach you there.”

“That is where Ophelia is now. I was waiting for you or King Dorian to return so I could warn you about the witches.”

“I'll keep an eye on them.”

“Thank you, sir.” Dobbins turned and hurried to find safety in the cool darkness of the basement.

Falcon slowly walked through the house studying the paintings that hung on the walls. He toured the kitchen, the dining room, the drawing room, and the library before he came to stand before Dorian’s study. He entered the room cautiously even though he knew the vampire king was not in attendance. He went to the window and smiled as the bushes rustled. The hunter scurried away to find another hiding place. He closed the heavy drapes, cloaking the room in darkness.

He was full of conflicting emotions. He could not remember the last time this rare occurrence took place. Falcon sat on the sofa, his hands resting lightly on his stomach as he leaned back into the cushions. He closed his eyes as he slipped into deep thought. Dorian had come to England with hopes of helping his people and ended up married. How the ancient vampire managed that incredible feat Falcon would never understand. Dorian had skipped from woman to woman, from bed to bed, over his long years. He spent his nights with light skirts, women that wanted nothing from him but his body and his money, the two things Dorian was more than willing to give. He had always kept his trysts short never sharing too much of his time. He was a king first and a man second.

Dorian was an excellent judge of beauty. His women had always been comely, so it came as no shock to Falcon that Dorian would choose Victoria as his next conquest, but he did not bed her and forget her. He had married her.

Falcon’s brow wrinkled as he searched for the answer.

Dorian clearly had feelings for the girl. The question was, could it be love? It was a foolish thought. No king had ever found his mate, but Dorian could be the first. That thought had crossed Falcon’s mind before, however, he had not given it much consideration. It would be a blessing if Dorian had found his mate.

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The front door opened and closed. Falcon tensed for a moment before the familiar aura of Dorian’s power filled the air.

“Dorian, is that you?” Victoria called.

“Yes.”

She hurried from the bedroom, her feet shaking the ceiling, and down the stairs to stand before her husband. She had given her words a lot of thought but they escaped her as she opened her mouth. Dorian stared at her expectantly, his eyes capturing hers.

“What is it?” he said, his voice sharp.

His annoyance pricked her anger. She squared her shoulders, placed her hands on her hips and turned her chin up.

“Don’t take that tone of voice with me. I have done nothing and have said nothing to anger you.”

“True, but I am busy.” He tried to step pass her but she cut off his exit.

“I am your wife, am I not?”

“What sort of question is that? Of course you are my wife.”

“I’m glad to hear that you remember, for I was beginning to believe that you had forgotten.”

“I couldn’t possibly forget,” he sighed. Though he would like to.

Her eyes flared. “I’m sorry if you regret our marriage,” she spat. Dorian’s stomach twisted at her words. He did not regret anything, but he had to push her away for her own good. “But I am your wife and as your wife I demand that you take me with you when you leave. I have every right to see your home and meet your family.”

“You can’t come with me,” Dorian stated, his jaw set. “It would be too dangerous for you.”

“I have been on a ship before, I will not get ill. I have also traveled for long periods of time and can handle the rush. And if you fear that I cannot handle the cold of your country think again. I am tougher than you may believe, and so is Margaret. We are your family now, as you have said.”

“You don’t understand. My clan is under attack.”

“You told me about the feud and I know you are perfectly capable of keeping us safe.”

“You are not coming with me,” he growled, his stormy eyes clouding over.

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“I am your wife and I have every right to go with you!”

She turned on her heel, marched up the stairs and slammed the bedroom door.

Dorian ground his teeth and clenched his fists into tight balls, his nails digging into his palms. Blood trickled down to the polished wood floor. He wanted to lash out; he wanted to rip at the walls and tear apart the furniture. The woman did not understand.

She and her sister could be killed if she went with him. He growled low in his throat and stalked to his study.

“Waiting for me?”

Falcon slowly opened his eyes to find Dorian standing just inside the door.

“Yes,” he said, leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees. “Close the door, Dorian, we need to talk.”

“If it is about those blasted hunters outside, don’t waste your breath, I already know. They think to threaten me by surrounding my home, but not one will dare enter. And if you mean to talk to me about my wife, you can leave now.”

“What I have to say does involve both subjects that you find so distasteful at the moment.”

Dorian glared at Falcon as he nudged the door closed with his foot. He leaned against the wooden threshold and locked his blue fire eyes on his friend’s profile.

“I think your wife is right, you should take her with you,”

Falcon began. “But before you go into a rage let me tell you my reasons.”

“Fine,” Dorian gritted out. First Victoria attacks him and now Falcon; if he did not know any better, he would have thought they had planned this assault.