Vampires of the Chesapeake: Nikolaus Schild

Nikolaus Schild has come a long way in 1400 years. Once a Frankish prince, who ruled over Reims, he now oversees his small estate along the St. Mary’s River. He prefers this peaceful existence in the country, which affords him time as a famous concert violinist to perfect his violin pieces. Until one evening, his quiet life in the country is interrupted. As he strolls his property, he finds a battered woman named Donella Fitzpatrick hiding in his field. She has nowhere to go and Nikolaus begrudgingly offers her a temporary room in his home, only until she recovers. Having a human houseguest is anything but easy and Nikolaus must hide his vampirism and unusual sleeping habits. But when he gets word that an ancient hunter is after him hiding his eccentricities from Donella becomes the least of his problems.

Donella doesn’t trust him; she doesn’t really trust any man since her ex, Tucker, accused her of being unfaithful and then beat her. She knows she should be grateful for “Mister Bossy’s”— or as he calls himself, Nikolaus’—hospitality, but she can’t stop arguing with him. The man gets under her skin. The sooner she finds a job, the sooner she can get her own place and get away from him because the last thing she needs is another controlling man in her life.