Romance with a Bite

by Tamsin Baker

  When her body slowed down with a very familiar, aching tiredness, she went to the doctors for tests. The results led her to here.

  Amy sighed, raised her hand and straightened the bright scarf over her near-bald head. She grimaced. It’ll grow back again.

  She traced her fingers on the still-sensitive spot on her neck, a dark mark she’d seen in the mirror. She couldn’t remember being bitten by any insects. Strange.

  Amy placed a hand over her mouth to cover a wide yawn. Damn those dreams, keeping me awake. Always the same—running, searching for something. Someone. A tall, shadow in the distance reaching for her. Lips kissing her neck, her name whispered in a husky, sexy male voice. Echoing around her, through her. Then waking up to nothing.

  She fisted her free hand in her lap. Why the same dream? Who is he? Her heart raced. Why do I have this desperate urge to find him?

  Frantic beeps from her machine had a nurse rushing over. “Are you okay?” Amy nodded. The nurse examined the machine. “Not long now.”

  “You’re doing well.” The woman patted her hand. “Your hair will grow and you’ll be back on the beach wowing everyone in a bikini.”

  “I’m a long way off from that.” The t-shirt hid her right breast, swollen with reddish skin and a jagged scar. “But I’ll get there.”

  “Are you going to do anything to that one?” The nurse gestured from one breast to the other.

  “Yes, a matching one.” Another phoenix rising from the flames to mark her fight for life, to never give up.

  “Great. In no time, you can go gallivanting around the world.”

  “I only came back from a holiday a few months ago.”

  “Doesn’t mean you can’t go again. Get in the sunlight and don’t look back. No hiding in the darkness for you.”

  Amy blinked several times as pressure built in her skull. A husky, French-tinged voice echoed in her ears and she raised a hand to her brow. She shivered, her skin remembering the caress of warm, large hands.

  She gasped, the answer so tantalizingly close. Answer to what?

  “Honey, you’re flushed and shaking.” The nurse checked her pulse. “What happened?”

  What was that? Amy shook her head. “Nothing. I’m fine.” Why does it keep happening?

  “Do you want something to drink?”

  “No, thanks.”

  “Take it easy. “ The woman patted her arm. “Get well, find yourself a hunky man and spend days making love.” She studied Amy. “That’s if you don’t already have one.”

  “No.” Amy’s heart thumped hard in her chest.

  “Oh, I assumed you did. You had the look.”

  Amy flinched. “What?”

  “Of someone in love. I’ve seen you over the past weeks. You’re always daydreaming, smiling at memories, getting all hot and fidgety.” She chuckled. “I thought you were remembering what your guy’s been doing to you.”

  Amy shook her head. “No, I don’t have a boyfriend.”

  The nurse checked the machinery again. “Well, you need to get out and go find him.”

  The woman left, yet her words echoed in Amy’s head. Getting louder, vibrating inside her mind. Amy pressed a hand to her skull and closed her eyes. Flashes of heat and cold raced through her and she slumped back into the recliner, shivering. A wave of fatigue hit hard. What’s happening to me?

  Amy opened her mouth to call the nurse back when a kaleidoscope of images punched into her mind. She gasped. ‘Isle Ambroise.’ Why? Her bungalow, the food. The amazing sunsets and stunning star-filled skies. A ragged cliff, a tall stranger diving from the top. Pulling him from the water, his gorgeous face, his beautiful eyes. His French-accented voice, skilful hands, and hard, hot body. Touching her, worshipping her, loving her.

  Amy jack-knifed upright, a sob escaping her lips. Her machine alarm went crazy, startling the patients on either side, sending a nurse running to her. I remember. She slumped back into the recliner, letting the nurse check the needle in her arm. Another asked her questions, which she half-answered in her stunned state. She raised a hand to her mouth. Don’t cry. She blinked several times.

  Etienne. I remember. After all this time, I remember.

  Amy took deep breaths and took the soda handed to her by one of the nurses. Sipped the sugary drink while the woman waited. When the can was empty, she left to tend to other patients.

  Amy’s hand trembled as she placed the can onto a side table. Etienne, I didn’t want to leave. His image filled her mind. I remember.

  Warmth flooded through her as her mind replayed his words, his caresses. Their last moments together. He said he loved me. Her heart thumped against her rib cage.

  Yes, he loves me. Otherwise, how can I remember when other guests never have?

  Amy relaxed in her chair, letting the machine do its magic, pumping drugs into her body to make her better. Her body tingled from excitement—from her fingers to her toes—as an idea blossomed in her mind.

  I know what I have to do.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  “I was surprised to get your message.” Thierry studied her, as he’d done several times since leaving the reception building. She’d arrived on the island a half hour earlier and had been escorted from the boat by a human staff member.

  “I was surprised you answered.” They headed to the same bungalow where she’d stayed during her last visit. “Should you be outside now?”

  Thierry weaved through the shadows in the gardens and palm clumps. “If I start smoking, throw your jacket over me to put out the flames.” He paused. “If you’re inclined to do so.”

  Is he joking? “Ah, sure.”

  “Come this way.” He guided her away from the security cameras and the monitors in Etienne’s study. “He should be sleeping—since he’s been working non-stop the past days—but to be sure.”

  The resort was as breathtaking as she remembered, her body shaking in anticipation as she’d done thirteen months earlier. I hope Etienne still loves me as he said that last night.

  It had taken many months to return to full health after she’d completed her chemo treatment. Once she was ready, she’d emailed the resort application website with the header “Thierry, I need your help.”

  He stopped. “I was also relieved to read the email.”

  He’s acting strange. “Why?”

  Thierry’s face filled with sadness. “It hasn’t been the same since you left.”

  Aching sorrow speared Amy. “Really?”

  “Etienne hasn’t been the same. Not like before, and not like while you were here.”

  Thierry let her into the bungalow. She moved around the room and opened the doors to the deck area. Inhaled the balmy, salt tinged air. “I missed this.”

  “I can see that.” He hesitated. “I regret treating you poorly.”

  “I understand. You were protecting him and your home.”

  “Yes.” Thierry glanced away. “I persuaded Etienne to give you up. I was a fool saying those words, and Etienne was a fool to listen to me. I know he regrets every single day since you left.” He placed the key on a table and headed towards the door.

  “Where are you going?”

  “I need to rest. We have a few meetings later today.”

  “When can I see Etienne?”

  “Tonight.” Thierry’s mouth lifted in a small smile. “I hope you can wait a little longer.”

  “Do you know where he’ll be?”

  “At the same place he is every night. The place you first met.”

  Amy’s heart jumped in her chest. Not long now.

  “You being here, remembering everything—proves how wrong I was.” He raised a hand to her arm. “I told you before not to hurt him.” Thierry paused. “With you being here, I hope it means you love him and will never hurt him.”

  “Hurting him would hurt me. I belong here. I belong to Etienne, if he’ll have me.”

  “I’ve no doubt he wants you.” He squeezed her hand and headed to the door. “Rest, order
room service, and tonight, go find him. Find your truth and your future.”

  Hours later, the sun dipped into the horizon, darkness fell, and Amy headed down the patio steps, her favourite burgundy sundress flapping against her knees. I missed him so much.

  She walked along the beach towards the mountain range, remembering the first time she’d seen him. Her regained memories were the only thing to keep her sane during her treatment. I still can’t believe I’m here.

  Her heart danced in her chest and her breaths sounded choppy. He’ll hear me before I see him. She arrived at the beach and scanned the craggy cliffs.

  He was there, staring at the moon.

  Dizziness hit Amy and she braced her legs. Don’t you dare faint. Her body shook. “Etienne.”

  His head whipped in her direction. His hands fisted at his side and his gaze widened.

  “Eti, I’m here.”

  He shook his head and stared. Then took a step back and dove into the ocean. Within moments, he swam to shore and wrapped her in his arms. He raised a hand to cup her cheek, gazing at her. He bent his head and touched his lips to hers, hesitating as if not believing she was there.

  Amy cuddled closer and covered his lips with her own.

  Etienne growled and deepened the kiss, apparently as hungry and desperate as she was.

  He slowly lifted his mouth away. “How?”

  Amy sucked air in, inhaling his all-male, unique scent. I’ll never leave him again. “I remembered you.”

  “I can’t believe it.” He hugged her close and kissed her brow. “How are you?”

  “Good.” She paused. “You knew, didn’t you?”

  He stilled. “Yes.”

  “You knew the cancer had returned. That’s why you made me go—to get treatment.”

  He nodded.

  “It’s gone.”

  His shoulders sagged. “I couldn’t let you stay, knowing you were ill.”

  “I’m not ill now, just more scarred.”

  “That doesn’t matter.” He traced fingers down her cheek. “I never stopped loving you. Watching you walk away has haunted me since the second you left.” He sighed. “These past months have been torture. I felt you, every second of every day.”

  Amy frowned. “What do you mean, felt?”

  Etienne closed his eyes for a moment. “I was emotionally linked to you. I felt everything you went through, the aching pain from the surgery and chemo drugs. The heavy tiredness, the sadness, the loneliness. As you recovered, the warm hope slowly growing inside you. Your spirit coming alive again. And I was happy.”

  She caressed his handsome face. “You knew everything?”

  “Yes. The worst day was when I felt your utter joy. That’s the day I knew you’d found love, another man to make you happy. I was happy for you.” He shuddered. “I knew I’d never see you again and it nearly killed me, that you didn’t even know I existed.”

  Amy hugged him close. “How could you do that?”

  He led towards the mountain. “When a vampire finds someone special and shares himself with her, his soul recognises his mate and makes that integral connection.” He stopped to cup her face. “I loved you from the moment I saw you. It took me some time to realise you were my mate, part of my soul. Then, you had to go.”

  Amy leant into his embrace. “The sheer joy on that day was when I remembered you and what you said to me that last night as you kissed me. I remembered I loved you. I knew I had to get better and come back.”

  “My darling Amy. My beloved.” He pulled her close, his chest tight against hers.

  “I have another tattoo to show you.” Amy lifted his hand to her right breast. “And I’m not leaving. Ever.”

  “Do you know what you’re asking?”

  “Yes.” She kissed him.

  “Are you sure?” At her nod, he groaned. “Amy, I haven’t loved a woman in five hundred years.” He caressed her cheek. “I was dead. A walking corpse, existing for centuries. Feeling nothing—until you.”

  “Eti, will you promise me one thing?”

  “I know what you want.”

  She kissed his fingers. “I’m healthy and hope to be for many years. One day, before illness or old age takes me, I want to become like you. Will you do that for me?”

  Etienne stared. “For you, I will. You are my true mate and I will make you mine for eternity.”

  He enveloped her in his arms and kissed her. Showed how much he loved her.

  Amy sighed as he lifted his mouth away from hers. “You and me together.” She smiled. “Forever in the moonlight.”

  THE END

  © COPYRIGHT ELVINA PAYET 2020.

  The Vampire Queen

  by Tamsin Baker

  The land of Syvim in the Vampire Continent.

  Chapter 1.

  Alessandra.

  My blade sliced through the furry flesh of the heinous male shifter before me. The jackal shifter pack had been terrorising the towns surrounding my castle and we’d caught a large group of them trying to sneak into our town to grab one of the children.

  After that, my army and I had chased them into the forest and the battle had commenced.

  The head of the jackal slid from the large body and blood spilled everywhere. Satisfaction filtered through me at seeing his life end. Sometimes it was the easiest way to stop the threat.

  I sniffed at the air and my vampire senses balked at the scent. The odour of shifter blood was one of the only types that made my thirst dry up.

  Luckily.

  I turned towards the battle behind me, where my vampire army was in the thick of it. Growls and snarls were heard barely over the clang of metal and the gnashing of teeth.

  The jackals had been attacking our town and threatening the humans who lived over the border, in the next kingdom. That was the last thing we wanted when a peace treaty with the humans was the next step for our kind to increase our allies. They’d made a nuisance of themselves and we’d left them alone up until now.

  But when the jackals had come at my town, my people, I’d had an excuse to strike back.

  I walked towards the men and women who were still fighting the remaining shifters, stepping over the dozens of bodies that littered the ground at my feet. On a positive note, the jackal forces were getting thinner by the moment. They wouldn’t last much longer.

  My vampire comrades had already cut through the thickest of the pack, and now they were beginning to turn away. Why?

  An almighty howl ripped through the air and the jackals began to snarl and whimper.

  What was that call? What did it mean?

  Quickly they were turning tail and running away, retreating like their lives depended on it.

  My vampire army watched them go, and if I were honest, I was happy to see the back of them.

  A cry rose up around me as my army cheered, claiming victory over those vile shifters.

  For the moment, anyway.

  I sheathed my sword and began walking towards our town, the men around me gathering close for the march back.

  “My Queen, we won,” one of my many guards said with a smile on his face and blood smeared through his hair.

  I nodded. “Yes, though their retreat will mean they remain to fight another day.”

  He grunted. “True.”

  Alhough their warrior numbers had dwindled and it would take time for them to mount another attack, the jackals were a resourceful bunch and their return was inevitable.

  “Either way,” I said. “We will be ready.”

  Those of us who still stood, made our way back to the town. I walked through the castle gates, the weight of my armour falling away as soon as I entered my rooms.

  “My Queen. Another victory?” my maid servant Nissa asked, her blonde curls bobbing as she ran forward to help me undress.

  I sighed as she removed my heavy garments and the cold air wrapped around my heated skin.

  “Yes. The jackals are in full retreat. It won’t be the last we see of them, I’m su
re. But we’ve thinned down their numbers dramatically.”

  For this, I was very gratified. Unlike my entire brethren, I didn’t hate all shifters. But the jackals had stepped outside the boundaries and laws under which we all lived.

  “Would you like a shower, my Queen?” Nissa asked, taking towels from the cupboard next to my bed.

  I glanced down at my sweaty, blood-smeared body. “Absolutely.”

  Nissa giggled as she walked into my massive stone bathroom and turned on the water. Steam began to rise, filling the room with a white mist. She was an attentive servant, and knew exactly how hot I preferred the water.

  “I’ll lay out your clothes for the banquet and wait for you, my Queen.” Nissa bobbed a curtsey and headed back into the bedroom as I stepped beneath the water.

  Alone at last. At least for a few precious minutes.

  “Argh….” A sigh fell from my lips as the water cascaded over my breasts and down my body.

  I turned and tilted my head back, letting the heat beat down upon me, the water washing away the stench of battle.