Frowning slightly, Lucius looked around, trying to find the source of the voices intruding into his dream. They were getting louder, interrupting him every time he started to speak to his sister. Unable to locate them, he then tried to block them but wasn’t totally successful. One in particular penetrated his mind, causing his heart to stutter each time he heard it. The need to find out more about the owner grew stronger, driving him to inhale deeply. The rich scent of sun-warmed apples filled his body, bringing with it a feeling of comfort and security Lucius hadn’t felt since Valerian changed him.
“Leelan.”
It’s that voice again!Smiling, Lucius moved away from his siblings, assuring them he’d be back soon. Holding his breath, he turned his head, trying to figure out from which direction the voice was coming.Where are you?
“Leelan…please,” murmured Brady, leaning in close to his mate’s ear.
He’s here…but where?Feeling warmth infuse his body, Lucius luxuriated in it—something he hadn’t done for a long time. Anxious about losing the feeling, he searched for its source, but only saw a thick mist creeping slowly toward him. Desperate now, he called out, “Hello? Where are you?”
Brady sucked in a quick breath at his mate’s faint voice. Even though Lucius had barely spoken louder than a whisper, the words echoed loudly in his mind. Glancing up at the Shaman, he received a smile and a nod, indicating he should continue. Returning his gaze to his mate, Brady lifted his mate’s hand to his mouth, pressing a soft kiss to it. “Leelan, I’m here…please open your eyes.”
Open my eyes…open my eyes.Lucius repeated the instructions several times to himself before finally doing as the voice requested. He never expected it would be easy to leave his pain-free, dream world behind, but that voice filled him with hope, something he craved more than anything else. It took all his strength to force his eyelids up and, when he finally succeeded, his eyes saw the face of a man whose kindness and love were clearly evident to him.
“Leelan,” Brady murmured, gazing into the deep violet eyes of his mate, “I’m right here.”
Staring at the man who spoke to him, Lucius felt the pull of his blood, calling to him. Gasping at the sensation, Lucius was shocked at his overwhelming need to bite—a need he wasn’t sure he could fight. Trying to gain control, he took a deep breath, the scent of apples filling his nose. His eyes grew moist as memories of his home enveloped him, the place he’d longed to returned to for so long, except his destination had changed. This man was now his home. Lucius whispered, “Who are you?”
“My name is Brady Whitmore.”
Brady…Brady Whitmore. Lucius rolled it around in his mind, liking the sound of it but that still didn’t tell him why he felt safe for the first time since waking up as a vampire. Though his brain was unable to sort it out, his body quicky became desperate for Brady’s blood—and that frightened him since it would be breaking a promise to himself. During his time under Valerian, it was the only thing he could control; it allowed him to keep his humanity, or at least part of it. But now, none of that mattered as his mouth began to water in anticipation of as little as a drop of Brady’s blood. Swallowing, Lucius asked again, “Who are you?”
Smiling gently, Brady replied, “I’m your Beloved…your Fated Mate.”
Furrowing his brow, Lucius whispered, “I was told I wouldn’t have one.”
“Funny, so was I…but it seems the Fates decided otherwise.”
“I don’t know what to do,” Lucius murmured. “I never had a Fated Mate before.”
“That makes two of us because I never had one either,” Brady smiled.
Giving a short snort, Lucius grinned. “I know what I want to do but I can’t.”
“Tell me,” Brady murmured.
“Your blood…it’s calling to me. My mouth is so dry yet so wet with the need to have even one drop of it on my tongue. It doesn’t make sense. I was always able to resist, but now, I don’t think I can.”
“Then don’t,leelan. My blood belongs to you as your Fated Mate. There will be no need to drink from anyone else.”
Lucius’ eyes widened. “I never touched a human…never…I only drank from my master and animals.”
“I’m not human,” Brady said. “I’m a warlock.”
“A witch?” asked Lucius, worry reflected in his voice. The only witches he knew were associated with his master and they were as cruel as Valerian.
“A warlock…with no magic,” Brady explained. “Do not be afraid,leelan,because even if I wanted to, it would be impossible to use magic against you.”
No magic?Lucius was perplexed. “What about the spell? Oracle said my Fated Mate could remove it?”
“You mean the death spell?” asked Brady.
“Yes…I don’t understand how you can remove it if you don’t have any magic?”
“I don’t need magic to claim you,” Brady said softly.
“Claim me? How?”
“Well, normally when a magic user claims a mate, there is a magic bond that occurs when…when…”
