Kiss of the Dragon by Nicola Claire

vases all around the room. The smell of them wafting on the air as soon as we entered the grand space was alluring. The furniture here was more casual than the sitting room I had appeared in last night; this room was clearly for entertaining close friends. Its overstuffed sofas were in pale colours that complemented the many wild flowers Kathleen had picked from the Château's gardens, the throw rugs were in contrasting and in some cases clashing colours, but the overall effect was still homely, rather than garish. The artwork was less formal, the lighting dim and inviting. The entire space was definitely one I could picture using again and again.
    She had also placed snacks around the room, fresh vegetables and dips, finger food that looked delicious, treats that carried no less than a thousand calories I was sure. Considering Kathleen, Matthew and I were going to be the only ones eating, it seemed a little over the top. But then I spotted Yves in the corner with a young Nosferatin girl I didn't recognise. So, five humans to eat enough food for fifty then.
    I laughed at the sight that met me and all eyes in the room turned to Michel and I standing just inside the door. I was swamped by vampires within a second. Sergei and Natalyia wrapping me up in a huge Russian bear hug that threatened to suffocate. Marcus, Matthias and Christopher off to the side, but replacing my Tego Texi Tectum duo as soon as they let me come up for air. A nod and grin from each of Michel's Shadow Guards in the corner of the room and then I was scanning the space for the one vampire, if I am truly honest, who was most important right then.
    Samson stepped out from beside the fireplace - which had been lit for some reason, only adding to the cosiness of the room - and walked towards me slowly. I couldn't make out what he was thinking from his vampire impassive face. I held my breath, I'm not sure why, but his reluctance to embrace me, to come to me immediately upon entering the room, worried me.
    He stopped a few feet in front of me, but came no closer. I could feel Michel's presence at my back, as though he knew Samson's behaviour was having an effect on me and he was offering support. The heat of his body down the back of mine and his warm hand wrapped around the back of my neck grounded me enough, so that I didn't simply demand Samson tell me what was wrong. Instead I smiled at him, raised my eyebrows and cocked my head, and then held out my arms for a cuddle.
    Samson's lips twitched, he ducked his head and murmured, "Mistress," and then finally stepped into my embrace.
    "You're an idiot," I whispered in his ear, but didn't release him when he stiffened. "You should always be the first to greet me and I expect nothing less than a full body hug."
    He pulled back and looked down at me, he looked infinitely sad.
    "I thought you'd be mad at me," he said softly. The vampires in the room would have heard our conversation, Michel definitely did as he was still at my back, but the others had started conversing amongst themselves to offer the only privacy they could.
    "I still am," I answered honestly. He cringed, I grabbed his hand before he could step away. "But I am more relieved that you are alive."
    I had not wanted Samson to challenge Sofiq, but without my permission he had entered into that alliance with Aliath in order to help me. His only intention was to save his mistress from harm. I could understand his motives at the time, but watching him nearly die at the Fairy Queen's hand was almost too much to bear. Samson was the first of my Lux Lucis Tribuo vampires to join my line. I took almost all of his Dark and held it dear, in exchange for him joining my line through a Light Bond. His attempts to kill Sofiq would have brought him back towards the Dark. I could think of nothing worse than that.
    I smiled up at him and squeezed his hand. "Shall we put it behind us?" I suggested.
    He nodded slowly, but there was still a slightly haunted look to his eyes.