Free Vampire - Child of Destiny (Vampire Series Book 2) by Charmain Marie Mitchell Page B

you."
    "Must you tend the Queen, can we not just run away...I hate it that she takes you from me."
    I heard the plea in Jane's voice and winced, willing her to be stronger, weakness would only anger a man such as my son had become.
    "Jane, we have discussed this...it is what must be, we must pay court to the Queen...My father discussed this with you...”
    "Oh, your father..." Jane said, turning away from him, "and is he at court, may I ask?"
    "No… he is still at Vanike...he is...indisposed at the moment...We will travel back to Vanike soon, my love...we must marry before the child becomes apparent.  The Queen, of course, will be present."
    I heard the irritation in Henry's voice; it was obvious that he did not enjoy having to explaining himself.
    "Is that is all you care about?  The child I carry, the Queen, and your father!  WHAT ABOUT ME HENRY...WHAT ABOUT ME?"
    "Be quiet, you fool! Do you want the whole court to hear our private affairs?"
     
    The previous irritation I had heard in his voice had now turned to anger.  I heard Jane sob, and heard the heavy footfall of Henry walking towards the door.  I turned as he approached.
     
    "You...” he barked, "You are her woman, are you not?"  I nodded, unsure of what to say or do. "Good, well tend to her, will you!"  He then walked through the door, slamming it shut as he did so.
     
    Chapter Seventeen
     
     
    I felt like I was afloat in a hazy cloud of happiness in the days that followed, and I cherished every moment that I spent close to my son.  For the first time since Robert had stepped into my life, I felt content and complete.  Henry was a fine man; he was strong but kind, with just a hint of cruelty hidden just beneath the surface.  Of course, that was only to be expected; he was, after all is said and done, given human hearts to juggle as a child.
     
    I loved to watch him deal with Jane; she was, I should point out, of a very nervous disposition.  Henry, however, was so patient with her, and although I was certain that Robert had ordered him to marry Jane, his concern for her wellbeing never seemed to be false or an act.  I was proud of the man my son had become.
     
    However, I did notice that Henry's gaze often lingered in my direction, and it worried me.  I noticed that his eyes lingered on several of the serving wenches and I guessed that my son was busy sowing his seed; I just hoped that he was not going to try to use his charms on me.
     
    This was exactly what I thought he was going to try, when about a week after he arrived, I heard his footsteps catching up to me, as I walked along the stone-covered tunnel that was used by the servants.
     
    "Jenny...Jenny...wait, I need to talk with you."  I had no need to turn around, to know that Henry was behind me.  I had known by the sound of his footsteps, long before he had said a word.
    "Yes, master...” I said as I turned to him.
    "I wanted to ask you something...do you mind if I walk with you a while?" 
    "As you wish...” I muttered, not knowing how I would be able deny his request.
     
    We walked in an awkward silence for a few strides, our footsteps echoing on the stones.
    "I know what you are, Jenny."
     
    I was stunned at his words, not knowing if he meant that he knew I was a vampire, or he knew I was his mother.
    "I am not sure what you mean..." I whispered, staring towards the floor, not daring to look up into his eyes.
    "I know what you are...I thought, at first, that my father had sent you to protect me...but now I am not sure...because, well… we look alike!"
     
    He stopped walking, and I had no choice but to stop also.  I turned towards him and lifted my eyes to look into his.
    "We share the same eyes, Jenny...even Jane noticed it...My mother died giving birth to me, but it has crossed my mind that she may have borne others, are you my sister Jenny?"
     
    They had told him that I had died!  I wanted to scream at him, to tell him who I was.  I searched for words to form some sort