Gabrielle ran through the woods, her heart pounding hard against her ribs.

Daring a glance over her shoulder, she could not see her pursuer, but she could hear him.

The brush rustled, and she knew he drew closer by the second.

Run, Gabrielle! Her mother’s voice called out to her over and over again.

A tree branch scraped Gabrielle’s face, but she refrained from crying out.

Sinister laughter echoed in her ears, taunting her.

“I killed your uncle, and now I will kill you!”

Sutherland!

Before she could scream, her feet left the ground and her back made contact with a tree. The fingers at her throat tightened, squeezing the breath from her.

She struggled against him, pushing at his heavy chest, but he was too strong. Gasping for breath, she knew he would kill her, just as he had killed his other wives.

Gabrielle touched her throat as she fought for breath. When would the nightmares ever stop? If the dreams were not about Rose and Darius, then they were about her uncle and Sutherland.

Something bad was about to happen. She knew it, felt it, an intuition that had her on edge. She found it difficult to even eat.

Darius and Demetri had gone out for a ride. He had asked her to join them, but she had refrained, given Demetri’s solemn mood, no doubt brought on by Remont’s absence.

So she had gone to the bedchamber she shared with Darius to read. But her mind kept drifting, and she found reading impossible.

Hopefully Darius would return soon. Lighting the candle on her bedside table, she continued her task, lighting all the candles in the room, before walking to the window. Heavy shutters covered the windows, but at night they were opened. Gabrielle looked out and saw very little beyond the manor’s entrance, where torches flickered, casting shadows upon the manicured lawns.

From the corner of her eye, she saw the silhouette of a tall man standing near the garden, just out of range of the light.

Her heart jolted. Was it Darius or Demetri?

No, this person was not as tall, or as slender. Indeed, it did not look like the groom either.

The man turned, and she saw him in profile. Her mouth went dry. Merciful heavens, was that Sutherland?

She stepped back from the window, hoping he had not seen her. Perhaps her mind was playing tricks on her.

Yes, that could be it, especially since she had just dreamt about him.

It was probably just a servant. To her relief, a groom stepped out, and she released the breath she had been holding.

The door opened behind her and she jumped.

Darius smiled. “Sorry, love. I did not mean to startle you.”

She tried to smile, but failed.

“What is it?” She could see the concern in his blue eyes.

“Nothing, I just did not expect you back so soon.”

His brows furrowed. “You are disappointed I am back early?”

“No, not at all,” she said, reaching for his hand, enfolding it within her own. Already she felt a large weight lift from her shoulders.

“Did you rest?”

“A little.”

His thumb brushed against hers. “You look so tired, Gabrielle.”

“It is only the nightmares.”

“I wish I could take them away for you.”

“I know you would.”

“What would you like to do? Both Demetri and Remont are gone, so we have the entire place to ourselves.”

“I prefer to stay here, in this room.”

He stared at her so intently it made her nervous. “I have something I wish to discuss with you.”

Taking both her hands in his own, he kissed each and held her gaze. “Do you want to stay with me, Gabrielle?”

“Of course.”

“Forever?”

Her pulse skittered. “Forever?”

“Yes.”

“But is that possible with you being … what you are, and me being what I am.”

“We can have whatever life we choose.”

If only it could be. A human and a vampire, living harmoniously.

But that was a fantasy. It could never be. Like her mother said, Gabrielle would grow old, but Darius would always remain the same age, never changing. She would go on to die, and he would continue to live.

What kind of life would that be?

As she looked at him, she realized how pale he was, the purple beneath his eyes even more obvious. He had not fed, and she wondered if she was the reason. “Your skin is so pale, Darius. Are you well?”

The sides of his mouth lifted slightly. “My skin is always pale.”

She appreciated his attempt at humor, but she was concerned about him. “But it is even paler now.”

“Do not concern yourself, lass.”

“But I worry about you.”

This seemed to please him. She sat and pulled him down onto the settee, and he laughed, the sound rolling over her like a warm blanket.

She loved the feel of his hard body against hers. In fact, everything about him excited her. Apparently he felt the same way since his thick cock pressed hard against her belly.

He kissed her softly at first, but grew more urgent.

“Should we lock the door?”

“There is no lock on that door,” he said matter-of-factly.

“Should we push a cabinet in front of the door?” she asked.

“Nay, I think not.”

“I am willing to take the chance.”

“If someone walks in, I assure you that my servants are discreet. Your honor will never be questioned.”

She lifted a brow.

He smiled then and kissed her softly.

Her thighs fell open as he deepened the kiss, and she arched her hips, loving the feel of his hard cock pressed against her sensitive flesh.

He caught the hem of her gown and brought the skirt up, his long nails brushing against the tender skin there.

Unbuttoning his pants with one hand, he unleashed his cock and thrust home in one smooth motion.

“So tight,” he whispered against her ear. “So hot.”

“So big,” she replied, and he laughed, his breath warm against her neck, his teeth gently scraping there.

She went still, her nails digging into his broad shoulders. Do it! Feed from me and make me what you are. Let me live forever with you. How she longed to say those words, but she found she could not say them aloud. Why could she not say them aloud?

He kissed her neck, at the pulse beating wildly, and then he moved lower to her chest, and lower still to the swell of her breasts. He placed kiss after kiss there.

“Make me what you are,” she whispered, tears welling in her eyes.

His entire body went still, and he looked up at her, his blue eyes questioning. “You do not know what you ask.”

“Make me what you are, Darius.”

He moved then, in and out of her, his long cock filling her so completely she could not possibly take any more, then withdrawing, leaving just the crown inside her, before impaling her again and again with fluid, even strokes.

“Darius.”

“Hmm,” he said, dipping his head for another kiss. “What is it, love?”

“If you will not make me what you are, then at least take my blood.”

He stopped mid-stroke, looking down at her. “I will not.”

“Do it.”

“I fear I will not be able to stop.”

“I trust you.”

He moved again, and she could see the indecision on his face.

As her body reached for orgasm, she cried out; at the same time she felt the sharp pinch at her neck, and the wonderful sensations she had experienced before rolled through her, but more intense and powerful, shooting her like an arrow up to the sky.

* * *

Remont had not seen Demetri for hours. He had been acting strange all evening, and Remont knew the cause. Duncan, the young man from the village who he had run into earlier in the day. He had paid the boy to deliver items to the manor, and he had done so for one reason and one reason only.

So Demetri could see him.

Remont ran a hand through his hair. Why had he stooped so low in order to make his lover jealous? Knowing Demetri, he was at this moment bedding some random man or woman. Some things never changed, and Remont had finally come to the conclusion that Demetri would never be faithful.

Which meant Remont must move on. Once he was sure Gabrielle and Darius were safe from Sutherland’s threat, he would return to Venice and move his things out of the villa. Who knows, perhaps he might move back to his native Austria. Find a home in the Alps and hopefully find a mate who would not mind spending eternity with him … and only him.

If only Demetri did not hold his heart and soul.

Damn him!

A friend of his had said she always fell in love with the one man who hurt her most. The quintessential alpha male, who had the ability to bring her to her knees.

Remont closed his eyes, concentrating on Demetri, hoping to find him. But nothing came. He walked the perimeter of the manor and even the gardens, where Demetri often found solace, but he seemed to have disappeared.

After a thorough search of the surrounding area, he went back to the manor and to his room. To his surprise, lying there in the middle of the bed was Demetri.

Remont’s heart gave a sharp tug. Relief rushed through him, followed by anger.

He stared at his lover, who lay flat on his back, one hand resting on his naked stomach, several fingers reaching beyond the band of his breeches, the other hand flung out to his side.

How lovely he was in slumber, the sharp lines of his face relaxed. His long, thick eyelashes casting shadows on his high cheekbones. His perfectly formed lips were slightly open as he breathed, and he had a cleft in his strong, masculine chin.

Remont’s heart constricted as his gaze shifted lower, over Demetri’s wide chest that rose and fell with each breath. The defined ridges in his abdomen clenched with each inward breath. And his gaze moved lower still, to the defined bulge in his breeches.

Intense need swept through Remont. He had not fed for days now. True, he could have fed from Duncan, or any number of people in the village, but he had not felt so inclined.

Now he salivated for it, particularly the blood of his lover. The man he loved above all others.

Demetri let out a groan and said something Remont could not make out. He always talked in his sleep, but they were usually unintelligible words.

“I want him,” Demetri said, or at least that was what it sounded like to Remont.

Remont’s stomach tightened. Exactly who did he want? He inched closer to the bed, listening intently.

Demetri’s hand slipped lower into his pants, cupping his cock, which swelled past the band of his pants. He shifted his hips.

Remont swallowed against the lump in his throat and turned toward the door.

He was one step from the door when Demetri said, “Come to bed, Remont.”

He should have known he was awake. Devious bastard.

“No more devious than you,” he said, his voice silky-soft.

Remont bit into his bottom lip, one hand on the knob.

A second later, Demetri was there, standing behind him, his body heat emanating into Remont’s back, even though their bodies did not touch.

Remont rested his forehead against the door. “I am not tired.”

Demetri’s long-fingered hand settled on Remont’s shoulder. “Nor am I.”

His head was screaming to walk away, yet his body and soul were telling him something altogether different.

Demetri’s other hand came to rest on Remont’s hip, and his long fingers ran up and down his side, sending delicious shivers throughout his body.

“I thought you left the manor.”

“I cannot leave Darius when he needs me. You know that.”

“Is that the only reason you stay?”

His hands fell away. “No.”

Typical Demetri. He would not make this easy. He never did. Well, Remont wouldn’t either.

He turned, and Demetri’s hand was suddenly at the back of his neck, pulling him closer, so close their lips nearly touched. “I want you, Remont. I burn with my need for you.”

Remont’s legs felt weak, but he would not give in so easily.

“Do you feel what you do to me?” Demetri asked, taking Remont’s hand in his and pressing it against his hard cock. His blue eyes were darker than usual. Indeed, the heavy-lidded intensity in his lover’s eyes made his desire reach a fever pitch. His long dark hair was ruffled, as though he had run his hands through it one too many times. He had never looked so sexy.

“Yes,” Remont said, his voice sounding lower and huskier than usual.

Demetri kissed his neck.

Remont closed his eyes. “Demetri…”

Demetri’s lips were inches from Remont’s. “Do you want me to leave?”

“You do this only to torment me.”

“Torment you? Who is the one bringing a young man from the village to your friend’s home? Hell, I am surprised you did not make love on the piano while you were at it.”

Remont opened his eyes and noticed Demetri actually trembled. Indeed, he had never seen Demetri so jealous, and oddly, it pleased him.

“He came to deliver items I had purchased at market.”

“And those items fit into one bag. Are you so weak and frail you cannot lift a bag?”

“I enjoyed his companionship.”

“You enjoyed his companionship?”

“Yes.”

“In what ways?”

“In—”

Demetri’s lips covered Remont’s, his fingers weaving through his hair. A second later he pulled away, but only a fraction. “I want you, Remont. I have always wanted you, and I will not let anyone else take you from me. If you sincerely do not want me, tell me as much and I will walk out that door and you will never see me again.”

His fierce eyes narrowed as he watched Remont, awaiting an answer.

Remont thought back over all the years they had been together and knew Demetri could not change. And he was just stubborn enough to walk out the door and never come back.

“You are wrong, Remont. I can change. I want you. I have told you that over and over. I love you. I have told you that, too, and Lord knows I have tried to show you. I am guilty of not showing it enough, I know that.”

“But that was never the issue, Demetri. I want you to love me enough so that you do not need another. But that is not possible, and I know that now.”

“I love you, Remont.” Demetri kissed him, his lips soft, but he sensed the urgency. “I want you, and only you. I will not share another person’s bed. I am guilty of doing so in the past, I know, but I want you to know that it was always about the feeding. Always, and never about the passion. No one can make me crazy with need the way you do, in and out of the bedchamber.”

How Remont wanted to believe him.

“Give me a chance, Remont. If I do you wrong again, then you have every right to walk away and never look back.” He brushed his thumbs along his cheeks. “Please give me this chance. I love you and only you. Let me prove myself to you.”

Remont stared into the blue eyes that pleaded with him. The handsome face he had committed to memory the very night they met. He remembered Darius saying that he and Gabrielle belonged together, just as Remont and Demetri belonged together.

Remont leaned in and kissed his lover softly.

He embraced him tightly, loving the feel of his hard body flush against his own. “I love you too, Demetri. I love you too.”