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that Cassandra’s feelings
for me will not rot and my feelings for her will not stray into
madness.”

    Lenore’s
emerald gown rippled as she approached him. It reminded Constantine
of a woman’s heart—a thing of beauty, to be sure, but
always carrying darkness within its exquisite folds. And as a man,
foolish creature that he was, Constantine determined to look beneath,
to see if there was something other than perverse passion, only to
find more questions than answers.

    My folly is to think
it can be different between Cassandra and I. History has shown it
will not be.

    “My lord, you
cannot continue this way much longer. You must make a decision
regarding the young Mistress. I have done as much as I can to protect
and shield her from your dalliances, understanding you see those
creatures for what they are, but also knowing how much it would
destroy Mistress Cassandra to learn of their existence.”

    Constantine again
suffered the desire to rush back to his darling and beg her
forgiveness. He wanted to explain it to her but knew he couldn’t.
To do so would introduce other questions Constantine was not ready to
answer.

    “They are but
a means to an end. They signify nothing to me other than sustenance.
I do not treat them unkindly but I never have tender feelings for
them either. Their names, faces, have no more meaning than those of
Cassandra’s meals.”

    “I understand,
my lord. However, she does not. She feels you prefer them over her.”

    “Which is
absolutely not true!”

    “Mistress
Cassandra has consciously been ready to be your Beloved for the last
human century. She cannot be placed in this unnatural stasis for much
longer.”

    Constantine’s
shoulders dropped an inch. His cheeks hollowed. “You think me
selfish?”

    “I think you
scared.”

    He barked rudely in
scornful laughter. “Amazing, is it not? I am a Pureblood
vampire of noble lineage and king of all you survey. I bring about my
subjects greatest fears, inspire their nightmares to come to life,
and here I am caught in my own noose.” He slammed his fist into
the richly paneled wall. Constantine’s nostrils flared; the
only outward sign of his suffering.

    I want it to be
different between us. I want her love for me to remain pristine. I
want her to see me as her savior—not her tormentor.

    He pulled his arm
back. The wood healed itself within moments. He wondered if his
darling would be so lucky.

    “My lord puts
Mistress Cassandra’s safety above his own happiness. Perhaps
she would understand if you would but explain it to her.”

    Constantine waved
away Lenore’s suggestion. “I will fix this. I promise you
that but it will have to be in my own way.”

    “My lord—”

    “I have
already spoken my will, Lady Lenore.” His eyes brightened to
the color of freshly spilled blood. “Do not attempt to
undermine me in this.”

    She bowed in
apology. “I understand, my lord.” Straightening fully,
Lenore noted, “If you have no further need of me, my lord, I
will assist the young mistress in her preparations.”

    Constantine nodded
in dismissal. He waited until she glided away, careful to keep her
back from him, before asking, “Do you think this is why we are
engineered to be paired?”

    Lenore stopped,
halfway between her lord and her mistress’s rooms. The corridor
lengthened, leaving the vampiress unable to reach Cassandra until she
answered Lord Constantine’s question adequately.

    “You were
paired because you are complementary. Mistress Cassandra has the
ability to withstand this world and bear strong sons and daughters
for your esteemed line.”

    “And what of
me? What do I bring her?”

    “Joy.”

    “Joy.”
Constantine contemplated Lenore’s reply. “There must be
more she would want from life than to be my Beloved and mother to our
children.”

    “A partner,
perhaps? One who can respect her wishes and support her when she
needs him?”

    “Lady Lenore,
you sound far more human than I ever