Page 24 of Midnight Enchantment

“I’m not asking.”

“I like it here. I like being free to do as I please. I don’t want to go back to Savaria. And if you make me, I’ll just leave again.”

“Lily … ”

“I’ve been a prisoner my whole life and never realized it until I came here, to America.”

“Your parents … ”

“They love me, I know that. But they don’t trust me enough to make my own decisions. I’m twenty-five years old and I’ve never been allowed to go anywhere without a bodyguard or one of the family.”

“It’s for your own safety, Liliana. Your family has enemies, even in Savaria, men who are jealous of your grandfather’s power and position.”

“They didn’t keep Dominic locked up! They sent him here to look for the Elder Knight.”

“That was more my doing than his, though he doesn’t know it.”

Lily’s eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

“I knew how much your brother wanted to be out on his own,” Ava said, with a shrug. “And so I arranged it.”

“Then why can’t you do the same for me? Please convince Dad to let me stay here, with you. I should be safe enough,” she said, blinking back her tears. “Now that Raedan’s gone.”

“What do you mean?”

“He left just before you got here. Left without any explanation at all. “

“Maybe he had a good reason,” Ava said, and wondered why she was suddenly defending the man.

“It felt like goodbye,” Lily murmured, and burst into tears. “I don’t … think I’ll ever … see him again.”

First loves were always painful, Ava mused as she gathered Lily into her arms. Sadly, sometimes the hurt never went away.

Dominic was waiting at Ava’s house when they returned. “Thank heaven you’re all right,” he exclaimed, giving Lily a hug. “Do you know how worried we’ve all been? How could you run away without a word?”

“I sent you a letter,” she said, her voice flat. “I was never in any danger.”

“It was thoughtless of you. Mom and Dad have been worried sick.”

Twisting out of his embrace, she said, “I’m going to bed.”

“Lily … ”

“Let her go,” Ava said. “She needs to be alone.”

“What’s to keep her from leaving again?”

“I’ve warded the house with the strongest incantation I know. She’s not going anywhere.”

Eyes narrowed, Dominic crossed his arms over his chest. “Dad wants her home.”

“I know. But now is not the time. Lily’s feeling trapped, just the way you did. Your parents are going to have to give her some freedom or they’re going to lose her, maybe for good.”

Dominic dropped onto the sofa and cradled his head in his hands. “I told them they were keeping her on too tight a rein,” he muttered. “But you can’t blame them. She’s the first—the only—female ever born to the family. There are those who want to know how it was possible. And not just our people. There are rumors that the Transylvanian vampires are also curious about her birth. Did you know that?”

“No.” Ava sank into the easy chair across from the sofa. Transylvanian vampires were unable to reproduce. No wonder they were interested in Lily. No doubt they wondered what would happen if one of their men mated with her. Would it produce a child? And would that child be vampire or human or both?

“What should I tell the family?” Dominic asked.

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