The wysper appeared behind him, peering over his shoulder with concern-filled eyes. If I can do anything, she signed, just tell me.

“No,” Chrysabelle whispered. The pain made her eyes water. “How long… home?”

“A quarter hour, maybe a few minutes more,” Mal answered. “But you’ve been asleep since we got into the car.”

“The city? Samhain… the covenant…” The effort of words drained her.

“Don’t worry about any of that. Just rest and recover. Try to go back to sleep.”

She tried to shake her head but only succeeded in turning it farther into the pillow. “I need to…” Even breathing made her body ache. “The Aurelian.”

“Soon enough,” Mal said. He patted a small red pouch on the nightstand. “For when you’re ready, but for now, you need to sleep and heal.”

She closed her eyes, meaning to say something else about how she couldn’t wait, didn’t want to wait, needed to find her brother, but the depths of sleep consumed her, pulling her blissfully under once again.

Octavian paced the sitting area of the master bedroom. “Word will spread now. Every house will know of Lilith’s existence as surely as they know you are Dominus.”

Tatiana tore herself away from listening to Lilith’s soft coos as she fed from the wet nurse in the next room. The nursery wasn’t completed, but Tatiana wanted Lilith close, so she’d set up the wet nurse in her dressing room. “You seem worried.” She sprawled back against the nest of pillows on the bed. “Don’t be. The Castus made it clear to the other Dominus that I and my family are to be protected at all costs. None would dare cross us knowing how firmly the ancient ones are on our side. One look at Lilith and they will see where his favor lies.”

“That’s what worries me,” Octavian said. “There will be jealousy unlike anything the families have ever seen.”

She smiled, his concern touching. “Sweetheart, don’t you think I’ve given this much thought?” She slid off the bed and came to his side, taking his hand. “This is exactly the position I—we—want to be in. The other houses must align with us or they will be of little consequence in the new age.”

He smiled back at her. “You’re so sure of yourself, so confident.” He feathered kisses across her forehead. “So fearless.” His lips brushed hers and she welcomed him in, flattery one of her greatest aphrodisiacs. “I am so proud to be at your side.” Hands splayed on her hips, he pulled her closer. “I cannot wait to see you at that ball. You will leave the men bitter with want and the women wondering how you are everything they are not.”

She tipped her head back as his mouth trailed kisses down her neck. “If you’re trying to get me into bed, it’s working.”

He laughed against her skin, his fangs grazing the curve of her shoulder. “I adore you, Tatiana. Do you know that?”

“You’ve made that delightfully clear.” She nipped at his chin, drunk on affection and the rare air of happiness. “I feel the same way about you.”

His expression grew more serious, but the silver in his eyes didn’t fade. “That you could feel that way toward me when I was little more than your servant a short while ago…” He turned away from her.

“Don’t,” she whispered, clinging to him. “The past is just that. We’ll talk of it no more.”

Head bent, his gaze came at her sideways. “Tell me of the future, then. Tell me of your plans.” The curve of his mouth broadened into a grin. “I love hearing you talk about your ideas and desires for the vampire nation.”

She flew to the door and locked it, then was back at his side, tugging him toward the bed. She could almost understand how Daciana had married Laurent. With a man like Octavian, such a commitment didn’t seem so hard to accept. Maybe they should marry. For Lilith’s sake. And to show the rest of the families just how strong their bond was. Her legs hit the side of the bed. “I want to take over the world.”

He tumbled down on top of her, shoving the pillows out of the way. His fingers worked the buttons of her silk blouse. His mouth followed them down. “How will you do it?”

“I will start with… Oh, that’s the spot.” A shiver of pleasure trilled down her spine and joined with the places his hands caressed. “I will… I…”

“Will I be at your side?” He breathed the words over her bare flesh, raising an army of goose bumps across her thighs, exposed by the skirt he’d shoved up to her hips.

“Yes,” she whispered. “Always.” Because she was almost sure she loved him.

His tongue raked across her stomach. “I am afraid,” he said softly.

The chill returned, but for a whole new reason. She struggled to her elbows and stared down at him. “Afraid of what?”

He rested his head on her taut belly. “That I love you far more than is wise.” His thumb drew a small, delicious circle near her navel. “You will be the queen of the vampire nation. Then you will find another and break my heart.”

She laughed softly so as not to wound him further. “You worry for nothing. You’ll see.” She lay back down and threaded her fingers into his hair, guiding him back to where he’d been when he’d stopped. “At the ball, you’ll see.” She would announce their union. That would stun the families, wouldn’t it? She did love to make a scene.