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  Jemima relived many more moments, but every time she found herself in a different setting, and—from the various styles of clothing worn—realized she was shifting through different centuries. The only constant was Tahlia. She always looked the same, and the intensity of the love remained unchanged. It was strange, but she could feel her heart already yearning for the tall vampire. Just when she thought she couldn’t experience more, she found herself in a candle-lit room…

  A big four-poster bed took up most of the space in the room. Tucked between the sheets a fragile old woman lay. Upon closer inspection, Jemima realized with shock that the old woman was in fact herself. From the woman’s shallow and labored breathing, Jemima knew instantly she was dying. She felt strong arms surround her and Jemima knew she was experiencing the dying woman’s emotions. Tahlia cradled the fragile body in her strong arms.

  “I love you,” Tahlia murmured repeatedly into the woman’s ear until, with a soft shudder and an angelic smile directed at Tahlia, the woman closed her watery blue eyes.

  Jemima watched as Tahlia threw back her dark head and a tortured howl burst from her lips. She saw the beautiful face streak with blood red tears. Jemima’s chest clenched with emotion as she felt Tahlia’s immense pain cleaving through her heart. Jemima wanted to double over from the pain. It was so intense, too much for a mere human to absorb.

  The scene suddenly changed, and Jemima found herself standing in a graveyard. The nearest tombstone read 11 March 1896. Tahlia was kneeling in front of a freshly dug grave, her face hard as if it, too, were cut from granite. With a soft cry, Jemima turned away from the poignant scene. It was too much. She couldn’t take anymore.

  Jemima opened her eyes, shocked to find hot tears streaming down her cheeks. Tahlia’s sorrowful black eyes were looking at her. Jemima reached up and gently cupped Tahlia’s cheek. She let Tahlia reach out and lift her onto her lap before Tahlia leaned into the caress. Jemima sobbed pitifully in Tahlia’s neck. After her tears subsided, Jemima silently snuggled in Tahlia arms. An occasional sniff was the only sign that she was still awake.

  †

  “I have loved you like that every time, and you…you have loved me back just as passionately.”

  The black eyes suddenly looked infinitely sad to Jemima.

  “I have been alone for so long now, and I have missed you so much.”

  When Tahlia came to her feet with Jemima still cradled against her chest, Jemima gasped.

  “But the pain and loneliness are distant memories now that I can hold you in my arms again.”

  Jemima looked on in rapt fascination as she saw the dark head come closer and closer still. She held the dark gaze and saw it turn even darker. The air hitched in her throat when she realized that there was no more space between them. Their lips touched, and Jemima sighed in unison with Tahlia as the gentle current, which sprinted through her, exploded behind her eyes. What now? Can this get even better? Jemima savored the warm breath of Tahlia on her lips.

  It was as if Tahlia sensed her indecision and pushed her tongue against Jemima’s lips. With a soft whimper, Jemima granted her entrance. The moment the vampire’s tongue slipped into her mouth, Jemima’s insides melted and her arms tightened against Tahlia’s neck. Tahlia’s tongue gently, but thoroughly, explored her mouth, and when the vampire broke the kiss, Jemima let out a small cry. Jemima saw the unfathomable look in the depths of Tahlia’s blinking black eyes. It was then that realization dawned on her.

  “It was you...the other night. It really was you. You came to my bedroom and…and…” Jemima couldn’t finish the sentence, because the dark eyes were now looking at her with blatant hunger. Jemima wondered vaguely if the hunger was for sex or for blood. She saw a brief look of amusement flicker in the dark eyes, but it was gone before she could analyze it. “You made love to me in my sleep.”

  “You were very much awake. I simply placed you in a light trance.”

  Jemima saw the black eyes flash.

  “Next time I make love to you, it will be while you are fully conscious.”

  Tahlia pulled Jemima even closer, her arms tightening around her.

  “You might not feel it now, but your mind needs time to absorb everything you have seen and heard tonight. I will have to put you to sleep otherwise the memories will keep you up all night.” She gently laid Jemima on the bed and pulled a sheet over her.

  The action brought their faces close, and Jemima smiled when Tahlia brushed a soft kiss over her lips. When Tahlia began to pull away, Jemima drew her close again. With their noses almost touching, she shared a soft, quiet look with Tahlia. Tahlia eventually pulled away.

  “You need to rest now, my love.” She turned to leave.

  Jemima grabbed Tahlia’s hand. “Not yet, Tahlia.”

  “Is something wrong?”

  “No.” Jemima reached for Tahlia’s other hand. “Will I be able to remember everything tomorrow morning?”

  “Yes, but I can remove them if you want.”

  Jemima quickly sat up, pulling Tahlia down on the bed with her. “I want to remember everything tomorrow.” She was suddenly shy and lowered her eyelashes to hide her eyes. “I especially want to remember you.”

  Tahlia closed her eyes for a few moments. When she opened them, Jemima was completely humbled by the love she saw blazing.

  “Then I promise that I will not alter your memory.”

  Jemima smiled gently as she pulled Tahlia closer. She saw Tahlia hesitate briefly. “I promise not to bite.” At Tahlia’s stunned expression, she laughed softly. “I’m really not equipped to bite people…unlike you.”

  When Tahlia leaned toward her, Jemima pulled her closer until they were looking deep into each other’s eyes. “Has anyone ever told you that it is dangerous to love the way you do? You might get hurt,” Jemima said. When she saw the black eyes melt, Jemima felt herself drowning in their depths.

  “There is no other way to love you, Jemima. One day you, too, will know what it feels like to love me that same way.”

  Jemima lifted her fingers to her lips and then placed them against Tahlia’s. “I want to remember everything.” She lay back and closed her eyes.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Tahlia looked down at a sleeping Jemima and planted a soft kiss on the smooth forehead. At last, Jemima was hers. It had never taken her so long to convince any of the others. She smiled faintly. Except for one other—Neve…

  The Macgregor was a stubborn 16th century Scottish laird. Even after Tahlia had revealed herself to Neve, the woman still looked at her with pure suspicion in her brilliant blue eyes. Only after Tahlia had taken her to bed did the woman fully accept her and welcome their love.

  But Neve, thrown from her horse during a wild boar hunt, died prematurely. Buried deep in her earthy cradle under Neve’s castle, Tahlia was unable to rush to her love’s side during the daylight hours. That night, she awakened with a blood-chilling howl, rushing to Neve’s bedside where she lay in a coma. Although others could not hear Neve’s utterances, she could. By blending their minds, Tahlia could converse with her dying lover. Still, they hadn’t had enough time. Neve was in a coma for three days, barely enough time for them to say their goodbyes and to kiss for the last time.

  Neve had promised that she would return one day. Looking down at the sleeping face of Jemima, Tahlia nodded. It seemed as if Neve had kept her promise. Tahlia easily recognized her spirit—Jemima was just as strong-willed and stubborn as the Scotswoman.

  She quickly undressed the slumbering woman and wrapped the blankets snuggly around her. With one last kiss to Jemima’s cheek, she quietly left the bedroom and headed for the lounge, once again donning her Vampire Queen persona. She wouldn’t see Jemima for the rest of the evening, but the knowledge that she was safe was good enough for Tahlia. She’d placed Jemima under a deep sleep compulsion, which would let her sleep for twelve hours to help her psyche process the night’s revelations. Her heart warmed at the thought that the next time they saw one another,
Jemima would know her as her lover, as the only woman who knew her inside out, and who could command her body with just one look.

  †

  Tahlia stopped briefly outside the lounge where the other Royal Clan members were gathered to clear her mind of Jemima. She couldn’t afford to be distracted at a time like this, especially not against a crafty foe like Drake. He wasn’t a great fighter, but underestimating him could have fatal consequences. He had devised the plan to convert and kill Jemima by himself. That alone made him dangerous.

  For three centuries, Tahlia had trained the fledgling patiently. Drake was almost like a son to her. But Drake had other plans. He wanted it all—power, respect, and the thrill of the kill. She was lucky to have spotted the evil stain spreading within him before he could cause more damage. But, it had been too late to stop him. He disappeared shortly after she reassigned him to another regiment.

  She knew the others could sense her presence from behind the door, and, not wanting to keep them waiting, she pushed the door open and entered.

  †

  Later that night, Tahlia knocked on James’ bedroom door. He answered the door in his bathrobe and smiled. Tahlia did not return the smile, and James frowned.

  “We need to talk, James.”

  “It sounds serious. Come in.”

  After the door locked behind them, Tahlia took a deep breath. She knew that she was going to place a very good friendship in jeopardy with what she had to tell him. But it needed doing.

  †

  “Tahlia!” The name exploded from her lips when she opened her eyes. Jemima had seen it all, experienced it all, and wanted to make it better for Tahlia. Her eyes filled with tears when the memories bubbled to the surface. She had dreamt about Tahlia all night and had cried with her and for her as she journeyed through the centuries with her memories serving as a map.

  Jemima swung her feet out of bed and frowned when she found that she was clad in only her underwear. She remembered that Tahlia was the last one to see her before she’d fallen asleep. She must’ve undressed me. She felt her skin tingle at the thought of those strong hands brushing her naked skin. If the dreams were an indication, then Tahlia was an exceptional lover. Eighteen reincarnations attested to that.

  She found her clothes draped over a chair, and after dressing quickly, she set out to find Tahlia. She needed to see her, touch her, and hear her voice. She needed to reinstate physical contact with her again, as she had last night. She needed reassurance that what she’d dreamt about was indeed more than jumbled thought and images resulting from an overactive imagination. Jemima was halfway down the hallway when she realized how quiet the safe house was as opposed to the previous night. Yes. Night. It was daylight now. Everyone including Tahlia was sleeping. With a disappointed sigh, she looked at her watch. It would be many hours before Tahlia arose. I’ll just have to be patient. Instead, she went in search of her father and Rafina.

  She smiled when she entered a small dining room and found her father sitting at a table drinking from a steaming cup. His eyes lit up when he saw her, but she also saw the shadows lurking deep within his blue eyes. She kissed him on the cheek and took a seat opposite him. Almost immediately, Rafina entered the lounge, carrying a tray with two plates.

  “Good morning, Jemima. I hope you are hungry, because I have made a lot of food. It’s not every day that I have company for breakfast.” She placed a plate heaped with eggs, toast, sausage, and bacon in front of Jemima. Jemima saw a fleeting look pass between Rafina and her father before they both quickly looked away. She studied the older woman and grinned. Rafina was a beautiful woman, and her father was a handsome man. It’s about time he started to date again.

 

  Jemima’s grip tightened on the fork at the sound of Tahlia’s voice.

  The name was wrenched from her heart and whispered gently along the corridors of her mind. Just hearing the husky voice sparked an overwhelming need for the Vampire. Good grief, please don’t let her turn me into a nymphomaniac. She felt a loving presence, a small flutter, before feeling her body transported to times long gone…

  Her name was Claire then, and she worked as a serving girl in a London tavern. Tahlia had just returned home from battle and Claire was waiting for her at Tahlia’s mansion. The door to the bedroom swung open, and Tahlia’s tall frame filled the doorway. Her long black hair caked with mud and blood, she appeared to be exhausted.

  Claire gently helped Tahlia out of her armor, and, once she was sure there were no injuries marring the beautiful body, took a soapy cloth and sponged off the dirt and blood. Tahlia didn’t say much. She simply stared at Claire with those bottomless black eyes, the beginnings of desire evident in her smoldering gaze. Claire knew instinctively what her lover wanted. She’d gone down on her knees and moved closer until her lips were a hairsbreadth from the vampire’s womanhood. Using her fingertips, she parted the soft, fleshy lips and greedily inhaled her lover’s scent. At the first touch of her tongue running along the soft musky cleft, Tahlia threw back her dark head and opened her legs wider. A sonorous purr came from deep within her and reverberated through the room.

  †

  Deep in the rich earth beneath Jemima’s chambers Tahlia’s heart beat so loud it thundered in her ears. She didn’t know why she tortured herself by reliving that particular memory with Jemima…

  The year was 1777, and she was on her way home from Russia, where she had hunted and destroyed a band of vicious renegades. She was so eager to get home that she wasn’t even aware that a group of vampire slayers had tailed her. Her thoughts were on beautiful Claire and the telepathic conversation they were enjoying as she rushed home.

  A few kilometers outside London, she’d picked up their scent. There were eight of them. Tired from her battle with the renegades and exhausted by the long journey, she’d had to draw on the last vestiges of her strength to destroy them.

  With her body drained, she returned to Claire. One look at those beautiful sapphire eyes and her fatigue melted away. They made love that night until just before dawn, when she slipped from the tangled sheets to find her rest within the earth.

  The memory complete, Tahlia gave in to the demand of her body and closed her eyes. Immediately her body began to shut down her vital organs.

  †

  After Tahlia’s visit, James had trouble sleeping. He wandered around the big underground labyrinth looking for answers to all the questions in his head. That was when he’d bumped into Rafina in the kitchen.

  “Mr. Marsden, I was just about to make myself a cup of tea. Would you like some?”

  James saw the woman’s honest dark eyes staring straight through him and he had felt the urge to open up to her. Rafina listened quietly until he was finished.

  She asked him two questions. “If the Queen loves your daughter the way you say she does and the way we all know she does, why would you want to stand in their way? My parents raised me with the knowledge that love has no gender. I have a brother who prefers men to women. If my parents, who were raised according to the strictest principles of the Roman Catholic Church, could accept who my brother was, why can’t you, an intellectual, place your daughter’s happiness above all else?”

  The rest of the night he had tossed and turned with Rafina’s words playing through his mind. He finally found sleep after making a mental note to speak to Jemima today. Jemima’s soft voice pulled him out of his reverie.

  “You’re awfully quiet, Dad.”

  Jemima was looking at him from over the rim of her coffee cup and James’ felt his chest puff out with pride. He let his eyes caress her face. She was such a beautiful woman. Her clear blue eyes shone like polished gems, and her long blonde hair tied back in a ponytail shimmered. Oh, how she reminds me of her mother. Jane used to tie her hair back just like that. He smiled at her.

  “I’m just admiring my beau
tiful daughter.” His smile widened when she blushed. “I can understand now why Tahlia’s love for you transcends death.” He saw the shocked look in Jemima’s eyes. “You are worth it and more, my baby.”

  He watched, as Jemima’s fork froze halfway to her mouth. The blue eyes were wide as she stared at him.

  “Did Tahlia tell you about us? About me?”

  James nodded. “She came to me last night and told me everything. I must admit it wasn’t easy to accept it all at once, but someone helped me to put it all in perspective.” He looked to where the older woman was busy rearranging chairs around a table. It had felt good for him to be able to talk to someone again—to another woman.

  “Are you angry?”

  “Tahlia loves you like no one ever will. I can’t think of anybody else I would trust to take care of you.” He took her slender hand in his and smiled at the tears forming in her eyes. “I would never have guessed that you were interested in women, you know. But I am happy as long as you are.”

  “Thank you, Daddy. It means a lot to me.”

  James smiled and sat back to watch Jemima attack her breakfast with new fervor. It was good to know that she, too, accepted Tahlia’s love. Jemima’s scathing words at times about Tahlia had worried him immensely. As he watched Jemima, he recalled Tahlia’s visit to his room…

  “I believe the time has come for me to tell you exactly why I came into you and Jemima’s lives.” The dark eyes were steady as they stared at him. “I also know that I might be jeopardizing our friendship with what I am about to say.”

  He slowly walked over to his bed and took a seat. “You are scaring me, Tahlia.”

  “I love your daughter, James.”

  He stared into the obsidian gaze, searching for a sign that she was simply teasing. “I…I don’t understand.”