MIDNIGHT CONQUEST: Book 1 of the Bonded By Blood Vampire Chronicles Read Online Free Page B

cut stump between them, which served as a makeshift table, Amice snatched a hefty cloth to grab a kettle resting on the fire. She smiled and poured hot water into the two tea cups, filling one cup only half way, which she took for herself, leaving Davina the full one.
    The chill of the night air tingled on Davina’s cheeks and she held the warming cup between her palms, blowing on the amber liquid.
    A creaking sounded behind and she turned to see a young girl with tangled, golden hair peeking through the door of the Gypsy wagon. The girl appeared but a few years younger than Davina’s thirteen. Davina smiled and timidly waved. The girl frowned, stuck out her tongue, and ducked back inside. Her mouth dropping open at the rude child,
    Davina turned back and scowled over her tea. More than half of her cup was finished when she noted Amice had not yet taken a sip, but instead had set her cup on the stump. Before Davina could inquire, Rosselyn emerged from the tent, rubbing her palm and smiling. “Fascinating, milady!”
    “My goodness! That was done in haste.” Davina cast a look of regret at Amice.
    Amice beckoned Rosselyn with a wave. “Come, I have made you a cup of tea.” Leaning forward, she reached for the kettle and filled the cup on the stump. With the leaves already steeped, the fresh water made a cup of piping hot tea.
    How smart! Davina thought.
    As Rosselyn and Amice exchanged introductions, Davina finished the last of her tea—careful not to swallow the loose tea leaves—handed the cup to Amice, and stepped into the tent. The spicy aroma of incense drifted through the air and she sighed from the exotic scent. Dim lighting created a soothing atmosphere; the outside firelight cast shadows upon the cloth walls, infusing a dreamlike ambience. A table stood at the far end, a small stool set before it. Oil lamps on iron stands illuminated a basket on one corner of the tabletop, and behind the table sat not another old woman or bejeweled Gypsy girl as Davina expected, but the largest man she had ever cast her eyes upon. And very handsome! Her inexperienced heart thumped inside her reedy figure when his penetrating gaze met hers.
    This giant dwarfed everything in the room. His chest and arms bulged under the thin material of his brown linen shirt. A small opening in his collar revealed a mass of curled auburn hair, as fiery as the hair upon his head—striking in the lamplight. A flush heated Davina’s face over the mixture of unfamiliar emotions running through her at the mere sight of him, and she reached for the tent flap, thinking to run from this bewitching man.
    “Please, lass,” he said, his voice deep and smooth, like cream. He leaned forward, resting one elbow on the table and reached toward her with his other hand, the table creaking in protest. “Let me read your palm.”
    Drawn to that creamy voice and those hooded eyes, Davina released the flap and sat before him. “My name is Davina,” she offered, trying to delay.
    “An honor to meet you, mistress. I am Broderick.” He smiled and Davina’s insides melted like snow in spring.
    “Broderick,” she whispered, tasting his name. Clearing her throat, she gathered strength, put Kehr’s gift on the table and gave him her hand.
    “You have nothing to fear, lass,” he assured her, and when he touched her hand, her anxiety vanished.
    Broderick closed his eyes, letting his head fall back slightly, his hawk-like nose shadowing a chiseled cheek. Davina inclined toward him, drawn to his handsome features and the strength emanating from his body. She couldn’t help comparing him to her brother Kehr. Not one man she’d ever seen lived up to the vision of her brother—handsome, witty, charming, humorous, large in stature and character. Yet this Gypsy giant was something to behold. He smiled subtly, and an attractive dimple appeared just to the left of his mouth, enticing her to smile.
    “You have a happy life, lass. A family filled with love and warmth.