Kaitlyn went into Zack’s arms as soon as her mom and dad left the room. “You didn’t really change your mind about marrying me, did you? I mean, it was just a bluff. Wasn’t it?”

“What do you think?”

Canting her head to one side, she looked up at him through the veil of her lashes. “I’m not sure,” she said with a teasing grin. “I guess you’ll just have to propose again.”

“Is that right?” In a single fluid move, he dropped down on one knee. “Kaitlyn Liliana Sherrad, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”

She would have thought he was teasing except for the serious expression on his face, the intensity that blazed in the depths of his eyes. “Yes, Zack, I will.”

Rising to his feet, he drew her into his arms and kissed her. It was a kiss like no other he had ever given her—achingly tender and sweet, a kiss of commitment meant to bind two hearts and two souls together. Forever.

There were tears in her eyes when he broke the kiss.

“I love you, Katy, with all my heart. I’ll do my best to make you happy.”

“I am happy,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “Happier than I’ve ever been in my whole life.”

“And I intend to see that you stay that way.” Or die trying.

Chapter 36

Elena sat on Drake’s lap. She tried to pretend she was calm, but her voice betrayed her.

“When?” she asked tremulously. “When are we leaving for the Fortress?”

“We are not leaving,” he said, kissing her cheek. “I am leaving. You will stay here with Zack and Kaitlyn.”

“No!” She slid off his lap, then whirled around to face him, her hands fisted on her hips. “I am not staying behind!”

“Elena. Wife. You will do as I say, or I will lock you in your room.”

“That’s not fair!”

“Fair or not, I will not put your life in danger. You will stay here with Kaitlyn. Zack will be here to protect you.”

“You can’t face Lucien and Nadiya alone.”

“I can and I will,” he said. “This is my fight. I cannot let Lucien think he has won.”

“That’s just your pride talking. I don’t care what anyone thinks.”

“The Fortress is my ancestral home. I will not give it up without a fight. Nor will I let Nadiya go unpunished for what she did.”

“Please, Drake.” Elena placed her hands on Drake’s shoulders. “I’m afraid. What if . . .” She couldn’t say the words. What if saying them made them so? She wasn’t brave; she didn’t care what happened to the Fortress. Her only concern was for her husband. He was her courage. Her life. Without him . . . “Drake.”

“I know.” He put his arms around her waist and drew her close, his head resting in the vee between her breasts.

“What if Lucien won’t meet you?” she asked hopefully.

“I will not give him a choice. Day after tomorrow, I will summon my brothers and the husbands of my sisters. We will meet at the Fortress.”

“Not Andrei,” Elena said.

Drake lifted his head. “Why not Andrei?”

“Because Katiya is pregnant again.”

“Who told you that?” he asked, frowning.

“Katiya sent me a letter. I got it a few days ago but with everything that was going on, I forgot to tell you.”

Drake nodded. “Not Andrei, then.”

“So you won’t be alone,” Elena said, relieved to know that his brothers would be there with him.

“I will meet Lucien alone. My family will be there to assure it is a fair fight.”

“Isn’t there another way?” She knew what his answer would be, but she had to try one more time.

“No.” He cupped her face in his hands. “Do not worry, wife. I will come back to you.”

Elena forced a smile, but inside, her heart was breaking. And then, not wanting him to think her weak or cowardly, she forced a smile. Taking him by the hand, she urged him to his feet. “Let us go upstairs and make the best of what time we have left before you must go.”

Kaitlyn shook her head. “Can’t you change his mind?”

“I tried,” Elena said. “But you know how your father is, once he’s made a decision.”

Kaitlyn reached for her mother’s hand. It was late on a rainy afternoon and they were sitting side by side on one of the sofas in the main hall. A fire crackled cheerfully in the hearth. A flowered teapot and matching china cups sat on the coffee table, along with a batch of freshly baked sugar cookies. They had dined earlier.

“Can he win?” Kaitlyn asked.

“If Lucien and Nadiya play fair, it’s no contest. Your father will win easily. But you know Nadiya won’t play by the rules. Even if your father defeats Lucien, I know Nadiya will have a back-up plan to make sure your father doesn’t survive.”

“We have to be there,” Kaitlyn said.

“I agree, but I don’t know how we’d manage it. We’d have to go by plane, and by the time we get there, it’ll all be over.”

Kaitlyn heaved a sigh of exasperation. More and more lately, she found herself wishing she was a full-fledged vampire like her father. Like Zack . . . Zack. Of course! He could take them to the Fortress.

Kaitlyn gave her mother’s hand a squeeze. “I know a way. Shh, they’re coming.” She looked up, smiling as Zack and her father entered the room.

“You’re up early,” Elena said, smiling at her husband.

“I wanted to spend as much time with you as I could,” Drake said, kissing his wife’s cheek. “What have you two been up to?”

“Talking about the wedding, of course.” Kaitlyn moved to the other sofa so her parents could sit together. She smiled at Zack as he took a place beside her.

“In a hurry to tie the knot?” Zack took her hand in his and raised it to his lips.

The touch of his mouth sent a shiver of longing straight to the center of her being. “Of course.”

He grinned at her, a wicked gleam in his eyes. He knew exactly the effect he had on her.

“Zack, I have a favor to ask of you,” Drake said.

“Sure, anything.”

“I am going to meet Lucien at the Fortress tomorrow night. I would appreciate it if you would stay here with Elena and Kaitlyn.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to go along to watch your back?”

“My brothers will be there. I need someone I can trust to stay here.”

“Whatever you want.”

“If anything happens to me . . .”

Elena quickly put her hand over her husband’s mouth. “Don’t say it! Don’t even think it!”

Drake stood and pulled Elena to her feet. “If you two will excuse us, I want to spend the rest of this night with my wife.”

Kaitlyn nodded. After her parents left the room, she turned toward Zack. “Let’s go outside.”

“I don’t think your father would approve.”

“Just out into the backyard.”

“It’s raining.”

She shrugged. “Afraid you’ll shrink?”

Laughing, he followed Kaitlyn into the kitchen and through a small door that led into a large garden surrounded by a high stone wall. He glanced around. He imagined the garden had once been beautiful, but no one had cared for it while Drake and Elena had been at the Fortress. The flowerbeds that lined the footpaths were filled with weeds. A small round fountain bubbled cheerfully in the middle of the yard; an ancient wroughtiron bench was located under a towering oak.

He followed Kaitlyn to the bench, which was surprisingly dry, and sat down beside her. “You’re worried about your father.”

“If anything happens to my dad . . .” She loosed a deep, shuddering sigh. “I don’t know what my mom would do without him.”

“I fought beside your dad,” Zack reminded her. “I wouldn’t worry about him.”

“I wouldn’t worry, either, if I thought Lucien would fight fair. But my mom’s worried that if Dad wins the fight, Nadiya will make certain he never leaves the Fortress alive.”

Zack grunted softly. It was a legitimate concern. Elena wasn’t the only one to think of it. “What do you want me to do?”

“Go with him.”

“No way. I’m not leaving you and your mother here alone.”

“I’m not afraid.”

“Forget it, Katy. I’m not leaving you here, not with Nadiya running loose.”

“But . . .”

“No buts. And don’t think those tears will sway me. I don’t want to face your old man if anything happens to you or your mom. Besides, he told me he’s calling his brothers for backup.”

“He told you that?”

“We discussed his plans earlier. With all his brothers, half brothers, and brothers-in-law, he should be all right, even against the Korzha contingent.”

Knowing further arguments wouldn’t get her anywhere, Kaitlyn rested her head on Zack’s shoulder. “I hope you’re right.”

He winked at her. “I’m always right, Katy darlin’. And now that that’s settled, I think we should get down to some serious huggin’ and kissin’.”

“Oh, you do, do you?”

“Don’t you?” He made a sad face. “Your lack of interest cuts me to the quick.”

“Oh, shut up and kiss me, you fool.”

“You’re so romantic,” Zack muttered. “Is it any wonder that I love you?”

In a move that left her gasping with surprise, he lifted her onto his lap and kissed her, a long lingering kiss that started off feather-light and gradually grew in intensity until it was an effort for her to think, to breathe. His hands—those cunning, clever hands—slid seductively over her back, along her hips and thighs. She leaned into him, wanting to feel his skin on hers, wanting to drag him down to the ground and explore every inch of him.