Chapter 43
Surprised, but very pleased with Lucius’ response, Brady cupped his mate’s face, leaning forward, a soft sigh escaping from him when their lips met. Kissing Lucius made him wish there was time for more, but time was in short supply and he needed to address another issue. He whispered, “I love you, Lucius…now and forever.”
“I’m yours forever, also,” Lucius whispered back, his eyes boring into his mate’s. “And you better come back to me in one piece or I’ll hunt down Zohar and make him sorry he ever messed with you.”
Chuckling Brady shook his head. “Of that, I have no doubt.” Then, his mood turning reflective, he gazed at Lucius, knowing what he was about to say might not going to go over well. At least, he didn’t think it would, but Brady was learning never to assume anything about his mate. “Leelan…”
Seeing the change in his mate’s demeanor, Lucius’ gut clenched up, reminding him of the many times it reacted that way whenever Valerian was pissed off at him about something. Clenching his lower lip between his teeth, Lucius pushed back those memories, trying to concentrate on what was happening now instead of in the past. When Brady didn’t continue, he asked, “What has you so worried now?”
Taking a deep breath, Brady exhaled it slowly, before saying, “It would greatly ease my mind if someone stayed with you while I was gone.”
Taken aback at his mate’s suggestion, Lucius was bewildered. Unable to figure out why his mate was so concerned, he asked, “Why? I can take care of myself and…”
Interrupting, Brady said, “Not against magic. Zohar will seek to use any advantage he can find to stop the Ruler…and that includes using powerful magic against you.”
“I don’t understand…why me?” Lucius asked, clearly puzzled.
“Because I’m working with the Ruler,” Brady replied. “And since my childhood disease made me immune to magic of any kind, Zohar will have to look elsewhere for a weakness and, for me, there isn’t a greater one than you. It’s the same reason Remy sent his brothers to stay with Jackson until Zohar is taken care of.”
Brady’s worry touched Lucius’ heart but he wasn’t sure it was necessary. While he couldn’t fight, he could flee. It was a skill he’d honed when he was with Valerian, and had saved him from many painful punishments. Then, glancing at his mate, Lucius realized Brady firmly believed he’d be in danger. After thinking it over, he knew he’d agree to Brady’s request, but it would have to come with a few conditions. “Okay…” Lucius held up one finger. “I’m not leaving so whoever it is has to come here.”
“Done,” Brady said.
“Two. If I’m not comfortable with your choice, I have the right to veto it. ”
“Agreed,” said Brady, “and I’ll add a condition of my own to yours: Three...every candidate I propose to you must have my absolute trust to protect you…even at the cost of his own life.”
Lucius’ eyes widened at his mate’s statement, finally realizing the seriousness of the danger Brady felt he was in. Nodding slowly, he said, “I agree.”
“Thank you,leelan…I appreciate it all the more because I know I’m asking a lot from you.”
“If it helps you…” Lucius began.
“It does…more than you know.”
Smiling, Lucius said, “Okay, who’s your first choice? And it better not be Zane.”
“What? Zane? No…I would never,” Brady paused, seeing the laughter in Lucius’s eyes. He had been played…and played well, but two could play that game. “Well…he wasn’t my choice, but now since you mentioned him…”
Laughing at his mate’s attempt to tease him, Lucius pushed Brady on his back, so he was now lying on top of him. His eyes danced with merriment as he gazed at his mate. “Good try…but I know you’d never pick Zane.”
Smiling back at his mate, Brady reached up, tenderly running his palm along the side of Lucius’ face. The difference in his mate since they came home was startling. Gone were the shadows of fear and pain present in his face from the death spell and, in its place, happiness and joy resided. Brady was sure he was finally seeing a glimpse of the person Lucius had been before Valerian changed him. “You’re right about Zane…as much respect as I have for Jackson and his brothers, they have other priorities. The person I have in mind doesn’t. His only concern will be your well-being.”
“Hmm…okay, now you’ve piqued my interest,” Lucius replied. “Especially since I don’t think there is such a person.”
“Oh, but there is,leelan…and heisextraordinary.”
Raising his eyebrows, Lucius stared intently at Brady, finding the love he had for his mate reflected back at him. Then giving him a quick kiss, said, “High praise, especially since that’s how I see you.”
Brady’s cheeks grew pink. Uncomfortable when anyone praised him, he did what he’d always done—mumbled his thanks before diverting attention away from himself. “So…are you ready to find out who I picked?”
“Yes, please,” Lucius answered, his eyes bright with curiosity.
“Vasile…one of my dearest and oldest friends.”
The smile slid from Lucius’ face.A vampire? Another vampire?
Watching his mate closely, Brady knew exactly when Lucius was thinking of objecting, but before his mate could do so, he said, “Let me tell you about my friend…I met Vasile when he asked for my help about a coven whose leader had forced its members into lives of crime. By accident he found out about it, one day, when he caught a vampire picking his pockets. After easily restraining him, Vasile was shocked at how weak he was and asked him when he’d last had blood. After much begging from the perpetrator to be let go, Vasile finally learned the truth as to why the vampire tried to rob him.
