Closer to my Beloved's Heart

Chapter Fourteen

I grew hungry by the aroma of a meal cooking. My stomach growled and suddenly I was ravenous. I walked out of the room I was given and followed the delicious aroma. Once at the grand staircase, the aroma was suddenly gone.

Frowning, I hurried down the stairs and to the place where I thought the aroma had come from, slowly pushing the swinging wooden door open. Well, by the looks of it, I had found the kitchen and by the Ancients, it was as beautiful and as huge as they come.

A beautiful black marble island with four black swivel seats on one side dominated the kitchen; the smooth black surface was so large as well as long. One end of it was attached to the darkened wall to the right so even though the island was in the middle of the kitchen, it was attached to the wall.

So it looked like a giant U. It was rather beautiful, to say the least. I slowly approached one side of the counter as I trailed my fingertips against the side of the island, my expression one of awe.

There were four burners that almost spanned the entire counter and my eyes grew wide. 'How come there are so many burners for one man?' I thought. Maybe his maids and butlers ate, I supposed. Yes, that was why.

I looked to the left and built into the wall was a black microwave and oven. When I looked to the right of me, I saw a beautiful black state-of-the-art refrigerator. I shook my head then turned. The shiny sink gleamed a little ways away from me, the lights above sparkling off of the fixtures.

Someone certainly cared about this kitchen.

My eyes lifted to the large window above the sink and I walked to it. Stopping before it, I looked at the drawn drapes that covered the window and thought it was odd. I mean, it was nightfall so these drapes should not be drawn now, right?

So I eased forward on my toes and grasped both ends of the drapes in my hands.

"May I help you?" A woman voiced from behind me.

I gasped and spun around as my heart raced within my chest. A woman no more than thirty-five with fiery red hair and hard bright blue eyes stared suspiciously at me. I placed my hand over my racing heart and tried to calm my breathing.

"I- I'm sorry. I was hungry and smelled something very tantalizing but when I came here, nothing nor no one was here. Curiosity got the best of me, I guess." I said with a sheepish smile.

The mystery woman's hard blue eyes seemed to soften as she looked at me. She then cracked a genuine smile.

"Ah, so you're the woman who's to help the king? I hope you can because that man is so troubled. I am glad the Ancients finally brought you two together."

As I gaped at her, she laughed.

"Forgive me. I always say what's on my mind. I'm Harley Monroe, the Vampire king's chef. If I may speak freely, you have a job ahead of you, missy."

I nodded upon hearing her words. I knew it would be a long journey; I just hoped I was the woman for the job.

"I just hope I am the woman for the job." I said with a small smile.

She nodded.

"Indeed."

"I am Angelica St. John." I said and outstretched my hand to her.

We shook hands. Harley couldn't believe that the king's salvation, his destined mate, was finally here. She hoped that Angelica could ease the king's worries and stop the nightmares that plagued him.

She could sense that Angelica was immortal but what was she? She couldn't quite put her finger on it. She also sensed Angelica would cherish true love when it would bestow itself upon her.