“Opting not to send him back to that life, Vasile took him home and, after several weeks of regular feedings, he recovered, joining my friend’s coven. That’s when he sought my help—and also when I gained, what would turn out to be, a dear friend. From the moment he sat down in my law office, it was clear to me how honorable he was…the complete opposite of your ex master and his buddies. Vasile would rather die than cause anyone pain. And I have no doubt that if necessary, he’d sacrifice his life for you, Lucius, especially since you’re my mate.”
Lucius thought about it, then asked, “You’re afraid Zohar would use magic to hurt me, so how come magic won’t hurt your friend?”
“Vasile is a very old and powerful vampire…much more powerful than your master ever was. Trust me when I say that anyone who tries to use magic in an effort to harm Vasile…or someone he’s protecting…will quickly regret it.”
Sighing softly, Lucius asked, “Can I meet him first…before I agree?”
“Absolutely,” Brady said.
“Okay,” Lucius replied. Then tilting his head to one side, he studied Brady before asking, “Is there any other reason you chose a vampire?”
“There is,” Brady said, caressing his mate’s back. “I’m pretty sure Valerian never taught you the ins and outs of being a vampire…and what he did tell you was presented in such a way as to only benefit him.”
“So it was worthless shit, in other words.”
Nodding, Brady said, “Definitely.”
“So Vasile is going to be my teacher?”
“Yes…in a way. I have several books about vampires that I thought you might want to read and if you have any questions, Vasile will be able to answer them.”
Lucius’ smile lit up the room. To finally find out about vampires, their history, how he should act in the company of other vampires, when to speak up and when to remain silent—knowledge that finally would give him the rules he so desperately needed to gain his equilibrium. And then to have someone who could answer his questions—well, it would be the best gift he could ever receive. “How soon can he get here?”
Brady grinned at his mate’s eagerness. “Mystia will be bringing him later. I sent Vasile a message last night when you were in the bathroom getting ready for bed, and he was honored that I asked him.”
“Oh…we have to get up,” Lucius said, rolling off his mate’s chest. “I have to be ready to meet him.”
Pulling Lucius back to him, Brady murmured, “Leelan, we still have a little while before we have to get up, so let’s try to get a little more sleep. I promise you there will be plenty of time for you to get ready before they arrive.”
Nodding in agreement, Lucius resumed the position his mate called ‘spooning’. The term hadn’t been familiar to him but it certainly was a perfect description. Wriggling his ass until it was snugged against his mate, he giggled softly when Brady grumbled “tease”, after which he closed his eyes and drifted off.
~/~/~/~/~
Breathing heavily for a few seconds after waking from his nightmare, Lucius heaved a sigh of relief upon finding it wasn’t real. He wasn’t dead, nor in pain from the death spell. Nor was he being tormented by Valarian. Instead, he was sleeping next to his beautiful mate and inhaling his unique scent that always took him home. But he realized the place he always thought of home had been replaced by Brady’s cottage and he never wanted to leave it?ever again. This is where he now belonged.
Awakening, Brady sensed the rapid pace of different emotions flowing through his mate and was pleased when Lucius’ strong feelings of contentment came through loud and clear. It was more than he expected, especially after fifty years of brainwashing by Valerian. He was beginning to realize, his mate had remarkable resilience and an abundance of love that deserved to be returned in kind. That the Fates had chosen him to stand by Lucius’ side and love him forever was a gift that was priceless—and Brady was going to do his damnedest to be deserving of it.
“Brady?” whispered Lucius. “You awake?”
“Good morning,leelan,” Brady said before kissing his mate behind his ear. “Did you sleep well?”
“I did…and you?”
“Yes…it appears I sleep better when I have my naked mate in my arms,” Brady replied, smiling.
Turning over so he faced Brady, Lucius grinned. “Funny, that’s what I was thinking too.”
The joy shining in his mate’s face was dazzling—brighter than the sun, and it rendered Brady speechless; he vowed that whatever it took to keep that smile on Lucius’ face, he would do it. Reaching up, his hands framed Lucius’s face, holding it still for a moment. Then, unable to wait any longer, he leaned forward until his lips were a hair’s breadth away from Lucius’ and murmured, “You are my sun…lighting the darkness that so long has filled my soul. You are my moon…filling my heart with love…the love I thought had abandoned me. You are my stars…showing me hope is always there…that I just have to look for it. Lucius, know this…my love for you will never die, it just grows stronger with each passing day…and no matter where life takes us, I will always be yours…by your side… loving you…supporting you…protecting you. I swear that to you.”
Tears filled Lucius’ eyes before spilling down his cheeks, only to be brushed away by Brady’s thumbs. His mate’s love swept through him, filling the hateful cracks Valerian had chiseled in his soul during the long, dark years he spent with him. One by one, they slowly began to heal, responding to the selflessness of Brady who’d accepted him despite knowing about his sordid past. “Mate,” Lucius said, his voice filled with emotion. “My mate…I didn’t know it was even possible to love someone as much as I love you…but I do now…and I always will. I thank the Fates for sending you as my savior when I didn’t think life was worth living. You are the anchor I can grasp when my world seems headed for rocky shores, or when I don’t know who to believe, or who to trust…you make me feel safe…something I haven’t felt for a very long time.”
Brady couldn’t hold back any longer. His lips met Lucius’, pressing gently at first, then deepening the kiss, but still craving more. When his mate opened his mouth to moan, Brady slipped his tongue in, seeking and finding his mate’s. Wrapped around each other, their tongues danced, exploring their unique flavors. Desire shot through him, setting his body on fire until he was sure nothing would be left of him but ashes. Fighting the lust he had for his mate, Brady knew their time alone together was limited; Mystia and Vasile would be arriving shortly. He nearly succeeded in regaining control of himself, but lost it when he heard his mate’s plea.
“Please, Brady, I need you so bad,” Lucius’ whispered, his words sending puffs of air against his mate’s lips. “Please…I need you in me…please.” Reaching down, his hand circled Brady’s cock, squeezing it before stroking it. Bringing his hand up over the cock tip, he caressed it, seeking out the sensitive nerves below the ridge.
Brady gasped at the touch of his mate’s hand—his hips began to thrust forward. With the next few strokes of Lucius’ hand, Brady knew his cock needed to be inside his mate. Flipping Lucius onto his back, Brady knelt over him, searching his face for any signs of distress. Finding none, he growled, “Did you mean it? Do you want me to make love to you?”
Nodding vigorously, Lucius murmured, “Yes…please.”
