Kiss of the Dragon (37 page)

But even if Amisi walked in right at this second, I was sure Michel would still think I was the most beautiful woman in the room. He made me feel that way too. How he looked at me as though he wanted to sink into my eyes. As though he couldn't breathe without having me at his side.

As though he wanted to devour me.

"Michel," I whispered, about to tell him off for being so blatantly
hungry
in front of so many vampires in the room. But the words were lost when he pulled me closer still, nuzzled his face in the crook of my shoulder and neck, and without hesitation sunk his fangs into my skin.

I had thought I'd keep him on his toes, make sure he never tired of the chase. Yet here he was stunning me. Bending me over as he drank down my blood like a fine wine. One hand supporting my back, up into my hair. The other running seductively down my side, skimming the length of the satin sheath. I'd even lifted a leg, like some movie maiden being kissed senseless on the Big Screen.

A few manly chuckles could be heard around us, but otherwise no one paid much attention at all.

It is a joining ceremony, ma douce
, Michel said in my mind, surprisingly keeping the bite loving and beautiful, but not overtly sexual in nature.
All those with kindred will be reminded of their own joining. I pity the ones who did not have as joyous a ceremony as ours.

He continued to drink me down, but it was slowly. As though he was savouring every single drop.

You bit me then too
, I reminded him, my hands having found their way into his hair and revelling being there.

And did much more after the event,
Michel supplied, withdrawing his fangs and licking the bite wound closed with infinite care. He righted me, his arms still firmly holding me against him, letting me know the bite, or the memory of our activities after we joined that first time, were having an effect on his body right now. He moved me to a better position, to hide evidence of his wayward thoughts.

"Do you intend to do more of the same after this one?" I asked aloud. Michel just chuckled and leaned in to kiss me lightly on the lips. I took that as a 'yes'.

"Are you well?" he asked, as his eyes ran over my face. He suddenly looked worried. Maybe from the idea that feeding from me could make the illness worse. Surprisingly, it didn't. It made me feel better. Much better, in fact.

He smiled broadly.

"Well then, I'll make sure not to miss an opportunity to indulge in your blood," he purred, running a finger down the length of my neck.

"I think I might insist," I replied, realising that I really was feeling better than I had in days. Michel had been careful with his feeds recently, plus we had been busy or I had been unconscious. Neither making it easy for us to enjoy our normal nightly ritual. I was thinking that needed to change, if the way I felt after one delicious bite made this much difference.

We both started grinning like the love-sick fools that we are at that thought. Anticipation making my pulse beat rapidly and Michel’s eyes shine bright. Magenta flashed across them, letting me know his vampire-within was on-board with our plans.

It was with those silly grins and the promises in our eyes that Amisi and Gregor finally arrived. Michel spun me around; my back to his chest, his arms wrapped around me from behind, so we could watch our closest friends share blood, become kindred, and show the world how strong they are as one.

I was so excited for Amisi. This was something she had desired for some time. It's not that Gregor didn't want it. He'd just been petrified to want something and find out he couldn't have it in the end. Gregor had been a hedonist in the past. He had taken enjoyment wherever he found it and didn't think twice. But with Amisi, so much was riding on their compatibility. I don't think he had ever wanted something so much before. And yet that depth of need, made it so very hard to take what he wanted the most in the end.

But here they were. Staring up at each other adoringly as the Ambrosia offered a stainless steel knife on a shining tray. They looked perfect together. Gregor in a dark grey suit and silver tie that matched the platinum shining in his grey eyes. And Amisi in a stunning, off the shoulder, short silver dress, that displayed her long legs consummately. I knew it had been lurking in the back of my wardrobe, but it just wasn't my colour. For me it's black or black. Or if something really special is happening, I'll branch out to a shade of purple.

For Amisi, silver was sensational. Her long dark hair hanging loosely down her back, her caramel coloured skin gleaming in the candlelight. Her beautiful almond shaped eyes dusted in a smoky grey, completing a picture of perfection. She was breathtaking.

Tears began to streak down my face and my heart swelled for my best friend. This was it. Amisi wouldn't fully mature until her twenty-fifth birthday, which was still a couple of years away. But she would be joined. She would have her kindred. And I couldn't think of anything more wondrous for my girl.

A kindred joining, when done right - and let's face it, Amisi and Gregor were
so
right - was a splendid thing. I'm not talking about the power it creates. Nor the status. I'm talking about that connection, that goes beyond mere love and affection to something so very deeply bound to the core of each of us. If one dies, the other dies too. And I truly believed that had nothing to do with any supernatural contract between Nosferatin and Nosferatu back in the day, as Michel had once said. But having now learned about Twin Souls and how the first vampire came into existence, I
knew
that even if that 'clause' didn't exist for joined kindred, we'd
want
to die anyway when they did.

It was beyond love. Beyond need. It was simply the most perfect relationship one could share with another. And our Goddess had given it to us.

I watched as Gregor didn't hesitate to slice his palm. Now the moment was upon him, nothing would hold him back from claiming his kindred. I cried even more tears as Amisi smiled coyly back at him, running the knife down her palm so slowly, as though to tease. He growled low in response, making a few people chuckle in the crowd. But the final laugh was on him.

Because he grasped Amisi's hand before the knife had made it to the Ambrosia's tray again and
crushed his lips to hers. Their blood mingled, Light streamed through the room, and
Sanguis Vitam
sang on the air. The vampires responded with their own
Sanguis Vitam
rising in return, the Nosferatins let out a little extra Light too. And still Gregor kissed her like a starving man.

Nut was here, I was sure. A feeling of such happiness and wellbeing flooding us all. Amisi deserved to have the Goddess attend her joining, but I think maybe Nut saw this as a chance to touch each one of us, before we went to war one last time. I sent a silent prayer out to her, to watch over my friends. I didn't get a reply, but I knew she'd heard. Light pulsed blindingly bright white for a second and then the room was aglow with the soft muted yellow of the candles again.

Gregor pulled back from Amisi's mouth long enough to kiss down her cheek, over her chin, and lovingly down her neck. We all knew what was about to happen and I felt the excitement, the anticipation, escalate in the room. Michel pulled me closer and ran his own lips over the skin at the side of my neck.

And then Gregor bit Amisi and everyone held their breaths.

A kindred joining ceremony can be very sensual, depending on the relationship the compatible kindred had. Mine and Michel's had been fraught with sexual tension, which was displayed at our joining for all to see. Amisi and Gregor had been in a long standing sexual relationship, so their coupling wasn't quite the same.

But things can happen at a joining, when
Sanguis Vitam
is doubling and barely in control, and a Nosferatin is joining with her heart's desire. Great things can happen.

We felt the swell of power as Gregor infused his bite with
Sanguis Vitam
, marking Amisi as his own. And we watched as her Light snaked out entwining them both in reply, then removing my
Sigillum
completely from around Gregor's eyes and replacing it with her own. I'm not sure she would have been able to do that at any other time. But their power was so great upon joining, for this brief moment in time, the impossible was made possible.

And Amisi made Gregor all hers... and no one else's.

That's my girl!

For a few brief moments we all forgot about death and war. We celebrated a beautiful kindred joining with two people who meant so much to us all. Nero's eyes were brimming with tears as he hugged his former protégée, whispering something personal in her ears, that none of us could hear. My heart had been through so much lately. Split in two with raw grief and now flying free, soaring with pure happiness at seeing Nero and Amisi embrace.

People who mean something to us are meant to attend our joining ceremony. For me, there had been no one. My family didn't know what I was, and my friend at the time was dead set against it. Amisi would have wanted her Nosferatin family, the community of Nosferatins that lived in Cairo, to attend. But time and current pressures meant that was impossible. Still, Nero being here meant something. More than just a connection to the Nosferatin Amisi had looked up to and loved. But also a connection to her family in Egypt. I was very pleased for her to have that.

We watched as vampires trailed past the two newly joined kindred, offering their congratulations - or for those under Gregor's line, their fealty - one by one. Michel kept his arms firmly wrapped around me, unable or unwilling in that moment to let me go. I knew we weren't out of the woods yet, in so many regards. Aside from the impending battle - hopefully the final battle - with Avery, we had the illness to contend with, and Michel's dragon-within's compromising overprotective leanings as well.

He'd been trying so hard to keep them in check, and anyone looking at us right now would have only assumed he was cuddling me for romantic reasons, at such a romantic event. But, I could tell it was more. A thrum of
Sanguis Vitam
pulsed through the Bond, probably not noticeable to any others in the room, but because we are connected and he held me so close, I could feel it. A warning to others to stay back - from me. His eyes were alternating between magenta and amethyst as he battled to stay in control. And a low, almost imperceptible growl was rumbling in his chest.

Plus, he couldn't stop running his fangs over my neck. It was a gentle, yet entirely possessive, move. Again, one that could be put down to the atmosphere and recent ceremony, but both Michel and I knew otherwise. I wanted to go hug Amisi and Gregor. Hell, I needed to. But, even as those thoughts entered my mind, Michel's grip tightened, his growl deepened, his
Sanguis Vitam
pulsed, and his fangs broke skin - just slightly, a warning to not run from him.

I kept my breathing steady and relaxed into his hold. I wasn't frightened of him. I was frightened others would see he was barely in control of his vampire right now. My eyes scanned the crowd, trying to make contact with Amisi, but she and Gregor were too busy greeting people and enjoying their new found connection. Finally I found Natalyia, who with one look at us both, knew we were in trouble.

Why Michel’s dragon-within decided now would be a good time to show his true colours, I don't know. But getting out of here was paramount right now.

Thankfully, within a few seconds Natalyia was at our sides.

"Mistress, can I be of assistance?" she asked quietly, leaning in to make her words even harder for others to detect.

"I'm not feeling well," I hedged, my instincts telling me to cover for Michel when surrounded by so many powerful vampires. "But I don't want Amisi and Gregor to be upset that I have not congratulated them. Would you mind relaying my best wishes." And in the process let Gregor know something was up.

"Of course," Natalyia replied smoothly, her eyes flicking to mine letting me know she understood the situation completely. "Do you require an escort to your chambers?"

I was sure Michel's Shadow Guards never left us, and right now any one else, even those blooded to protect me and therefore not threaten him, would probably cause more trouble than it was worth.

I smiled reassuringly and said, "We'll be fine. Just let Gregor and Amisi know." She nodded and flashed away, via Sergei and then surreptitiously to Alain, Michel's Second. No doubt making sure Michel's vampires were aware of what was happening, not taking any chance that he could still communicate telepathically with them.

I met Sergei's eyes as Michel started leading me out of the room, sending a message with my look to increase our guards, but stay back. One thing I could count on with my vampire security team, they were switched on and extremely good at what they did.

I breathed a little easier when we made it to the hallway, and easier still as we ascended the grand curving staircase up to our chambers on the top floor. Unlike Michel's house in London, we did not have the top floor to ourselves, but Michel made sure only his line were housed up here beside us. The Councillors and their lines had been housed in the lower floors and cellar. The
Château
was large, but even it wasn't big enough for all the inhabitants right now. The rooms were full to bursting.

As soon as we crossed the threshold to our room and the door clicked shut behind I pushed away from him, turning to see what colour his eyes were when they greeted mine.

Magenta.

"I need Michel," I said to his dragon-within.

"I am here,
ma douce
," he replied in a strained voice. "Just."

"What's going on?" I asked, my hands clenching and unclenching at my sides with my agitation.

"I am unsure," Michel admitted. "Save to say my vampyre-within wished to protect you in amongst the escalated
Sanguis Vitam
of that room. I can already feel him retreating now. I think..." he ran a hand through his hair, his shoulders relaxing slightly as he started to take his jacket and tie off, "that had you not been in my arms when the power accumulated, I may not have been able to keep him appeased."

Distance. It all fell down to that. I let a long breath of air out.

"The
Sanguis Vitam
wasn't threatening, but joyous," I advised him. "And maybe a little turned-on." Joining ceremonies did that to vampires, their hunger for power making their desire run a little rampant in light of the joined kindred Nosferatu's increasing
Sanguis Vitam
because of the blood exchange. Oh, and Amisi's blood on the air probably did it too. I remember those present at our ceremony responding to the smell of my blood when my palm was cut.

"Turned-on," Michel semi-repeated. "Exactly,
ma douce
. They were turned-on and my vampyre did not want you near them then."

Oh, that kind of made sense. I sat down into an armchair by the fire, relieved to have an answer that I could understand. I rubbed my stomach absently, nausea a constant companion right now, but adrenaline making it a secondary concern. Michel watched the movement, now relieved of his jacket and tie, and came to sit beside me in a chair.

A knock sounded on the door, startling me as I'd been staring unseeing into the flames of the hearth.

"Come in, Samson," Michel called a little wearily, clearly able to detect who was on the other side. I was impressed, and relieved, to see he was functioning appropriately again. I hadn’t been able to
seek
, so I wasn't quite there yet.

"Champion, Mistress," Samson said, bowing his head and remaining by the door, well out of reach and with easy egress available.

"It is safe to enter," Michel remarked, a slight bitter tone now lacing his words.

"What happened?" Samson asked, coming and standing by the fire, his eyes on me, searching for injuries, no doubt.

"Too much sexed-up
Sanguis Vitam
," I replied, suddenly feeling really hungry. Another positive sign that I could relax further. I snuggled into my armchair and curled my feet up beneath me.

The door opened before Samson could reply, Alain gliding through and coming to rest before Michel. I was sure he wouldn’t have entered unless Michel told him telepathically to do so. Obviously Samson drew the short straw to come in first, to make sure the coast was clear.

"What do you think it is?" Alain asked, face impassive, but voice showing his depth of concern. "Is your vampyre still secretive?"

"Extremely," Michel replied, that bitterness still tainting his tone. "Actually," he said more softly, "I get the impression he thinks I should understand what's going on. Clearly he does. But he also believes it better if I don't join the dots right now."

I frowned at the flames in the grill.

"That would indicate what's happening has happened before and we should recognise it," I said. Thoughts of mind manipulations and Fey charms swirling in my head. We'd been down those paths before.

"But also, that it is not as concerning as we believe," Michel supplied, reaching over and grasping my hand as it lay unmoving on my arm rest. He ran his fingers over my knuckles in a movement he had done so many times before in the past. It was instantly soothing.

"How can he think that?" I asked, lifting my eyes to Michel's and noticing only a hint of mauve in their depths of blue.

"If it was life threatening, he would not keep this from me," Michel said simply. "In fact, that may be why he
is
keeping it from me."

"That's ridiculous!" I replied, almost succeeding in pulling my hand from Michel's grasp. "He's making it life threatening."

"Yes," Michel said soothingly, "he is making things complicated, but it is our reaction to the situation that is a concern, perhaps not the situation itself."

I breathed heavily for a few seconds, trying to get my anger and frustration towards Michel's misbehaving vampire-within under control. His vampire's behaviour
was
compromising us, so I was finding it difficult to agree with Michel on this. Regardless of the 'why', the 'what' was going to be the cause of our death.
I was sure
.

"Lucinda," Michel said placatingly, clearly having heard my thoughts. "There is no way my vampyre-within would behave in this fashion, if he considered what was ailing you would cause you harm."

"Then why behave this way at all?" I asked in exasperation.

"Because he cannot help it. He is vampyre," Michel said evenly, then added, "Because he has reason to."

I did manage to get my hand free then and even made it my feet to start pacing, but as soon as I stood, the nausea swelled up inside. I sobbed out a sound as bile rose up my throat, and ran to the bathroom and the waiting toilet bowl there. I made it in the knick of time, but there was nothing in my stomach to expel. Just disgusting bile and frantically increasing saliva. My body shook with the need to be sick, but even that was beyond me right now.

I slunk down on my butt on the tiles, crying miserably to myself, as Michel crouched down at my side. A wet cloth in his hand to wipe my face with. I pushed him away.

"I don't want you here right now, Michel," I said pitifully. "I'm pissed off at your vampire-within, and I can't bear being near him."

So much for not harming Michel with my fears. The look on his face was achingly heart wrenching. He was shocked to his core that I was asking him to leave, but also guilt ridden that he didn't have a firmer hand on his vampire-within. I vowed to kick that scaly bastard's backside when I next got the chance to see him in his realm. I even considered Dream Walking right then to get Michel's dragon to come out of his garden. But my anger was too great.

And my need for Michel to go too strong.

"Very well," Michel said in a rasp. "I will send Samson in to attend you."

I just nodded, tears running freely down my cheeks. Michel hesitated. I think he wanted to say something else, but for whatever reason he held his tongue and simply stood and walked away.

By the time Samson made it to my side, I was sobbing again. His calm presence the only thing that made the ache in my heart subside. It was still there, tearing at my chest, but with his soothing strokes across my back and his soft words in my ear, I finally managed to stop bawling enough to let him lead me into the bedroom again. It was only after he placed me in bed, that I realised Michel had really gone. He wasn't in our chambers, or even the attached sitting room anymore.

He'd done exactly what I asked, which only made my behaviour more appalling.

"I didn't realise it was so bad," Samson said from the chair beside the bed. "I understand now why you called me here."

He didn't seem relieved that he was needed. The acknowledgement that I was severely compromised and truly needed all the help I could get was too levelling.

"You know I would want you here permanently, if it was at all possible," I said softly, lying perfectly still to make sure the nausea didn't swell up my throat again. "Regardless of need," I added.

"I know," he said quietly, but didn't elaborate.

"You're the first of my line, Samson. Whether I should or not, I feel more for you than the others."

Samson's chocolate eyes met mine, a wealth of sadness there.

"The pull to you, as my Mistress, is strong," he admitted. "But it is the pull to your Light which saved me, which I think is stronger still."

"Maybe one day we can be in the same city," I mused.