A Vampire's Life Book 5

Chapter 22

I was perusing the dinner plan for the next week when I saw the rock in the courtyard crack with a red line, the door slowly swung open. The colour fell from my face as I saw Edmund walking through followed by Terrance. I turned to Muriel who was watching with fear.

"You know the drill."

"Yes your highness."

I took a deep breath as she disappeared, I could feel the gust of wind pass me.

"Gaston would you be so kind as to alert his highness that his grandfather is here to see him."

"Of course your highness."

I wandered out through the kitchen door, Edmund and Terrance were looking over the kitchen garden. Terrance was trying to buy me as much time as he could.

"Ivy what a pleasant surprise." he grinned "We weren't expecting to find you here."

"I have taken a short break from the administration work to ensure the staff are maintaining the house properly, ensuring the meal plan is adequate." I curtsied "Welcome your highness."

"Thank you Ivy, is Jonah around?"

"He is in his study; would you like to join him in the parlour for afternoon tea?"

"Yes that sounds pleasant. I was just telling my son how wonderful the gardens are; you have employed a talented gardener."

"Oh that is not my doing, your highness. I am afraid that your grandson was the person responsible for the staff choices."

Edmund chuckled "Of course."

"Would you like to see more of Bertie's efforts?"

"Yes I suppose a quick stroll around the garden would be nice."

I led them past the kitchen garden and into the formal garden.

"How long are you staying for Ivy?"

"I haven't decided; will you be joining us as well?"

"No, I have been swamped with paperwork." he frowns. "Today is only a short visit. I suppose in the summer months it might be more pleasant to visit. Is it warm in the summer?"

"In the times that I have been here, yes it has been. I tend to be stuck in the office most days." I grinned "This particular area of land is quite arid and it gets quite hot though the weather tends to be rather erratic."

He nodded as we passed through the highly manicured gardens and into what will be the children's play area.

"And how is the compound going, are you finding that things are working well?"

"It is going very well your highness, we hope to confirm pregnancies soon. The humans are getting used to the blood donation and agree with the idea of selling their blood for our sustenance."

"Ensuring they get to see another day?"

"Exactly your highness."

Edmund nodded with a smile as he looked out over the wall to the buildings that lay in front. Terrance told him what each of the buildings were and the plans for the future areas. I could see movement out of the corner of my eye, turning slightly I could see Muriel with one very relieved look on her face. She gave me a nod and returned into the residence, Jonah moving out the front door after she had left.

"Grandfather, what a pleasant surprise. Hello father."

Jonah bowed slightly and then led them into the house. I stood for a few seconds, thinking that my legs were about to give way. We had been warned that this would happen, I knew that Edmund would do his utmost to catch us out. Now all we had to do was survive the next few hours. If we passed this, I knew he wouldn't return for some time. He was already busy with his kingdom, to be preoccupied with trying to catch his grandson and girlfriend living together was a waste of his precious time.