She flung herself onto his chest and threw her arms around his shoulders. 'No. I know you still want me. We are Lycan. You can never desire her as you desire me.' She pressed her lower body against his and ground herself against his loins. He felt nothing. No stirrings, no heat, no lust. He watched Gretchen's face harden as she realised his body did not react. Her face blazed with rage and she pushed herself out of his arms. 'She's cold, undead. She drinks the blood of innocents!' she ranted with near hysteria in her voice. 'I'll drive a stake through her heart before I let her have you!'
Drago's anger erupted and he growled, knowing his eyes were turning their eerie shade of amber. He was prepared to shift. For the first time she looked afraid and took a step back. 'If I ever see you so much as ten feet from Eve, I will banish you from my kingdom. Am I making myself clear?'
Something on his face must have finally registered with her because her face went white. 'You can't mean that. You don't actually love her! She's not human, Drago. Vampires are immoral and she'll never be able to control her thirst.'
He'd thought the same thing before he got to know Eve, but he remembered what she'd done at his well with her blood and how she risked her life going out into the fields to find a wild animal to feed on. 'She is more human than anyone of us will ever be,' he said harshly.
Eve was brave, courageous and honourable. She was beautiful and passionate--he stilled his thoughts as something violent hit him in the gut and he swallowed hard.
He loved her.
'Leave now,' he said. 'And never step foot in my castle again.'
Gretchen looked like she was going to persist, but thought better of it and sped down the corridor.
Drago ran a rough hand at the back of his neck. He had to see Eve. Now. He had to make her understand things were over between him and Gretchen.
He also had to tell her he loved her.
Turning abruptly on his heel, he went down the opposite direction Gretchen took. He knew Eve would be with Katya and he strode to her daughter's chambers.
He heard someone rushing down the hall behind him.
'Master! Something has happened!'
Tensing, he turned around and stared at Hesta. 'What is it? Katya?'
She shook her head. 'No. Katya is fine.'
'Shouldn't you be with her?'
'I'm on my way there right now.' She clasped her gnarled hands in front of her and gazed up at him with a perplexed look on her wrinkled, elderly face. 'I beg your pardon, Master, but something has happened,' she repeated.
'Well, what is it?' he asked as he continued to march down the corridor, the healer bustling to match his long stride. 'I don't have time for this.'
'Master, it's old man Wallace. I just came from his home. I was going to give him some more medication for the pain, but…but…'
'Speak, woman!' he roared. The only thought in his mind was seeing Eve. He didn't have time for the incessant rambling of his old healer. He tossed Hesta a quick, sideways glance and noted her shock.
'Master, it's his leg! His bone has completely healed and he walks!'
Drago stopped dead in his tracks and gave her a long look. His thoughts went to Eve the night she was at his well. 'Don't be surprised if more of our human villagers are cured overnight.'
She clasped her face, her expression lighting up. 'So the rumours are true? Our vampire guest has cured all ailments?'
'It would appear so.'
'Oh, bless her! She is an angel in disguise,' Hesta declared.
'Yes. She is,' he murmured as he opened the door to Katya's room.
Chapter Nine
Eve hugged her daughter tightly. 'I missed you so much,' she said, her voice breaking. 'Thank God you're okay. I love you so much, my darling girl. I never gave up hope finding you.'
Katya wiped her eyes as she drew away, sobbing gently. Her eyes glistened with tears as she ran her gaze over her Eve's face. 'It's been so horrible, mama.' Her voice caught and she drew in a shaky breath. 'So horrible. He…he--'
'Hush, my darling,' Eve said. A white hot rage welled in her breast at Balkathan. Bloodline be damned! She no longer cared of the consequences and she wanted him dead. 'Let's not talk about that now. When you're ready.'
Katya nodded, wiping her cheek with a shaky hand. 'The king has been very kind to me. And Hesta, too. I remember everything now, the past two years in Balkathan's lair and the past month here in this castle. Mama, I've been so mean to Hesta and the king, but I…I couldn't stop myself…' She broke off and sobbed into her hands.
'Katya, it wasn't your fault,' Eve said soothingly, taking her daughter's hand away from her face. 'You haven't been well for a long time.' Gently, she wiped her daughter's tears.
'How did you find me?' Katya asked.
'It wasn't easy. I went from village to village, until I came upon a tavern where there was talk Balkathan had attacked Drago's castle. The rumour was a woman was held captive in Balkathan's lair for two years who had recently escaped and was staying at this castle. Balkathan wanted her dead because she knew where he hid with his lair. So I travelled here and asked questions until I heard a man mention your name.'
