Chapter 29
Stepping out of the shower, Lucius wiped away some of the condensation on the mirror. Then, taking a deep breath, he looked at himself intently, expecting to see a difference. His body looked the same as it did before Valerian died, but inside him…well, that was another story. The constant need for his master’s blood was gone, replaced by a burning need for his mate’s. But there was something very different about his new need—something he didn’t really understand.
No longer was it keeping him on edge, struggling not to give in and drink from one of the many human donors Valerian tempted him with. Instead, the need for Brady’s blood was a quiet hum in the back of his mind, always there, promising comfort like a warm, cozy blanket. He found himself smiling at the feeling, something Lucius was quite unused to doing.
Shaking his head at his thoughts, he pushed them aside, picking up the folded towel Brady left for him. It felt so good to be clean after many weeks of hiding and trying to survive the pain caused by Valerian’s death. After watching the wolves kill Valerian and the two other vampires in Scotland, Lucius hadn’t dared return to his room in his master’s house in Spain, afraid someone would be lying in wait for him. Translocating to France, he was able to enjoy his first breath of freedom since Valerian changed him. But even having vampire powers couldn’t temper the fear he felt being left to fend for himself in a world no longer familiar to him.
Snorting quietly, Lucius remembered his resistance to the force pulling him to the cottage with the blue door, realizing now it was his only hope of surviving the death spell. He wasn’t sure exactly who the Fates were since his master never spoke of them, but he owed them a big thank you. Frowning slightly as he rubbed his body dry, Lucius pondered how to reach the Fates to personally convey his gratitude. Maybe his mate could help him with it.
Brady…my mate!Grinning at the image in his mind, Lucius hung up the towel, eager to see him again. After making sure the bathroom was neat, he walked into the bedroom, stopping short at the sight of Brady bent over. Whatever thought was in his mind, vanished at that moment as blood rushed to his cock. Keeping his eyes on his mate, Lucius grabbed his growing rod, feeling it twitch in his hand.
Hearing Lucius’ quick intake of air, Brady straightened up, glancing at his mate. Struck by his sheer beauty, he stood frozen, unable to do much more than stare at the display of perfection facing him. Deep violet eyes locked with his, causing Brady’s body to fill with desire he’d never felt before. “Leelan…”
His mate’s whisper floated through the air, caressing Lucius’ body when it reached him. It called to him like nothing he’d ever heard before. He’d never initiated sex when he was human, always waiting for men to approach him. It took a while, but he finally figured it was his submissiveness that caught Valerian’s eye that night. But now, this was different.
Smiling shyly at Brady, Lucius took a step, then another, his desire to feel his mate’s hand on him, giving him the courage needed. When he was within touching distance, Lucius paused, unsure of what to do next.
Brady saw the hesitation in Lucius’ eyes and, responding to it, closed the small gap between them until their toes were touching. Then, placing his hand over his mate’s, he slid them together down the length of Lucius’ cock, stopping at the base. Looking down, Brady licked his lips at the sight of his mate’s turgid cock, its tip now glistening with drops of pre-cum that had begun to flow.
But, there wasn’t time to do with is mate what he craved. Cupping Lucius cheek with his other hand, Brady leaned forward, lightly brushing his lips against his mate’s. Hovering there for a moment, he closed his eyes, inhaling the intoxicating scent of roses. Relunctantly lifting his eyelids, Brady reconnected with his mate’s gaze, finding desire burning brightly there.
Sighing at the unfairness of the timing, Brady removed his hands and took a step back. His plans for Lucius would have to wait. “Leelan…” He stopped when uncertainty and hurt crossed Lucius’ face. Stepping forward, he pulled his mate into his arms, holding him tight. “No baby…don’t…I love you…never doubt that for an instance! And I would happily take you to bed right now but I can’t.”
“Why not?” Lucius asked, his mate’s chest muffling his question. But the pain he felt at Brady’s rejection had come through loud and clear.
“Leelan…my darling Lucius…I want to make our first time special and I can’t do it here. For one thing, there are too many people around, and for another, Oracle is waiting downstairs to speak to us.”
“About what?” Lucius lifted his head and looked up at his mate in alarm. “Do you think she’s going to tell me what my punishment is for the things Valerian made me do?”
Gazing at his mate, Brady shook his head. “I’m pretty sure Oracle wants to speak to me about my promise to help Remy with the Witches’ Governing Council. Also, I don’t want you to worry about punishment because they’ll have to go through me to get to you…meaning if anyone orders it they’ll have to take me on in the courts. Lucius, trust me, no one will ever hurt you again.”
Searching his mate’s face, Lucius found proof of Brady’s promise. His anxiety faded slightly as he breathed a sigh of relief, his mind shifting back to the upcoming meeting…and his nakedness. “Ah, Brady? I don’t know where my clothes are and I’d rather not appear in public wearing nothing but my birthday suit.”
Brady swatted his mate’s plump ass. “I’m in total agreement,” he laughed, as he bent down to grab a bag on the floor. Dumping the contents onto the bed, he said, “While you were showering, the Shaman dropped off some clothes for both of us. I was sorting them when you distracted me with your gorgeousness.”
Grinning at his mate’s compliment, Lucius watched as Brady separated the apparel, gobsmacked at what he saw. Never in his life had he seen such beautiful clothes; his fingers itched to touch them.
“Here,” Brady said, handing Lucius half the pile. “I’m pretty sure the Shaman picked these out for you.”
Staring at the offering in his mate’s hands, Lucius was dumbfound at what he saw. Somehow Kieran knew exactly what he liked, from the soft lavender shirt to the deep blue skinny jeans he was sure would hug his legs like a second skin. Reaching out with trembling hands, he picked them up reverently, pausing a moment before clasping them to his chest. It had been so long since anyone had done something this nice for him.
Lucius always had taken great pride in his clothes when he was a human but it all changed when he became a vampire. Totally at Valerian’s mercy, he wore the clothes his master insisted on, most of which were ugly and ill-fitting. It only took one protest to learn what Valerian would do to him if he dared object to his attire. So year after year, Lucius hid his embarrassment, refusing to give his master the pleasure of punishing him if he complained. Somehow, though, Kieran had figured out his secret desire and had given him the outfit of his dreams.
Watching a myriad of emotions cross his mate’s face, Brady was curious as to what was eliciting his mate’s reaction to the clothes. Searching through Lucius’ memories, that he’d acquired after biting his mate, he finally understood. Once again, Brady had to deal with his unexpected hatred of Valerian. It was an unpleasant emotion, but one which had become implanted in his mind since learning about the atrocities his mate had been subjected to by Valerian. Pushing it aside, he asked, “Are you all rightleelan?”
Wiping the wetness from his eyes, Lucius shifted his gaze to Brady. “I’m…this…I have to thank Kieran for this gift. It’s more than I ever expected.”
“As do I. Let’s get dressed so we can go find the Shaman.”
Nodding, Lucius gingerly arranged his clothes on the bed so, he’d avoid crushing them when he sat down. Picking up a shirt, he held it up to his cheek, the softness caressing his skin.I’m going to keep this shirt forever. Smiling at that thought, he followed his mate’s suggestion, taking his time as he admired each of his new belongings.
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Holding his mate’s hand tightly, Lucius was filled with doubts about going downstairs, expecting the worst. Regardless of what Brady said, he was sure it wasn’t going to be pleasant. Years of hurting innocent people could not—should not—be forgiven or forgotten just because Valerian ordered him to do it. And while he was willing to pay the price for his actions, his main worry was how it would affect Brady. Dragging his feet, he slowly descended the stairs, trying to delay the hurt his mate would feel once Oracle announced his sentence.
Brady slowed down, matching his pace to his mate’s. Giving a quick glance at Lucius, he saw the tightness of his shoulders along with his furrowed brow and intuitively knew what was causing it. Squeezing his mate’s hand, he murmured, “Leelan…everything will be all right…please believe me.”
Relieved when Lucius nodded as they reached the bottom of the stairs, Brady’s gaze took in the scene before them. Not surprising, all the players were there. Leading his mate over to the sofa, he stopped to acknowledge Oracle, who was standing, before turning to look at Kieran. “Lucius and I want to thank you for the clothes, Shaman. They were much appreciated, weren’t theyleelan?”
