Free Kiss of the Dragon by Nicola Claire Page A

Goddess knows what vampires will do with that - was attached to the side of the building, accessed by a door from the enormous kitchen, but within the confines of the moat.
    I'd walked around the entire property before coming to rest on a stone bench in the beautifully scented garden I was in. I'd investigated the garages - complete with four late model black Range Rovers and my Mini, proof that this was now our home - several of the outhouses which consisted of further accommodation, offices and workshops - no doubt all designed to assist in the upkeep of the Château itself. And skipped over the short drawbridge, which was a simple wooden structure, the beams all slightly worn and not entirely safe looking. I still skipped.
    Now I was sunbathing, while Michel worked from the office behind the shuttered windows inside the Château . The sun was high in the sky, I'd slept most of the morning away and it had taken a couple of hours to explore outside. Michel had seemed very relaxed when I had mentioned I was going for a walk, so I was sure there were human guards nearby, but I didn't see any. I was under no illusions though, he was the Champion now, his safety was paramount and knowing Michel, my safety to him was too.
    I was blissfully happy. There was no other description for how I felt at that moment. Michel had loved me for hours last night, and this morning waking in his arms had been pure heaven. Not to mention where I had woken up. The Château was unbelievably beautiful and in little more than half a day, I was in love with the place.
    "You did well," I said as Kathleen took a seat beside me on the bench, her movements slow and laborious - clearly her arthritis was playing up. She spread her floral skirt out around her and gazed off over the herb garden that surrounded us on all sides for a moment.
    "We were lucky it was for sale," she said softly beside me in her lovely Kent accent. "The location couldn't have been more perfect" - she was referring to it being near Michel's birthplace - "and the farmland surrounding it reminded me of where you grew up." I looked out over the herb garden to further afield and spotted the odd white fluffy animal - sheep I was guessing, perfect - in amongst vineyards. Almost, but with those vines, not quite the same as where I grew up.
    I smiled at her. "I love it!" She let a breath out on a happy sigh. "You weren't worried I wouldn't, were you?" I asked.
    "Mistress, I was petrified."
    I stared at her, she shrugged back and then we both burst out laughing.
    When we calmed down a little, she asked, "Do you think you could live here, Mistress?"
    "Absolutely, as long as the rest of the family is here too."
    "Oh, there is plenty of room for everyone."
    "You and Matthew will be here also?"
    She nodded, "We'll share overseeing care of the property with Christopher."
    I perked up at that. The thought that Michel's vampire, who had been subjected to his London based Victorian monstrosity of a house for centuries, would be living in this uplifting and beautiful environment was appealing. I couldn't think of a better reward for years of living in purgatory than that.
    "He will be available for the night hours, " Kathleen continued to add. "And Matthew and myself will cater to the daylight ones."
    "Perfect," I announced, still beaming.
    Kathleen watched me for a moment, taking in my over exuberant smile and no doubt healthy glow. Nothing beats spending time with your kindred when you're joined. Michel and I would always be stronger together than apart from now on. We would grow weak and possibly die if forced to live separate from each other though. The closed portals had helped to ease that, but as soon as they opened up again to Álfheimr all that separation damage came crashing back in. Thankfully, I saw no reason for us to be apart for lengthy periods again. He was the Champion now, the most revered and feared vampire of the lot. Anyone taking him on would be insane.
    "You look well, Mistress.