Magdalena was awakened by a persistent patting on her cheek and with an irritated groan opened her eyes.

She was greeted by the sight of Lucien LaCroix leaning over her and the sensation of a thin straw pallet beneath her back. Before she could protest Magdalena was raised to a seated position and a wooden cup was pressed to her lips. Having no other choice the soothsayer downed the scalding hot mead gasping as it banished the last traces of sleep from her head.

LaCroix nodded his approval at her reaction, "Drink more. It will bring back your senses."

"If I had any sense at all I wouldn't be here. Wherever that is." Magdalena grumbled.

"A small inn two days away from Paris and my home." LaCroix replied as he refilled Magdalena's cup and allowed her to hold it.

"Impossible! We cannot be that close already!"

"I assure you we are. You were in a faint and therefore unable to marvel at the speed of which I have brought us here."

Magdalena rolled her eyes as she sipped her mead. LaCroix's amused gaze never left her.

"Might I inquire as to what is so amusing, Monsieur LaCroix?"

"Forgive me, ma cherie, but I would never have thought of you as a lady to swoon easily considering your occupation." LaCroix remarked with a smirk.

Magdalena's glare was murderous, "I suggest you rein in your tongue whilst I have a hot drink in my hand, Monsieur LaCroix."

"Please call me Lucien. We are husband and wife after all."

Hot mead was promptly sprayed across the front of LaCroix's tunic.

"What the hell did you say?"

"The innkeeper believes us to be married. I have encouraged this as it was the only way to secure a single room for the two of us without tarnishing your reputation."

"How thoughtful of you. Where was that concern when you drained the bar wench?"

"It is safer for the two of us to maintain the charade and stay close to each other until we reach my home."

"How soon will that be?"

"Two days more if the weather remains fair."

Magdalena wearily sighed but silently assured herself that she could endure being thought of as LaCroix's wife for the next few days. How was it possible that her entire life could be changed so drastically in the span of just a few days?

"Very well."

LaCroix's hand squeezed her shoulder and Magdalena found herself slightly warmed by the gesture.

"Your bundle is over there. Eat something then rest." LaCroix said gesturing to the foot of the pallet.

Magdalena took his advice, moved to the foot of the pallet and began nibbling at the dried meat and fruit Mariana had packed for her. Memories of her family drifted before Magdalena's eyes as she ate. Would she ever see any of them again? Tears budded in her eyes as Magdalena thought of her elderly mother Naomi and how much she would be sure to worry.

Her melancholy thoughts were interrupted by LaCroix's movements as he lay down on the pallet beside her and seemed to be settling in to sleep. Magdalena fled from the pallet like a spooked cat her eyes wide.

"What are you doing?"

"Lying down to sleep. This is the only pallet in the room and this corner will not be exposed to the sun during the day."

"But…where am I to sleep?"

"Where ever you wish. You needn't worry, Magdalena, my hunger is well sated and I have no intention of stealing your virtue." LaCroix said firmly.

"How can I be sure of that?" Magdalena demanded fighting to keep her tone calm.

"I believe you have established what becomes of someone who attempts to harm you, Magdalena. You may sleep on the pallet beside me or on the cold floor. The choice is yours." LaCroix said bluntly before rolling on his side to face the wall.

Magdalena resisted the urge to stomp her foot and pout. She had no intention of sleeping on the floor and it would do her no good if her only source of protection was incinerated by the early morning sun. The vampire did have a point Magdalena was perfectly capable of preventing him from harming her and at the moment she had neither the strength nor the desire to argue further.

Sighing once more Magdalena reluctantly approached the pallet and rigidly lay down beside the vampire. LaCroix said nothing as Magdalena also lay on her side and curled into a tight ball intent on avoiding even the slightest contact. The end of their journey could not come soon enough in her opinion.