Tale of the Century Bride Complete: Historical Vampire Paranormal Romance Box Set by Susan G. Charles Read Free Book Online

only the outlook of death and decadence. It was the upmost unsettling.
    “August,” she said. “This place frightens me.”
    “How so my dear?” he asked her.
    “There is only gloom here.” she responded. “How could a place that holds such beauty be filled with so much darkness and disparity instead of happiness and joy?”
    “Well that is all quite simple my love.” He stopped. “With you I trust that life will soon resonate within these walls. I wouldn’t doubt the place needs a bit fixing up, but this is what I have called home for centuries. Appeasing as it may be to self, I would have never thought of this castle as being one of oblivion and bereavement.”
    Catherine gently placed an open palm against her king’s rugged face and slowly brushed downward. “But it is my love…” she said with a hinted grin.
    “This…” She looked around as if she searched for the right word to utter. She gazed back into his eyes with empathy. She said, “Stronghold… needs a woman’s touch of elegance.”
    As her hand slid by his mouth, he slightly turned and kissed her thumb, grabbed her hand, turned it downward and kissed the back of her hand. “As you wish my fierce eagle…”
    They continued to stroll through the courtyard. Upon entering the main hall, Catherine noticed something very peculiar. Well, she’d noticed it from the beginning but had chosen not to say anything. There weren’t any maidens or servants to greet them upon their entry. In fact, there was not a living human being or dying vessel in the entirety of the castle.
    There were no animals, no frazzle-dazzle paintings of previous heirs, and most important of all, there was no furniture. The castle was completely desolate. Although there was a large fire burning in a pit toward the end of the hall and mounted torches scattered about, the entire area was cold. She had not foreseen this coming.
    She caught a chill before she’d tensed. “I doubt if there is even food here.” she said in a calm but joking fashion.
    August snickered a bit.
    He’d thought of all the fancies a mortal would crave in this age of time. In previous eras with his preceding wives he needed not to fancy them with the pleasures of company nor delicacies. They would provide sustenance for themselves. The tribute brides were more of a sacrifice delivered by the townsfolk. They did not question his rule.
    But Catherine was different from the other brides. She was extremely compassionate about her arrangement. A hunter, she was fully capable of seeking out her own nourishment with skill and many years of experience. Truthfully, it was in her blood. But now that she was married, tradition would have it that her husband provided all of her necessities. And this is what excited him.
    She stepped away from August momentarily. She envisioned long burgundy drapes with gold trim ahead of the stone walls, paintings of August and her, the castle and their people. She imagined servants in traditional clothing with platters of the finest cattle, fruits, sweets and fine wines, knights in shining armor at a rectangular table with the Dalmar Crest in its center, her mother and sisters, all there to share her happiness.
    “What will you do my handsome husband of the night? What will you do to please me?” Catherine asked of her new husband.
    August turned to the wall behind him. He picked up a torch and handed it to her. “Wait for me in the donjon.” he said, as he pointed to the right. “The passage leading to the central tower is beyond the chapel.”
    “But where will you go?” she asked hesitantly.
    “I will return shortly,” August said.
    “You’re… you’re going to leave me in here… alone, tonight on our wedding day?”
    “But what of your biddings, and your needs that must be fulfilled?” August asked, confused by her questions.
    “August… I don’t think I would be able to spend the night in this… immense castle by myself. Ummm… do you think it can wait